Navigating the top health insurance companies can feel overwhelming when you're faced with monthly premiums averaging $590 for marketplace plans. When considering that the total net earned premiums in the health insurance industry reached nearly $1.08 trillion in 2023, it's clear why making the right choice matters.
We've researched the best health insurance companies to help simplify your decision-making process. The landscape of major health insurance companies is dominated by giants like UnitedHealth, which wrote approximately $248 billion in premiums in 2023 alone. Whether you're looking at top rated health insurance companies or the largest health insurance providers, understanding your options is crucial.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll examine the different plan types, explain metal tiers (with Kaiser Family Foundation estimating that over 11 million of the 21 million ACA plans are silver), and break down costs. For 2025, it's worth noting that the annual out-of-pocket maximum for exchange plans cannot exceed $9,200 for individual coverage and $18,400 for family coverage. Additionally, according to KFF, the average annual premium for group health insurance in 2024 was $8,951 for self-only coverage and $25,572 for family coverage.
With this information in mind, we'll help you identify which insurance provider might best suit your specific healthcare needs and budget.
Top Rated Health Insurance Companies in 2025
The landscape of health insurance is constantly evolving, and in 2025, several companies stand out for their comprehensive coverage options and member satisfaction. Let's examine the top health insurance companies that are leading the industry this year.
1. UnitedHealthcare
As the nation's largest health insurer with 15% of the market, UnitedHealthcare continues to dominate the industry in 2025. The company offers an extensive national network connecting members with more than 1.7 million medical providers and 7,000 hospitals. For 2025, UnitedHealthcare introduced 140 new plans, many featuring tailored benefits for specific populations. Notably, 9 out of 10 Medicare Advantage plans carry a $0 premium, and most include $0 copays for preventive care. Furthermore, UnitedHealthcare's financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) from AM Best demonstrates its stability and reliability.
2. Elevance Health (Anthem)
Formerly known as Anthem, Elevance Health offers a comprehensive suite of commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid plans across 14 states through its Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliated plans. For 2025, Elevance Health's affiliated Medicare Advantage plans serve nearly 2.9 million Medicare members, including almost 2 million Medicare Advantage members. The company focuses on whole-health approaches, addressing physical, behavioral, and social aspects of health. Most of their 2025 plans feature prepaid benefits cards, giving members greater control over their wellness spending.
3. Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation has established itself as a healthcare powerhouse, serving more than 1 in 15 individuals across all 50 states. In 2025, Centene expects premium and service revenues of $154.00 billion to $156.00 billion. The company is particularly strong in government-sponsored healthcare programs, ranking as the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the country. Moreover, Centene has experienced significant growth in ACA plans, with enrollment reaching 5.6 million members - an increase of 1.2 million since the end of 2024.
4. Humana
Humana remains a major player in the Medicare space, offering Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO, and PFFS) plans and standalone prescription drug plans. Their 2025 plans emphasize coordinated care models designed to improve health outcomes while controlling costs. Indeed, Humana's Medicare Advantage plans include additional benefits beyond what Original Medicare offers, often incorporating prescription drug coverage.
5. CVS Health (Aetna)
Following the merger with Aetna, CVS Health has strengthened its position in the health insurance market. Their 2025 Affordable Care Act plans feature benefits like $0 preventive care visits, $0 MinuteClinic visits, and plans with $0 primary care provider visits. In fact, CVS Health's integration of pharmacy services with health insurance offers unique advantages, including a 20% discount on CVS Health brand products for members. Their plans also feature $3 copays for over 200 generic drugs, making medications more affordable.
6. Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente continues its tradition of integrated care in 2025, offering Medicare Advantage plans in select regions. Their Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Key Plan (HMO) is available in several Washington counties, including King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston.
7. Cigna
Cigna Healthcare's 2025 individual and family plans focus on whole-person health with comprehensive benefits. Their plans include virtual care starting at $3, $0 preventive care, and $0-$3 copays for preferred prescription drugs on most plans. Additionally, Cigna offers a unique incentive program where customers over 18 can earn up to $325 in points redeemable for a debit card or merchandise. Cigna's digital experience also stands out, with the myCigna website and mobile app providing tools to manage care and benefits efficiently.
8. Molina Healthcare
Molina Healthcare specializes in government-sponsored healthcare programs, particularly for low-income individuals. In 2025, Molina offers Medicare plans in 16 states, including Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, and Texas. The company ranked No. 9 in Insure.com's list of Best Health Insurance Companies for 2025 with a rating of 3.60 out of 5 stars. Particularly impressive is Molina's affordability rating of 4.54 stars out of 5, the highest among evaluated insurers. Their comprehensive care management program helps members navigate services, arrange tests, coordinate transportation to medical appointments, and connect with community support.
Understanding Health Insurance Plan Types
Choosing the right insurance plan type can be just as crucial as selecting one of the top health insurance companies. These plan structures determine your provider access, out-of-pocket costs, and overall healthcare experience. Let's examine the four major types of health insurance plans offered by the best health insurance companies in 2025.
PPO: Preferred Provider Organization
PPO plans offer considerable flexibility when seeking medical care. With a PPO, you can visit any healthcare provider without a referral, though staying in-network saves you money. These plans create a network of "preferred" providers who have negotiated lower rates with the insurance company. However, this flexibility comes at a price—PPOs typically feature higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs than other plan types. For those who prioritize provider choice and don't mind paying extra for it, PPOs represent an attractive option.
HMO: Health Maintenance Organization
HMO plans focus on preventive care and integration of services. These plans require you to select a primary care physician (PCP) who coordinates your healthcare and provides referrals to specialists when needed. Because of their more limited network of doctors and hospitals, HMOs generally offer lower monthly premiums than PPOs or EPOs. Unlike PPOs, HMOs typically don't cover out-of-network care except in emergencies. If budget-friendly coverage and simplified care coordination matter most to you, an HMO might be the ideal choice.
EPO: Exclusive Provider Organization
EPO plans blend elements of both HMOs and PPOs. Like HMOs, EPOs only cover in-network care (except in emergencies), but similar to PPOs, they usually don't require PCP referrals to see specialists. EPOs generally offer larger networks than HMOs while maintaining more affordable premiums than PPOs. This middle-ground approach makes EPOs increasingly popular among the largest health insurance companies. They're particularly suitable for those seeking a balance between cost control and provider flexibility without the referral requirements.
POS: Point of Service Plans
POS plans truly represent a hybrid model. Like HMOs, they require you to select a PCP and obtain referrals for specialists. Yet similar to PPOs, they cover out-of-network care, albeit at higher costs. With a POS plan, you decide at the "point of service" whether to stay in-network (with lower costs) or go outside the network (paying more). POS plans typically cost more than HMOs but less than PPOs, offering a compromise for those who occasionally need out-of-network care but still want some cost containment.
Understanding these plan structures helps you evaluate offerings from the top rated health insurance companies in context. The right choice depends on your healthcare needs, budget constraints, and personal preferences regarding provider relationships and care coordination.
Health Insurance Metal Tiers Explained
Beyond selecting a plan type from the major health insurance companies, understanding metal tiers is essential for finding coverage that fits your budget and healthcare needs. The Marketplace categorizes plans into four metal levels, each representing different cost-sharing arrangements between you and your insurer.
Bronze: Lowest premiums, highest out-of-pocket
Bronze plans feature the most affordable monthly premiums, averaging $381 nationwide, but require you to shoulder 40% of healthcare costs while your insurer covers 60%. For a 40-year-old, the average monthly cost for a bronze plan is approximately $477. Consequently, these plans work best for generally healthy individuals who rarely need medical services but want protection against worst-case scenarios. Bronze plans typically come with high deductibles, making them essentially a step above catastrophic coverage.
Silver: Balanced cost and coverage
Silver plans strike a middle ground, with insurers paying 70% of costs and members responsible for 30%. The national average premium for the lowest-cost Silver plan is $497. What makes Silver plans unique is their eligibility for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) for qualifying lower-income individuals—a benefit not available with other metal tiers. With CSRs, Silver plans can cover between 73-96% of healthcare costs, depending on income. Primarily due to this feature, Silver plans represent the most popular choice on the Marketplace.
Gold: Higher premiums, lower out-of-pocket
Gold plans shift more costs to the insurer, who covers 80% of expenses while you pay 20%. With a national average premium of $507, Gold plans feature lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. First thing to remember: these plans benefit those with chronic conditions or who anticipate significant healthcare needs. Gold plans appeal to people who prefer predictable healthcare costs and don't mind paying higher monthly premiums for peace of mind. In some areas, due to how premium subsidies are calculated, Gold plans may actually cost the same as Silver plans.
Platinum: Highest premiums, best coverage
Platinum plans offer the most comprehensive coverage, with insurers paying 90% of costs and members paying just 10%. These plans command the highest premiums, averaging $913 monthly, but feature the lowest deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. As a result, they're ideal for those requiring extensive medical care throughout the year. Despite the higher monthly cost, many find the predictability and minimal out-of-pocket expenses worth the investment.
Equally important to note is that all metal tiers cover the same essential health benefits. The difference lies solely in how costs are shared between you and the top rated health insurance companies.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in 2025?
Health insurance costs can vary dramatically based on several key factors. In 2025, the average marketplace premium sits at approximately $590 per month, though most enrollees pay significantly less thanks to subsidies. Let's explore what determines your health insurance expenses.
Average monthly premiums by age
Age remains one of the most significant factors affecting health insurance costs. For a 40-year-old, the national average benchmark premium is $497 monthly, while a 21-year-old pays about $389. Correspondingly, costs rise substantially for older adults:
Age 30: $441 monthly
Age 50: $695 monthly
Age 60: $1055 monthly
Age 64+: $1167 monthly
This pricing structure exists because older adults typically require more medical care. Nonetheless, the ACA limits this disparity—insurers cannot charge older adults more than three times what they charge younger individuals.
Cost differences by metal tier
The metal tier you select markedly impacts your costs. In 2025, national averages for the lowest-cost plans in each tier are:
Bronze: $381 monthly (60% insurer coverage)
Silver: $497 monthly (70% insurer coverage)
Gold: $507 monthly (80% insurer coverage)
Platinum: $813 monthly (90% insurer coverage)
Silver plans offer a unique advantage—individuals with incomes between 100-250% of the federal poverty level may qualify for cost-sharing reductions, increasing coverage to 73-94% while maintaining silver-level premiums.
Factors that influence pricing
Besides age and metal tier, several other elements determine what you'll pay for plans from the top health insurance companies:
Location: Premiums vary significantly by state and even city
Tobacco use: Smokers can pay up to 50% more than non-smokers
Family size: Adding dependents increases costs
Plan type: PPOs typically cost more than HMOs or EPOs
For 2025, premium increases average 6-7% across all markets, though benchmark premiums in HealthCare.gov states rose by only 3%. This difference is significant because subsidies are tied to benchmark premiums, potentially affecting your final costs even with the best health insurance companies.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Health Insurance
Selecting the right insurance requires looking beyond premiums alone. When evaluating top health insurance companies, four critical factors deserve your attention.
Coverage and network size
Network breadth directly impacts your access to care. The average Marketplace enrollee has a plan that includes only 43% of primary care doctors in their area. More concerning, a quarter of enrollees have access to fewer than 25% of local primary care physicians. Network size varies significantly by plan type – PPO networks typically include 53% of local doctors, compared to just 37% for HMOs. Primarily, this matters because one in five Marketplace enrollees report needing a provider not covered by their insurance. During your search, verify that your preferred doctors and hospitals participate in the plan's network before committing.
Customer satisfaction and complaints
Member satisfaction offers valuable insights into real-world experiences. Humana leads satisfaction rankings with an ACSI score of 81, followed by Kaiser Permanente at 78. Specifically, customer experience benchmarks show higher satisfaction with mobile apps (83) than call centers (76). Despite giving overall positive ratings, 58% of insured adults report experiencing problems with their insurance in the past year. Those in fair or poor health encounter even more issues (67%).
Digital experience and ease of use
Digital tools have become essential interfaces between members and insurers. Nonetheless, health plan digital satisfaction scores (653 for commercial plans) lag significantly behind other industries like wealth management (794) and property insurance (700). The most critical factor driving satisfaction is ease of finding needed information, yet insurers fail to deliver this 39% of the time. Subsequently, when members have a poor digital experience, only 27% will use that channel again.
Availability in your state
Insurance options vary substantially by location. Importantly, some regions offer significantly more choices than others. In some counties, the difference between plans is stark – 70% of enrollees live in counties where some plans cover fewer than 25% of area doctors. Before selecting coverage, verify which major health insurance companies offer plans in your state.
Conclusion
Choosing the Right Health Insurance in 2025
Navigating health insurance options requires careful consideration of several factors that directly impact your healthcare experience and finances. Throughout this guide, we've examined the top health insurance companies dominating the market in 2025, from UnitedHealthcare's extensive provider network to Molina's affordability ratings.
Additionally, we've broken down the four main plan structures—PPO, HMO, EPO, and POS—each offering different balances between provider flexibility and cost containment. The metal tier system further clarifies how costs are shared between you and your insurer, with Bronze plans offering lowest premiums but highest out-of-pocket costs, while Platinum plans provide the opposite arrangement.
Cost remains a primary concern for most consumers. Undoubtedly, your final premium depends on several variables including age, location, plan type, and metal tier. Though the average marketplace premium hovers around $590 monthly, subsidies make coverage significantly more affordable for many Americans.
Last but certainly not least, your selection criteria should extend beyond premiums alone. Network adequacy ensures access to preferred providers, while customer satisfaction metrics reveal real-world experiences with insurers. Digital tools have become essential interfaces, though health insurance apps still lag behind other industries in user satisfaction.
Making an informed decision about health insurance protects both your health and financial well-being. Whether prioritizing low premiums with a Bronze plan or comprehensive coverage through Platinum options, the right choice aligns with your specific healthcare needs, preferred providers, and budget constraints.
Before finalizing your decision, take time to compare networks, verify provider participation, read customer reviews, and check state availability. A thorough evaluation now can prevent unexpected costs and access issues later. Armed with this comprehensive guide, you're better equipped to select coverage that truly serves your healthcare needs in 2025 and beyond.