UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Plans

The federal government provides basic health care coverage for older Americans through Original Medicare (Part A and B). But as you've probably realized, it doesn't cover everything. Thankfully, Medicare supplement plans, or Medigap plans, can keep money in your wallet by covering some of the out-of-pocket expenses that Part A and B don't cover, like deductibles and copays.

UnitedHealthcare offers the only Medicare supplement plans endorsed by AARP, and their plans cover more than 4 million older adults nationwide.1 Below, we'll take a deep dive into the company's Medigap offerings to help you determine if they provide the coverage you're looking for.

UnitedHealthcare at a Glance

Do I Need a Medigap Plan?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of UnitedHealthcare plans, you may wonder why older adults need a Medigap plan in the first place. Well, as mentioned above, Original Medicare doesn't cover everything. In fact, it only covers about 80 percent of the medical costs it approves. The remaining 20 percent is your responsibility. With no out-of-pocket maximum, predicting yearly medical expenses can be nearly impossible.

Let's say you have a major surgery that costs tens of thousands of dollars. Paying 20 percent of that surgery can be quite a blow. That’s why over 80 percent of older adults supplement their Original Medicare with employer-sponsored coverage, Medicaid, or a Medigap plan like one from UnitedHealthcare.2

Overview of UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plans

The federal government has created 10 standardized Medigap plans for private insurance companies to sell. Of those 10 plans, UnitedHealthcare has chosen eight plans for seniors to purchase. We appreciate that UnitedHealthcare has a good variety of plans, as other companies we've reviewed, such as Americo, offer a more limited selection.

Let's take a look at the eight Medigap plans offered by UnitedHealthcare and the benefits of each.

*Due to changes made by the federal government, plans C and F aren’t available to seniors who were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.

Which UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plan Is Right for Me?

Your lifestyle, health condition, and budget should be considered when selecting a Medigap plan from UnitedHealthcare. Each plan has its pros and cons, but we've gone ahead and highlighted a few we recommend for seniors based on those factors.

Seniors Who Want Basic Coverage

Recommended Plans: A or B
Designed to cover basic expenses not covered by Original Medicare, Medigap Plans A and B includes hospital stays, home health care, and hospice care. Just be prepared to pay for Medicare Part B excess charges, emergency care when out of the country, and coinsurance while staying in a skilled nursing facility.

Seniors With Health Conditions and Recurring Medical Appointments

Recommended Plans: F or G
Medigap plans F and G have high-deductible options. For older adults who are managing a chronic illness, this can be an ideal option. Frequent appointments and procedures allow you to meet your deductible and then begin receiving the benefits of the Medigap plan.

Seniors Who Enjoy International Travel or Need Highly Skilled Care

Recommended Plans: C, F, G, and N
If you have a home or family overseas and you travel frequently, these plans cover 80 percent of foreign emergency medical expenses so you can travel with peace of mind. Additionally, the plans offer skilled nursing facility care coinsurance if you need skilled care, or will need it in the future.

How Much Do UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plans Cost?

Now, you're probably thinking, exactly how much are these plans going to cost me? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t simple. That's because the monthly premium for a Medigap plan is dependent on your geographic location, tobacco use, and gender. To give you a ballpark idea, we've provided the premium estimates for a 65-year-old, non-smoking male living in Orlando, Florida. Hopefully, this can give you an idea of the cost differences between the plans, but the monthly premium will ultimately depend on your unique situation.

UnitedHealthcare Pricing Method

Health insurance companies price their Medigap policies using one of three methods: community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated.3 Keep in mind, not all states allow all three methods to be used. Here's a quick definition of the three methods:

• Community-rated: Every senior in the community who has the Medigap policy is charged the same monthly premium regardless of age. This means your premiums may go up due to other factors like inflation, but not because of your age.
• Issue-age-rated: Your premium is based on the age you are when you purchase the Medigap policy – the younger you are, the cheaper your premium is. It is advantageous to buy a policy early from a company using this pricing method. Your premiums may still go up due to inflation.
• Attained-age-related: The premium is based on your current age at enrollment and increases as you get older. Premiums can also increase due to other factors, such as inflation.

UnitedHealthcare uses a community-rated pricing method, which may appeal to older seniors, as your rates won't increase with age. For comparison, competitors we've reviewed, like Humana, use an attained-age pricing method, which means the older you are, the more you'll pay. UnitedHealthcare may offer better premiums to seniors in their 70s and beyond, and rates won’t increase due to age.

How to Buy a UnitedHealthcare Medigap Policy

Enrolling in a UnitedHealthcare Medigap policy can be done with a few clicks from your computer. Or you can pick up the phone and call one of their friendly representatives to walk you through the process. They are available 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We recommend purchasing a Medigap policy during your six-month Medigap open enrollment period. This will get you the best monthly premium prices and the most plans to select from. The six-month open enrollment period starts the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. If you miss this six-month window, you may not be able to buy a policy, or it could be much more costly. So, mark your calendar! Missing this window could cost you big bucks in the long run.

If you're interested in going the online route, here are the few steps you'll need to take.

1. Head to UnitedHealthcare’s website and type in your ZIP code.
   

   Enter your ZIP code

2. Next, you'll need to enter a few details, such as your date of birth and Medicare effective dates.
   

   Enter your personal information

3. After clicking “View Plans,” you'll be able to see the plans available in your area and estimated monthly premiums. You can shop and compare plans to see which is the best choice for you. Once you have selected the plan you'd like to enroll in, click “Start Application.”
   

   Start your United Healthcare application

4. Next, you'll want to review your information and start the application process.
   

   Review your choice

5. In the application process, you'll be asked to supply your Medicare information, the payment details, and confirm other important information. Remember, you can call an agent for assistance at any time. The phone number is listed to the right side on every screen.
   

   Confirm your Medicare information

Final Thoughts on UnitedHealthcare

The competitive premiums offered by UnitedHealthcare and the easy online application process make the company a prime prospect for seniors looking to purchase a Medigap plan. When shopping for a policy, we recommend comparing UnitedHealthcare's prices to other providers in your area, since the company's community-based pricing method could prove to be a pro or con, depending on where you live. Head to our list of the best Medigap plans for older adults to compare UnitedHealthcare to other top providers.