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The 7 biggest health insurance companies that control almost 75% of the market

The 7 biggest health insurance companies that control almost 75% of the market

Just four health insurance companies control an astonishing 50% of the market

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A general view outside the United Healthcare corporate headquarters on December 4, 2024 in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
A general view outside the United Healthcare corporate headquarters on December 4, 2024 in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Image: Stephen Maturen / Stringer (Getty Images)

Over the past few years the health insurance industry has experienced a series of major mergers and acquisitions, further consolidating power into the hands of a few dominant companies — leaving Americans with fewer options.

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In 2018, CVS Health (CVS) acquired Aetna. That same year Cigna (CI) bought Express Scripts and in 2023, Kaiser Permanente merged with Geisinger.

As of 2023, just four health insurers control a staggering 50% of the market, while six companies account for 30% of all healthcare spending in the United States.

While these mergers have boosted profits for these companies, they also, in some cases, raised premiums for consumers.

Here is a ranking of the largest health insurance companies by market share:

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Centene, BS of California, BCBS of Michigan, BCBS of Florida — 2%

Centene, BS of California, BCBS of Michigan, BCBS of Florida — 2%

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Image: SOPA Images / Contributor (Getty Images)

Centene (CNC), Blue Shield of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Michigan, and BCBS of Florida each hold 2% of the market.

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Kaiser Permanente — 7%

Kaiser Permanente — 7%

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Image: Etienne Laurent (Getty Images)

Kaiser Permanente, which merged with Geisinger in 2023, has a market share of 7%

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Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) — 7%

Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) — 7%

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Health Care Service Corporation, which generated $54 billion in revenue in 2023, controls 7% of the market.

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Cigna — 11%

Cigna — 11%

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Cigna, which bought Express Scripts and in 2023, holds 11% of the market.

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CVS Health (Aetna) — 12%

CVS Health (Aetna) — 12%

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CVS Health, the parent company of Aetna, controls 12% of the market.

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Elevance Health — 12%

Elevance Health — 12%

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Elevance Health (ELV), formerly known as Anthem, comes in second place in the ranking, holding 12% of the market.

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UnitedHealth Group – 15%

UnitedHealth Group – 15%

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Image: Bloomberg / Contributor (Getty Images)

UnitedHealth Group (UNH), the parent of United Healthcare, is the largest health insurance company in the U.S. with a market cap north of $500 billion. It serves more than 29 million Americans and controls 15% of the market.

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