The Best Health Insurance Options in 2025: A Full Breakdown

Every human being must make one of the most vital financial and medical decisions in their life — choosing the best health insurance. Yes, it can be challenging because of the rising medical costs and the complex coverage options available in the 2025 market. However, you should remember that it is your right, and it’s all worth it in the end.

In this piece, we will explore the top insurance options for 2025 and rank them, based on affordability, network size, customer satisfaction, plan flexibility, and overall value. After reading this article, you’ll be able to confidently select the most suitable health insurance provider and plan.

Why You Can Trust Our Rating

We analyzed health insurance premiums, deductibles, and complaints from users across the internet. Our goal is to give you honest, helpful advice. We may earn a commission if you click some links, but our partnerships don’t influence how products are reviewed; only they may affect their order. 

About Health Insurance in the U.S.

So how does health insurance really work? It’s as simple as it gets. In order to have costs for treatments, medications, hospital stays, preventive care, and specialist visits covered by providers, people must pay a monthly premium — whether they use medical services or not.

When you need medical care, insurers have to cover part of your bill according to the plan’s structure. Should policyholders share costs with companies? Yes, typically there are four main models to do so:

• Deductible: This is an amount you must pay out-of-pocket for covered services. It means that when you reach it, your provider starts to pay. Let’s say, Sarah has a PPO plan with a $2,000 annual deductible. In March, she needs an MRI due to back pain — the cost is $1,800. In April, she visits her primary care doctor for a check-up — the negotiated cost is $200. Now that Sarah has met her deductible ($1800 + $200 = $2000), her insurance will begin sharing costs through coinsurance.
• Copayment (copay): There is a fixed fee per service; for example, you have to pay at least $30 for a doctor’s visit.
• Coinsurance: When you meet your deductible, there’s still a percentage of the cost you must pay. For instance, 20% of a procedure.
• Out-of-pocket maximum: This sets the maximum amount you’ll pay annually. It means when you reach it, insurance covers 100% of all costs. It may be applied for serious conditions, such as cancer treatment or expensive surgery.

Another important way to group health insurance plans is by how they handle provider networks and referrals. There are four main types:

• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): We consider this option to be good for people on a budget who are okay with choosing a primary care doctor. But you need a referral to see a specialist, and you must use in-network providers.
• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): We think this is the best for those who want to choose doctors and specialists themselves. Moreover, you don’t need a referral, and you can see out-of-network providers.
• EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization): We believe it offers lower costs with no need for referrals, but you must stay in-network.
• POS (Point of Service): This is a mix of HMO and PPO. You can go out-of-network sometimes, but you still need a referral and usually have a primary care doctor.

Additionally, there are metal tiers for plans that are sold on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace:

• Bronze: It is known for its low premiums, but high out-of-pocket costs (insurer pays approximately 60%).
• Silver: It offers moderate premiums and costs (insurer pays ~70%).
• Gold: It is famous for higher premiums, but lower out-of-pocket (insurer pays around 80%).
• Platinum: It sets the highest premiums, but the lowest out-of-pocket (insurer pays approximately 90%).

While writing this article, we looked through such reliable sources as Forbes Advisor and found out that the average cost of an unsubsidized ACA health plan is $635 per month. However, prices can vary a lot depending on your age, where you live, and the type of plan. Here is an example: a 30-year-old person will pay around $483/month, while a 60-year-old has to pay much more — $1,154/month.

Now, let’s take a look at the top health insurance companies in the U.S., ranked from strong performers to the very best.

Best Health Insurance Providers for 2025

10. UnitedHealthcare – Broad Network, High Costs

Best for: People and families who want easy access to doctors and hospitals in different states. Also, for frequent travelers or those in rural areas with fewer local options.

Being part of UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is the largest health insurer in the U.S. by membership. Indeed, there are over 50 million people among their customers. Additionally, there is a wide range of plans available, including employer-sponsored, individual, Medicare, and Medicaid options.

Strengths:

• Largest provider network in the USA
• Extensive telehealth services via Optum
• Strong digital tools and mobile apps
• There are HMO, PPO, EPO, and HDHP/HSA-eligible plans

Weaknesses:

• Premiums tend to be above average
• Mixed customer service reviews
• Complex billing processes reported by some users

Despite UHC’s excellent coverage, we ranked it lower due to its higher costs. However, it can be a great choice for remote workers.

9. Cigna – Global Reach and Wellness Focus

Best for: Expatriates, digital nomads, and those looking for mental health benefits and telemedicine options.

Cigna is one of the largest insurance providers, serving around 20 million customers. It’s known for its international coverage and strong focus on mental health and wellness programs.

Strengths:

• Excellent global coverage for expats and travelers
• Behavioral health support
• Digital platform myCigna with 24/7 nurse line and virtual care
• Competitive PPO plans for self-employed individuals

Weaknesses:

• Smaller domestic network compared to UnitedHealthcare or Kaiser
• Higher premiums for individual plans
• Limited availability in certain rural areas

We believe Cigna shines in niche markets but lacks variety in domestic plans and tends to have higher prices. That’s why we placed it in 9th position.

8. Aetna (a CVS Health Company) – Integration with Pharmacy Services

Best for: Chronic condition patients, seniors, and everyone who uses prescription drugs permanently.

Bought by America’s leading health solutions company, CVS Health, in 2018, Aetna provides services through the CVS network, such as lower prescription drug costs at CVS Pharmacies, access to MinuteClinics, and blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings at community health events.

Strengths:

• Integration with CVS pharmacies—lower prescription drug costs
• Free screenings and health events at MinuteClinic locations
• Strong HMO and PPO options
• Preventive care and chronic disease management

Weaknesses:

• Some regional limitations
• Complaints about claim processing delays
• Not all states have equal plan availability

In our opinion, Aetna’s collaboration with CVS is one of the best options for people who rely on medications, though it’s not available in every state.

7. Humana – Leading in Medicare Advantage

Best for: Seniors of age 65+ and retirees looking for broad Medicare coverage with extra perks.

You probably have heard that Humana specializes in senior healthcare. Indeed, over 5 million seniors and disabled individuals use Medicare Advantage plans by Humana instead of receiving the program benefits from the government directly.

Strengths:

• Medicare Advantage plans with added benefits, such as fitness programs, vision, dental
• Strong focus on aging-in-place services
• User-friendly online portal and mobile app

Weaknesses:

• Less competitive in non-Medicare segments
• Limited PPO options outside retirement plans
• Higher premiums for younger enrollees

What we also found is that nowadays, Humana focuses on individual and family plans, programs for people with chronic conditions, and contracts for low-income adults and children. In addition to specializing in seniors, Humana also serves many other groups.

6. Anthem (Elevance Health) – Regional Powerhouse

Best for: Residents of CA, CO, CT, GA, IN, KY, ME, NH, NY, OH, VA, and WI who want reliable, locally focused care.

Anthem was one of the largest health insurers in the U.S. and offered coverage under the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) brand in 14 states. Although Anthem changed its corporate name to Elevance Health in November 2022, it still uses the “Anthem” and “Blue Cross Blue Shield” names for plans in many states.

Strengths:

• One of the largest BCBS licenses
• Wide variety of plan types and metal tiers
• Solid digital tools and member resources
• Good customer satisfaction scores via surveys

Weaknesses:

• Coverage limited to specific states and unavailable nationally
• Recent data breach raised privacy concerns
• Premium increases in some markets

We believe Anthem is an excellent option in certain regions of the United States, though it is not available nationwide.

5. Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) – Trusted Regional Player

Best for: Long-term residents who value local, personalized care.

It is known that Blue Cross Blue Shield plans by HCSC are available to customers in five states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Interestingly, unlike most large health insurance companies, HCSC is a nonprofit mutual insurance company, which means it is owned by its policyholders.

Strengths:

• Deep community roots and local accountability
• High customer satisfaction ratings
• Helps members with claim issues
• Wellness programs and digital health tools

Weaknesses:

• Limited geographically
• Fewer plan options compared to national carriers

We learned that HCSC isn’t well known outside its regions. Still, in the areas it serves, it’s considered trusted and reliable.

4. Molina Healthcare – Champion of Low-Income and Medicaid Populations

Best for: low-income households, dual-eligible beneficiaries (Medicaid + Medicare), and those qualifying for subsidies.

Molina is a great choice for people with limited income who may qualify for government help. If you’re eligible for Medicaid — called Medi-Cal in California, AHCCCS in Arizona, etc. — you might find Molina’s free or low-cost health coverage especially helpful. It is commonly known that the company works with 15 state governments to provide these Medicaid benefits.

Strengths:

• Affordable bronze and silver plans
• Integrated social services (housing, nutrition, transportation)
• High star ratings for Medicaid plans

Weaknesses:

• Narrow provider networks
• Limited plan variety
• Not ideal for those requiring frequent specialist care

Molina is essential in helping people, especially those with low income, to get access to health care. Still, in our opinion, it has a limited number of doctors and hospitals in its network, mainly serving specific groups like Medicaid patients. 

3. Kaiser Permanente – Integrated Care Model Excellence

Best for: Families and individuals within Kaiser’s service areas who value coordinated, preventive-focused medicine.

What we learned about Kaiser Permanente is that it’s both your insurer and your healthcare provider. What does that mean? It means you get your health coverage and medical care from the same network. Doctors are employed by Kaiser, work in Kaiser hospitals, and coordinate directly with the insurance side. As a result, your medical records, billing, and care are all connected.

This model can improve both efficiency and quality of care. Unfortunately, it operates only in eight states and Washington, D.C.

Strengths:

• Coordination between doctors, labs, and hospitals
• High patient satisfaction
• Preventive care reduces long-term costs
• Consistently rated among the top HMOs nationally

Weaknesses:

• Must use Kaiser facilities exclusively (no out-of-network coverage except emergencies)
• Geographic limitations
• Not available to everyone

2. Centene Corporation – Rapid Growth Through Expansion

Best for: Subsidy-eligible individuals, Medicaid recipients, and people in rural or medically underserved areas.

In recent years, Centene Corporation has become one of the largest and fastest-growing health insurance companies in the U.S. We believe its main focus is on government-sponsored and subsidized health programs, which may be suitable for low-income and underserved populations.

Interestingly, Centene hasn’t tried to compete with UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross for wealthy, commercially insured customers. Instead, it focused on vulnerable groups—and the government rewarded it. This means the state pays Centene a fixed monthly amount per member.

Strengths:

• Government programs
• Expansion into underserved markets
• Diverse portfolio including specialty plans (dental, vision, behavioral)
• Strong financial backing and innovation in care delivery

Weaknesses:

• Mixed quality ratings depending on subsidiary and region
• Lower scores in consumer satisfaction surveys

1. Blue Cross Blue Shield (Nationwide Association) – The Gold Standard

Best for: Nearly every type of consumer (young professionals, retirees, rural residents, and those who travel frequently or live in multiple states).

We chose the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association as the winner of our best health insurance provider ranking because it serves over 100 million Americans and offers plans for almost every group. It’s not a single company, but a federation of 34 independent, locally operated insurers united under a trusted brand.

Since BCBS operates across the entire U.S., you can get care almost anywhere. At the same time, its local companies understand and serve their communities. This makes BCBS a strong mix of broad access to doctors and hospitals, fair pricing, and reliable customer service. That’s the real reason it takes the #1 spot in our ranking.

Strengths:

• Nationwide coverage
• Consistent care quality
• Wide range of plan types
• Great customer service
• Trusted, well-known brand

Weaknesses:

• Prices and benefits vary by region
• Some plans cost more than competitors

Comparison Table: Key Advantages of Top Health Insurers

Rank	Company	Best feature	Ideal for	Plan types	Avg monthly cost	HSA-eligible plans
#1	Blue Cross Blue Shield	National coverage & consistency	Frequent travelers, multi-state residents	HMO, PPO, EPO, POS, HDHP	$480–$520	Yes
#2	Centene Corp (Ambetter, WellCare)	Government program expertise	Low-income, subsidy-eligible	HMO, PPO, HDHP	$400–$460	Yes
#3	Kaiser Permanente	Fully integrated care system	Preventive care advocates	HMO, HDHP	$470–$510	Yes
#4	Molina Healthcare	Social determinants of health focus	Medicaid/Medicare dual eligibles	HMO, PPO	$390–$440	Limited
#5	HCSC (BCBS IL, TX, etc.)	Local accountability & service	State-specific residents	HMO, PPO, EPO	$460–$500	Yes
#6	Anthem (Elevance Health)	Strong regional BCBS presence	Midwestern/Southeastern residents	HMO, PPO, POS, HDHP	$470–$510	Yes
#7	Humana	Medicare Advantage leader	Seniors, retirees	HMO, PPO, HDHP	$490–$540	Yes
#8	Aetna (CVS Health)	Pharmacy integration	Prescription-heavy users	HMO, PPO, EPO, HDHP	$480–$530	Yes
#9	Cigna	International and mental health coverage	Expats, remote workers	PPO, HMO, EPO	$490–$550	Yes
#10	UnitedHealthcare	Largest U.S. network	Nationwide access seekers	PPO, HMO, EPO, HDHP	$500–$560	Yes

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