Health-insurance comparison · Updated August 2026
Best Health Insurance Plans of 2026
The 30 best health insurance providers: U.S. carriers, marketplace and Medicare plans, worldwide expat cover. Same 19 checks. Updated August 2026.
★ Editor’s Top Pick · 2026
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KKaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente · United StatesOur highest-rated health insurer this year (4.8/5): Top-rated member satisfaction year after year. Care and insurance under one roof, coordinated records · AA- (Fitch, hospitals & health plan).
Our rating4.8 ★
StrengthAA-
PlansHMO
Known forTop rated
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| Compare → | #1KKaiser PermanenteKaiser PermanenteUnited StatesA+ ratedView | #2 UUnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcareUnited StatesA+ ratedView | #3 AAetna (CVS Health)AetnaUnited StatesView | #4 | #5 CCigna HealthcareCignaUnited StatesView | #6 | #7 | #8CCigna GlobalCigna Global HealthGlobalView | #9 | #10 | #11 | #12 | #13 | #14 | #15 | #16 AAmbetter HealthAmbetter (Centene)United StatesView | #17 | #18 | #19 | #20 | #21 | #22 | #23 | #24 | #25 | #26 SSun LifeSun Life HealthCanadaA+ ratedView | #27 | #28 | #29 | #30 |
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| Product | Integrated care + coverage | Largest US health insurer | CVS-integrated coverage | 34 independent Blue plans | Employer & global plans | Blue plans in 14 states | Medicare Advantage leader | Modular expat health plans | Global health for expats & orgs | Premium international cover | Blue Cross for Americans abroad | Global health plans | Tech-first ACA insurer | Medicare Advantage challenger | Intermountain-integrated plans | Largest ACA marketplace insurer | Licensed insurance marketplace | ACA enrollment platform | Budget global medical | Independent expat insurer | Nomad health & travel medical | Fast-claims expat insurer | European expat specialist | Premium EU expat cover | UK PMI with rewards engine | Canada health & dental plans | Australia largest private insurer | Budget ACA & Medicaid | Supplemental cash benefits | Largest US dental network |
| Plan types | HMO, Medicare Advantage, employer & ACA plans | Employer, ACA, Medicare Advantage, short-term | Employer, Medicare Advantage, ACA (select states) | Employer, ACA, Medicare, via your local Blue | Employer, ACA (select), Medicare, international | Employer, ACA, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid | Medicare Advantage, Part D, dental/vision | Silver / Gold / Platinum + outpatient, dental, vision modules | Care / Care Plus / Care Pro / Care Premier | Worldwide tiers + Health & Wellbeing add-ons | Xplorer (expat), Voyager (travel), student & crew | Foundation / Standard / Comprehensive / Prestige | ACA marketplace (bronze→gold), some Medicare | Medicare Advantage (HMO/PPO) + Part D | Employer, ACA, Medicare (UT/ID/NV/CO) | ACA bronze/silver/gold (Essential/Balanced/Complete) | Medicare Advantage/Supplement, ACA, short-term, dental | All on-exchange ACA plans (healthcare.gov states) | GMI (long-term), Patriot (travel medical), student | Bronze / Silver / Gold / Gold Plus | Nomad Insurance (travel medical) & Complete (full health) | SimpleCare (value) / WorldCare (comprehensive) | Essential→Premium modular MyHEALTH | 3 tiers, strong outpatient on upper plans | Personal & business private medical insurance | Personal health, dental, critical illness | Hospital tiers (Basic→Gold) + extras cover | ACA marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare | Accident, hospital, cancer, critical illness, dental/vision | Dental PPO/HMO, individual, family & senior |
| Our rating | 4.8 ★ | 4.7 ★ | 4.6 ★ | 4.6 ★ | 4.5 ★ | 4.5 ★ | 4.4 ★ | 4.4 ★ | 4.3 ★ | 4.3 ★ | 4.3 ★ | 4.2 ★ | 4.2 ★ | 4.2 ★ | 4.1 ★ | 4.1 ★ | 4.1 ★ | 4.0 ★ | 4.0 ★ | 4.0 ★ | 3.9 ★ | 3.9 ★ | 3.9 ★ | 3.8 ★ | 3.8 ★ | 3.8 ★ | 3.8 ★ | 3.7 ★ | 3.7 ★ | 3.7 ★ |
| Typical pricing | Competitive where available (varies by age, state & subsidies) | Mid-market; broad plan menu (varies by age & state) | Competitive; CVS synergies (varies by age & state) | Varies by state Blue (often benchmark ACA plans) | Competitive employer pricing (varies) | Benchmark pricing in its Blue states | $0-premium MA widely; Part D from low premiums | From roughly $150-500+/mo by age, region & modules | Comparable to Cigna Global (age & region rated) | Premium segment (age & region rated) | Strong value for US citizens abroad (age-rated) | Mid-premium international segment | Competitive ACA pricing in its metros | $0-premium options in most served counties | Competitive in Mountain-West markets | Frequently the cheapest silver in its counties | Free to use. You pay the insurer price | Free, same premiums & subsidies as healthcare.gov | Among the lowest expat premiums (deductible-driven) | Mid-market; transparent age bands | From ~$50 per 4 weeks (age-based, Essential) | Competitive mid-market | Zone-based pricing (Europe-value) | Mid-to-premium | UK PMI market pricing; discounts via activity | Canadian supplemental market rates | AU private health tiers (rebate-adjusted) | Among the lowest premiums in served counties | From a few $/week per policy | From ~$20-60/mo individual (plan & state) |
| Financial strength | AA- (Fitch, hospitals & health plan) | A+ (AM Best) | A (AM Best) | Varies by local Blue (most A-range) | A (AM Best) | A (AM Best) | A- (AM Best) | A (AM Best) | A+ (Allianz SE group) | A (Fitch, insurance entities) | A (AM Best, 4 Ever Life) | A+ (AM Best, group) | Not AM Best-rated | Not AM Best-rated (CMS stars leader) | Not AM Best-focused (NCQA top-rated plans) | Not AM Best-rated (Centene entities vary) | Marketplace, depends on chosen carrier | Marketplace, depends on chosen carrier | A-rated underwriters (SiriusPoint) | A-rated underwriting partners | A-rated underwriting partners | A-rated security (partners) | A-rated partners | Foyer Group (Luxembourg, est. 1922) | Discovery group (not AM Best-rated) | A+ (AM Best) | APRA-regulated, ASX-listed (not AM Best) | Not AM Best-rated | A+ (AM Best) | Varies by member company (A-range typical) |
| Network | Kaiser-own hospitals & medical groups (integrated) | ~1.3M+ providers, the biggest US network | 1.2M+ providers + 9,000 CVS/MinuteClinic sites | BlueCard: nationwide & 190-country reach | 1.5M+ relationships worldwide | Anthem Blue networks + BlueCard nationally | Large MA networks + CenterWell clinics | 1.5M+ providers, 200+ countries & territories | 900k+ providers; strong NGO/corporate heritage | 1.2M+ providers; elite hospital relationships | Elite curated doctors in 190 countries + BlueCard US | 1.9M+ providers via partners | Curated metro networks (narrower, cheaper) | Growing multi-state MA networks | Intermountain Health system integration | Value networks (narrower, subsidy-optimized) | Depends on chosen plan | Depends on chosen plan | Broad international networks + US PPO | Global hospital networks, evacuation included | Global claims partners; pay-and-reclaim common | Direct billing across Asia/ME hubs | Strong Europe & Asia networks; direct billing app | Global partner networks + evacuation | UK private hospitals + virtual GP | Canada-wide providers; direct claims | Members Choice provider network | Narrow value networks | n/a, benefits paid regardless of provider | 155k+ dentists, the biggest dental network |
| Coverage highlights | Care and insurance under one roof, coordinated records | Every plan type at national scale | Pharmacy, clinic & insurance in one company | 1 in 3 Americans carries a Blue card | Strong employer benefits + behavioral health | Full-line coverage where Anthem is the Blue | MA with dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowances | Inpatient core + pick-your-modules flexibility | Full inpatient/outpatient tiers, maternity on upper tiers | High annual limits, evacuation & repatriation | Keeps full US Blue access while abroad | Tiered inpatient→full cover; evacuation included | ACA essential benefits, simple tiering | Rich extras: dental, OTC, transport benefits | Coordinated care akin to Kaiser model | ACA essentials, strong subsidy fit | Side-by-side plan comparison & enrollment | Subsidy calculator + plan match by doctors/drugs | Configurable limits & deductibles | Clean tiering, cancer cover on all plans | Complete adds routine, maternity & cancer care | Strong Asia & Middle-East orientation | Modular hospital/outpatient/dental/optical | Generous limits, wellness on Exclusive | Fast private diagnostics & treatment | Fills gaps provincial plans leave (drugs, dental, vision) | Hospital + extras (dental, optical, physio) | ACA essentials at minimum cost | Cash on diagnosis/event to cover gaps & bills | Preventive 100% typical; tiers for major work |
| Telehealth | Strong, video visits, e-visits, 24/7 advice line | 24/7 Virtual Visits, many $0 | 24/7 virtual care, CVS Health app | Varies by Blue, most include virtual care | MDLIVE 24/7 included broadly | Sydney Health app virtual care | Included; CenterWell primary care focus | Global telehealth included | Symptom checker & telehealth via app | Global Virtual Care 24/7 | Global TeleMD included | Virtual Doctor 24/7 in multiple languages | $0 24/7 virtual urgent & primary care | Devoted Medical virtual + home visits | Connect Care virtual visits | 24/7 telehealth included | n/a (broker) | n/a (enrollment platform) | Telehealth options included | Virtual GP included | Telehealth included | Virtual care included | TeleHEALTH included | Teleconsultation included | Vitality GP app included | Lumino Health virtual care | 24/7 nurse line & telehealth | Basic telehealth included | n/a | Teledentistry options |
| Prescriptions | Prescription coverage on most plans | Optum Rx integration | CVS Caremark built in | Prescription coverage on most plans | Express Scripts integration | Prescription coverage on most plans | Strong Part D options | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans | Prescription coverage on most plans |
| Dental & vision | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons | Dental & vision as add-ons |
| Mental health | Integrated behavioral health | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Large behavioral network (Evernorth) | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover on worldwide tiers | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health pathways included | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan | Mental-health cover per plan |
| Maternity & family | Full maternity pathways in-system | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Covered on Plus and above (waiting periods) | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | On Comprehensive & Prestige | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms | Maternity per plan terms |
| Pre-existing conditions | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Underwritten, disclosures required (moratorium options) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Covered on approved Xplorer plans | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Limited/waiting periods, read terms | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Not covered on Nomad; limited on Complete | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) | Waiting periods & exclusions apply | Pre-existing conditions covered (ACA rules) |
| Availability | 8 states + DC (CA, CO, GA, HI, MD, OR, VA, WA) | Check plan availability in your area | Check plan availability in your area | Every US state via the local Blue | Check plan availability in your area | 14 Anthem Blue states | MA plans in most US counties (exited ACA market) | Worldwide (US coverage optional module) | Worldwide plans incl. USA option | Worldwide incl. US options | US citizens & residents abroad | Worldwide (US add-on) | ACA exchanges in ~18+ states | Expanding MA footprint (multi-state) | UT, ID, NV, CO | ACA exchanges in ~29 states | Nationwide (NASDAQ: EHTH) | Millions enrolled; used by agents nationwide | Worldwide | 160+ countries | 180+ countries; buy while already traveling | Global (esp. Asia & Middle East hubs) | Worldwide by zones | Worldwide (not US residents) | United Kingdom | Canada | Australia | ACA/Medicaid in ~20 states | US (workplace & individual) | All 50 states via member companies |
| Digital experience | Excellent app, records, refills, visits in one place | Strong app + Optum ecosystem | Solid app; ExtraCare perks | Varies by plan; solid national baseline | Good app & online member portal | Sydney app, clean UX | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Best app in ACA, refills, care team chat | High-touch guides + clean app | Solid member portal | Basic but functional | Strong comparison tooling | Fastest, cleanest ACA signup flow | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal | Functional app & portal | Good app & online member portal | Good app & online member portal |
| Wellness & perks | Consistently top NCQA / J.D. Power member scores | Rewards program, gym & wellness credits | CVS discounts & Health Zones | Blue365 fitness & wellness deals | Omada, gym & wellbeing programs | Wellness rewards via app | Go365 healthy-activity rewards | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Step-tracking rewards | Top CMS star ratings among newer plans | Consistently top NCQA marks | Rewards card for checkups & steps | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Status rewards: coffee, cinema, devices | Wellness programs & discounts | Live Better points for activity | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts | Wellness programs & discounts |
| Claims & support | Minimal claims paperwork, care is in-network by design | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | Direct billing at major hospitals | MyHealth app, claims in minutes, fast reimbursement | Direct billing focus, less out-of-pocket | Cashless via provider network | Fast-track online claims | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | Licensed agents year-round, no fee | Support team through enrollment & renewals | Established TPA claims machine | Named-person service, quick turnaround | Digital-first claims | 48-hour reimbursement target | Easy Claim app, photo reimbursements | Digital claims, multilingual service | Standard claims & phone support | Fast e-claims via my Sun Life | Standard claims & phone support | Standard claims & phone support | One Day Pay on many claims | Direct dentist billing |
| Standout perk | Top-rated member satisfaction year after year | The safest bet on network size | Walk-in care on every corner | Take your network across state lines | Employer benefits with global reach | Blue-network strength, modern app | Medicare-first specialist with clinics | The default full expat plan | Big-group stability for global lives | Concierge-grade expat healthcare | US-grade cover that travels | Strong mid-market global option | Health insurance that feels like an app | Startup service levels for seniors | Mountain-West Kaiser alternative | Subsidy-optimized bargain plans | One stop to compare the whole market | healthcare.gov, minus the friction | Global cover on a budget | Boutique service, big-insurer security | Insurance built for digital nomads | Claims speed as the brand promise | European alternative to the big two | Discreet European quality | Gets paid-for by your healthy habits | The post-employer safety net | Scale + extras ecosystem in AU | Rock-bottom subsidized premiums | Cash when illness hits, on top of insurance | The default name in dental |
| Best for | Coordinated care where Kaiser operates | Broad nationwide access | CVS-centric households | Nationwide portability | Employer plans & mental health | Anthem-state residents | Medicare beneficiaries | Long-term expats & families abroad | Expats wanting a giant behind them | Executives & premium expats | Americans living overseas | Value-seeking expats | Digital-native ACA shoppers | Seniors comparing MA plans | Utah & Mountain-West residents | Subsidized marketplace shoppers | Comparing Medicare & ACA options | Fast subsidized ACA signup | Price-first expats | Expats wanting a human touch | Nomads & remote workers | Asia-based expats | EU expats & students | EU-minded global professionals | UK private cover + rewards | Canadians without group benefits | Australian private cover | Maximum-subsidy shoppers | Filling deductible gaps | Standalone dental cover |
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Why health insurance matters
One hospital bill can undo years of saving. This stops it
1883the year health insurance became law in Germany. The idea spread worldwide
5 figureswhat one uninsured U.S. hospital stay can easily cost
Nov 1 - Jan 15the U.S. sign-up window. Miss it and you usually wait a year
You buy insurance hoping to waste the money. That is the point.— Debt & Dynasties
Modern health insurance started in 1883, when Germany made it law. The reason was simple then and is simple now: one illness could ruin a working family. That risk never went away.
In the U.S., a single uninsured hospital stay can easily cost more than a car. Insurance turns that unpredictable disaster into a fixed monthly number. It is the one product you buy hoping to never need it.
The premium is not the real price. What counts: your deductible (what you pay first), your out-of-pocket maximum (your worst case), and whether your doctor is in the network. A cheap plan that excludes your doctor is not cheap.
Our table compares 30 providers: big U.S. carriers, marketplace and Medicare plans, worldwide expat cover and extras. Same 19 checks, fine print included.
How to use this page
01
Pick your group first: marketplace (ACA), Medicare, employer, or expat.
02
Compare the out-of-pocket maximum and the network before the premium.
03
Check the sign-up window for your state or country, then confirm with the insurer.
Why this matters today
The fine print is the product. Read it before you need it
100%coverage for preventive care on compliant plans. Use it
Lessthan list price is what most subsidized buyers really pay
The networkdecides your real costs. Always check your doctor first
Health costs are the one money risk you cannot schedule. Insurance exists to cap your worst year at a number you can survive. That cap is the out-of-pocket maximum, and it is the first thing to compare.
Do not judge a plan by its sticker premium. Government subsidies scale with your income, and many people pay far less than the listed price. Run your subsidy before calling a plan too expensive.
Check the network like your money depends on it, because it does. Treatment outside the network can cost several times more. Two minutes searching for your doctor in the plan directory saves real pain.
And collect the free part: checkups, screenings and vaccines are covered 100% on compliant plans. You already paid for them with your premium.
Ready to choose?
Frequently asked questions
What matters more than the monthly premium?
Your out-of-pocket maximum and the provider network. A cheaper plan that excludes your doctor or hospital can cost far more in a bad year, because out-of-network care is billed at a multiple of in-network rates.
Do I qualify for a marketplace subsidy?
Premium tax credits scale with household income, and many marketplace buyers pay well below the listed price. Judging plans by the sticker premium before running your subsidy is the most common and most expensive mistake.
When can I sign up for health insurance?
Marketplace open enrollment generally runs from November 1 to January 15, with exact dates varying by state. Outside that window you need a qualifying life event such as a job change, marriage or a new baby.