Strongest and Weakest HMOs		Back

A weak HMO represents a potential for financial loss to its policyholders, as well as the possibility for substandard treatment or service as the company struggles to improve its finances. Therefore, it is important to check the financial security offered by an HMO prior to purchasing a policy and then periodically monitor the company's condition going forward. Low-rated companies should be avoided in favor of highly rated companies.

The following U.S. HMOs received the highest ratings from TheStreet.com Ratings.

Strongest HMO's Data as of 07/20/2010 Company Name State TheStreet.com Financial Strength Rating HEALTH CARE SVC CORP A MUT LEG RES   IL  A+   BLUE CROSS OF CALIFORNIA   CA  A+   BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NC   NC  A+   EXCELLUS HEALTH PLAN INC   NY  A+   GROUP HOSP & MEDICAL SERVICES INC   DC  A+   GROUP HEALTH COOPERATIVE   WA  A+   LA HEALTH SERVICE & INDEMNITY CO   LA  A+   BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA   AZ  A+   OXFORD HEALTH PLANS (NY) INC   NY  A+   HORIZON HEALTHCARE OF NEW JERSEY INC  NJ  A+   USABLE MUTUAL INS CO   AR  A+   BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF KC   MO  A+   CAREFIRST BLUECHOICE INC   DC  A+   BLUE CROSS OF IDAHO HEALTH SERVICE   ID  A+   INDEPENDENT HEALTH ASSOC INC   NY  A+   HEALTHKEEPERS INC   VA  A+   HMO LOUISIANA INC   LA  A+   BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF DELAWARE   DE  A+   OPTIMA HEALTH PLAN   VA  A+   ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEALTH MAINT ORG   CO  A+

The following U.S. HMOs received the lowest ratings from TheStreet.com Ratings.

Weakest HMO's Data as of 07/20/2010 Company Name State TheStreet.com Financial Strength Rating MVP HEALTH INS CO   NY  E-   TOTAL HEALTH CHOICE   FL  E-   ATLANTIS HEALTH PLAN   NY  E-   TOUCHSTONE HEALTH HMO INC   NY  E-   UNIVERSAL CARE   CA  E-   EVERCARE OF NEW MEXICO INC   NM  E   FIRST MEDICAL HEALTH PLAN INC   PR  E   UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE INS CO INC   FL  E   UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE INC   FL  E   SUNSHINE STATE HEALTH PLAN INC   FL  E   GHI HMO SELECT INC   NY  E   AMERICAN HEALTH INC   PR  E   CITRUS HEALTH CARE INC   FL  E   HEALTH RIGHT INC   DC  E   UNISON HEALTH PLAN CAPITAL AREA   DC  E   COOK CHILDRENS HEALTH PLAN   TX  E   MVP HEALTH INS CO OF NEW HAMPSHIRE   NH  E   PHYSICIANS UNITED PLAN INC   FL  E   PREFERRED ASSURANCE CO   NY  E   HEALTH PLUS OF LOUISIANA INC   LA  E

Just because a particular insurer does not appear on this list of lowest rated HMOs, it does not necessarily mean that the company is safe or highly rated.  To check the rating of a specific company, Weiss Ratings offers several online options and publications covering HMOs.

A =  Excellent B =  Good C =  Fair D =  Weak E =  Very Weak

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