Anthem vs. Oscar Insurance

Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare Anthem and Oscar side by side.

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Anthem vs. Oscar: What You Need to Know

In 2004, WellPoint Health Networks Inc and Anthem, Inc. merged and became the nation’s leading health benefits company. In December 2014 WellPoint Inc. changed its corporate name to Anthem, Inc. The Anthem companies offer health care plans and related services like dental, vision, behavioral health, life insurance and disability insurance benefits as well as long-term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Anthem has about 40 million members and is ranked 33rd on the Fortune 500.

In 2012, Oscar Ceo Mario Schlosser and his wife were preparing to have a baby and saw how difficult it was to navigate through the healthcare system. Schlosser’s friend, Josh Kushner, had also had a similar frustration in treating an injury. They founded Oscar Health on a hope to help consumers feel less powerless in managing their health. What makes Oscar different is the Concierge Team that guides members and handles customer service questions and coordination of clinical care.

To learn more about each company, you can check out the Anthem Overview and Oscar Overview.

What is Anthem and Oscar Insurance Rating?

Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how Anthem and Oscar ranked among the industry ratings.

Comparison Anthem Oscar
Year Founded 2004 2012
BBB Rating A+ A+
NAIC Complaint Index 0.30% for individual health insurance 12%
Market Share Percentage 6.3%  
Financial Strength Excellent  

Pros & Cons of Anthem or Oscar

Pros

Anthem
  • Anthem Inc. is one of the largest providers of health insurance plans in the country, serving approximately 40 million members
  • Anthem Inc. is a financially secure health insurance carrier.
Oscar
  • Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
  • Health plan concierges who offer guidance and answer questions.
  • Very low complaint ratio, which means they offer great customer service.

Cons

Anthem
  • Anthem received some bad press in 2014, for refusing to cover the hospitalization of a man with stage 4 cancers. Anthem ended up paying for coverage after public outcry.
  • In 2017, Anthem was fined for untimely responses to complaints.
Oscar
  • Oscar Health Insurance is only available in New York, California, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Arizona, Florida and Michigan.

Anthem and Oscar Mobile Apps Options

The Anthem Medicaid app is only available to policyholders in 5 states. Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Wisconsin and Virginia. The app allows users to find doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, view claims, pay your bill, and manage your prescriptions.

The Oscar app allows you to access your health information anytime you need it. It allows you to search for doctors & drugs and even have virtual visits with a doctor.

Anthem Mobile App
iOS      2.2 42 users
Android      2.9 101 users
Oscar Mobile App
iOS      4.8 2.5K users
Android      3.3 433 users

Anthem and Oscar Enrollment Process

Anthem

Anthem is available through the health insurance marketplace or you can get several free quotes here.  Each state has their own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/.

Oscar

Oscar Health Insurance offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes here.

Each state has their own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/. You can also schedule a personal appointment with a local Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist: 1-866-973-4588.

How to File a Claim with Anthem and Oscar Insurance

Anthem

Make sure you use the claim form from your benefit plan because each type is different. You’ll need to get procedures codes from your doctor’s office. File the paperwork within the time limit. Include pre-approval if it’s needed.

Oscar

Your doctor or care provider should submit a claim to the insurer. You should be covered except for copay. Your insurer will send you an explanation of benefits. If you owe anything, your doctor will send you a bill. If you visit an out-of-network provider, you will not be covered unless it was an emergency. Call 855-672-2755 with any additional questions.

Common Questions About Oscar and Anthem Insurance

Anthem

What can I buy with my Anthem Over-the-Counter (OTC) card?

Using the card, you will be able to buy over-the-counter medication, insect repellent, diabetic supplies, first-aid supplies and other health-related products.

How many members does Anthem have?

Anthem Inc. has about 40 million members and is ranked #33 on the Fortune 500.

Does Anthem offer individual health insurance?

Yes, Anthem Inc. offers individual and family health insurance plans.

What is Catastrophic coverage plans by Anthem health insurance?

Catastrophic health insurance is designed to cover young people, under the age of 30. Catastrophic health plans have low monthly payments and high deductibles. People over the age of 30 may also be eligible for a hardship or affordability exemption (e.g. hardships due to homelessness or death of a family member).

Oscar

How to cancel Oscar health insurance

To cancel Oscar health insurance, you can call Oscar health directly at 1-855-672-2788 or cancel using your account at healthcare.gov or your state’s health exchange marketplace.

How much can I save by switching to Oscar insurance?

Oscar Insurance has several options for health insurance, based on the different tiers that marketplace insurers use. Prices for plan vary from person to person but the average monthly cost for a 30-year-old is $162.09 pm the secure plan. The deductible, however, is $7,900. If you need emergency surgery, you’d have to pay the $7,900 before expenses get covered.

Is Oscar a good health insurance provider?

Oscar Insurance is a reliable company with positive ratings in customer service. Users find the online app and doctor on-call service helpful.

How to get Oscar insurance quote

You can get health insurance quotes here.

Anthem and Oscar Insurance Contact Info

Anthem Contact Info
Address 220 Virginia Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone 1 (800) 331-1476
Website https://www.anthem.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossBlueShield/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCInrJqNqrSpvHwNErijbVyg
Twitter https://twitter.com/AnthemInc
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/antheminc/
Oscar Contact Info
Address 75 Varick St. 5th Fl, New York, NY 10013
Phone 1 (844) 392-7589
Website https://www.hioscar.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OscarHealth/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/OscarHealthInsurance
Twitter https://twitter.com/OscarHealth
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/oscar-health/

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