Insurance
President Donald Trump signed his “big, beautiful bill” into law on July 4, making changes to health insurance coverage for millions of Americans.If you have a marketplace health insurance plan, sometimes also known as Obamacare or Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, your premiums might go up, and you might need to do more work to stay eligible.Here are a few key changes to marketplace health insurance in the new law — plus one thing that went unaddressed — and what to do about them.1. Premiums might get much pricierHow it works now: Premium tax credits help taxpayers afford marketplace health…
Marketplace health insurance ratings methodologyNerdWallet evaluates marketplace health insurance plans based on marketplace data about plans’ premiums, out-of-pocket costs and benefits, prescription drug coverage, dental coverage, government quality rating data, complaint data, records about how plans approve and deny claims and more.We evaluate individual plans and then aggregate scores to the company level. When a plan is missing data for a certain metric, we exclude it from calculations. For example, the federal government calculates official star ratings for marketplace health insurance plans, but many plans are unrated, and others have incomplete ratings. NerdWallet’s analysis incorporates government quality ratings when they’re…
Marketplace health insurance ratings methodologyNerdWallet evaluates marketplace health insurance plans based on marketplace data about plans’ premiums, out-of-pocket costs and benefits, prescription drug coverage, dental coverage, government quality rating data, complaint data, records about how plans approve and deny claims and more.We evaluate individual plans and then aggregate scores to the company level. When a plan is missing data for a certain metric, we exclude it from calculations. For example, the federal government calculates official star ratings for marketplace health insurance plans, but many plans are unrated, and others have incomplete ratings. NerdWallet’s analysis incorporates government quality ratings when they’re…
Marketplace insurance plans are health insurance policies available to individuals and families through a health insurance marketplace or exchange. Marketplace plans might also be referred to as Obamacare plans or Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans.There’s no income limit for marketplace insurance, but there are income limits for marketplace insurance subsidies that can help make that insurance more affordable.What are marketplace insurance subsidies?Marketplace insurance subsidies can significantly reduce what you pay for a marketplace insurance plan:The different subsidies each have their own income limits and other eligibility requirements.What is the income limit for the marketplace premium tax credit?Broadly speaking, you’re eligible…
The bottom line: Cigna Medicare Part D plans get slightly below-average star ratings in 2025. But Cigna also offers lower premiums than many competitors, especially for its low-cost Cigna Saver Rx plan. If a Cigna Medicare Part D plan covers your medications, it could be a good value. Jump to: Full ReviewCigna Medicare Part D pros and consProsLow cost: The Cigna Saver Rx plan is one of the least expensive Medicare Part D plans on the market, on average.$0 copays: Every Cigna plan has options to get Tier 1 generic drugs with $0 copays.ConsSo-so star ratings: Cigna’s weighted average of…
The bottom line: Humana holds onto solid star ratings in 2025 while many other companies’ scores have fallen. Its lower-cost Humana Value Rx plan offers more $0-copay and $0-deductible drug tiers than many competitors. Expensive premiums for the higher-end Premier Rx plan make that plan less competitive, however. Jump to: Full ReviewHumana Medicare Part D pros and consProsMember experience: Humana performs well above average on government ratings for members’ satisfaction using their plan.$0-copay and $0-deductible options: The low-cost Value Rx plan offers $0 copays and no deductible for Tier 1-2 drugs — options only available on pricier plans from some…
The bottom line: Wellcare has substantially expanded its $0-premium Medicare Part D plans in 2025, offering the Wellcare Value Script plan with $0 premiums in 42 states and Washington, D.C. And when it comes to quality, Wellcare’s star ratings beat every major national competitor. Jump to: Full ReviewWellcare Medicare Part D pros and consPros$0 premiums: Wellcare Value Script plans with $0 premiums are available in 42 states and Washington, D.C.Quality ratings: While some smaller companies have higher ratings, Wellcare’s weighted average star ratings are higher than all of its major national competitors in 2025.ConsCoinsurance requirements: Wellcare plans have coinsurance rather…
Best for $0 premiums: Wellcare Medicare Part DWhy we picked it: $0-premium plans may appeal to people on a fixed income or who are looking to minimize monthly medical costs. Top quality measures that outperformed the national average[1]:Drug plan quality improvement.Call center foreign language interpreter and TTY availability.Statin use in persons with diabetes.The bottom line: Wellcare has substantially expanded its $0-premium Medicare Part D plans in 2025, offering the Wellcare Value Script plan with $0 premiums in 42 states and Washington, D.C. And when it comes to quality, Wellcare’s star ratings beat every major national competitor.Pros$0-premium plans available in most…
Best for size of network: UnitedHealthcareWhy we picked it: A large network of medical providers means it may be easier to find a doctor or specialist who takes your insurance. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans[1]. UnitedHealthcare also partners with AARP, insuring the Medicare products that carry the AARP name. Many of UHC’s members are in highly rated plans, although member experience ratings are average among major providers.ProsLargest Medicare Advantage medical network of all companies, with more than 1 million providers.Largest Medicare Advantage dental network, and all standard plans offer dental coverage.Available in 49 states and Washington,…
Best for size of dental network: UnitedHealthcareWhy we picked it: UnitedHealthcare has the largest network of dental providers of all Medicare Advantage companies, with more than 100,000 providers. In other words: It may be easier to find a dentist who takes your insurance. UnitedHealthcare is the biggest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S., with a presence in 49 states and Washington, D.C. UnitedHealthcare also partners with AARP and insures Medicare products with the AARP name. About 7 out of 10 UHC members are in plans with high star ratings.ProsUHC offers the largest Medicare dental network, with more than…
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