10 Best Health Insurance Companies in the USA

Choosing among the best health insurance companies is a critical decision as healthcare costs continue rising in the USA.Leading providers like UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Anthem (Elevance Health), Centene (Ambetter) and Humana dominate the market by membership and revenue.

These major health insurance companies offer vast networks, diverse plans, and varying pricing. In this article, we break down the 10 top health insurance companies in the USA, highlighting their strengths, statistics, and what makes each one stand out.

We use the latest data and expert rankings to help you compare options, from the largest insurance companies to the top-rated providers. Let’s explore each company’s plan offerings, network reach, and customer satisfaction to guide your choice of a good health insurance company.

![Flat lay of planner with Scrabble letters spelling "Health Insurance", representing healthcare coverage planning] It’s important to understand that terms like health insurance company and health care insurance company both refer to firms providing medical coverage.

In the U.S., health insurance companies can be nonprofit or for-profit entities that offer plans (HMOs, PPOs, etc.) to individuals, families, and employers. They negotiate rates with providers, manage policies, and handle claims. The biggest health insurance companies control substantial market share: for example, UnitedHealth Group accounts for about 16.4% of the market in 2023, far more than any other insurer.

According to ValuePenguin, the five largest carriers by revenue are UnitedHealth Group, Kaiser Permanente, Anthem (Elevance), Centene (Ambetter) and HCSC (Blue Cross Blue Shield).

Choosing among these top health insurance companies requires comparing network size, plan options, premiums, and customer service. Factors like cost versus coverage are key: in 2024 the average U.S. family premium was $25,572, with employers typically covering $19,276 of that. We encourage you to consider personal factors (age, health needs, location) and use tools or brokers for quotes.

Our guide below lists each insurer’s notable features. For further reading on finding affordable coverage, see our partner Viewspress health insurance resources.

Key Factors When Choosing a Health Insurance Company

Before diving into company rankings, let’s summarize what makes a good health insurance company. Consider these factors:

• Network size & coverage: A larger network means more doctors and hospitals in your area accept the plan. For example, UnitedHealthcare boasts over 1.3 million doctors and 6,500 hospitals in-network.

• Plan options: Check if the insurer offers HMO, PPO, EPO, or POS plans. Some companies (like Kaiser Permanente) focus on HMOs, while others (like Cigna) offer many plan types.

• Premiums & costs: Compare monthly premiums, deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums. Average U.S. premium data shows individual plans around $8,951 and family plans $25,572 in 2024.

• Financial strength: Large, financially stable companies are more likely to pay claims reliably. The top five carriers make up nearly half the market, indicating strong finances.

• Customer satisfaction: Insurer ratings and complaint indices matter. Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare both scored highest (4.17/5) in a 2025 consumer survey, reflecting positive member experiences.

• Special programs: Some firms excel in certain areas (e.g. Humana for Medicare Advantage, Centene for Medicaid). Check if they have discounts, wellness programs or digital tools that fit your needs.

Consider these points as we review each company. Remember, the best choice depends on your situation. Now let’s look at the 10 best health insurance companies in the USA, combining size and quality.

Top 10 Health Insurance Companies in the USA

Below are the leading carriers, in order of market presence and reputation. Each entry notes why it’s considered one of the top health insurance companies.

1. UnitedHealthcare (UnitedHealth Group)

UnitedHealthcare is the largest health insurance company in the U.S. by revenue, covering about 16.4% of the market. A division of UnitedHealth Group, it offers plans for individuals, families, and employers in 30 states, plus Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans. Its network is enormous – over 1.3 million doctors and 6,500 hospitals in-network meaning broad provider access nationwide. UnitedHealthcare also provides integrated care platforms and digital health tools.

Its financial strength (over $224 billion revenue in 2024) and high consumer trust have earned it the top spot in Insure.com’s 2025 ratings (4.17/5 stars). People surveyed cited UnitedHealthcare as “the most trustworthy,” with many planning to renew coverage.

Key points: Extensive provider network; many plan choices (PPO/HMO) across 50 states; strong employer and Medicare offerings. It’s a major health insurance company with top financial and satisfaction scores.

2. Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is a unique, integrated nonprofit HMO known for combining healthcare delivery with insurance coverage. It is the second-largest by revenue and actually the largest by enrollment for individual/group insurance. Kaiser serves about 12.6 million members primarily in California, Colorado, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. Kaiser’s model means members get care at Kaiser-owned hospitals and clinics, which helps control costs. In Insure.com’s 2025 survey, Kaiser tied with UnitedHealthcare for #1 overall (4.17 stars)i, with perfect marks for affordability (4.19) and the highest NCQA quality score (4.20). Its low complaint ratio (NAIC score 0.37, below market average of 1.0) also indicates high satisfaction.

Key points: Largest HMO network model; top ratings for quality and cost; ideal if Kaiser facilities are in your region. Because of its good health insurance plans, Kaiser often ranks as one of the best insurers.

3. Elevance Health (Anthem)

Elevance Health (formerly Anthem) is the third-largest insurer by revenue and manages about 7.1% of the U.S. market (via Anthem). It operates in 14 states and serves around 6.3 million members. Anthem is part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, meaning members get nationwide access through the BCBS BlueCard program. The Anthem network covers ~90% of U.S. doctors and hospitals, making it one of the big health insurance companies in terms of reach. Insure.com notes Elevance for excellent network breadth and solid customer service.

Key points: Large PPO network (14 states); strong BCBS brand; focus on digital health tools. Represents major health insurance companies along with UHG.

4. Centene (Ambetter & WellCare)

Centene Corporation (marketed mainly through Ambetter and WellCare) is the fourth-largest by revenue. It has a 6.8% market share and writes over $102 billion in premiums (2023). Centene specializes in Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare, covering over 25 million people nationwide. Ambetter provides Affordable Care Act marketplace plans in many states, with ~4.5 million members. Centene’s scale makes it one of the biggest health insurance companies serving low-income and elderly populations.

Key points: Extensive Medicaid managed-care focus; large national footprint; high enrollment in ACA plans. It’s often cited among top health insurance companies for its size and range of offerings.

5. Humana

Humana is a leading insurer specializing in Medicare Advantage and individual plans. It held about a 6.6% market share in 2023 and generated ~$100.5 billion in premiums. Humana covers roughly 17 million people, focusing largely on seniors. The company offers Medicare Advantage, prescription drug, and Medicaid plans. In ratings surveys, Humana often scores well for customer service and plan variety (Insure.com ranked Humana #2 for customer satisfaction). It’s considered one of the major health insurance companies for retirees.

Key points: Medicare/Medicaid specialist; strong senior care programs; decent survey ratings. A good health insurance company if you’re 65+, with a wide Medicare network.

6. CVS Health (Aetna)

CVS Health acquired Aetna in 2018, combining pharmacy services with insurance. The Aetna division is the fifth-largest carrier (~6.4% share) with $97.6B premiums. Aetna offers employer, individual, Medicare, and Medicaid plans nationwide. It operates in all 50 states and has about 5.7 million members in individual health plans. Aetna’s merger with CVS brings pharmacy discounts and health tools for members. Consumers often cite Aetna’s large provider network (as part of the BCBS association) and digital tools as strengths.

Key points: National presence; integrates pharmacy and insurance; strong Medicare offerings. It ranks among the largest health insurance companies and is often included in lists of top-rated insurers.

7. Kaiser Foundation (Kaiser Permanente)

(See entry #2: Kaiser Permanente)
Kaiser Permanente appears twice because it operates as both the health system and insurance provider. Its insurance arm (Kaiser Foundation Health Plan) is tied for #2 by revenue. We already covered Kaiser’s attributes above under #2.

8. Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC – Blue Cross Blue Shield)

HCSC is a nonprofit insurer running Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Montana. It holds about 3.7% of the market share and writes $55.5 billion in premiums. As a BCBS licensee, HCSC plans offer wide networks regionally. HCSC affiliates (like BCBS of Illinois, Texas) are among the good health insurance companies for residents in those states. Insure.com notes HCSC for reliability, especially through its local BCBS brands.

Key points: Largest Blue Cross Blue Shield carrier by enrollment; strong financial backing; extensive in its operating states. Makes HCSC a major insurance company in the Midwest and Southwest.

9. Cigna Healthcare

Cigna holds about 2.6% of market share with $39.6B premiums. It operates nationwide and internationally, offering employer plans, Medicare, and ACA plans. Cigna is known for large PPO networks and global health services. They have a strong customer service reputation and a comprehensive online platform. In rating surveys, Cigna tends to rank high for network size and member satisfaction.

Key points: Global network; focus on employer and Medicare plans; often recognized as a top-rated health insurance company for customer focus and innovation.

10. Molina Healthcare

Molina is the tenth-largest carrier (~2.0% share) and wrote $30.9B in premiums. It primarily serves Medicaid and Medicare populations in 19 states. Molina’s health plans emphasize low-income communities, offering specialty Medicaid plans and Marketplace plans. Although smaller than the giants, Molina frequently scores well for affordability and policy offerings (Insure.com gave Molina multiple “best” awards for price and low deductibles).

Key points: Medicaid/Medicare focus; high ratings for affordability; prevalent in community-based plans. This good health insurance company is a leading choice for value plans.

Each of the above insurers is a top health insurance company by market presence, plan variety, or quality. For context, the top 10 carriers wrote a combined 82% of all health insurance premiums in 2023. UnitedHealthcare alone accounted for roughly $248B. The overall market saw $1.08 trillion in premiums in 2023, an 8% increase from 2022. These figures highlight how crucial the largest insurers are to U.S. healthcare financing.

When choosing among these top-rated health insurance companies, consider how each aligns with your needs: networks, plan types (HMO vs PPO), customer service, and additional benefits. To get personalized quotes and plan details, you can contact insurers directly or work with a licensed broker. Many insurers also provide online tools to compare plans. No matter which company you lean toward, make sure to read reviews and check ratings. Engage with our readers: share your experiences with any of these carriers in the comments below to help others make informed choices!

Tips for Comparing Health Insurance Companies

When evaluating health insurance companies, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Read the Evidence of Coverage: Carefully review plan booklets or evidence of coverage for premiums, deductibles, copays, and limits.

• Check Provider Networks: Use the insurer’s website to verify your doctors and hospitals are in-network (especially important with HMOs).

• Evaluate Customer Service: Look for complaint index ratings from NAIC (lower is better). For example, Kaiser’s NAIC complaint score was 0.37 (well below average).

• Consider Plan Flexibility: Determine if you need referrals or if out-of-network coverage is allowed. Larger companies often offer more PPO/EPO options.

• Look for Extras: Some insurers include telehealth benefits, wellness rewards, or integrated pharmacy discounts (e.g., CVS Health’s synergy).

These pointers will help ensure you pick a good health insurance company for your situation. Remember, the goal is the best health care coverage for your budget and health needs.

FAQs

Q: What are the largest health insurance companies in the USA?
A: By market share and revenue, the largest U.S. health insurers are UnitedHealth Group, Elevance Health (Anthem), Centene, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, and Health Care Service Corporation. UnitedHealth Group tops the list, with roughly $248 billion in premiums in 2023, far more than any other carrier. These five firms account for nearly half of total market share.

Q: How do I choose a good health insurance company?
A: Compare network size, plan types (HMO/PPO), costs (premiums, deductibles), and customer ratings. Look for insurers with strong financial health and low complaint scores. For example, Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare tied for highest customer satisfaction in 2025 surveys. Reading plan documents and checking provider networks helps ensure you pick a company that fits your health needs and budget.

Q: What is a health care insurance company?
A: A health insurance company (sometimes called a “health care insurance company”) is a firm that sells health coverage to individuals, families, or employers. These companies contract with medical providers, set premiums, and process claims. Major ones include UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, etc. They offer plans that help pay for medical expenses.

Q: Which health insurance companies are top-rated?
A: According to industry surveys, Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare rank as the top health insurance companies for 2025. Insure.com’s survey found both carriers scored 4.17 out of 5 stars overall. Companies like Aetna (CVS Health), Highmark, Elevance (Anthem), and HCSC (BCBS) also rank highly. Ratings consider factors like price, customer service, and quality scores.

Q: Do Blue Cross Blue Shield companies make the top 10 list?
A: Yes. Several BCBS entities are among the top insurers, though they appear under different names. Health Care Service Corporation (BCBS plans in IL, TX, etc.) is #8 above, GuideWell/Florida Blue is #10. Anthem is a BCBS member (Elevence). Together, BCBS licensees cover all 50 states and are part of the largest network in the country.

Q: How many people are insured by these top companies?
A: These insurers collectively cover hundreds of millions of Americans. For example, UnitedHealthcare has about 47 million covered lives, Kaiser 12.6 million, Anthem 6+ million, Centene 5+ million, Humana 17 million, Aetna ~24 million, Cigna 18 million, and so on. In total, U.S. health insurers wrote over $1.08 trillion in premiums in 2023, reflecting the sheer scale of these companies.

Conclusion

In summary, the 10 best health insurance companies in the USA include both the largest carriers and those with the highest customer ratings. We’ve highlighted how UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Anthem (Elevance), Centene, Humana, Aetna (CVS Health), Cigna, HCSC, Molina, and others compare in terms of size and service.

Each of these insurers offers unique plans, networks, and benefits, so the ideal choice depends on your individual or family needs. Always compare quotes and coverage details before deciding. We encourage you to use our guide as a starting point: talk to insurance professionals, visit insurers’ websites, and read member reviews. Which of these good health insurance companies have you used? Share your experience below to help others.