The 5 Best Health Insurance Companies You Should Consider

Does your present health condition require you to see your doctor more often? Or perhaps you need help managing the symptoms of your chronic condition. Whatever the case, an appropriate health insurance plan can help you significantly.

But what kind of plan should you get? Or from which company? This is where this post can help, as it lists some of the top companies you should consider.

The Basis of Recommendations

Complaints Filed with the State Insurance 

The plan ratings of the providers below are based on a few key factors. It should be emphasized that the ratings include the complaints made to state insurance departments in recent years, accounting for half of the score.

NCQA Scores

A non-profit organization, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), is in charge of the accreditation of health insurance plans. This organization is independent, thus releasing impartial and objective assessments.

Aside from accreditation, the NCQA also produces the ratings of the insurance plans based on certain metrics, comprising a quarter of the total score rating.

Government Ratings

Finally, the plan ratings from the Affordable Care Marketplace were also factored in, making up the last quarter of the score. This is the government’s quality rating for each provider’s insurance plan.

In instances where the government ratings aren’t available, complaints filed with the state insurance and NCQA scores prevail.

Health Insurance Providers: The 5 Best Choices

Omega Pediatrics has pulled up information to come up with the list below. The insurance companies included in the list are based on the volume of formal complaints raised against them, their NCQA scores, and government ratings.

1.   Kaiser Permanente: Best Overall

Kaiser Permanente, an incredible non-profit organization, uses an integrative business model by combining health insurance and health services. This approach makes them the country’s highest-rated health insurance company.

Kaiser’s integrative model means that members enjoy a seamless experience with their healthcare needs.

Apart from the hospitals that Kaiser caters to, they have a wide network of doctors and healthcare professionals, expanding to pharmacies and laboratories. With this, expect top-notch care.

If that’s not enough, you will be even more impressed that Kaiser has managed to keep their complaint levels at a minimum—a big testament to quality service.

Since Kaiser is a large company, expect to find them across several states. They also have the Thrive Local program, which helps members connect to non-medical services.  Kaiser’s integrative approach gives a new perspective to healthcare management.

2.   Blue Cross Blue Shield: Best in the ACA Marketplace

The Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a top pick, thanks to its various quality and affordable plans. It’s highly visible in the ACA Marketplace with its 34 independent and locally operated companies.

BCBS members get access to doctors and hospitals even outside the country. This is made possible with BCBS Global Care, which is open to over 200 countries. This program is significantly beneficial for frequent travelers.

BCBS members also enjoy the benefits of Blue365. This program offers discounts on items related to health and wellness, including fitness products like Fitbit, vision and hearing services like Target Optical, and meal boxes from Freshly.

BCBS plans generally have very low complaint levels. There are exceptions, though, such as the Blue Shield of California garnering a complaint level that’s four times higher than the industry average.

Overall, BCBS health insurance plans around the country are known for delivering customer happiness and having a large provider network. Many people choose BCBS plans, as evident on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace at HealthCare.gov.

3.   UnitedHealthcare: Best Provider Network

UnitedHealthcare is considered the country’s biggest health insurer, covering 49 states with its services. Including those states listed on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, expect that this provider will always have your back.

Due to their expansive operations, it follows that they have a wide range of provider networks—over a million doctors and healthcare workers at approximately 6,500 hospitals and clinics. So, even when you’re traveling, you can still enjoy their services.

And if you’re looking for some extra perks, some UnitedHealthcare plans offer $0 primary care physician visits and copays, unlimited virtual visits, and even adult vision and dental coverage, plus prescription drug delivery.

Lastly, UnitedHealthcare is the preferred choice for employer-based plans, short-term insurance plans, Medicare- or Medicaid-based plans, supplemental insurance, or even critical illness plans.

4.   Ambetter: Best Affordable Rates and Member Benefits

Ambetter offers low-cost health insurance plans, making it a top pick for those who want basic coverage with an affordable monthly premium. This company offers the best PPO plan, costing an average of $448 per month.

Ambetter’s Care Management program provides customized support for complex medical or behavioral conditions. It’s family-focused, culturally sensitive, and staffed with nurses and social workers who collaborate with the member’s doctor.

Ambetter also offers health management programs, such as phone-based educational tools. Support for chronic illnesses, such as asthma, hypertension, low back pain, and even depression, is included among its services.

And much more, compared with other providers, Ambetter takes the lead for its lower level of complaints filed with the state insurance departments.

5.   Anthem: Known for Affordable Plans that Cover Basic Benefits

Anthem is committed to simplifying healthcare. They have streamlined business processes with their wide range of innovative solutions. The company offers a range of choices, making managing benefits easier than ever.

Ambetter has varied ways to lower costs. To cite an example, members choose a plan that’s paired with a health savings account. In this arrangement, the member can determine his eligibility for the tax credit subsidy.

Anthem boasts of garnering the industry’s highest score in terms of member loyalty. It has earned 95% of its customers saying they would stick with Anthem. Here are some of their plans’ benefits:

• Same-day coverage
• Accessible local in-network doctors, hospitals, and urgent care facilities.
• A wide selection of policies makes it easy to find a plan that meets each customer’s standards.

Anthem provides a tool called “Anthem Care Comparison” that allows members to evaluate real price ranges for common services at different places in their area. This tool helps members make informed decisions to potentially save on premium payments.

Anthem offers different types of insurance, such as HMO, PPO, EPO, prescription drug plans, vision, dental, short-term, and supplemental insurance.

How to Choose the Health Insurance Plan that Best Fits for You

Just as individuals’ and families’ needs differ in many ways, you should realize that a certain health insurance plan may be better than others in a few, but not all, categories.

Understanding health insurance could be complex at first glance, and choosing the best could sometimes be overwhelming. Nevertheless, Omega Pediatrics has pulled up information and come up with these pointers to help you make an informed decision.

Determine Your Healthcare Needs

Consider your health requirements. Assess how often you will avail of the benefits of the insurance plan based on your present health condition.

For healthy people who don’t require as much healthcare as immunocompromised individuals, health insurance plans with lower premiums and a high deductible may suffice. Otherwise, plans with higher premiums may be more suitable.

Check the Provider Network

Look at the provider network to make sure your preferred doctors and facilities are covered. Also, if you’re taking maintenance medicines, verify if the pharmacies carrying your medications are within the network.

Checking into the list of healthcare professionals, facilities, and pharmacies included in the provider network has significant bearing so you can maximize the benefits of your chosen insurance plan.

Consider Additional Services (Add-Ons)

Look into other benefits of the plan, such as nurse lines that are always available or even telehealth services. Also, transportation services to medical appointments are offered in some health insurance plans.

Although these extras or add-ons could be marketing bait for insurance companies, they still prove their usefulness if these additional services are necessities for you. Ultimately, all these depend on your health condition and circumstances.

Assess Cost and Availability

Another factor to consider is whether you can get it through your employer or the company of your spouse. With the former, you’ll spend less since the employer will partly pay the plan subscription. Otherwise, consider buying at the marketplace.

In terms of the latter, compare different plans by looking at the costs and the premium, deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. Plans like HMOs may have lower premiums but fewer options, while PPOs cost more but give you more freedom.

Get the Right Health Insurance Plan

Don’t go broke trying to be on top of your health by getting the right health insurance plan. The monthly premium is insignificant compared to the expenses you will have to settle once health issues arise.

Managing a health condition? Or do you want to be prepared for whatever comes your way? In these instances, a health insurance plan with the right coverage can be of great help. This is peace of mind!

Risking your finances or your health without insurance isn’t worth it. You may be reluctant to see a doctor even if you feel sick, considering how much you need to spend for the visit. If you’re caught in this situation, you eventually risk your health.

But you will likely see a doctor if you know that your plan covers them. You will also likely follow through on any health concerns your doctors discuss with you before they balloon into health problems. Even so, you won’t be reluctant to get wellness check-ups.

And what about your medicines? You can get them at lower or discounted prices should your insurance plan cover them. So if you want peace of mind, get the right health insurance plan. In the long haul, the cost outweighs the benefits.

Still undecided on what’s the best health insurance plan for you? Omega Pediatrics is here to help in your decision-making journey. We would love to discuss this with you. Spare your time and book an appointment with us!

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