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Compare Kaiser Permanente vs. UnitedHealthcare Health Insurance

What’s the difference between Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance and UnitedHealthcare Health Insurance? See how our editors compare the two companies below.
Last Updated: April 09, 2024
Kaiser Permanente
4.7 / 5 - Excellent
no_rank
UnitedHealthcare
4.8 / 5 - Excellent
no_rank
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Key Facts

  • Find a doctor online
  • Multiple health insurance plans offered
  • Electronic health record
  • Appointment scheduler
  • 24/7 advice nurses  
  • Live chat
  • Accident Protection Plan
  • Health and Wellness App
  • Critical Illness Protection
  • Hospital Indemnity Plan
  • Low Cost Health Protection
  • Online Physician Finder

ConsumersAdvocate.org Ratings

4.7 / 5 - Average
4.5/5
Health insurance cost
5.0/5
Provider network size
4.5/5
Financial reputation
5.0/5
Customer experience
4.5/5
Types of health insurance coverage
4.8 / 5 - Average
5.0/5
Health insurance cost
5.0/5
Provider network size
4.0/5
Financial reputation
5.0/5
Customer experience
5.0/5
Types of health insurance coverage

Customer Reviews

 (44)
3.0 / 10 - Poor
11%
5 stars
0%
4 stars
2%
3 stars
11%
2 stars
75%
1 stars
 (173)
2.0 / 10 - Terrible
1%
5 stars
1%
4 stars
1%
3 stars
6%
2 stars
90%
1 stars

Final Verdict

UnitedHealthcare Health Insurance and Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance are very close in quality and have the same overall rating. That said, UnitedHealthcare scores better than Kaiser Permanente across: Health insurance cost, and Types of health insurance coverage. Whereas, Kaiser Permanente scores better on Financial reputation. Both companies score similarly on Provider network size, and Customer experience.


Customer Comments & Reviews

jo.reints
2/16/2024
UnitedHealthcare Health Insurance review
I switched to UHC (dual complete) from CHP in late 2017 & have never looked back. It's an incredible healthcare plan in my opinion & definitely the best I've ever had. I can get fresh fruit/veggies with my HealthyRewards Card, as well as assistance with my utility bill and 100% coverage of prescription medications. They also cover the cost of my hearing aids, eyeglasses & dental care. Anytime I've needed to speak with a UHC advocate, they've always gone above & beyond to assist me no matter what I've needed their help with. I highly recommend United Healthcare.


razaghikolsum0
6/29/2023
Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance review
In march 2023 I had a thumb surgery in my right hand because of arthritis and in April I still had severe pain and after I did a stat c ray when I saw the doctor he told me that I have done something like lifting something like a plate and had damaged the grafted tendons and internal brace has been torn I accepted the doctors explanation and he told me you need another surgery to fix this and I agreed In these conditions most women say it’s the doctors fault and they go on f….cing google to put a review against the doctor and this is sort of a hobby for women I accepted the doctors words and told him if you say I have to cut off my arm to fix the problem I will do it but I will not on google which run by a bunch of a holes to put a review and if a business has a lot of bad reviews the better they are But I don’t know what is so special about women expect constant nagging and make everybody responsible for their problems except themselves The hell with google And I don’t think we should treat women as they are god given gift to the world


M
Miguel R
1/24/2023
Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance review
Our 4 month old grandchild had serious cranial surgery yesterday at Kaiser in Los Angeles. The family was all there in the waiting area. After it was over, it looked like the entire surgical team came to meet us in the waiting area. You could tell by the looks on their faces that all went well! They told us it could not have gone better! What a relief! What a team! We were so relieved! God is good and these doctors are so blessed!


rachelschweitzer4
1/28/2022
UnitedHealthcare Health Insurance review
The way their transportation people handle customers and members of their company is pretty disgusting and I wish there was somebody I could talk to about it because I've been dealing with their unprofessionalism and unorganized establishment for years. Every time I call and ask to speak with a supervisor they just put me on hold for over 20 minutes. So I guess a one star review it is. Switching insurance providers ASAP and never returning to this insurance company. Should be ashamed of themselves. DO NOT USE THIS INSURANCE PROVIDER !!!! AT ALL. LIKE EVER !!!! CARESOURCE IS TRUSTWORTHY . DO NOT USE THIS INSURANCE COMANY you've been warned !!!!! Horrible customer service and blatant disrespect consistently. I definitely do not recommend


B
Brad M
6/24/2021
UnitedHealthcare Health Insurance review
I changed to UHC in January 2021. I was pleased with this insurance until I learned the hard way that they have policies against covering Opioid medications for over a 30 day prescriptions and you will pay the FULL cost for each 30 day supply. In my case I was paying $8.38 for a 90 day supply of 270 tablets. Now UHC wants $39.83 for just a 30 day supply of 90 tablets. Yes my medication is still available, but at an extremely inflated price that I am not able to afford to buy my badly needed medications from UHC. I am on a fixed income like so many other retired folks. In their latest 2021 Formulary list on pages 6 and 7 shows the steps required to get an exception to their rules. Basically have your doctor fill out a form and you are lead to believe it is a simple request. They steadfastly make NO exceptions to their 30 day limits on any opioids. Quoting abuse as the major reason given no matter how long or how sever your pain may be as prescribed by the one that knows your needs best your doctor. I had to look into some of the other discount prescription plans being offered. Just be switching to another pharmacy and using a coupon I will be able to receive my normal 90 day supply at a price that almost matches my previous insurance. I found prices very greatly from one pharmacy to other pharmacies in your same area. Mail order is not a requirement to save big money on your prescriptions. I will likely be changing to another health care provider.


J
Joanna W
4/2/2021
Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance review
Kaiser Permanente is absolutely excellent. The doctors are great and very thorough. Kaiser is very well organized and you can get appointments easily and quickly.


B
borzol
2/5/2021
UnitedHealthcare Health Insurance review
We are members of the UHC Advantage plan2. My wife’s doctor prescribed Metronidazole topical GEL 0.75% for her. At CVS pharmacy it was charged $122.93, the UHC search shows $96.41 for a retail chain pharmacy. Why is such discrepancy please? I wanted to send an email to UHC however there is not such an option.


K
Kathy
11/14/2019
Kaiser Permanente Health Insurance review
I have had Kaiser for over 40 years. Just this year I had a bad accident, needed surgery and hospital stay, out of state..they paid everything; then had to have more surgery for the same injury again when I came back home..no problem. My doctors email me back with 48 hours, usually less than that and I have never had to wait to get an appointment. The only problem with Kaiser is that it is not in more than a few states. So wish it was in Nevada or Arizona. Will stay with Kaiser.