As of 2025, the US healthcare system relies on a diverse mix of healthcare payers list from government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid to private and commercial payers such as UnitedHealth Group, Anthem, and Cigna. These payers play a crucial role in financing healthcare services, negotiating rates, and ensuring care access for millions of Americans.
This page provides an updated list of the largest healthcare payers in the US, segmented by commercial, private, and government payers to help healthcare marketers, providers, and vendors identify key organizations for outreach and partnerships.
We have you covered whether you manufacture hospital equipment, are a pharmaceutical sales representative, a caregiver service agency, or a marketer with years of health insurance experience.
Ampliz Healthcare Payers and Providers List can effectively transform your marketing strategies into a roaring success.
What is Payer in Healthcare?
Healthcare payers are organizations responsible for financing and reimbursing the cost of healthcare services. They include:
Typically, the term healthcare payor vs payer refers to private insurers, which provide their customers with health plans that cover medical treatment and care costs.
A healthcare payer is responsible for healthcare claims, payment, insurance, enrollment, patient eligibility, and more.
Generally, health plan providers, Medicare, and Medicaid are considered as-payers in the healthcare industry.
Healthcare payers list coordinate complete service rates, process claims, offer insurance, collect payments, provide facilities, and pay provider claims at a scale. Payers manage insurance plans, negotiate provider rates, and implement policies that influence care delivery and affordability.
Different Types Healthcare Payers List in US
Different types of healthcare payers in US are there within the healthcare industry. We can be broadly categorized them into three main types: one is government payers, private payers, and self-pay patients.
1. Government Payers in Healthcare
Government payers provide health coverage funded by federal and state programs. Government payers include programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, which provide healthcare coverage for specific populations, such as the elderly, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities. These programs are funded by the government and aim to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to necessary healthcare services. Examples include:
- Medicare – covers individuals aged 65+ and those with disabilities.
- Medicaid – offers healthcare assistance to low-income individuals and families.
- TRICARE – provides coverage for military members and their dependents.
- Veterans Health Administration (VHA) – serves U.S. veterans.
These government payers in healthcare collectively cover over 150 million Americans, making them foundational to the public healthcare system.
2. Private Payers in Healthcare
Private payers in Healthcare are companies that provide healthcare coverage through employer-sponsored or individual health plans. They operate independently of government programs and offer various policy options. Private payers, on the other hand, encompass health insurance companies that offer coverage to individuals and employers. These payers operate on a for-profit basis and offer a range of insurance plans with varying levels of coverage and premiums. Private payers play a crucial role in the healthcare system by providing financial protection to individuals and facilitating access to healthcare services.
Examples include:
- UnitedHealth Group
- Anthem (Elevance Health)
- Cigna Healthcare
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente
Private payers influence pricing, preventive care initiatives, and access to specialists across the US.
3. Commercial Payers in Healthcare
Commercial payers in healthcare are for-profit organizations that offer health insurance to individuals, employers, and organizations. They often partner with networks of providers and manage claims electronically.
Top examples:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
- Aetna (CVS Health)
- Centene Corporation
- Molina Healthcare
- Oscar Health
These companies are also referred to as managed care organizations (MCOs) and focus on cost efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Finally, self-pay patients refer to individuals who don’t have any types of health insurance coverage and they accountable for paying their medical expenses out of pocket. This types payers includes the people who may not qualify for government programs or cannot afford private insurance. Self-pay patients often face financial challenges when seeking healthcare services and may negotiate payment plans or seek assistance from charitable organizations.
Why Are US Healthcare Payers Important?
The payers play a crucial role in providing patients with the health insurance coverage they require to receive essential health care services.
Many insurance plans cover a range of specific procedures or services in exchange for monthly or yearly premium payments.
Whenever a healthcare payers and providers submits a medical claim in order to receive reimbursement for a specific procedure or service, they create information about the care episode.
Using all-payer medical claims data, healthcare providers, suppliers, and other stakeholders can gain valuable insights about provider referral patterns, network affiliations, diagnoses, comorbidities, prescription volumes, and more.
All List of Third-Party Payers in Healthcare
The healthcare payers list is offering various types of services to support the entire health system.
Based on services they are classified into three types – commercial, Private, and Government/public.
Publicly-traded insurance companies like United Health, Aetna, and Humana are considered commercial payers, while private insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield are considered private payers.
The term “public payer” refers to government-funded health insurance plans like Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Healthcare Payer Companies in USA
As there are more than 900 health insurance companies operating throughout the United States, a wide range of payers is involved.
Through their health plans, these companies offer 67.3% of private health care and 34.4% of public health care.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is one of the largest healthcare payers in the United States. The Healthcare payers list from Ampliz helps you find the right healthcare payer.
Narrow down the right list of healthcare payers in US based on healthcare insurance claims, treatment type, health system affiliation, location, costs, etc.
Using the Ampliz US healthcare payers list, you can connect with the payers and their respective healthcare systems- all across the globe.
Identify list of healthcare Payers by
- Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM)
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
- Dental Maintenance Organizations (DMOs)
- Third-party Administrator (TPA)
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and PPO
How to find and get connected with the right us healthcare payer list and providers. Here’s how you can!
Finding the right data can be complicated, that’s why Ampliz is here to reach HC payers and providers.
Top 10 payers in us healthcare by Total Incurred Claims
Ampliz’s Healthcare payers list gives you comprehensive insights including location, payer type, facilities, and more.
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| Sl.No | Payor Name | City | State | Total Incurred Claims | Total Direct Premium Earned | Covered Lives |
| 1 | Kaiser Permanente Health Plans | Oakland | CA | $44,793,463,188 | $50,967,482,045 | 9,315,959 |
| 2 | UnitedHealthcare | Minnetonka | MN | $33,646,659,210 | $42,407,097,381 | 8,411,196 |
| 3 | Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield | Indianapolis | IN | $30,828,168,717 | $37,912,630,126 | 5,998,133 |
| 4 | Health Care Service Corporation Group | Chicago | IL | $23,344,341,956 | $28,791,218,833 | 4,640,496 |
| 5 | Aetna | Hartford | CT | $14,421,172,501 | $17,261,224,006 | 2,937,201 |
| 6 | Florida Blue | Jacksonville | FL | $12,650,947,868 | $16,413,720,389 | 2,397,800 |
| 7 | Blue Shield of California | Oakland | CA | $11,543,656,846 | $14,396,749,939 | 2,554,513 |
| 8 | Cigna | Bloomfield | CT | $9,612,601,243 | $11,888,734,873 | 2,018,658 |
| 9 | Centene Corporation | St. Louis | MO | $9,323,269,672 | $13,078,998,545 | 2,007,398 |
| 10 | CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield | Baltimore | MD | $7,021,843,816 | $8,569,792,777 | 1,352,504 |
Largest Payer in Healthcare
The largest payer in healthcare is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), covering over 130 million Americans through its federal programs.
Among private and commercial entities, UnitedHealth Group ranks as the largest healthcare payer, leading the market in both membership and revenue.
How Healthcare Payers List Helps for Marketing?
Rising healthcare costs and procuring the right medical supplies are significant challenges for all payers, providers, patients, and the complete health system.
To procure the right healthcare supplies, it is primary to reach the ideal healthcare providers.
With Ampliz payer in us healthcare, you can reach the right healthcare payer network:
- Market the right insurance plans or healthcare supplies.
- Reach payers who are interested in buying patient and health system account management applications.
- Healthcare payer’s email list helps marketers to promote their health plans or claim coverage services.
- Promote your lifestyle programs or intensive care services for healthier well-being.
If you are providing an effective data integration solution or patient advocacy to help the healthcare payers, the healthcare payers list will be of great help.
Conclusion: Understanding and Reaching the Right Healthcare Payers
The U.S. healthcare payer ecosystem is vast and evolving — with a dynamic mix of government, private, and commercial payers driving how care is funded and delivered. From CMS and Medicaid programs to major commercial payers like UnitedHealth Group, Anthem, and Cigna, each organization plays a vital role in improving patient access, managing costs, and ensuring quality outcomes.
For healthcare solution providers, marketers, and data-driven organizations, understanding who the largest healthcare payers are — and how they operate — is key to building meaningful partnerships and expanding business reach.
Platforms like Ampliz empower you to connect with these payers through accurate, verified contact databases, helping you identify decision-makers, tailor outreach, and improve ROI. Whether your goal is to pitch new technologies, establish provider contracts, or drive payer engagement, having the right data makes all the difference.
👉 Start exploring the Ampliz Healthcare Payers Database today by book a demo to reach the right commercial, private, and government payers that align with your business goals and drive long-term success in the US healthcare market.
FAQs: Largest Healthcare Payers in US
Q1. What are the types of healthcare payers in the US?
There are three main types: government payers (Medicare, Medicaid), private payers (employer-sponsored), and commercial payers (for-profit insurers).
Q2. Who is the largest payer in healthcare?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the largest overall payer, while UnitedHealth Group is the largest private payer.
Q3. What do commercial payers in healthcare do?
They manage health plans, negotiate provider contracts, and process claims for members and employers.
Q4. What’s the difference between private and government payers?
Private payers operate independently or through employers, while government payers are publicly funded through federal or state programs.
Q5. How can I find contact information for healthcare payers?
You can access verified contact data for major healthcare payers and decision-makers through the Ampliz Healthcare Payers Database.
