Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026

Kaiser Permanente is the No. 1 health insurance company for 2026, retaining the top spot for the sixth consecutive year. While Kaiser didn’t rank first in any single survey category, it consistently finished near the top in areas that matter most to shoppers, including customer service, ease of payment, and low deductibles. It also ranked No. 3 for price and affordability, showing that many policyholders view it as a good option even when it isn’t the cheapest in every market.

Kaiser also earned the highest NCQA score in our rating and posted a very low NAIC complaint index, both signs of high-quality care and a solid member experience. If you’re comfortable with an HMO structure and want an easy-to-manage plan at a fair price, Kaiser is hard to beat.

Humana is the No. 2 best health insurance company for 2026. Humana ranks No. 1 for price and affordability and is a strong choice for shoppers seeking affordable coverage backed by exceptional customer service and policyholder loyalty. In our survey, 83% of members rate Humana positively for customer service – the best score among all insurers. Humana also finishes at or near the top in our survey for customer recommendations, trust, and renewals, showing policyholders believe in the brand and plan to stick with it.

If you’re focused on value, want dependable service and an insurer with strong customer trust and retention, Humana is one of the best choices for 2026.

Horizon BCBS of New Jersey ranks No. 3 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026 list. It’s a strong option for shoppers who want plan variety and who value a positive customer experience, even if that means paying a bit more. Horizon’s greatest distinction is its 100% recommendation score, the best result in any category across the entire study. It also leads all carriers in policy offerings, making it especially appealing if you need a wide range of plan choices to match specific health needs or budget preferences.

Horizon is a great fit if you prize plan choice and strong member sentiment, but it may not be ideal if your top priority is a low deductible or premium.

BCBS of Michigan (Blue Care Network) lands at No. 4 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026 rating. In our survey, Blue Care Network tied for second place in both customer service and policy offerings (highest among carriers in our survey that operate in the state), demonstrating its performance in day-to-day support and providing members with numerous ways to tailor coverage. BCBS of Michigan also earned positive marks for its provider network.

Consumer sentiment is another plus. Policyholders rate the company highly for recommendations and trust, and its renewal score ranks near the top of all carriers we reviewed, signaling customer loyalty.

Highmark (BCBS in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia) is the No. 5 health insurance company for 2026. Highmark tied for second-best customer service, indicating that most members are satisfied with the support they receive. Its standout strength is its network. Highmark tied for first place for its provider access, a major plus for people who value choice, need specialists, or want convenient care options.

Customer loyalty is also solid, with high marks for recommendations and a strong renewal rate, indicating that policyholders are comfortable sticking with the insurer in the long term.

HCSC – HealthCare Services Corp (BCBS of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) is No. 6 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026. It’s a financially strong Blue Cross carrier that placed second in customer recommendations and renewals, indicating that members are willing to vouch for the company and remain loyal to it.

HCSC also scored near the top for low deductibles and a strong provider network, appealing to consumers who want broad access and more manageable upfront costs. Individuals seeking good value, strong provider access, and a seamless digital experience, particularly those in the younger and older age groups, may wish to consider HCSC as an option.

Aetna is ranked No. 7 among health insurance companies for 2026. It offers convenient everyday care options through CVS MinuteClinic, plus a digital experience that makes coverage easier to manage. Aetna scored especially well for ease of accessing policy documents and services, which is key for members who prefer handling their insurance online. It also enjoys solid underlying stability, backed by an excellent AM Best financial strength rating and a lower-than-average NAIC complaint index.

Aetna is a good fit for individuals who value easy access to routine care and robust online account tools, and who are less concerned with top-tier customer sentiment rankings.

BCBS of Florida (Florida Blue) comes in at No. 8 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026. Florida Blue shines in consumer sentiment, finishing No. 1 for renewals and near the top for trust, clear signs that members see enough value to stay year after year. Access to care is another standout. Florida Blue ties for the best provider network score, offering wide in-network availability and easier access to specialists.

BCBS of Florida (Florida Blue) enjoys exceptional member loyalty, strong provider access, and top-tier financial stability, making it a reliable choice for individuals seeking comprehensive in-network care.

Elevance Health (formerly Anthem BCBS) ranks No. 9 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026 list. It’s a reasonable pick for shoppers who want a well-known national carrier with decent scores for plan offerings and provider network. The insurer’s excellent financial strength rating and decent NCQA score point to good, if not standout, performance.

Elevance is a good fit for individuals who prioritize a familiar brand and broad availability over low premiums and polished online tools.

Cigna is the No. 10-ranked health insurer of 2026. In our survey, Cigna tied for the second-highest customer service score and posted one of the better digital experience ratings, indicating that members generally find its website and app easy to use. It also stands out for its handling of billing, and its low-deductible score tied for second place, which can help reduce early out-of-pocket expenses.

For shoppers who want easy online management, helpful customer service and plans with relatively low deductibles, Cigna is a good option.

BCBS of North Carolina comes in at No. 11 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026 rating. This regional Blue Cross lands midpack for recommendations, trust, and renewals, meaning many customers view it as a stable choice worth keeping year after year. It also enjoyed relatively high satisfaction scores from younger members. Another plus is its NAIC complaint index score, which is lower than expected for a carrier of its size, suggesting it handles member issues reasonably well.

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) ranks No. 12 in our rating of the Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026. UHC doesn’t lead any survey category, though its best results come in digital experience and ease of payment. A major bright spot is complaints: UHC posts the second-lowest NAIC complaint index in our study, indicating significantly fewer customer complaints than expected for a carrier of its size.

Among big national insurers, UnitedHealthcare is a decent option for people who want simple online account management and a straightforward billing process. Still, it’s a tougher sell for shoppers focused on price.

EmblemHealth ranks No. 13 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026. The insurer’s calling card is cost: Emblem is No. 1 in our survey for price satisfaction and is ranked No. 2 for price/affordability, making it one of the best options for shoppers who care most about keeping premiums down. Members also give Emblem high marks for its online experience, with a score that puts it near the top for website and app usability.

Blue Shield of California ties for No. 14 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026 ranking, the lowest spot on the list. In our survey, Blue Shield posted one of the better provider network scores (No. 3 overall) and a high renewal rate, indicating that many members are satisfied with their access to care and are willing to remain with the insurer. Its customer service score, meanwhile, landed in the middle of the list.

Molina Healthcare lands in a tie for No. 14 in our Best Health Insurance Companies of 2026 ranking. The company focuses its coverage on Medicaid, Medicare, and marketplace plans. Members gave Molina a 94% digital experience score – the best of any insurer we reviewed. Molina also ranks near the top for price/affordability and finishes in the upper tier for low deductibles.