Compare the top health insurance providers in United States — see cover, features and typical rates side by side.
22 live offers compared from 12 providers, from $0. Updated daily.
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Largest US health insurer. Broad national provider network. Multiple plan tiers on ACA marketplace.
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Widely accepted network. Available in most US states. Strong reputation for provider access.
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CVS Health subsidiary. Strong pharmacy integration. PPO and HMO options on ACA exchange.
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National PPO network. Wellness incentives. Mental health coverage included.
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Digital-first health insurance. $0 virtual care. Simple app-based member experience.
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Marketplace health plans for low-to-moderate income. Strong Medicaid expertise.
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Health insurance covers medical costs including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions and preventive care. In the United States most people get coverage through an employer, buy an individual plan on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, or qualify for government programs like Medicare (age 65+) and Medicaid (low income). Plans share costs through premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance up to an annual out-of-pocket maximum, after which the insurer pays 100% of covered in-network care.
Employer-sponsored coverage is the largest source, with the employer paying much of the premium. Those without it shop the ACA marketplace during open enrollment, where plans are tiered Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum by how costs are split, and income-based subsidies lower premiums. The ACA bars denial or pricing based on pre-existing conditions and mandates essential health benefits. Plans use HMO or PPO networks; HMOs are cheaper but require referrals, while PPOs offer more provider flexibility. High-deductible plans pair with tax-advantaged HSAs.
Catastrophic protection — The out-of-pocket maximum caps your annual costs, preventing medical bankruptcy.
Pre-existing coverage — ACA rules require insurers to cover pre-existing conditions without surcharge.
Free preventive care — In-network preventive services like screenings and vaccines are covered at no cost.
HSA tax savings — High-deductible plans let you fund a triple-tax-advantaged Health Savings Account.
Balance the premium against the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum based on how much care you expect to use—frequent care favors a lower-deductible Gold plan, while healthy people may prefer a lower-premium high-deductible plan with an HSA. Confirm your doctors and hospitals are in-network and your prescriptions are on the formulary. Check whether it is an HMO (referrals required) or PPO (more flexibility). On the marketplace, estimate your income to see if subsidies make a richer plan affordable.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest health insurer, followed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield network of state-based plans that together cover much of the country. Aetna (part of CVS Health), Cigna and Humana are major national carriers, with Humana especially strong in Medicare Advantage. Kaiser Permanente operates an integrated HMO model combining insurance and care delivery in several states. Molina Healthcare focuses on Medicaid and marketplace plans, and Oscar Health is a tech-driven ACA marketplace insurer.
Costs vary hugely by age, location, plan tier and subsidies. Unsubsidized individual marketplace premiums can range from a few hundred dollars to over $600 a month for a single adult, though ACA subsidies cut this sharply for eligible incomes—some pay very little. Employer plans cost employees a share of a larger premium. Beyond premiums you face deductibles, copays and coinsurance up to the out-of-pocket maximum, which the ACA caps annually.
The Affordable Care Act sets federal rules requiring coverage of pre-existing conditions, essential health benefits, free preventive care and an out-of-pocket maximum. Insurers are regulated by state insurance departments and federal agencies including CMS, which runs Medicare, Medicaid and the marketplace. The No Surprises Act protects against many surprise out-of-network bills. Consumers have appeal rights for denied claims and can seek help from state insurance regulators.
What if I have a pre-existing condition? ACA-compliant plans must cover you without higher pricing or exclusions. When can I enroll? During annual open enrollment, or after a qualifying life event like job loss or marriage triggers a special enrollment period. What is an HSA? A triple-tax-advantaged savings account you can fund only with a qualifying high-deductible health plan to pay medical costs.
The cheapest Health Insurance in United States is $0 from from UnitedHealthcare.
Giraffy tracks 5 private health insurance products across UnitedHealthcare,Blue Cross Blue Shield,Aetna,Cigna,Oscar Health insurers in United States. The lowest tracked monthly premium is $0 from. Premiums depend heavily on age, health status, level of cover, and excess chosen.
Core cover usually includes: inpatient hospital treatment (surgery, overnight stays), specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and sometimes cancer care. Many policies exclude mental health, dental, and optical as standard — these can be added as upgrades. Always check the specific policy schedule for exclusions.
Common exclusions include: pre-existing conditions (at least at first), chronic long-term conditions, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatment, organ transplants (often), and treatments abroad. Exclusions vary significantly between insurers — compare the policy wordings, not just the headline price.
The excess (or deductible) is the amount you pay towards each claim before the insurer covers the rest. A higher excess lowers your monthly premium. Set your excess at an amount you could comfortably afford to pay in a year — this balances premium savings against out-of-pocket cost if you need to claim.
Yes, but most insurers will exclude your pre-existing condition from the policy, or apply a 'moratorium' — where the condition is excluded until you've been symptom-free for 2+ years. 'Full medical underwriting' lets you know at outset exactly what's excluded, giving more certainty than a moratorium.
Mental health cover is increasingly included in standard policies, but terms vary significantly. Check whether inpatient psychiatric care, therapy sessions, and psychiatric medication are covered, and whether annual session limits apply. Some insurers offer digital mental health support as a standard perk.