Choosing a health insurance plan impacts your ability to access quality care at an affordable price. Not only does health insurance defray the cost of care, but it also protects your financial future. Without insurance, a health incident or chronic condition could result in devastating expenses. Knowing what companies are available is an important step in that journey. Here, you will find resources to help you find the best health insurance coverage to meet your needs.

Find Health Insurance Coverage

Each health insurance plan has a premium you pay each month to keep your policy active. You may also have a deductible ― the amount you pay before your insurance begins paying out for certain services ― and copays or coinsurance, which is the shared cost when you receive health care services. These amounts vary between plans and by metal level. Health insurance plans in each state are organized into four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Plan pricing and availability can depend on where you live, which is why you want to be sure you are comparing coverage for where you live. Most search engine tools require you to put in your ZIP code.  For example, a Bronze plan monthly premium in Colorado can start at $221 but, in Vermont, the Bronze starts at $571.

Each state also has a different number of health insurance companies available per state. For example, Delaware only has one company available while Florida has 13. Having more companies available can often help rates because there is more competition in the state and flexibility in the options.

Read Affordable Health Insurance Reviews of Top Health Insurance Companies

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How To Choose an Insurance Company

Finding the right company is very important when choosing your insurance coverage. Insurance access can vary by your age, income, and location to name a few. You always want to consider overall affordability.

Don’t just look at the premium. Be sure to look at the out-of-pocket cost, including deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and max uncovered expenses. Also, make sure that you research insurance company ratings to aid in avoiding unforeseen problems.

As you look for a health insurance company, here are some key considerations:

  • Find plans available in your area: Each state has different insurance carriers available. Always make sure that the company you choose is in your area.
  • Research the network: Look for companies that have a large network and make sure that your favorite providers are in-network. Also, make sure that if you travel frequently that you will have coverage in the areas you travel.
  • Research prescription drug coverage: Prescription drug coverage varies based on the tier of individual health insurance you select. Before buying a policy, understand what you’ll pay for prescription drugs so that you are prepared to manage the costs, especially of maintenance medicines. HealthCare.gov provides a tool so that you can check the cost of your prescriptions with plans you’re considering.
  • Compare monthly premiums: Higher-premium plans cost more per month, but you’ll pay less when you need care. Ultimately, deciding whether to choose a lower or higher premium depends on how you prefer to budget your health care expenses.
  • Compare deductibles: A high-deductible health plan has a lower monthly premium, but you pay more for care at the time of service. You must reach your deductible before the insurance company pays its share. A lower-deductible health plan has higher monthly premiums, but you’ll reach your deductible faster. Deductibles vary for individual and family plans.
  • Compare copays: Not all health insurance plans offer copays that allow doctors’ visit costs to be more predictable. Copies are fixed amounts you’ll pay for visits after you meet the plan deductible. Usually, a plan with lower monthly premiums will have a higher copay.
  • Compare out-of-pocket maximums: An out-of-pocket maximum is the most you can expect to pay per year, per person. It’s a cost factor that many people overlook when selecting an affordable health insurance policy. Out-of-pocket maximums are how insurance companies share the cost of care with policyholders.
  • Check insurer ratings: Before buying a health insurance plan, be sure to check ratings from reputable sources, including AM Best, J.D. Power, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Specifically, look at the types of complaints filed against the company. Are they related to coverage? Administration? Cost of the plan?

Find Health Insurance Companies in Your State

State Insurance Companies on the State Marketplace Monthly Premiums Start at Medicare Coverage Medicaid Coverage
Alabama
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
  • Bright Health Insurance Company of Alabama
  • United Healthcare
$418 Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama Alabama Medicaid
Alaska
  • Moda
  • Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield
$429 Medicare Advantage Plans in Alaska | Affordable Health Insurance Alaska Medicaid
Arizona
  • Banner/Aetna CVS Health (new for 2022)
  • Ambetter/Arizona Complete
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
  • Bright Health
  • Cigna
  • Medica
  • Oscar
  • UnitedHealthcare
$314 Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona | Affordable Health Insurance Arizona Medicaid
Arkansas
  • Celtic Insurance Company (Ambetter)
  • HMO Partners, Inc. dba Health Advantage
  • Oscar Insurance Company
  • QCA Health Plan, Inc.
  • QualChoice Life and Health Insurance Company, Inc.
  • USAble Mutual Insurance Company (AR Blue Cross & Blue Shield)
$311 Medicare Advantage Plans in Arkansas | Affordable Health Insurance Arkansas Medicaid
California
  • Anthem Blue Cross of California
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Bright HealthCare
  • Chinese Community Health Plan
  • Health Net
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • L.A. Care Health Plan
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Oscar Health Plan of California
  • Sharp Health Plan
  • Valley Health Plan
  • Western Health Advantage
$327 Medicare Advantage Plans in California | Affordable Health Insurance California Medicaid
Colorado
  • Anthem
  • Bright Health
  • Cigna
  • Denver Health
  • Friday Health Plans
  • Kaiser
  • Oscar
  • Rocky Mountain Health Plans
$269 Medicare Advantage Plans in Colorado | Affordable Health Insurance Colorado Medicaid
Connecticut
  • Anthem
  • ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc.
  • ConnectiCare Insurance Company
$419 Medicare Advantage Plans in Connecticut | Affordable Health Insurance Connecticut Medicaid
Delaware  

  • Highmark BCBS
$400 Medicare Advantage Plans in Delaware | Affordable Health Insurance Delaware Medicaid
Florida
  • Ambetter/Centene/Sunshine State
  • AvMed
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (Florida Blue)
  • Bright Health Insurance Company
  • Capital Health Plan
  • Cigna
  • Coventry/Aetna-CVS (rejoined for 2022)
  • Florida Blue HMO
  • Florida Health Care Plan Inc
  • Health First Health Plans
  • Molina
  • Oscar Health
  • UnitedHealthcare
$346 Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida | Affordable Health Insurance Florida Medicaid
Georgia
  • Aetna/CVS
  • Alliant
  • Ambetter from Peach State Health Plan (Centene)
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia
  • Bright Health
  • CareSource
  • Cigna
  • Friday Health
  • Kaiser
  • Oscar
  • UnitedHealthcare
$304 Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia | Affordable Health Insurance Georgia Medicaid
Hawaii
  • HMSA
  • Kaiser
$313 Medicare Advantage Plans in Hawaii | Affordable Health Insurance Hawaii Medicaid
Idaho
  • Blue Cross of Idaho
  • Molina
  • Mountain Health CO-OP
  • PacificSource
  • Regence BlueShield of Idaho
  • Select Health
$323 Medicare Advantage Plans in Idaho | Affordable Health Insurance Idaho Medicaid
Illinois
  • Ambetter/Celtic Insurance Co.
  • BCBS of Illinois
  • Bright Health
  • Cigna
  • Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc. (HAMP)
  • MercyCare HMO
  • Molina
  • Oscar
  • SSM Health Plan (WellFirst Health)
  • Quartz
  • UnitedHealthcare
$331 Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois | Affordable Health Insurance Illinois Medicaid
Indiana
  • Anthem
  • Caresource
  • Celtic/MHS/Ambetter
  • US Health and Life
$316 Medicare Advantage Plans in Indiana | Affordable Health Insurance Indiana Medicaid
Iowa
  • Medica
  • Oscar
  • Wellmark
$347 Medicare Advantage Plans in Iowa | Affordable Health Insurance Iowa Medicaid
Kansas
  • Ambetter from Sunflower Health Plan
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
  • Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
  • Medica Insurance Company
  • Oscar Insurance Company
  • US Health and Life Insurance Company
$346 Medicare Advantage Plans in Kansas | Affordable Health Insurance Kansas Medicaid

 

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Kentucky
  • Anthem
  • Caresource
  • Molina
  • Wellcare/Ambetter

 

$315 Medicare Advantage Plans in Kentucky | Affordable Health Insurance Kentucky Medicaid
Louisiana
  • Aetna Better Health
  • Amerihealth Caritas Louisiana
  • Healthy Blue
  • Louisiana Healthcare Connections
  • UnitedHealthcare Community
$408 Medicare Advantage Plans in Louisiana | Affordable Health Insurance Louisiana Medicaid
Maine
  • Anthem
  • Community Health Options
  • Harvard Pilgrim HMOs
$338  

Medicare Advantage Plans in Maine | Affordable Health Insurance

Maine Medicaid
Maryland
  • Aetna
  • CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • United Healthcare
$221 Medicare Advantage Plans in Maryland | Affordable Health Insurance Maryland Medicaid
Massachusetts
  • Allways Health Partners
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
  • Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan
  • Fallon Health
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • Health New England
  • Tufts Health Plan DirectTufts Health Plan Premier
  • UnitedHealthcare
$302 Medicare Advantage Plans in Massachusetts | Affordable Health Insurance Massachusetts Medicaid
Michigan
  • Blue Care Network
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
  • McLaren Health Plan
  • Meridian (Ambetter as of 2021)
  • Molina
  • Oscar Health
  • Physicians Health Plan
  • Priority Health
  • US Health and Life Insurance Company
  • UnitedHealthcare
$251 Medicare Advantage Plans in Michigan | Affordable Health Insurance Michigan Medicaid
Minnesota
  • Blue Plus
  • Group Health
  • Medica
  • PreferredOne
  • Quartz
  • UCare
$290 Medicare Advantage Plans in Minnesota | Affordable Health Insurance Minnesota Medicaid
Mississippi
  • Ambetter/Magnolia Health
  • Molina
  • Cigna
  • Vantage Health Plan of Mississippi
$408 Medicare Advantage Plans in Mississippi | Affordable Health Insurance Mississippi Medicaid
Missouri
  • Aetna/CVS Health
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
  • Celtic Life Insurance
  • Cigna Health Care
  • Cox Health Plans
  • Healthy Alliance Life Insurance
  • Medica
  • Oscar Insurance Company
  • SSM Health Insurance Company
$355 Medicare Advantage Plans in Missouri | Affordable Health Insurance Missouri Medicaid
Montana
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana
  • Montana Health CO-OP
  • PacificSource
$331 Medicare Advantage Plans in Montana | Affordable Health Insurance Montana Medicaid
Nebraska
  • Bright Health
  • Medica
  • Oscar (new for 2022)
  • Ambetter from Nebraska Total Care
$446 Medicare Advantage Plans in Nebraska | Affordable Health Insurance Nebraska Medicaid
Nevada
  • Aetna Health
  • Friday Health Plan
  • Friday Health Plans of Nevada
  • HMO Nevada
  • Hometown Health Plan
  • SelectHealth Inc.
  • SilverSummit Healthplan, Inc.
$279 Medicare Advantage Plans in Nevada | Affordable Health Insurance Nevada Medicaid
New Hampshire

 

  • Ambetter
  • Harvard Pilgrim
  • Matthew Thornton/Anthem
$264 Medicare Advantage Plans in New Hampshire | Affordable Health Insurance NH Medicaid | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
 

New Jersey

  • AmeriHealth
  • Horizon Healthcare Services (BCBS)
  • Oscar Health
  • Oxford Health
  • Ambetter from WellCare of New Jersey (new for 2022)
$349 Medicare Advantage Plans in New Jersey | Affordable Health Insurance New Jersey Medicaid
New Mexico
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (Health Care Service Corporation)
  • Friday Health Plans
  • Molina
  • Presbyterian Health Plan
  • True Health
  • Western Sky Community Care (Ambetter/Centene)
$259 Medicare Advantage Plans in New Mexico | Affordable Health Insurance New Mexico Medicaid
New York
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York
  • BlueShield of Northeastern New York
  • Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan
  • Emblem Health
  • Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
  • Fidelis Care
  • Healthfirst
  • HealthPlus
  • Independent Health
  • MetroPlus Health Plan
  • MVP Health Care
  • Oscar
  • United HealthCare
  • Univera Healthcare
$429 Medicare Advantage Plans in New York | Affordable Health Insurance New York State Medicaid
North Carolina
  • Aetna CVS Health
  • Ambetter of North Carolina
  • AmeriHealth Caritas
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC
  • Bright HealthCare
  • Cigna Healthcare
  • Friday Health Plans
  • Oscar Health Plan of North Carolina, Inc
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • WellCare of North Carolina
$342 Medicare Advantage Plans in North Carolina | Affordable Health Insurance NC Medicaid
North Dakota
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (Noridian)
  • Medica
  • Sanford
$288 Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota | Affordable Health Insurance North Dakota Medicaid
Ohio
  • Ambetter (Buckeye Community Health Plan)
  • AultCare
  • CareSource
  • Community Insurance Company (Anthem BCBS)
  • Medical Health Insuring Corp. of Ohio (Medical Mutual)
  • Molina
  • Oscar Buckeye State Insurance Corporation
  • Oscar Insurance Corporation of Ohio
  • Paramount
  • Summa
$307 Medicare Advantage Plans in Ohio | Affordable Health Insurance Ohio Medicaid
Oklahoma
  • Ambetter
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
  • Bright Health
  • CommunityCare Oklahoma
  • Friday Health Plans
  • Medica
  • Oscar Insurance Company
  • UnitedHealthcare
$355 Medicare Advantage Plans in Oklahoma | Affordable Health Insurance Oklahoma Medicaid
Oregon
  • BridgeSpan
  • Kaiser
  • Moda
  • PacificSource
  • Providence
  • Regence
$329 Medicare Advantage Plans in Oregon | Affordable Health Insurance Oregon Medicaid
Pennsylvania
  • Capital Advantage Assurance Company
  • Capital Advantage Insurance Company
  • Cigna
  • First Priority Health
  • Geisinger Health Plan
  • Highmark Benefits Group
  • Highmark Health Insurance Company
  • Highmark, Inc.
  • Keystone Health Plan Central
  • Oscar
  • PA Health & Wellness
  • QCC Insurance Company
  • UPMC Health Coverage, Inc.
$270 Medicare Advantage Plans in Pennsylvania | Affordable Health Insurance Pennsylvania Medicaid
Rhode Island
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI)
  • Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (NHPRI)
  • Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization, Inc.(off exchange)
  • United Healthcare (off exchange)
$240 Medicare Advantage Plans in Rhode Island | Affordable Health Insurance Rhode Island Medicaid
South Carolina
  • Ambetter/Absolute Total Care
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina
  • Bright
  • Molina
$339 Medicare Advantage Plans in South Carolina | Affordable Health Insurance South Carolina Medicaid
South Dakota
  • Avera
  • Sanford
$434 Medicare Advantage Plans in South Dakota | Affordable Health Insurance South Dakota Medicaid
Tennessee
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee
  • Bright
  • Celtic/Ambetter
  • Cigna
  • Oscar
  • United Healthcare
$338 Medicare Advantage Plans in Tennessee | Affordable Health Insurance TennCare Medicaid
 

Texas

  • Aetna CVS Health
  • Celtic/Ambetter (Ambetter from Superior Health Plan)
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
  • Bright Healthcare
  • Community Health Choice
  • CHRISTUS
  • Friday Health Plan
  • Moda Health Plan
  • Molina
  • Oscar
  • Scott & White Health Plan
  • Sendero
  • SHA/FirstCare
  • UnitedHealthcare of Texas
$306 Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas | Affordable Health Insurance Texas Medicaid
Utah
  • BridgeSpan
  • Bright Health
  • Cigna
  • Molina
  • Regence
  • SelectHealth (plans available statewide)
  • University of Utah Health Plans (plans available statewide)
$289 Medicare Advantage Plans in Utah | Affordable Health Insurance Utah Medicaid
Vermont
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
  • MVP
$571 Medicare Advantage Plans in Vermont | Affordable Health Insurance Vermont Medicaid Portal
Virginia
  • Aetna Life (New)
  • Anthem HealthKeepers
  • Bright Health (new)
  • CareFirst
  • Cigna
  • Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc.
  • Innovation Health Plan (new)
  • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic
  • Optima
  • Oscar Health
  • Optimum Choice
  • Piedmont Community Healthcare (and Piedmont HMO)
  • UnitedHealthcare

 

$343 Medicare Advantage Plans in Virginia | Affordable Health Insurance Virginia Medicaid
Washington
  • BridgeSpan Health Company
  • Community Health Network of Washington
  • Coordinated Care Corporation
  • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest
  • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington
  • LifeWise Health Plan of Washington
  • Molina Healthcare of Washington
  • PacificSource Health Plans
  • Providence Health Plan
  • Premera Blue Cross
  • Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
  • Regence BlueShield
  • UnitedHealthcare of Oregon
$287 Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington | Affordable Health Insurance Washington Medicaid
Washington, D.C.
  • Group Hospitalization and Medical Services (CareFirst PPO)
  • CareFirst BlueChoice (CareFirst HMO)
  • Kaiser of the Mid-Atlantic States.
$348 Medicare Advantage Plans in the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) | Affordable Health Insurance Washington, D.C., Medicaid
West Virginia
  • CareSource
  • Highmark
$621 Medicare Advantage Plans in West Virginia | Affordable Health Insurance West Virginia Medicaid
Wisconsin
  • Aspirus Health Plan
  • Children’s Community Health Plan
  • Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative (expanded coverage area for 2022)
  • Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation
  • Dean Health Plan
  • Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin
  • HealthPartners Insurance
  • Medica Health Plans of Wisconsin
  • MercyCare HMO Inc
  • Molina
  • Network Health Plan
  • Quartz Health Benefits
  • Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc
  • WPS (Arise Health Plan)
$325 Medicare Advantage Plans in Wisconsin | Affordable Health Insurance Medicaid in Wisconsin
Wyoming
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming
  • Mountain Health CO-OP (Montana Health CO-OP)
$507 Medicare Advantage Plans in Wyoming | Affordable Health Insurance Wyoming Medicaid
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Insurance and health care consultant

Tammy Burns is an experienced health insurance advisor. She earned her nursing degree in 1990 from Jacksonville State University, obtained her insurance billing and coding certification in 1995, and holds a health and life insurance license in Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Burns is Affordable Care Act (ACA)-certified for health insurance and other ancillary, life, and annuity products. She maintains an active nursing license and practices private-duty nursing.

Burns’ background as a nurse, insurance biller and coder, and insurance consultant includes infectious disease, oncology, gynecology, phlebotomy, post operative, family medicine, geriatrics, home health, hospice, human resources, management, billing, coding, claims, fixed annuities, group and individual health and life products, and Medicare. She’s always been driven by a desire to help people, spending more than 25 years as a practicing nurse in hospitals, private doctors’ offices, home health, and hospice. As a nurse, Burns supported patients filing insurance claims with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies as well as responding to billing questions from confused patients.

Seeing firsthand how unsuspecting patients are frequently confused by an overly complex system they don’t understand led Burns to become an insurance agent and health care consultant, now helping people understand the medical system. Since becoming an insurance agent in 2013, she has worked with some of the largest and most reputable insurance carriers and agencies in the nation, and she has built a large and loyal clientele by way of her commitment to transparency and personalized service.

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