UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare health coverage in the United States. They are endorsed by AARP and offer plans nationwide. In addition to outstanding plan benefits, UnitedHealthcare has many additional areas of coverage, including fitness programs, over-the-counter benefits, and healthy food assistance services.
FYI: To learn more about our favorite Medicare insurers, read our guide to this year’s best Medicare Advantage plans.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low costs: UnitedHealthcare has plans nationwide, and many of these plans have little to no monthly premiums.
- Fitness programs: Renew and Active is a program that UnitedHealthcare designed to provide gym access and classes that will benefit its members.
- Plan extras: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage programs include an over-the-counter card in many areas. This allows you to buy healthy foods and over-the-counter items from select locations.
Cons
- Restrictive service area: Most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans are HMO plans. These plans only provide coverage in-network. This could cause issues if you like to travel or want to see a healthcare provider that doesn't take your policy.
- Prior authorization: UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage plans have a non-medical plan administrator. Many services will require prior authorization. In these cases, it could cause a delay in services or a less expensive treatment option.
- Referrals for specialists: Most Medicare Part C plans require you to get a referral to visit a specialist. Some Medicare beneficiaries don't like this because it can add additional doctor visits and delay appointments.
Did You Know? Did you know that many Medicare Advantage plans come with $0 monthly premiums? To learn more, read our guide to free Medicare plans.
Other Top-Rated Carriers
UnitedHealthcare plans are not offered everywhere. If you live outside of their regions, then we'd recommend checking out plans from our top-rated carriers.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Costs
You should review your plan's summary of benefits for the plans in the area you live. Not only do premiums and costs vary, but also the benefits vary based on location.
UnitedHealthcare HMO Pricing
| Location | Monthly Premium | Deductible | Maximum Annual Out of Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,900 |
| Florida | $0.00 | $0.00 | $4,900 |
| New York | $34.00 | $0.00 | $7,550 |
| Texas | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,500 |
UnitedHealthcare PPO Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Premium | Deductible | Maximum Annual Out of Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,900 |
| Florida | $0.00 | $150 | $5,500 |
| New York | $54.00 | $395.00 | $7,550 |
| Texas | $0.00 | $345.00 | $6,400 |
Current Medicare Advantage Plans
Health Maintenance Organization
HMOs are managed care health plans. Except for an emergency, you must receive healthcare services from in-network providers. You will select or be assigned a primary care physician to manage your healthcare with an HMO plan. These plans provide a thorough level of care that focuses on preventing health conditions from occurring.
Preferred Provider Organization
PPO plans will give you more freedom of choice regarding healthcare services. These allow you to go in and out of network providers. If using out-of-network, you can expect to pay more.
Private Fee For Service
PFFS plans allows you to use a healthcare provider in the nation that participates with Medicare. Before each appointment, you'll be required to present your plan information. The provider must agree to the plan's terms and conditions. This is the only Medicare Advantage plan type that allows you to add a Part D drug plan.
Special Needs Plans
SNPs are designed to help Medicare beneficiaries that live with special needs. Whether it be a chronic healthcare condition, Medicaid for low-income, or an institutionalized setting, these plans have benefits that cater to individuals in these situations. Typically SNP plans are HMOs that include a prescription drug plan.
You're usually locked in for the year when you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have a special enrollment period, you may be able to change outside the usual enrollment timeframes.
Additional Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans through UnitedHealthcare can include many additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare. Some of these benefits are listed below.
Transportation Benefit
Many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans include transportation to assist you with making your doctor appointments.
Gym Membership
UnitedHealthcare used to offer SilverSneakers but recently launched its fitness membership program, Renew and Active. This benefit is included at no charge to UnitedHealthcare plan members.
Over-The-Counter Allowance
UHC's over-the-counter allowance allows a monthly amount that you can use for over-the-counter items like Tylenol and toothpaste. This benefit is a little different than the ones from other insurance companies. You can use their benefits at select stores like Walgreens and even purchase healthy foods.
Vision Coverage
Medicare doesn't cover routine vision services. You'll receive a vision benefit to cover eye exams, eyeglasses, and contacts with many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.
Hearing Coverage
Hearing is another important item not considered medically necessary by Original Medicare.
In many cases, This coverage can be obtained through a Medicare Advantage plan with UnitedHealthcare. This can assist you with paying for hearing aids and exams.
Dental Coverage
Many UHC advantage plans provide preventative and comprehensive dental benefits. All dental coverage will cover cleanings and X-rays, but some will cover dentures and bridges. It's wise to review the plan's summary of benefits to determine which program has the best coverage for your needs. Plan benefits can vary depending on the plan and your area,
Customer Service
Many Medicare beneficiaries prefer to have companies that provide excellent customer service. For assistance from customer service, you can find your contact information on the reverse side of your UHC ID card. You can contact them over the phone, by email, or online via the customer portal.
>> Related Reading: Is Medicare Advantage a Scam?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Service Area
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans nationwide. In most areas, they have access to both HMO and PPO options. In some states and areas, only PPO plans are available. They have extremely strong benefits in California, Texas, and Florida. As mentioned above, check the plan documents to see if there is a particular benefit you want to be included in your Medicare Advantage plan.
UnitedHealthcare Financial Strength
As mentioned above, UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare provider in the United States. The National Committee for Quality Assurance gives them a 3.5-star rating on average. Their plans range from 2.5 to 5-star ratings depending on the area. AM Best provides a rating of A “Excellent” for UHC.
To learn more about our favorite Medicare providers, check out our additional reviews:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which Medicare Advantage plans does UnitedHealthcare offer?
UnitedHealthcare provides every style of Medicare Advantage plan. This includes Health Maintenance Organization, Private-Fee-For-Service, Preferred Provider Organization, and Special Needs Plans.
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How many states have UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are available in every state. Plan options will differ depending on where you reside.
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What does UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cover?
Medicare Advantage plans are required to offer the same coverage as Original Medicare. Some of the benefits covered under Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare include:
- Preventive Wellness Screenings
- Behavioral Health
- Emergency Care
- Doctor Office Visits
- Outpatient Services
- Telehealth
- Prescription drugs on your plan’s formulary
- Urgent Care
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Which is better: UnitedHealthcare Medigap or Medicare Advantage?
When deciding which path to take in Medicare, you should consider your situation. Since everyone’s needs are different, the best option for you could be different than someone else with other needs. UnitedHealthcare offers both Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans.
