Best Health Insurance Companies (2026)

We evaluated health insurance providers across all 50 states, analyzing monthly premiums, denial rates and quality scores. Our analysis of 2026 plan data from CMS and state marketplaces revealed four providers that consistently deliver value across different demographics and plan types.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best health insurance provider overall with the most plan options (HMO, PPO, EPO, POS) and competitive rates averaging $490 monthly for Silver-tier HMO plans. Kaiser Permanente has strong EPO coverage with a low denial rate of 8.1%. Families with children should consider Ambetter's plans, while Anthem’s affordable HMO plans are a good choice for seniors under 65.

* Monthly premiums are based on a 40-year-old buyer for Silver plans. Rates vary by age, location, plan type and metal level. These are estimates for comparison purposes only. Request personalized quotes from multiple providers to determine your actual costs.

Health insurance shopping gets easier when you know what matters most for your situation. Match your coverage needs with what you can afford based on how much care you use now and expect to need later. Focus on these factors:

• How much care you use. Count your doctor visits, prescriptions and chronic conditions. Rarely see a doctor? Pick a high-deductible plan with cheap premiums. See doctors often? Pay more monthly but less per visit.
• What you can afford. Add up monthly premiums plus what you'd pay if you got sick. A $200 premium with a $6,000 deductible hits your wallet differently than a $400 premium with a $2,000 deductible when you actually need care.
• Which doctors you can see. Out-of-network care costs more or gets rejected entirely. Check that your current doctors and hospitals accept the plan. If you're willing to switch, make sure the network includes good facilities near you.
• Prescription coverage. Confirm your medications are covered and which tier they're in. That tier determines your copay. Some plans make you try cheaper drugs first or get approval before filling certain prescriptions, which delays getting what you need.
• Extra benefits. Check for telehealth, gym discounts, mental health support and preventive care that cut your costs and improve your health. These extras differ by insurer and change what you pay and how you feel.

Health insurance plan types (HMO, PPO, EPO) confuse most people. These plans differ in which doctors you can see and how you access specialists. Know the differences to pick the right mix of flexibility and cost.

Metal tiers like Bronze and Gold might seem like quality ratings, but they indicate something different. Marketplace health plans are categorized into metal tiers that show how you and your insurer split the costs of your care. These tiers don't reflect the quality of coverage but the percentage of medical expenses the plan pays versus what you pay out-of-pocket.

Understanding what you'll actually pay helps you budget confidently. We've broken down the average cost of health insurance by plan type and metal level based on actual estimates from providers. Your individual rate will vary based on your specific circumstances, but these averages provide a helpful baseline for comparison:

* Rates shown are average quotes for 40-year-olds. Your rates will change based on your age, location, and other factors.

Knowing what your health insurance actually covers saves you from unexpected bills and helps you maximize your benefits. Health insurance plans sold through the Health Insurance Marketplace and most employer-sponsored plans must cover essential health benefits mandated by the Affordable Care Act.

Check what health insurance covers and doesn't cover:

There are multiple ways to get health insurance:

• Your employer. Most Americans get insurance through work, where your company covers part of the cost and takes your share from your paycheck before taxes (usually your cheapest option).
• The Health Insurance Marketplace. Shop at Healthcare.gov during Open Enrollment or after major life changes. You might get tax credits and subsidies based on what you earn.
• Directly from insurers. Buy straight from insurance companies, but you lose access to tax credits. Choose this if you earn too much for subsidies or want a specific insurer.
• Government programs. Low income? Try Medicaid, which varies by state. Turn 65? Get Medicare. Kids might qualify for CHIP.
• COBRA. If you've lost your job insurance, keep your old plan for 18 months by paying the full cost plus a small fee. This buys you time to find something new.
• A spouse's or parent's plan. Join your spouse's work plan during enrollment or right after marriage. Under 26? Stay on your parents' plan no matter your job, school or marital status.

Finding the best health insurance policies often depends on where you live. Plan availability, pricing, and provider networks vary by state. To see which insurers offer the strongest combination of coverage, affordability, and customer satisfaction in your area, explore our detailed state-by-state guides:

Check answers to common questions about health insurance providers and how to get health insurance in 2025.

Health insurance shoppers need accurate comparisons to choose the right plan and provider. We ranked health insurance providers based on premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, claims denial rates and plan selection.

MoneyGeek scores were weighted as follows:

• Affordability (60%): When scoring providers on affordability, we considered monthly premiums, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs. We weighted these factors as follows within the affordability score: monthly premiums (66.67%), deductible (16.67%), MOOP (16.67%).
• Customer Experience (30%): Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)’s Quality Rating System (QRS) overall rating for health-insurance plans. This is a 5-star rating system used to help consumers compare health plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Ratings are calculated based on three main categories: Medical Care, Member Experience, and Plan Administration. Providers with the highest overall rating get the highest score
• Denial Rate (10%): Denial rate is the percentage of submitted claims or applications that are rejected instead of approved. Providers with the lowest denial rate get the highest score.

Data sources

Health insurance plan and provider data was updated with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) exchange data released in October for the 2026 enrollment period as well as manual collection of health plan data from state insurance marketplaces for 22 states.

Sample consumer profile

We collected data on all available health plans for consumers ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Monthly premiums are based on a 40-year-old buyer unless otherwise noted, such as the category for seniors. We analyzed plans for each cited metal tier, which include Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.