Most insurance comparison sites pull a handful of quotes for a handful of profiles and call it research. Our rate database covers every residential ZIP code in the United States, 109 carriers and profiles ranging from 18 to 75-year-olds. Here’s exactly how we built it and why we made the choices we did.
Health Insurance Review and Cost Analysis Methodology
Updated: May 7, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
How We Research Health Insurance
Where Our Rate Data Comes From
- Marketplace Health Insurance: 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 not included in CMS data. This data is updated annually.
- Medicare Advantage Plans: We sourced data on all Medicare Advantage plans available in the U.S. in all 50 states from the CMS 2026 Landscape file. This data is updated annually.
- Medicare Supplement Plans: MoneyGeek collected data for all Medicare Supplement plans in all 50 states for ages 65 and 75, using the plan browsing tool at Medicare.gov. This data is updated annually.
Health Insurance Profiles We Reviewed
Health insurance profiles vary by product type. All rates use these base profiles unless a page specifies otherwise. We also analyzed a full range of variables to make recommendations for different profiles.
Marketplace Health Insurance Base Profile
- Age: 40
- Genders: Male
- Metal tier: Silver
- Plan type: HMO
- Low-income plan: No
Medicare Advantage Base Profile
Medicare Advantage rates do not vary by age or gender, so our base profile is built around common plan types and coverage options:
- Plan type: HMO
- Part D coverage: Yes
- Drug benefit category: Basic
Medicare Supplement Base Profile
- Age: 65
- Gender: Male
- Plan Type: G
- Pricing Styles: Community Pricing
MoneyGeek Health Insurer Scoring System
Companies earn up to five points in each category in our unique scoring system. We then use these category scores to calculate an overall MoneyGeek score out of five. We used dedicated scoring systems for Marketplace Health Insurance, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans:
Marketplace Health Insurance Scoring
We ranked Marketplace health insurance providers based on premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, claims denial rates and plan options:
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.
Medicare Advantage Plan Scoring
Our Medicare Advantage methodology evaluates three main factors to help you identify plans that deliver the best value for your healthcare needs:
Affordability (50%)
Cost makes up half of our overall score, because it directly impacts your budget. We evaluated monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage combined (30% weight) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (20% weight). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher, since they reduce your total annual healthcare spending.
Plan and state availability (30%)
Providers with a wider range of plan types score higher, with weighted scoring given to the most popular plan types like Plan G, Plan F and Plan N. We also factor in how many states each provider operates in, including Washington, D.C. Providers with broader geographic availability score higher because they're more likely to maintain coverage if you move and have more resources for customer support and plan improvements.
Star Ratings (20%)
CMS ratings measure plan quality across categories like care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines both Part C (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription drug) ratings on a scale from 1 to 5 stars. Higher-rated plans earn better scores in our analysis.
Medicare Supplement Plan Scoring
We scored Medigap companies based on three main categories to create a weighted score out of 5:
Affordability (50%)
Providers with the lowest monthly cost score higher.
Plan and state availability (30%)
Providers with a wider range of plan types score higher, with weighted scoring given to the most popular Plans G, F and N. Providers that have broader nationwide availability across more states also score higher.
Pricing style (20%)
Medigap insurers use three methods to determine premiums: community pricing, issue-age pricing and attained age pricing. We gave higher scores for pricing styles that are more stable and equitable, as follows: community pricing 1.0, issue-age pricing 0.8, attained-age pricing 0.6. Using this scaling, a slightly higher-cost community-rated plan can still score higher overall than a cheaper but more volatile attained-age plan.
Methodology Disclaimer
MoneyGeek rate data does not constitute a binding quote. Your actual rate depends on your specific profile, policy type and policy options selected at the time of application. Get quotes directly from carriers before making a coverage decision. Insurance regulations vary by state. Rate factors including gender may be prohibited or restricted in certain states. Verify coverage requirements with your state's insurance department.
About Patrick Bryant
Patrick Bryant is Vertical Lead for Life and Health Insurance at MoneyGeek, where he researches and writes about life and health insurance products and maintains the scoring methodologies that underpin MoneyGeek's provider comparisons in both verticals. His scoring methodologies for both verticals are reviewed and updated quarterly to reflect current carrier data and market conditions.
Life Insurance
For life insurance, Bryant analyzed more than 50 carriers across term, whole life, universal life, indexed universal life, guaranteed acceptance, no-exam, and final expense products in all 50 states, collecting thousands of quotes across age, gender, health status, coverage level, and tobacco use profiles. He has produced articles covering life insurance reviews, best of guides, rate analysis guides and informational resources to help consumers better understand policy options, pricing factors, underwriting requirements, and how to choose coverage that fits their financial goals.
Health Insurance
For health insurance, he reviews providers across all 50 states using CMS exchange data, Quality Rating System ratings, and claim denial rates covering individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplement plans. He has analyzed plan costs, benefits, network strength, and out-of-pocket exposure across a wide range of consumer profiles, producing in-depth reviews, best-of rankings, and educational guides to help individuals and families compare options and choose coverage that aligns with their healthcare needs and budget.
Before specializing in insurance, Bryant spent four years at Forbes Advisor reviewing small business software and services. During that time, he developed the product review and data methodology skills he now applies to carrier analysis at MoneyGeek. Earlier roles at ClickGiant and Benefitfocus involved direct content work for insurance agents, carriers and employee benefits partners including Allstate and Aflac.
Education
- M.A., English, Winthrop University
- B.A., English, Winthrop University
Expertise
Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement