4 Best Health Insurance Companies for 2026
The best health insurance companies are Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Oscar.
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Best health insurance companies
Kaiser Permanente is the best overall health insurance company. It has excellent service, and its plans cost an average of $595 per month before discounts.
Use HealthCare.gov to shop for health insurance for yourself or your family, if you don't get insurance through a job.
You can compare health plans where you live and see if you can qualify for discounted rates based on your income.
| 216 companies compared |
| Recommendations built on real data |
| Strong editorial integrity |
ValuePenguin's health insurance experts use data to help you choose the right company for your unique needs. See our full methodology for more information.
Best health insurance overall: Kaiser Permanente
| Editor rating | |
| Rating on HealthCare.gov | 5 out of 5 |
| Average cost | $595/mo |
Kaiser Permanente has excellent service and cheap rates.
| Consistently high ratings for customer satisfaction |
| Streamlined access to high-quality medical care |
Kaiser Permanente sells insurance in only eight states — California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia and Washington — and Washington, D.C.
Even though you can't get it in many places, it's still one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S. because it's very popular in the states where it is available.
Consider Blue Cross Blue Shield if having access to a wide selection of doctors is important to you. Blue Cross Blue Shield lets you use your insurance with many of the doctors in the country.
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Best PPO health insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
| Editor rating | |
| Rating on HealthCare.gov | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Average cost | $793/mo |
BCBS plans are flexible and let you go to almost any doctor.
| You can use your insurance with most doctors |
| Well-rated coverage with lots of perks and extra benefits |
Blue Cross Blue Shield is available in 49 states and Washington, D.C. You can get a BCBS PPO plan in 25 states and D.C.
However, depending on which BCBS subsidiary is in your state, the company could be called Florida Blue, Empire Blue Cross, Anthem or another name.
If you're looking for a lower-cost option, consider Kaiser if you can get it. Kaiser charges about $198 less per month, on average, than BCBS.
If Kaiser Permanente isn't available in your area, you can get cheap coverage from Ambetter or Oscar. Both companies have affordable rates and middle-of-the-road customer satisfaction.
Best self-employed health insurance: UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
| Editor rating | |
| Rating on HealthCare.gov | 3 out of 5 |
| Average cost | $819/mo |
UHC lets you buy many different kinds of plans in one place, which makes it ideal for self-employed individuals who want to get all their coverage from a single source.
| Many plan options including health, dental and vision |
| Well-rated mobile app for managing your health needs |
UnitedHealthcare sells health insurance on the marketplace in 30 states.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) costs less than UnitedHealthcare, and you'll have access to a larger network of doctors and hospitals. But it's important to remember, BCBS is made up of over 30 different companies. That means the quality of the service you get may differ depending on the specific BCBS company you get.
Best health insurance for getting the care you need: Oscar
| Editor rating | |
| Member experience rating on HealthCare.gov | 5 out of 5 |
| Average cost | $673/mo |
Oscar has an excellent 5-out-of-5-star rating for member experience from HealthCare.gov, which means customers are satisfied with the quality of their doctors, and they have an easy time getting the care they need.
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| Customers report having an easy time getting the care they need |
| Free virtual primary care |
Oscar sells marketplace plans in 20 states. The company charges cheaper-than-average rates in every state it sells insurance in except Alabama and New York.
Kaiser Permanente and Blue Cross Blue Shield are also good options if you need ongoing medical care. Both companies get good HealthCare.gov ratings for medical coverage and service. Blue Cross Blue Shield lets you go to most doctors. With a Kaiser plan, you have to go to a Kaiser office or hospital. Blue Cross Blue Shield's PPO plans also let you see any specialist and still have some coverage. With a Kaiser Permanente plan, you have to see Kaiser specialists, unless there's an emergency.
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Worst health insurance companies
Cigna, Ambetter and Molina are the worst health insurance companies of 2026.
Cigna's health insurance plans have a low rating for medical care on HealthCare.gov. Cigna's customer service is often lacking, too. The company has significantly more complaints than an average company its size. Plus, Cigna doesn't offer PPO (preferred provider organization) plans, and you can only buy its plans in 11 states.
The main issue with Ambetter is that customers often complain it's hard to find doctors and hospitals in the plan's network. The issue is bad enough that the company is facing a lawsuit about it. Before you consider Ambetter, call your doctors directly to make sure they take the plan you're thinking about buying.
Molina plans often have high deductibles, which means you have to pay a large portion of your medical bills yourself before your plan starts to help out. Even though Molina tends to be cheap in the states where it is available, most people will get better insurance with an affordable plan from one of the best health insurance companies.
How to find the best affordable health insurance
- Get health insurance through work: For most people, the best health insurance is through a job. That's because when you enroll in what's called group health insurance, you split the cost of the plan with your employer.
- Shop for marketplace health insurance plans: If you don't get insurance through a job, shop on HealthCare.gov or your state's marketplace to get the best health insurance for you or your family. All plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace will provide essential benefits, including free checkups and screenings as soon as the plan begins.
- Find out if you can get discounted rates: You may qualify for cheaper rates on marketplace health insurance if you earn between $15,650 and $62,600 as a single person or between $32,150 and $128,600 as a family of four. You can only get these health insurance subsidies if you buy a plan on HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace. The size of your subsidy is based on your income, and many people can get plans for a significant discount.
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What does health insurance cover?
A marketplace health insurance plan has to cover at least 10 common health situations, including checkups and prescriptions.
- Doctor visits
- Emergency care
- Hospital stays
- Pregnancy and baby care
- Mental health and substance use care
- Prescription medicines
- Rehab care and devices
- Lab work
- Preventive and chronic disease care
- Medical care for children
Many plans have more coverage, but all marketplace plans will cover at least these 10 things.
What does health insurance not cover?
- The full cost of your medical bills: You'll still have some medical costs, even when you have insurance. How much you'll pay for medical care is listed in the plan's paperwork as the deductible, copay or coinsurance.
- Vision and dental if you're an adult: You'll almost always need to get separate plans for dental insurance and vision insurance. However, you may be able to use the same company for all plans, which can simplify your coverage.
- Elective, cosmetic or experimental treatments: Insurance won't cover drugs that haven't been approved by the FDA or elective treatments like LASIK.
How much does health insurance cost?
The average cost of health insurance is $752 per month before discounts.
How much you pay is based on:
- Your age: In most states, health insurance gets more expensive as you get older.
- Whether you use tobacco products: In most states, you may pay more for coverage if you use tobacco products.
- The level of coverage you buy: It costs more for a plan that pays for more of your medical costs.
- Your income: The size of your health insurance discount is based on how much you earn.
- The size of your family: The more people you add to your plan, the more you'll pay for coverage.
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Cost of insurance based on age and coverage
You'll get the cheapest rates if you're young and choose a Bronze plan. Rates can get expensive as you get older or if you choose a higher tier of coverage.
Health insurance rates after discounts
The average cost of health insurance is an estimated $175 per month if you get health insurance discounts, which are called subsidies. This is a significant increase from previous years. A major cause for this price hike is the expiration of pandemic-era "enhanced subsidies."
The amount you'll pay for health insurance after discounts depends on your income. The less you make, the larger your subsidy.
Health insurance rates in the United States after subsidies
Income | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| $30,000 | $155 |
| $40,000 | $287 |
| $50,000 | $415 |
| $60,000 | $498 |
| $70,000 | $625 |
Average estimated cost after federal subsidies for a single 40-year-old with the second-cheapest available Silver health plan, called a Benchmark Silver plan.
Between 2021 and 2025, you wouldn't pay more than 8.5% of your income on marketplace health insurance regardless of your income. Starting in 2026, you won't be able to get financial help from the federal government if you make more than $62,600 per year as an individual ($128,600 per year for a family of four).
Some state governments may offer extra help for people with a higher income. For example, New Jersey residents can get discounted coverage with incomes of up to $93,900 per year ($192,900 per year for a family of four).
How to choose the best affordable health insurance
The best health insurance plan isn't always the cheapest you can find. Compare your options by coverage, extra perks and flexibility.
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What's the best coverage level for you? Your medical needs usually determine the best level of coverage.
- Silver plans are a good middle ground for most people.
- If you expect to need expensive medical care or prescriptions, it's often worth it to get a Gold plan with better coverage. By paying more each month, you'll pay less at the doctor.
- If you're young and healthy, a Bronze plan can be a good way to save money and still have coverage if you get very sick. But it's a good idea to have enough money in your savings to pay for your health care costs up to your deductible before you choose this plan tier.
- Do company extras help you save money? More expensive health insurance companies may give extra benefits like gym memberships, discounts and even cash rewards for healthy activities like exercising and checkups. Consider the value of these extras when comparing plans.
Which type of insurance plan is best?
- How coverage works: PPO and POS plans give you some level of coverage for any doctor or medical facility, even if it's not specifically listed on the plan. This is called having access to out-of-network medical care.
- Cost: You'll usually pay much more for PPO and POS plans. You'll also pay more when you go to an out-of-network doctor.
- When it's worth it: The extra cost for a PPO or POS plan is worth it if you want more flexibility about your medical care, need specialized treatment, or travel often and want access to routine care anywhere in the country.
Other health insurance plan types
Get an HMO or EPO plan if you're on a tight budget and are willing to give up some flexibility about which doctors you can use. These plans are cheaper and will usually only cover medical care if you go to a doctor in the plan's network.
Watch out for HMO or EPO plans that have a very small list of doctors. With these plans, it can be difficult to find care near you or to get appointments.
Tip to make health care more affordable
Check that the doctors you usually see are in the plan's network, no matter what type of health insurance plan you choose.
Even if you have a PPO plan that will help pay for appointments with any doctor, it will be cheaper to see your doctors if they're in the plan's network.
How much will you pay at the doctor when using health insurance?
How to compare medical costs to find the best health insurance
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If you need basic or moderate amounts of health care, first compare plans by their deductible.
A plan with a reasonably low deductible will help you start getting the plan's full benefits as soon as possible.
For example, say you are in good health, see the doctor a few times per year, and have an unexpected injury, like a broken leg. If the plan's deductible is too high, you might end up having to pay for all of the medical bills yourself. But with a lower deductible plan, your medical spending could reach the deductible, and you'll start splitting your bills with your insurance.
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If you expect to have costly medical bills, compare plans by the out-of-pocket max.
Choosing a plan with a low out-of-pocket max will help you save the most by giving you a low cap to your medical expenses. This will be useful if you have ongoing or expensive medical needs.
But if you don't expect to need lots of medical care, you may not reach your plan's out-of-pocket max, which is why it could be better to compare plans by their deductible.
More of the best health insurance picks for specific needs
- Best health insurance for seniors: Medicare
- Best health insurance when unemployed: Medicaid
- Best health insurance for pregnancy: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Best health insurance for mental health: UnitedHealthcare
Frequently asked questions
What is the best health insurance company to go with?
The best overall health insurance company is Kaiser Permanente because its plans are cheap and highly rated. If you can't get Kaiser, Blue Cross Blue Shield is also a good health insurance company that offers more flexibility in its coverage. You can get a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan everywhere in the United States except for Mississippi.
What are the best and worst health insurance companies?
Kaiser Permanente is the best-rated health insurance company in the U.S. Good insurance companies include Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Oscar. The worst-rated health insurance companies are Cigna, Molina and Ambetter. These ratings reflect each company's performance on the national level, but the best health insurance company can vary by state.
What factors should you consider when choosing a health insurance plan?
First, choose a well-rated company that sells plans in your area. Then, compare plans that match the level of medical coverage to the amount of medical care you expect to need. A good rule of thumb is that a Bronze plan is a good choice for someone young and healthy. Silver is a middle ground that's good for most people. If you expect to need a lot of medical care, a Gold-tier plan could help you save money on health care.
Methodology and data sources
To find the best health insurance companies, ValuePenguin experts compared thousands of plans based on independent rankings for:
- Affordability
- Quality of medical care
- Customer satisfaction
- Rate of complaints
The best companies get 4 stars or more from ValuePenguin editors. It's a good idea to avoid choosing a company with a poor score because you could have problems with bad service and delayed claims processing.
ValuePenguin evaluated the largest health insurance companies across the following rankings by using HealthCare.gov star ratings, which assign plans a score between 1 and 5 that reflects care quality, the ease with which customers can get care and customer satisfaction. We averaged the overall performance rating of each state and company where data was available.
The costs of health insurance plans in 2026 use data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about private health insurance plans sold on HealthCare.gov as well as rates collected from state marketplaces. Costs are for a 40-year-old choosing a Silver health insurance plan.
Info on claim denials is from the CMS coverage transparency data for individual qualified health plans sold on the marketplace. Other estimates about rates after subsidies are from KFF. Customer complaint data came from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), an industry group.
About the Author
Former Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a former ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specialized in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Credentials
- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
