What Are the Best Individual Health Care Insurers?

Purchasing health insurance may seem unnecessary and too expensive if you are currently healthy. Just imagine not having insurance, however, and getting in an accident which requires a week in a hospital. The hospital stay alone could cost you about $150,000. Compare that to paying $400 a month on health insurance; after 30 years you would come close to paying the same amount of money that one week in the hospital would cost without health insurance.

There are many factors to consider when choosing an individual plan, and there are hundreds of health insurance providers selling plans. First, check to see if you qualify for any group coverage through an alumni association or professional network as this is typically less expensive than purchasing individual insurance. Also, some states allow small businesses (even just two people) to qualify for a "group plan."

Kaiser Permanente

• Nationally, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans are ranked highest in customer satisfaction polls. The top 10 health insurance plans are HMOs, or HMO/POS plans, according to the 2009-2010 U.S. News & World Report: America's Best Health Plans. If cost is a concern to you, an HMO plan will suit you better than the more expensive Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.

  The largest HMO in the country, Kaiser health plans and hospitals are also nonprofits. Kaiser Permanente continues to rank among the top health insurance plans in the country based on customer satisfaction, year after year.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

• As of 2010 there are 39 different health insurance companies operated by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and they cover about 100 million Americans. Blue Cross plans are available in every state. Blue Cross also offers numerous plan options including Medicare supplemental, HMO, POS and PPO.

  For an individual, an HMO plan is likely to be the least expensive option. A point of service (POS) plan is somewhat of a hybrid between an HMO and a PPO, and so are the costs for patients. While a HMO plan limits service to a specific network of providers, a POS plan allows patients to see a provider outside of the network with a referral from a primary care physician. Getting care outside of a POS network is not ideal. Patients pay more for out-of-network visits and are responsible for managing the paperwork and billing for out-of-network care.

UnitedHealthcare Group

• UnitedHealthCare, like Kaiser and Blue Cross, offers a variety of national plans available for individuals. Most are named by the state; for instance, UnitedHealthcare of New Jersey. A great way to find the best individual plan for you is to take a few minutes and fill out some information on a website like ehealthinsurance.com.

  UnitedHealthCare does offer PPO individual health insurance plans, but consider that even though PPO premiums my be similar to HMO or POS plans, the costs of a PPO plan can add up through other charges such as co-payments, coinsurance charges and deductibles. PPOs do not require that you choose a primary care physician, nor do they require that you see providers within their preferred network. If you do go "out-of-network," however, you will pay more for your services.