Best Family Health Insurance Plans

Looking for the best family health insurance plans? Consider Sidecar Health.

Put family first by selecting the best health insurance plan. While health insurance for families might seem complicated, learning more improves your ability to answer health-related questions. Before selecting a plan, determine each family member’s specific health-related needs. Compare plans to decide what would work best for your family.

Quick Look: Best Family Health Insurance Plans

• Best for Enrollment Freedom: Sidecar
• Best for Plan Support: Aetna
• Best for Extensive National Coverage: Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Best for International Coverage: Cigna
• Best for Budget-Friendly Care: Kaiser Permanente

5 Best Family Health Insurance Plans

Review the best family health insurance plans to discover the ideal provider for your family. Know what key benefits make a company stand out from the crowd for your family, such as plans with flexible online appointments or strong employee-sponsored programs. Weighpotential drawbacks and benefits to have a clear understanding of how each program can function for your family. 

1. Best for Enrollment Freedom: Sidecar Health

Sidecar Health is an excellent option for younger families with typically good health. The company breaks the mold by moving away from standard provider networks and set enrollment periods. Instead, Sidecar Health allows you to skip the time-consuming referral process, letting you see healthcare professionals sooner The provider is currently available in several states, including Tennessee and Texas. Sidecar Health pays costs up to the benefit amount, and the remaining amount must be paid by the individual.

2. Best for Plan Support: Aetna

Aetna has noteworthy plan support offering comprehensive member assistance. The company has mobile apps designed to encourage healthy actions by allowing you to earn points that let you receive gift cards. Aetna provides students with specific content and forms to better address their specific needs. It is possible to have $0 preventative care and $0 virtual care depending on the family plan. You must purchase dental insurance to have the opportunity to add vision insurance.

3. Best for Extensive National Coverage: Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield has a rich history spanning back to the late 1920s. The company reaches covers people in all 50 states with the assistance of over 30 locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. Blue Cross Blue Shield has a network of over 1.7 million doctors. The policies help match healthcare professionals and patients. Insurance policies and associated healthcare professionals must be selected from a regionally provided company.

4. Best for International Coverage: Cigna

Cigna has a longstanding history spanning over 200 years. The company offers exemplary international coverage including telehealth visits that can be accessed using the mobile app. Cigna has international plans that promote clear communication by offering multilingual support as well as help in over 200 countries and territories. Assistance is available in every time zone, which can prove useful when traveling or taking a family vacation.

5. Best for Budget-friendly Care: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente offers a wealth of health providers and low-cost health insurance plans. The company allows individuals to obtain family plan quotes and in some situations more personalized plans. Depending on your income and household details, it’s possible to qualify for state benefits. Kaiser Permanente is not available in every state, and customer sentiment tends to differ by location.

Factors to consider

Before purchasing a family health insurance plan, consider several factors such as the potential provider networks and the types of available coverage.

Your Family

Family plans cover multiple people while an individual health insurance plan covers one person. Before buying a family plan, know your medical history and health-related needs of each family member. A family member’s needs can include care and treatment that extends beyond annual check-ups. 

If you have older children, they are allowed to stay on your plan until they turn 26 years old. Once your child reaches 26 years of age, they will need to acquire their own health insurance plan. 

Your Coverage

Coverage is a key consideration when contemplating a plan because it indicates how costs will be divided between your family and the insurance company. The amount of coverage provided indicates if some or all financial expenses related to a health service will be covered by insurance. 

The Provider Network 

Even in families, people tend to have different preferences and needs. It’s possible that each family member will need separate primary care physicians or specialists. For example, children go to pediatricians while adult family members to see primary care physicians and specialty providers. Larger networks make it possible for your family to choose from a wide selection of care providers.

Deductibles and Premiums

For families with more health-related needs, paying higher premiums might prove useful. Higher premiums indicate you will have lower deductibles. However, if you have a family that rarely needs health services, higher premiums might not be right for you. Insurance premiums are due even when your family doesn’t use the services provided.

When calculating various premiums and deductibles, think about details such as out-of-pocket maximums and copays. An out-of-pocket maximum is the maximum amount of money you need to spend on services before insurance typically covers the rest. A copay is a set amount you need to pay during a standard visit to the doctor. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks related to deductible and premium fees to understand what strategy would work best for your family.

Total Cost

Cost remains a key factor when selecting a family health insurance plan. Details that have the potential to impact the cost of your family’s plan typically include your location, household size and income. Household size indicates the number of people within your family that live together under one roof. When calculating your household size, remember to count yourself on the forms. Families in different locations may experience dissimilar costs. For example, the needs and location-related expenses for a family located in New Jersey will likely differ from a family in California.

According to Healthcare.gov, you may receive a premium tax credit designed to help you pay less on your monthly bills when you purchase health insurance from the Health Insurance Marketplace. The tax credits are tied to your income. The program is intended to assist eligible families and individuals afford health insurance.

Family First: Select the Best Insurance for Your Loved Ones

Selecting the best family health insurance plan can seem complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. Take your time reviewing the various options. Keep key considerations in mind such as the caliber of health providers within a network, the quality of customer service and the price points for premiums and deductibles. In many cases, it’s possible to buy health insurance online. Speak with an insurance professional to locate the ideal plan for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions