Posted by Sometimes, it can be a bit confusing when choosing and deciding on the best health insurance plans to go with. This is because there are a number of health insurance plans available that require you to make informed decisions before making a purchase.
To help you make an informed decision, we will be providing you with every necessary and important detail that you may need concerning the best health insurance plans. So all you have to do is stick around while we walk you through this well-detailed article.
Before we start talking about these plans, let’s first take a look at what health insurance plans are all about.
What is a Health Insurance Plan?
Generally, a health insurance plan is an agreement that you have with an insurance provider that will enable the insurer to take care of your medical expenses. This insurance also covers some of the costs that are associated with your healthcare expenses.
To make payment for your health insurance, you have to come to an agreement with your insurance provider to either pay monthly or annually. In return, the company takes care of your medical bills.
Most times, you may be required to pay a deductible before your health insurance provider starts to take care of your medical care.
In case you are wondering, a deductible is the agreed-upon amount you have to pay before your insurer starts to cover your health bills.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Health Insurance Plan
The following are factors to consider when choosing a health insurance plan:
Cost
There are three components that make up the cost of a health insurance plan. These components include:
- Monthly Premium
- Deductible and
- Out-of-Pocket
Monthly Premium
This is the monthly amount you pay so that you can maintain your coverage.
Deductible
The deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in.
Out-of-Pocket
This is the most you’ll have to pay in a given year for covered services
Now, these three components play a vital role in determining the cost of health insurance, which in turn, is important in choosing a health insurance plan.
Coverage
Most plans will cover things like doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, etc. But not all plans will cover things like dental or vision care or other types of specialized care.
Also, some plans will have limitations on the number of visits or services that are covered. Consequently, it’s important to understand the coverage of a plan before you choose it.
Network
When you have health insurance, you’ll typically have access to a network of providers who have agreed to provide services at a discounted rate.
These are known as in-network providers. If you go to a provider that is not in-network, you may have to pay more out of pocket.
It’s important to understand the size and quality of the network when you’re choosing a plan.
Flexibility
Flexibility refers to the ability to customize your health insurance plan to meet your specific needs. Some plans offer more flexibility than others, and they allow you to choose your own providers and add or remove certain benefits.
If you have specific needs, it’s important to find a plan that offers the flexibility you need.
Customer Care
Having easy and quick access to your customer care cannot be overemphasized. It is very important, especially when you may need to contact customer service for a variety of reasons.
Maybe you need help finding a provider, or you have a question about a claim. The quality of the customer service is very important when choosing a plan. So you need to look out for those whose customer service is top-notch and go for them.
We hope you are following us so far. So we will now be looking into the best health insurance plans that are available for you.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Health Insurance Plans
Selecting the best health insurance plans requires careful evaluation of certain key factors.
The following factors have been taken into consideration to determine the health plans listed below:
- Cost
- Coverage
- Satisfaction Rating and
- Customer Service.
List of the Best Health Insurance Plans
The following is a list of the best health insurance plans for you:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Kaiser Permanente
- Cigna
- Humana
- HealthPartners
- Oscar Health
- Providence Health Plan
- Clover Health
- Medical Mutual of Ohio
- Premera Blue Cross
- Allianz care
- Geisinger Health Plan
- Bright Health.
Overview of the Best Health Insurance Plan
1. Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Year Founded: 1929
- Location: USA
- Average Monthly Cost: $200 to $500
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5
Description: BCBS is often considered to be the best overall health insurance plan. It has a large network of providers and a good number of plans that you can easily choose from, according to your choice.
Although it’s a bit expensive, it has a very good customer care rating.
VISIT2. Aetna
- Year Founded: 1953
- Location: USA
- Average Monthly Cost: $200 to $300
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.0
Description: Aetna is another top health insurance provider, with a strong reputation for customer service. It offers a variety of plans.
When you talk about one of the largest networks of providers, Aetna will surely be on the list.
However, Aetna’s out-of-network coverage can be a bit limited, so it’s important to check with your provider before you enroll.
VISIT3. UnitedHealthcare
- Year Founded: 1977
- Location: USA
- Average Monthly Cost: $300 to $500
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5
Description: UHC is one of the largest health insurance providers in the US, and it has a great reputation for customer service.
UnitedHealthcare has a large network of providers, and it’s easy to find a doctor who accepts UHC insurance.
One thing you should keep in mind is that its plan options can be a bit confusing, especially if it’s your first time. So it’s important to carefully compare your options before enrolling.
VISIT4. Kaiser Permanente
- Year Founded: 1945
- Location: USA
- Average Monthly Cost: $350
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5
Description: This is a unique health insurance company because it’s both a health insurance provider and a healthcare system. That is to say that Kaiser Permanente has its own hospitals, clinics, and doctors.
What this means is that you’ll always have access to care within the Kaiser Permanente system. The downside is that you won’t have as much flexibility when it comes to choosing your own doctors and hospitals.
VISIT5. Cigna
- Year Founded: 1982
- Location: USA
- Average Monthly Cost: $350
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5
Description: This is another top health insurance provider. It is very competitive in the insurance niche, and it’s known for its competitive prices and good customer service.
VISIT6. Humana
- Year Founded: 1961
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $350
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5.
Description: Humana is another top health insurance provider, and it has a strong reputation for customer service.
They also have a variety of extra benefits, such as vision and dental coverage. They have quality plans, though they can be expensive at times.
VISIT7. HealthPartners
- Year Founded: 1992
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $350
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5.
Description: This is a small health insurance company, but it’s worth considering. HealthPartners has a strong network of providers in the Midwest, and its plans are generally very affordable.
It also has a strong commitment to preventive care, which can help you stay healthy and avoid costly medical bills down the road.
VISIT8. Oscar Health
- Year Founded: 2012.
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $350
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5.
Description: This is a newer health insurance company that’s already making a name for itself with its innovative approach to healthcare.
One thing that sets Oscar Health apart is its use of technology to improve the healthcare experience. For example, Oscar Health offers a mobile app that makes it easy to find a doctor and schedule an appointment.
VISIT9. Providence Health Plan
- Year Founded: 1995.
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $350.
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5.
Description: Providence Health Plan is another health insurance company that’s worth considering. It has a strong network of providers in these states, and its plans are competitively priced.
Also, they have a strong focus on preventive care and wellness, which can help you stay healthy and save money on healthcare costs.
VISIT10. Clover Health
- Year Founded: 2014.
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $800
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.0
Description: This company relies heavily on tech to provide health insurance for you. They use tech to simplify healthcare, so it will be easily accessible for you.
VISIT11. Medical Mutual of Ohio
- Year Founded: 1934
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $600
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5.
Description: The next health insurance company on our list is Medical Mutual of Ohio. This is a regional health insurance company that serves Ohio and nearby states.
Medical Mutual of Ohio has a strong network of providers in Ohio, and its plans are generally quite affordable.
They also offer a variety of extra benefits, such as vision and dental coverage.
VISIT12. Premera Blue Cross
- Year Founded: 1933
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $650
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.0
Description: Premera Blue Cross is a health insurance company that serves Washington and Alaska.
It has a strong network of providers in these states, and its plans are competitively priced.
VISIT13. Allianz Care
- Year Founded: 1998
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: Varies
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.0
Description: Allianz Care is an international health insurance provider; it is basically targeted at tourists and global travelers.
VISIT14. Geisinger Health Plan
- Year Founded: 1985
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $550
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.5.
Description: Geisinger Health Plan has a strong network of providers in these states, and its plans are known for their quality and value.
They also offer a variety of extra benefits, such as discounts on health and wellness products.
VISIT15. Bright Health
- Year Founded: 2015.
- Location: USA.
- Average Monthly Cost: $600
- Satisfaction Rating: 4.0
Description: Bright Health offers personalized plans and partnerships with leading healthcare systems so as to provide better service to humanity.
VISITThe above are the 15 best health insurance plans that you can choose from. Do you have any questions regarding any of these companies?
Then kindly use the comment section. But before you do that, check out the frequently asked questions below to know if your questions have already been answered.
FAQs on the Best Health Insurance Plans
Can I customize my health insurance plan to my specific needs?
It depends. There are some plans that allow for customization, so it's important you choose the coverage options that best fit your health needs and budget.
What factors should I consider when choosing a health insurance plan?
The factors you should consider are your budget, health needs, preferred doctors or hospitals, the plan's coverage options, and many more.
What is the importance of the network of healthcare providers?
Networks affect your choice of doctors and hospitals. Ensure your preferred healthcare providers are in-network to save on costs.
Can I change health insurance plans during the year?
Generally, you can only change health insurance plans during open enrollment, but there are exceptions for certain life events.
What is a short-term health insurance plan?
A short-term health insurance plan is a type of health insurance that provides coverage for a limited period of time, usually between six months and one year.
Conclusion
Choosing the best health insurance plan requires careful consideration of your specific needs, budget, and location.
Remember to also compare coverage, premiums, deductibles, and network providers to find the plan that offers the best protection for you and your loved ones.
Don’t waste time; secure your health and finances today with the right health insurance plan for you.
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