Editor Picks

Freedom Benefits' editor picks low cost insurance plans that offer best-in-class consumer value for strong coverage at an affordable price

Short Term Medical Insurance

The best value in medical insurance for 2013 are likely the short term major medical policies issues by insurance companies that specialize in this niche coverage. While they may not be household names, HCC Life Short Term Medical Insurance and Secure STM from Standard Security Life offer excellent protection at affordable prices. None of these policies pay for the treatment of medical problems that were already an issue before the insurance policy started; that is the reason for their low cost. Short term medical insurance is exempt from most reform provisions so its cost has remained stable while other plans rose in response to the cost of health insurance reform laws. From a practical perspective, consumers tend to be equally pleased with all brands of short term medical insurance so we have no hesitation recommending another brand when these two carriers are not available.

Dental Insurance

The best dental insurance for individuals is likely Core Dental Insurance simply based on its waiver of waiting period. Since most people shop for dental insurance after they find out that they need treatment, this plan offers the ability to spread the cost of premiums and out-of-pocket expenses over many months.

Critical Illness Insurance

We are excited about the availability of critical illness insurance for individual consumers. Previously this coverage was only offered to employees under a group benefit plan. Now Consumers Direct Critical Illness Benefit is available to everyone¹.

Major Medical Insurance

For qualified major medical health insurance plans, the national leaders on the health insurance exchange continue to be UnitedHealthcare and Aetna. Other companies dominate in local geographic Ares. Celtic Insurance is a lower cost alternative in most states. Since all of the major medical insurance plans on the exchange offer the same set of federally mandated essential benefits under the Affordable Care Act, there is no point to editor picks for these insurance plans.

¹ These plans are not available in all states. See the state-specific listing pages for offerings for more information.

This web site is independently owned and managed by Tony Novak operating under the trademarks "Freedom Benefits", "OnlineAdviser" and "OnlineNavigator". Opinions expressed are the sole responsibility of the author and do not represent the opinion of any other person, company or entity mentioned. Tony Novak is not an agent, broker, producer or navigator for any federal or state health insurance exchange but may provide uncompensated advice, reviews and referrals to these official resources. Novak is compensated as an accountant, adviser, affiliate consultant, marketer, reviewer, endorser, producer, lead generator or referrer to some of the other commercial companies listed on this site. Information is from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed.