Searching for low-priced health insurance for your family can be a tough task. A number of families get coverage through employers or marketplace plans while some are able to get help in the form of subsidies.
When choosing a plan, think about every choice because there is a variation of both costs as well as coverages between plans. HMOs have much smaller provider networks and specialists can only be accessed through referrals, whereas PPOs offer increased flexibility.
1. CareFirst
For those without an employer-sponsored health plan, CareFirst provides health benefits services including families and individuals. They offer cost-effective solutions for healthcare such as medical, vision and dental insurance, as well as pre-tax spending accounts. Members are offered fee for service or PPO plans through BCBS provider networks.
In Maryland and the National Capital Region, CareFirst offers several plans meeting the Affordable Care Act and strives to fulfill social determinants of health (SDOH) through community advocacy and investment.
Carefirst members have easy access to over 1 million eligible physicians, providers, hospitals and care centers across the country by location, name or specialty. The BlueCard PPO network also enables providers outside the local area to be accessed with ease.
For families, they provide extensive insurance options that cover wellness visits, maternity benefits, prescription medications, and more. Comparing different plans is simple, giving you the ability to choose a plan that works best for you financially and in terms of your family’s needs. In order to fully utilize the healthcare plan, consider out-of-pocket payments as well as premiums and deductibles.
2. Cigna
Cigna Close Care members can receive a plethora of services which includes healthcare inpatient and day patient coverage, more than one million physicians, hospitals and ancillary providers all over the world, flexible regions of coverage (Worldwide or Worldwide with the exception of US), optional additional benefits and payment frequence, and other flexible payment terms.
Family health plans provide great perk to families as it promote savings and reduced the inconveniences associated with several individual policies by having multiple premiums. In addition, this type of policy is more accommodating in terms of adding dependents like newborns or in-laws and, likewise, allows for easier removal of those who no longer qualify.
Cigna prioritizes holistic health, featuring options for spending accounts and wellness programs as well as mental health support. Their customer service is available 24/7, and they speak multiple languages; be advised that all policies may have some form of exclusion or limitation, for further clarification please reach out to a Cigna representative or licensed agent directly.
3. Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) cater to both individuals and families with health plans. Individual plans are for one person only, while family plans are for two or more people as long as there is a legally adopted, born, or fostered child who is is 26 years old or younger. Monthly premium payments vary depending on how many members are on each plan.
BCBS provides prescription drug coverage through Part D, as well as medicare advantage HMO and PPO plans in all 50 states. It’s also part of the national physicians network where doctors of various specialities participate under Blue Distinction.
Families with low income may receive some financial assistance based on their income in comparison with the federal poverty level and local health insurance costs. Brightline Connect also provides some of the more advanced clinical services like behavioral therapy done by licensed psychologists or therapists, assessment from child psychiatrists or nurse practitioners, and more.
4. Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is a national, non-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) that serves individuals and businesses alike. They cover a wide range of clients, including families, seniors who are not Medicare eligible, and even offer Personal Advantage plans, Cares for Kids Child Health Plan-1 plans, as well and continuities of care for those who have left group plans.
Kaiser Medical Centers provide primary care at an advanced level, which includes, but is not limited to, specialist and laboratory referrals, lab services, prescriptions, and the integration of the patient’s medical record with other physicians on the healthcare team for optimized health management.
Kaiser, like any other HMO, is known to strip patients of certain rights by forcing members with malpractice claims into arbitration in order to be paid damages for their injuries. In spite of this loss of personal autonomy and the ability to properly recover after serious injury, other integrate care model practitioners find great value in Kaiser and it’s one stop shopping for all healthcare services.
5. UnitedHealthcare
United Health Group is a privately owned American company that specializes in offering profitable health insurance plans and services. It aims to provide a wide range of products and services for Americans and businesses at every stage of life. UnitedHealthcare has healthcare insurance policies, pharmacies, doctor’s clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies; while Optum, a subsidiary, provides data and technology to improve healthcare services.
Families without employer-sponsored coverage, Medicare, or CHIP can receive coverage from UnitedHealthcare’s Marketplace plans. More than ninety percent of individual ACA Marketplace plan customers received benefits to help pay their monthly bill in 2024. In addition, the company offers supplemental medical plans alongside traditional medical plans; the Surest product allows people to select the right providers for particular issues, like sinusitis, while offering pricing, patient reviews, and geographic information about where the providers are located.
