Health Net Named Among America’s Best Customer Service in Financial Services 2026 by USA TODAY
Health Net, one of California’s most established Medi-Cal managed care health plans and a company of Centene Corporation, has been recognized as one of America’s Best Customer Service in Financial Services 2026. The national recognition, published by USA TODAY in partnership with independent research firm Plant-A Insights Group, highlights organizations across the United States that demonstrate strong, consistent customer service performance based on direct consumer feedback.
The distinction places Health Net among 500 financial services organizations nationwide that were evaluated for excellence in customer experience. The list spans a broad range of institutions, including insurance providers, banks, credit unions, and financial technology companies, reflecting the increasingly competitive landscape in which customer service has become a key differentiator.
For Health Net, the recognition underscores its ongoing commitment to improving the experience of members navigating the health care system, particularly those enrolled in Medi-Cal and other public and commercial health plans across California.
Recognition Based on Large-Scale Consumer Feedback
The America’s Best Customer Service in Financial Services 2026 list is built on a comprehensive, data-driven methodology designed to capture authentic customer experiences across the United States. According to USA TODAY and Plant-A Insights Group, the study evaluated organizations based on extensive consumer input and multi-dimensional service performance criteria.
The assessment included more than 57,000 customer survey responses collected between September and October 2025, along with analysis of over 660,000 customer reviews spanning both current and historical datasets. This combination of survey feedback and review data allowed researchers to identify consistent patterns in customer satisfaction and service quality over time.
Companies included in the ranking were evaluated across seven key dimensions of customer service performance:
- Professional competence
- Customer service quality
- Solution orientation
- Transparency and reliability
- Speed of resolution
- Availability and accessibility
- Friendliness and communication style
In addition to customer feedback, the evaluation applied a proprietary scoring model that incorporated customer recommendations, category-specific service performance, and independent desk research. The methodology also included safeguards to maintain credibility, excluding organizations associated with recent consumer data protection incidents or publicly reported employment-related allegations, based on third-party media monitoring and editorial review.
The final ranking reflects companies that consistently deliver positive service experiences across multiple touchpoints and demonstrate a sustained commitment to customer satisfaction within the U.S. financial services sector.
Health Net Recognized for Member-Centered Service Approach
For Health Net, inclusion in the 2026 list reflects its long-standing emphasis on customer service as a core component of its mission to improve health outcomes and strengthen communities across California.
“Being recognized on this list reflects the trust our members place in us and the dedication of our customer service teams who work every day to help people navigate the health care system with confidence and clarity,” said Brian Ternan, President and CEO of Health Net. “Exceptional customer service starts with listening, responding with empathy, and helping make health care easier to understand — especially during the moments when people need support most.”
Health Net’s leadership emphasizes that customer service is not treated as a standalone function, but as an integrated part of its broader care delivery model. Every interaction with a member is viewed as an opportunity to reduce complexity, remove barriers, and ensure individuals can access the care and support they need in a timely and effective manner.
This approach is particularly important in health care, where members often face complex benefit structures, coverage questions, and care coordination challenges. Health Net’s service teams are trained to provide clear guidance and practical solutions that help members make informed decisions about their health.
Enhancing the Member Experience Through Training and Innovation
To support its customer-first model, Health Net continues to invest in workforce training, technology tools, and process improvements aimed at enhancing the quality and consistency of service delivery.
Customer service representatives undergo comprehensive training designed to strengthen both technical knowledge and communication skills. The goal is to ensure that every interaction is grounded in empathy, clarity, and accuracy. Representatives are encouraged to focus on member-centered communication, helping individuals better understand their coverage options, benefits, and available support services.
In addition to training, Health Net has implemented systems and tools that enable faster resolution of inquiries and improved coordination between departments. These capabilities are intended to reduce friction in the customer journey and help members receive timely assistance without unnecessary delays.
The organization also continues to refine how it uses data and feedback to improve service outcomes. By analyzing member interactions and identifying recurring issues, Health Net aims to proactively address challenges before they escalate, improving overall satisfaction and trust.
Expanding Support Beyond Traditional Health Care Services
Health Net’s customer service model extends beyond traditional health insurance support. The company has increasingly integrated its service operations with broader community-based resources that address social determinants of health.
Customer service teams are connected to a network of support services that include behavioral health care, housing assistance programs, and community-based organizations. This integrated approach reflects a growing recognition within the health care industry that well-being is influenced by a wide range of social and environmental factors.
By linking members to these resources, Health Net aims to deliver more holistic support that goes beyond immediate medical needs. This “whole-person care” strategy is designed to improve long-term outcomes by addressing underlying issues that can affect health, such as housing instability, mental health challenges, and access to essential services.
A Legacy of Service in California
Founded in California more than 45 years ago, Health Net has built a long-standing presence in the state’s health care system. Today, the organization provides coverage for individuals, families, employer groups, and government program beneficiaries, including those eligible for Medi-Cal and Medicare.
Health Net serves more than three million members across California and maintains a network of over 117,000 providers. Through its subsidiaries—Health Net of California, Inc., Health Net Life Insurance Company, and Health Net Community Solutions, Inc.—the organization delivers a range of health insurance products and services tailored to diverse population needs.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, Health Net operates within a broader national health care enterprise committed to improving health outcomes and expanding access to care. Centene and its affiliates employ more than 5,700 people in California alone, with operations supported through multiple regional Talent Hub offices.
The company also provides access to substance abuse programs, behavioral health services, and prescription drug management solutions, reinforcing its focus on comprehensive care delivery.
Strengthening Trust Through Customer Experience
In today’s health care environment, customer service plays a critical role in shaping trust between members and their health plans. For Health Net, the recognition from USA TODAY serves as validation of its ongoing efforts to prioritize clarity, responsiveness, and compassion in every member interaction.
As expectations for service continue to evolve, particularly in industries as complex as health insurance, organizations are increasingly being evaluated not only on clinical outcomes but also on how effectively they support and communicate with the people they serve.
Health Net’s inclusion in the America’s Best Customer Service in Financial Services 2026 list reflects its continued focus on meeting these expectations through sustained investment in people, processes, and community partnerships.
About the Recognition
The America’s Best Customer Service in Financial Services 2026 ranking is based on a large-scale independent study conducted by USA TODAY and Plant-A Insights Group. The study’s methodology combines consumer surveys, customer reviews, and structured evaluation criteria to identify organizations delivering consistently high-quality service across the financial services sector.
The full list of recognized companies is available on USA TODAY’s official website.
About Health Net
Founded in California more than four decades ago, Health Net, LLC (“Health Net”), a company of Centene Corporation, believes that every individual deserves access to a reliable safety net for their health, regardless of age, income, employment status, or health status.
Today, Health Net offers health plans for individuals, families, employer groups of all sizes, and individuals who qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare. The company supports more than three million members across California through a network of more than 117,000 providers.
Health Net also provides access to behavioral health services, substance abuse programs, and managed care solutions, including prescription drug coverage. Its operations are delivered through its subsidiaries: Health Net of California, Inc., Health Net Life Insurance Company, and Health Net Community Solutions, Inc., all of which are wholly owned by Centene Corporation a leading healthcare enterprise focused on transforming the health of communities one person at a time.
