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. Here are the top 5 health insurance companies in the U.S. according to the number of customers and policies written in 2011 so far.
1. 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 (POS) plans, health savings accounts and traditional indemnity coverage. They also supply dental, vision, behavioral health and Medicare supplemental plans 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. Under their group insurance umbrella they also sell life insurance, disability insurance and long term care insurance.
2. 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. BCBS is one of the oldest and biggest American insurers and has a very good reputation.
3. CIGNA Corporation
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. They work with the government, unions and Medicare subscribers. CIGNA also has an international presence selling life insurance, accident insurance and supplemental health insurance.
4. 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 work with Medicare and Medicaid. AARP members can get a discount when they utilize this insurance as well. 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.
5. Wellpoint
WellPoint is the largest health insurance company in the nation based on the number of current, active policies. They provide health care coverage under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Unicare name to over 34 million members. In fact, one in nine Americans is insured through Wellpoint. 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.
Getting the best rates and picking the right health insurance company is easy. The top five health insurance companies are an excellent place to begin your search. By completing our brief questionnaire, you will receive quotes from some of the best insurance companies available to ensure that you are getting the best deal. Compare and review the policies, determine which policy best fits your needs and purchase the policy online.