The Top 5 Health Insurance Companies of 2011
There’s no way around it – at a point in nearly everyone’s life, there comes a need for medical care. Unfortunately, medicine and its practices come at a high cost, and insurance is a good form of assistance in paying those costs. With so many providers available, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. These health insurance companies have received the most business and heaviest volume of customers in 2011 so far.
Aetna
Aetna is one of the most popular insurance companies in the nation, serving over 30 million Americans. They provide HMOs, PPOs, and point of service plans, as well as dental, vision, and behavioral health options to their customers. Over 15 million people subscribe to their health plans, while their dental plan boasts 13 million members and their pharmacy plan serves over 10 million people.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Blue Cross and Blue Shield is one of the largest and most recognizable insurance companies today, serving over 90 million customers as well as being responsible for administering Medicaid plans for the federal government in independent and locally operated facilities. They provide HMOs, PPOs, point of service, and fee for service plans as well as indemnity insurance and more specialized plans to individuals and families, spanning over 40 chapters nationwide.
CIGNA
CIGNA provides over 9 million people with insurance, not only catering to those who are looking for health insurance but also providing group accident, life, and disability insurance. Through their medical insurance programs catered to both individuals and employers, they have plans for PPO, HMO, POS, indemnity insurance, and consumer-directed products. CIGNA provides insurance internationally as well, and they also support Medicaid.
United Health Group
United Health Group, known as the second largest insurance provider today, offers HMOs, PPOs, and POS as well as assistance for Medicaid and Medicare recipients through six different businesses. United Health Group looks to provide assistance at all levels of care. They also prove health plans for large companies and have a branch for clinical research and drug marketing services. United Health Group provides insurance to over 75 million people all over the world.
Wellpoint
As the largest health care insurance company in the United States, Wellpoint provides insurance to over 34 million members in the country. In fact, one in nine Americans is insured through Wellpoint.They are affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield and are sometimes known as Unicare. They provide a wide variety of medical plans to employers as well as individuals and are able to insure those with Medicare and Medicaid assistance.
Medical expenses can be extremely pricy, and in the case of an accident or an emergency, many people are left blindsided, unable to pay their medical bills. Having a good health insurance plan is the best way to avoid falling on financial hardship should an unexpected injury or illness occur, and these are just some of the many popular and reputable insurance providers available today.

