FYI: To learn more about our favorite Medicare insurers, read our guide to this year’s best Medicare Advantage plans.
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September 25, 2023
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We picked out a few more recommendations worth considering:
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.
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.
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.
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
Medicare Advantage plans through UnitedHealthcare can include many additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare. Some of these benefits are listed below.
Many UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans include transportation to assist you with making your doctor appointments.
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.
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.
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 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.
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,
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.
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.
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:
UnitedHealthcare provides every style of Medicare Advantage plan. This includes Health Maintenance Organization, Private-Fee-For-Service, Preferred Provider Organization, and Special Needs Plans.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are available in every state. Plan options will differ depending on where you reside.
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:
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.