UnitedHealthcare vs. Anthem health insurance

Where each one sells

UnitedHealthcare and Anthem are two of the largest health insurers in the country. UnitedHealthcare served 48.5 million people at the end of June 2026, and Elevance Health, Anthem’s parent, had about 44.9 million medical members across all of its brands.

For people buying their own coverage, UnitedHealthcare reaches more of the map: it sold Individual Exchange plans in 30 states for 2026. KFF lists it as leaving Georgia’s marketplace for 2027, so Georgia shoppers will need a new insurer. Anthem sells individual plans in 14 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Anthem was not on KFF’s list of 2027 exits as of October 7, 2026.

If you live outside Anthem’s 14 states, the comparison ends here. Inside them, check which of the two actually sells in your county on HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace once 2027 plans post on November 1, then compare the same metal tier on premium after tax credits, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

Medicare Advantage: UnitedHealthcare rates higher

UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare Advantage insurer, with nearly 9.4 million members and plans in 48 states plus Washington, D.C. Anthem sells Medicare Advantage in 13 states and had nearly 1.3 million members, according to NerdWallet.

On quality, UnitedHealthcare leads. Its enrollment-weighted CMS star rating for 2026 was 4.11 out of 5, compared with 3.63 for Anthem. Both slipped in the 2027 ratings released in October 2026: about 67% of UnitedHealthcare members are in 4 star or better plans, down from 78%, while Elevance fell to 45% from 53%.

Costs in 2026 were close. About 52% of UnitedHealthcare plans and 56% of Anthem plans had a $0 premium, and the average out-of-pocket maximum was $6,492 for UnitedHealthcare and $7,175 for Anthem. For Original Medicare buyers, UnitedHealthcare insures the AARP Medicare Supplement plans, and Anthem sells Medigap in 12 states.

Use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare the plans in your county by drug costs and doctors. The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Financial strength and regulatory record

Both companies hold an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best. UnitedHealthcare’s rating was cut from A+ (Superior) in August 2025 after weaker earnings, with the outlook moved back to stable. Anthem’s core Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers were affirmed at A in December 2025. Either company can pay its claims.

Both have faced serious scrutiny. In July 2025 UnitedHealth Group said it was complying with formal criminal and civil requests from the Department of Justice about its Medicare business; the company says its practices are accurate. Anthem Blue Cross was fined $15 million by California’s Department of Managed Health Care on January 30, 2026 over its handling of grievances and appeals. CMS also moved in February 2026 to suspend new enrollment in Elevance’s Medicare Advantage drug plans over risk adjustment data, and Elevance paid CMS $342 million in May 2026 while it completed fixes.

Neither had a plan among NCQA’s 18 five-star health plans for 2026. Member complaints for both center on claim denials, prior authorization and phone service, so read the plan’s appeal rules and check your state insurance department’s complaint data before you choose.

How to choose between them

Because both companies are large and financially sound, the plan in front of you matters more than the brand. Work through these steps:

• Confirm both sell where you live. Anthem only sells individual plans in 14 states, and UnitedHealthcare is leaving Georgia’s marketplace for 2027.
• Check your doctors. Look up your primary care doctor, specialists and preferred hospital in each plan’s directory, and call the office to confirm.
• Check your prescriptions. Compare each plan’s formulary and drug tier for every medication you take.
• Add up the yearly cost. Premium after any tax credit, plus the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
• Look at the plan’s own rating. Marketplace plans show quality stars on HealthCare.gov, and Medicare plans show CMS stars in the Plan Finder.

As a rule of thumb, UnitedHealthcare tends to be the stronger Medicare Advantage choice and the more available option if you move between states. Anthem tends to make sense where its Blue Cross network includes the local hospital systems you use.