Preparing fore the worst when it comes to your health is always a good idea, and we have you covered. Read about the top health insurance companies for 2022 here, and decide what is most important to you. Reduce your risk and make sure you are covered in case of illness, accident or disease.
Source of Data
The source of this list comes from Healthine, who compiles this list every year. Unlike some of our other lists, which are given in a Top 10 fashion, this list shows who is best in each different category.
Methodology of Study
Healthline looks across three categories when evaluating insurance companies offer policies to meet the requirements of the ACA (aka Obamacare):
- Customer Reviews and ratings – If others do not like the company, most likely neither will you.
- Cost of the Policy – The price you pay each month in premiums varies greatly based on where you live, what type of plan you choose, and whether or not your employee contributes.
- Benefits Offered – These are the things you can add to the basic policy to reduce your risk, cover more services, and such. Included in this category are thing like dental coverage, or optometry (aka vision care). If someone in your family has bad teeth, or poor eyesight, these additional benefits can save you lots of money over time.
To understand your healthcare plan options, read our ACA Obamacare Healthcare Plans Explained article.
Here are the top health insurance providers for 2022, listed by what category they won.
Best Customer Service
The winner for this category is Aetna Insurance. They offer a myriad of plans in the marketplace, as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Aetna is available in all 50 states.
Pros / Cons
✅ Nationwide Coverage- All their plans include wellness checks and use of HSAs.
✅ The rank best in customer service because they offer services online.
✅ You can choose from a wide selection of providers, regardless of where you live.
❌ They only have long term plans – no short term plans are offered.
They do not work with independent insurance brokers. You must buy direct from them.
Highest Customer Satisfaction
The winner in this category is Blue Cross-Blue Shield (BCBS). Another well established insurance company, BCBS is available in all 50 states, and has marketplace plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid.
Pros / Cons
✅ Medicare recipients in 45 states qualify for $0 premiums.
✅ They offer a discount program (Blue395) that offers extra benefits in vision, telehealth, dental, and fitness programs.
✅ Coverage is available nationwide. No matter where you visit inside the USA, BCBS has yo covered.
❌ Although BCBS is nationwide, plans vary based on location. Research with care.
Best Pharmacy Programs
Winner for best drug assistance programs ins Cigna Insurance. Unlike our first two winners, Cigna is not available nationwide, but they do cover expats living abroad! They are best known for their standalone prescription drug program for Medicare (part B).
Pros / Cons
✅ 24*7 Call Center Operations.
✅ Some of the best pharmacy programs.
❌ Not available in all states.
❌ Annual out of pocket costs are overly high.
Best Benefits
The winner of this category is United Healthcare. Only available in 18 states, United offer a full suite of marketplace plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid. They also offer short term plans and offer business insurance plans. Although a bit more expensive than the other on this list, those who do get United Healthcare coverage have a myriad of additional benefits offered to them.
Pros / Cons
✅ Exclusive partnership with AARP.
✅ Free house calls and virtual visits are covered in some plans.
✅ A plethora of additional programs are offered, including mental health care, support during pregnancy, and smoking cessation.
❌ More expensive than most.
❌ Not available nationwide.
❌ Some customers must self-file claims.
Best Dental Benefits
Ambetter Insurance takes this category. Only operating in 26 states, and only offering marketplace plans (no Medicare or Medicaid programs for them!), they rank best at offer exceptional dental plans as well as vision plans.
Pros / Cons
✅ Offer a 24&7 nurses hotline.
✅ Dental programs as low as $12 per month.
❌ Not available nationwide
❌ Online platform is substandard.
❌ They are a new company, with little to no track history.
Best Medicare Coverage
Humana takes this category. If you qualify for Medicare, Humana should be on the top of your list. They have many different Medicare plans, and also offer access to thousands of fitness centers and gymnasiums, across America.
Pros / Cons
✅ Most plans cover dental, hearing and vision.
✅ They reward healthy habits.
✅ Top when it comes to Medicare for those 65 years and older.
❌ Some plan lack prescription coverage.
❌ Only in USA, cannot use when traveling abroad (this is limitation of Medicare program).
❌ No short term plan options available.
Best Low Cost Options
For low cost insurance plans, Kaiser Permanente wins the prize. Kaiser is an HMO, and thus restricts you to their facilities, but because of this, they have a much lower cost of operations, which they pass onto you in the form of lower premiums, lower deductibles, and lower visit fees. They also have Medicare and Medicaid programs, but are only in a few states.
Pros / Cons
✅ A non-profit managed care organization.
✅ Low costs options offered.
✅ Extra benefits include eyeglasses, over the counter drug cost reductions, and exercise programs.
❌ Only available in 8 states and Washington DC: CA, CO, GA, HI, MD, OR,VA, WA
Regardless of your needs, there is a health care insurance company that is right for you.
