What are the different names of health insurance?

Major health insurance companies in the United States include large national names like UnitedHealthcare, Anthem (Elevance Health), Kaiser Permanente, and Cigna.

Top National Health Insurers

• UnitedHealth Group: The largest health insurer in the country by market share.
• Elevance Health (Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield): Operates major Blue Cross plans across multiple states.
• Kaiser Permanente: An integrated system known for combining coverage and medical care in select regions.
• Cigna: Offers extensive employer-sponsored and global networks.
• Humana: Primarily focuses on Medicare Advantage and specialized health plans.
• CVS Health (Aetna): Provides major medical and employer-sponsored coverage.
• Centene Corporation: Specializes in government programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace.
• Molina Healthcare: Focuses heavily on state-funded Medicaid and Medicare programs.

Regional and Local Providers

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Association: A massive federation of independent, regional companies like Blue Shield of California or Highmark.
• Oscar Health: A smaller tech-focused insurer operating in select states.
• Local Plans: Non-profit or regional groups like Health Net, SCAN Health Plan, or Sharp Health Plan.

The seven primary types of health insurance plans commonly recognized in the United States include managed care networks, high-deductible options, and public programs.

The 7 Primary Plan Types

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Requires you to see doctors within a specific local network and choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP). You need a referral from your PCP to see a specialist. Out-of-network care is generally not covered except in emergencies.
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): Offers maximum flexibility by letting you see any doctor or specialist without a referral. You pay less if you use in-network providers, but out-of-network care is partially covered at a higher cost.
• Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): Covers care only if you use doctors and hospitals within the plan’s network, similar to an HMO. However, you do not need referrals to see specialists, similar to a PPO.
• Point of Service (POS): Combines features of HMO and PPO plans. It requires a PCP and referrals for specialists, but it allows you to use out-of-network providers for a higher cost.
• High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): Features lower monthly premiums paired with much higher deductibles. These plans are often paired with a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for medical expenses.
• Catastrophic Plans: Designed for people under 30 or those facing severe economic hardship. They feature very low monthly costs and extremely high deductibles, covering basic preventive care plus a set number of primary visits before the deductible is met.
• Government-Sponsored Programs (Medicare & Medicaid): Public health programs where Medicare serves adults aged 65 and older or certain disabled individuals, and Medicaid provides coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families.

You can review official definitions and compare marketplace options directly through the U.S. Government Health Insurance Site.

The top 5 healthcare insurance companies in the United States by market share and enrollment size are UnitedHealth Group, Elevance Health, CVS Health (Aetna), Centene Corporation, and Humana.

Top 5 Health Insurance Companies

• UnitedHealth Group (UnitedHealthcare): The largest health insurer in the U.S., holding over 16% of the national market share and serving roughly 45 million enrollment members through an extensive nationwide network.
• Elevance Health (formerly Anthem): Operates major Blue Cross Blue Shield plans across multiple states, serving over 36 million members with a broad national footprint.
• CVS Health (Aetna): Combines traditional health insurance with a vast network of retail pharmacies and walk-in clinics, covering approximately 25 million medical plan members.
• Centene Corporation: Focuses heavily on government-sponsored healthcare programs like Medicaid managed care and the ACA Marketplace, serving around 19 million members.
• Humana: Ranks as a major national provider with a strong emphasis on Medicare Advantage plans, wellness programs, and care coordination.

(Note: While massive enterprises dominate market share, regional and integrated systems like Kaiser Permanente frequently top consumer satisfaction and quality rankings).

The seven main types of personal insurance commonly recommended for comprehensive financial protection are health, life, disability, long-term care, homeowners, umbrella liability, and automobile insurance.

The 7 Main Types of Insurance

• Health Insurance: Pays for routine medical care, tests, doctor visits, and emergency treatments to protect against high medical debt.
• Life Insurance: Provides a financial payout to your beneficiaries if you pass away while the policy is active.
• Disability Insurance: Replaces a portion of your income if an illness or injury stops you from working.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Covers extended assistance, such as nursing home care or in-home help, for chronic illnesses or aging.
• Homeowners Insurance: Pays to repair or rebuild your home and replace belongings damaged by covered disasters or accidents.
• Umbrella Liability Insurance: Extends your liability limits beyond the maximums of standard policies like auto or home insurance for extra protection.
• Automobile Insurance: Covers vehicle damage, theft, and legal liability if you cause an injury or property damage in a car crash.

You can learn more about asset protection strategies from providers like MetLife or financial educators like Edelman Financial Engines.

Employer-sponsored health insurance is the most common type of health coverage, and the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is the most common specific plan structure within it.

Overview of Common Coverage Sources

• Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI): Covers the largest portion of the population (over half of people in the U.S.), where companies provide or subsidize the plan.
• Medicaid: A joint federal and state program providing coverage for low-income individuals and families.
• Medicare: A federal program primarily serving individuals aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities.

Most Common Plan Network Types

When looking at how these private or group plans are structured, the most popular choices include:

• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Offers flexibility to see any doctor or specialist without a referral, though staying in-network costs less.
• HDHP (High-Deductible Health Plan): Features higher deductibles and lower monthly payments, often paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA).
• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Requires you to see doctors within a specific network and get referrals from a primary care physician, usually offering lower overall out-of-pocket costs. You can learn more about how these structures compare on the HealthCare.gov Plan Types Guide.