There are hundreds of different private health insurance companies operating across the country and they vary from state to state. So a list of the top 10 private insurance companies in the nation may not include the name of an insurer available in your neck of the woods.

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The easiest way to learn about health insurance companies in your area is to compare health insurance quotes at a site like InsWeb.com.

You can always check an individual insurance companies’ ratings with an independent agency like the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA.)

U.S. News & World Report teamed up with the NCQA to compile a list of the best health insurance companies in the country.

Here are the ten private health insurance companies that topped their list:

1. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HMO/POS)
Maine, Massachusetts

2. Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization (HMO/POS)
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island

3. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England (HMO/POS)
New Hampshire

4. Grand Valley Health Plan (HMO)
Michigan

5. Geisinger Health Plan (HMO/POS)
Pennsylvania

6. Health New England (HMO/POS)
Connecticut, Massachusetts

7. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield - Connecticut (HMO/POS)
Connecticut

8. Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (HMO)
Wisconsin

9. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts (HMO/POS)
Massachusetts

10. CIGNA HealthCare of New Hampshire (HMO/POS)
New Hampshire

JD Power and Associates rates companies by region. Here is their 2008 list of the top private health insurance companies across the U.S.:

Arizona-Utah Region
BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona

California Region
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of California

Colorado Region
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado

East South Central Region
BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama

Florida Region
BlueCross BlueShield of Florida

Heartland Region
Wellmark BlueCross BlueShield of Iowa

Illinois-Indiana Region
BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois

Michigan Region
Health Alliance Plan of Michigan

Minnesota-Wisconsin Region
HealthPartners

New England Region
Anthem BlueCross BlueShield of Connecticut

New York-New Jersey Region
United Healthcare (New Jersey/New York)

Northwest Region
Group Health Cooperative

Ohio Region
Humana of Ohio

Pennsylvania-Delaware Region
Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield - Ranked the highest score in the country

South Atlantic Region
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia

Texas Region
Humana of Texas

Virginia-Maryland Region
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

If you're ready to learn more about health insurance companies in your area, compare health insurance quotesat InsWeb.

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