America's Best Health Plans 2008-2009

Honor Roll

Which health insurance plans are chart-toppers in the rankings this year?

Cameron and Renee Lewis and their kid, Giselle (8) and Nolan (3) at their La Grange Park Il home.

How Safe Is Your Healthcare?

If your company stumbles, your health insurance coverage may stop—or get more expensive.

• Medical Care at the Supermarket?
• Who's Insured, Who's Not
• Lack of Insurance Raises Abused Babies' Death Risk

When Your Insurer Won't Pay Up

The smartest tactic might be to hire a "medical billing advocate" to do battle for you.

• Your Doctor May Be Clueless About Cost
• Medical Debt Is Sending Many People Over the Financial Brink

Person putting brain puzzle together

Finally, Equal Coverage

No longer can medical coverage be more generous, thanks to a new federal law.

• Paying a High Price for Mental Health
• Getting a Pediatrician to Listen
• Psychotherapy Best Over Long-Term, Despite Cost

Illustration for the 2008 Best Health Plans methodology

Behind the Health Plan Rankings

We examined data showing how well plans prevent and treat illness and satisfy members.

• Glossary of Terms
• Insurance Plans That Hide Their Data

Health Community

Health Insurance Community

Patients, friends, family, and caregivers can connect with others, post questions, and share thoughts about health coverage.

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve health care quality. The organization measures and reports on various aspects of performance and offers a range of accreditation and certification programs for different entities and individual physicians. Visit us online at NCQA.org or, for information about health plans and physicians, HealthChoices.org.