Although some of the previously mentioned companies offer both life and health insurance coverage, the most popular health insurance companies are, by and large, exclusively dedicated to offering health care coverage. Here are a few of them, including some of the previously mentioned ones.
American Family Insurance
American Family's history is a remarkable story that started with a single idea. A struggling insurance salesman named Herman Wittwer believed a company could make money selling auto insurance to Wisconsin farmers. Wittwer understood that farmers presented lower risks compared to city drivers because they drove less often and put their cars up on blocks for the winter. Armed with this customer knowledge, he opened Farmers Mutual Automobile Insurance Company on Oct. 3, 1927. Over the years, the market grew from rural areas to small towns, suburbs and metropolitan areas. Today, the company is known as American Family and it offers vehicle, property, life, health, business and farm/ranch insurance, plus annuities and consumer loans in 17 U.S. states.
Aetna Corporation
Aetna Corporation is based in based in Hartford, CT, where it was founded in 1850. The company provides benefits through employers, many of whom are Fortune 1000 companies, in all 50 states, along with individual benefits in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington D.C. Health care, dental care, pharmacy, group life, disability and long-term care insurance fall under the umbrella of Aetna's offerings. Its recent awards include the Stevie award for "Best Business Turnaround" in 2004 through the American Business Awards competition, and the 2003 Best Disease Management Program in Managed Care from the Disease Management Association of America for its Healthy Outlook, Caring for Chronic Heart Failure program.
To get a quote, please visit: www.amfam.com
BlueCross[R] BlueShield[R] Association
Often regarded as uniquely American because of its grass-roots organization, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system is a network of independent, locally operated insurance companies whose growth has fluctuated with broader economic, social, and political changes and with the national search for cost-effective health care. BlueCross[R] and BlueShield[R] Association is a trade association for the independent and locally operated BlueCross and BlueShield plans. In existence for 75 years, BlueCross/BlueShield insures 88 million people across the 50 states. The company boasts contracts with more physicians than any other insurer.
Humana Inc.
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 7 million medical members located primarily in 15 states and Puerto Rico. Humana offers coordinated health insurance coverage and related services--through traditional and Internet-based plans--to employer groups, government-sponsored plans and individuals. Humana offers a wide range of products and services designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses, too. Small employers can choose from a broad spectrum of cost-effective health plans. With Humana, small businesses enjoy the convenience of having a single source of employee benefits, along with expert advice to get the most from their benefit dollar.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is an organization that continually works to elevate the state of health care with progressive products, services and advancements. The company evolved from industrial health care programs for construction, shipyard and steel mill workers during World War II. Its founders were Sidney Garfield, M.D. and Henry J. Kaiser who became partners in advancing the concept of pre-paid health care. Today, they are the largest nonprofit health care organization in the United States, serving approximately 8.2 million people in nine states and the District of Columbia.
Health Insurance Coverage
American Family
American Family has two dominant forms of major medical insurance. The policies, AmChoice and AmChoice Plus, give you a choice of deductibles to best suit your needs ($500-$10,000, once per calendar year per person). The most outstanding feature of the plan is the policyholder's freedom to choose a doctor or hospital. These policies allow a lifetime maximum benefit of $2 million. Preexisting conditions are not covered by the policies, however there is a discount for non-tobacco users and for attending a hospital or doctor that participates in the American Family network. American Family also offers a short term health insurance policy, called LimiTerm. The deductibles range from $250 to $1,000. Beyond the deductible, the policyholder is responsible for 20% of the incurred medical costs up until $5,000. This policy is only available for those people 65 and younger For those enrolled in Medicare, American Family offers a Medicare Supplement Insurance that provides outpatients services and hospital benefits that Medicare does not cover.
To get a quote, please visit: www.amfam.com
Aetna Corporation
Aetna was the first national full-service health insurer in the United States to offer a consumer-directed health plan, HealthFund[R]. Effective August 1, 2004, Aetna instituted its Aetna Advantage PPO Plan, a flexible alternative to over health coverage programs. This plan offers members the freedom to go to any recognized provider, including specialists. No referrals are needed, and members receive discounts for seeing a participating physician from Aetna's health network. There are many options to choose from through Aetna, with co-pays ranging from $35 to $25, and a lifetime maximum of $5 million. Additional options for these PPOs are the Aetna High-Deductible HSA Compatible Plans, which were instituted September 1, 2004. These HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) are tax-advantaged accounts intended to safeguard money deposited for eventual use for out-of-pocket medical expenses.
To get a quote, please visit: www.aetna.com
BlueCross[R] BlueShield[R] Association
Blue Cross offers long term health plans, while Blue Shield offers short term plans or add-on coverage towards and existing plan. Coverage and regulations vary. In some states, Blue Cross/Blue Shield may be condensed into a single plan. Blue Cross offers PPO (Preferred Provider) and HMO (managed care) plans. More types of care are available with an HMO, but there is vastly less choice in providers. There are a variety of plans geared at many different needs and preferences. The PPO plans all cover essentially the same care, the difference lies in the deductibles, coinsurance amounts, and annual out-of-pocket maximums. The average PPO will ask you to pay approximately 20-30% of an office visit. The perk of PPO plans is that they allow you to choose your provider, pay 100% for most covered services once the out-of-pocket maximum has been met, and provide preventative care. Research your choices carefully, as not everything is covered by every kind of insurance. There is a substantial list of procedures and needs that will not be covered from one plan to another. If you plan on having children, for example, choose a comprehensive plan with maternity care as opposed to a saver plan.
To get a quote, please visit: www.bluecares.com
Humana Inc.
In recent months, Humana has purposely decreased the number of members it insures by strategically divesting nonessential business and operations in order to focus its energy and resources on its core business of health insurance and related services. The company offers 4 individual health insurance plans: HumanaOne Individual Health Plan, an affordable health insurance for individuals and families not covered under group insurance; HumanaOne HSA, a health savings account, tax savings, and an individual health plan all-in-one; HumanaOne College Graduate Plan, a short-term health insurance for recent college graduates, and HumanaOne Pre-Employment Plan, a short-term health insurance plan for people waiting for their new employer's benefits to start. In addition, it offers coverage to businesses, Senior citizens, and military personnel.
To get a quote, please visit: www.humana.com or call: 1-866-672-9165.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente offers affordable health insurance plans for individuals and families. The $1500 Deductible plan has the lowest monthly rate. Kaiser Permanente also offers two individual or family health insurance plans without deductibles, the $25 Co-payment Plan (Best coverage) and the $50 Co-payment Plan. Prospective customers can view plan highlights and rates, decide on a plan, and apply online. Customers have the option of enrolling as an individual, just sign up the children, or enroll the entire family.
To get a quote, please call: 1-877-752-4737
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