Available UnitedHealthCare Medicare Advantage Plans
UnitedHealthCare offers standard Medicare Advantage plan types. Like most Part C plans, you can expect to get Part A, Part B, and Part D coverage. Most plans also include some coverage for hearing, vision, and dental care. Below, we will break down all of the plan types currently available through UnitedHealthCare:
HMO
As with a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan from any provider, UnitedHealthCare requires you to get most of your non-emergency care within a network of doctors and hospitals. An HMO plan also requires you to choose a primary care physician. While most of the provider's HMOs include Part D and extra benefits, they do not provide health coverage for non-emergency treatments outside of your network. An HMO plan is best for seniors who travel infrequently and do not mind being limited to a preset network of healthcare providers.
HMO-POS
HMO Point-of-Service (POS) is a variation of the traditional HMO plan that provides some out-of-network coverage. While you can use your plan to cover many non-emergency treatments outside of your current network, you will pay more than you would if you got the same treatments within your network.
Did You Know? UnitedHealthCare's HMO-POS plans do not require you to choose a primary care physician.
Like UnitedHealthCare's HMO plans, HMO-POS plans usually have low or no premiums, Part D coverage, and extras like dental, vision, and hearing coverage. An HMO-POS is best for older adults who want the security of knowing they still have some coverage outside of their healthcare network and benefit from many of the plan's extras.
PPO
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans allow you to see any physician who accepts Medicare. Unlike HMO and HMO-POS plans, PPO does not require prior authorizations to receive treatments or see specialists. While many people assume that PPOs do not have a network, you do still have a network, albeit a very large one. Like HMOs, you will have to pay more for out-of-network treatment, but PPOs are best for seniors who like to travel and want to avoid the need for prior authorizations.
PFFS
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) is a Medicare Advantage plan with no network. Like a PPO, you can see any physician who accepts Medicare. A PFFS plan offers more freedom to choose any doctor or clinic, but it often costs two times more than a comparable HMO or PPO plan. It is important to note that UnitedHealthCare PFFS plans do not always include prescription drug coverage.
Pro Tip: If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan without Part D benefits but still want prescription coverage, visit our list of the best Medicare Part D plans.
For plans without prescription coverage, you would have to pay for a standalone Part D plan to receive coverage. PFFS plans are usually best for seniors who have low prescription drug costs and do not want to worry about dealing with a network of healthcare providers.
SNP
A Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a unique type of Medicare Advantage plan available to those who qualify based on certain healthcare requirements or financial conditions. For example, if you have a disability or your income is below a certain threshold, you may qualify for one of UnitedHealthCare's SNP plans. While these plans do have in-network and out-of-network distinctions, they provide additional coverage for disability-related treatments that most other plans do not cover.
