Anthem Insurance vs UnitedHealthcare: which one is most popular..!
Anthem Inc. is an American health insurance company founded in 2004. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Anthem is the largest managed health care company in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The company functions as Anthem Blue Cross in California, and other states. It has different names. Anthem has over 40 million members.
UnitedHealthcare Group Incorporated is a US-based managed health care organization. Founded in 1977, UnitedHealthcare was the largest healthcare company globally, with a revenue of $242.2 billion in 2019. Its headquarter is situated in Minnetonka, Minnesota. UnitedHealthcare revenues encompass 80% of the Group’s overall revenue.
Anthem Insurance vs. UnitedHealthcare:
Here is a brief comparison between Anthem and UnitedHealthcare:
Insurance Rating
Anthem and UnitedHealthcare are two of the best insurance companies in the United States. They have a massive amount of members who get benefitted from the companies.
| Insurance Rating | UnitedHealthcare | Anthem |
| Medicare Star Rating | 4.5 stars out of 5 | 4 stars out of 5 |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| A.M. Best Rating | A | A- |
So far, both Anthem and UnitedHealthcare are neck-to-neck in terms of insurance rating. But what about their insurance plans? What kind of plans do the companies offer? Let’s take a look.
Types of Healthcare Plans
In terms of healthcare plans, both companies offer similar programs. They have –
- Health Maintenance Organisation (HMOs)
- Preferred Provider Organisation (PPOs)
- Health Savings Account (HSAs)
- Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRAs)
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare Supplement
Both Anthem and UnitedHealthcare have a wide range of healthcare plans available at the individual, group, and senior levels.
Sample Plans
Here are some sample plans of Anthem and UnitedHealthcare:
Anthem
| MediBlue Coordination Plus (HMO) | MediBlue Choice (HMO-POS) | MediBlue Access (POS) | Anthem Breathe (HMO SNP) | |
| Location | Manchester, NH 03111 | Portland, Me 04122 | Louisville, KY 40223 | Los Angeles, CA 90010 |
| Drug Coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $500 out of network | $0 |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | $6,700 | $5,500 in network, $8,500 combined | $5,900 in network, $6,900 combined | $1,500 in network |
| Primary care visit | 20% coinsurance | $0 | $10 in network, $40 out of network | $0 |
| Network | Must stay in network | Lower costs for in-network services | Lower costs for in-network services | Must stay in network |
| Plan# | H3536-004 | H8432-005 | H7728-004 | H0544-013 |
UnitedHealthcare
| AARP Medicare Advantage SecureHorizons Premier (HMO) | AARP Medicare Advantage Choice (PPO) | Erickson Advantage Freedom (HMO-POS) | Medicare Gold (Regional PPO-SNP) | |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA 90072 | Columbus, OH 43230 | Charlotte, NC 28266 | Atlanta, GA 30312 |
| Drug Coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | $1,000 | In network: $4,500 | In network: $4,200 | $6,700 |
| Primary care visit | $0 | $0 | $10-20 | $0 |
| Network | Must stay in network | Lower costs for in-network services | Lower costs for in-network services | Lower costs for in-network services |
| Plan | H0543-164 | H8768-007 | H5652-006 | R2604-003 |
Mobile Apps
Anthem and UnitedHealthcare have mobile apps for both iOS and Android platforms:
| Anthem | UnitedHealthcare | |||
| Platform | iOS | Android | iOS | Android |
| User Rating | 2.2 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 6 |
| Number of Users | 42 | 101 | 10.1 K | 16.3 K |
In this category, it seems that UnitedHealthcare is far ahead of Anthem with both user ratings and numbers. However, the Anthem Medicaid app is only available in five states – Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Virginia. Policyholders can use this app to locate doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies. Moreover, they can also view their claims, pay bills, and manage their prescriptions.
On the contrary, you can use UnitedHealthcare’s Health4Me app to find doctors and review your claim and coverage.
Advantages of Anthem and UnitedHealthcare:
| Anthem | UnitedHealthcare |
| With over 40 million members, Anthem is one of the topmost health insurance companies in the United States Anthem’s health insurance plans are financially secured | Variety of Medicare and Medicaid health plans with huge benefits Offers plans for individual and families who are not eligible for Medicaid and Medicare Their mobile app is top-rated among the users It operates throughout the United States |
Disadvantages of Anthem and UnitedHealthcare:
| Anthem | UnitedHealthcare |
| In 2014, the family of a cancer patient filed a case against Anthem. The company refused to cover the hospital charges of the patient; however, they had to pay a huge sum to the family because of public outcry. Anthem was given a penalty for untimely responses to the customers. | Their insurance plans are more expensive compare to other providers. |
Frequently Ask Questions:
Is Anthem good health insurance?
Anthem scored 82.33 and ranked 8th place in the 2020 Best Health Insurance Company Survey. For customer service, it scored 4th place, whereas it ranked 12th place for their easy-to-use website and mobile apps. So, Anthem is a good insurance provider overall.
How does UnitedHealth Short term health insurance work?
UnitedHealthcare offers Short term insurance plans to its members. The plan provides a temporary solution for those who are in between jobs or waiting to start a job. Those who are waiting for their coverage to begin or waiting for Medicare acceptance are also eligible for this insurance plan.
Both Anthem and UnitedHealthcare have their individual benefits. In several cases, they compete for each other and top the insurance plans marketplace. You have to make a wise decision to choose between the two providers that will meet your requirements.
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