UnitedHealthcare offers several types of Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and prescription drug coverage

UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest insurers offering Medicare plans in the United States. The company sells Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C), which combine hospital and medical coverage in one plan; standalone prescription drug plans (Part D); and Medigap policies, which cover costs that Original Medicare leaves you responsible for. Which plans UnitedHealthcare offers in your area depends on where you live — the company does not serve every county in every state.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans vary widely in cost, deductibles, and which doctors and hospitals are in-network. Some plans charge no monthly premium but have higher out-of-pocket costs when you use care. Others charge a premium but cap your yearly spending. Understanding what each plan type covers and what it costs you personally is the first step to deciding whether a UnitedHealthcare plan fits your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans bundle hospital, medical, and often prescription drug coverage into one plan, with monthly premiums that may be zero but with copays and deductibles when you use care.
  • UnitedHealthcare Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare and pay for costs Medicare does not cover, such as coinsurance and copayments.
  • UnitedHealthcare Part D plans cover prescription drugs and can be added to Original Medicare or included in some Medicare Advantage plans.
  • UnitedHealthcare plans are not available in every county; you must check whether the specific plan you want is offered in your ZIP code.
  • You can enroll in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or if you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period.

Medicare Advantage plans from UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) combine your hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B) into a single plan. Many also include prescription drug coverage (Part D) at no extra cost. These plans use a network of doctors and hospitals, meaning you usually pay less when you see an in-network provider and more (or nothing is covered) when you see someone out-of-network.

Most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans charge a monthly premium of zero dollars, though some charge a small premium. In exchange, you pay a copay or coinsurance each time you use a service — for example, $20 to see your primary care doctor or $250 for an emergency room visit. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans also set an annual out-of-pocket maximum, which means once you have paid a certain amount in copays and coinsurance in a year, the plan covers the rest of your care at no cost to you for the remainder of that year.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans often include benefits that Original Medicare does not, such as dental, vision, hearing, or fitness programs. The exact benefits depend on which plan you choose. You can review the specific benefits, costs, and network for each plan available in your area on Medicare.gov or by calling UnitedHealthcare directly.

Medigap coverage through UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare Medigap plans (also called Supplemental Insurance) work with Original Medicare. If you enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you are responsible for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. A Medigap plan from UnitedHealthcare pays some or all of these costs, depending on which Medigap plan you choose.

Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, meaning a Plan G from UnitedHealthcare covers the same benefits as a Plan G from any other insurer — the difference is price and customer service. UnitedHealthcare Medigap plans have a monthly premium, which varies by age, location, and which plan type you choose. Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap plans do not restrict you to a network; you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.

You can enroll in a UnitedHealthcare Medigap plan during your Initial Enrollment Period (the six months starting the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B) or during the Annual Enrollment Period. Outside these windows, UnitedHealthcare may deny you coverage or charge you a higher premium based on your health history, depending on your state's rules.

Prescription drug plans (Part D) from UnitedHealthcare

If you enroll in Original Medicare, you need prescription drug coverage (Part D) to avoid a penalty on your Medicare premiums. UnitedHealthcare offers standalone Part D plans that you add to Original Medicare. If you choose a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, prescription drug coverage is often included, so you do not need a separate Part D plan.

UnitedHealthcare Part D plans have a monthly premium and a yearly deductible. Once you meet the deductible, you pay a copay or coinsurance for each prescription. The cost of your copay depends on which "tier" your drug is on — generic drugs are usually cheaper than brand-name drugs. UnitedHealthcare Part D plans also include a coverage gap (sometimes called the "donut hole"), where you pay more out-of-pocket for drugs after you have spent a certain amount, until you reach catastrophic coverage.

You can enroll in a UnitedHealthcare Part D plan during the Annual Enrollment Period or if you lose other drug coverage. If you do not enroll when you first become may be able to access for Medicare, you may owe a penalty for each month you go without coverage.

How to learn about UnitedHealthcare serves your area

UnitedHealthcare does not offer Medicare plans in every county. To find out which UnitedHealthcare plans are available where you live, visit Medicare.gov and use the "Find Care Providers and Suppliers" tool or the plan finder. You can also call UnitedHealthcare directly at the number on your Medicare materials or visit their website.

When you search for plans, you will see a list of all Medicare plans available in your ZIP code, including UnitedHealthcare options. The search tool shows the monthly premium, deductible, copays, and which doctors and hospitals are in-network for each plan. This is the most accurate way to compare UnitedHealthcare plans to other insurers and to Original Medicare.

Enrollment periods and how to enroll

You can enroll in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Coverage begins January 1 of the following year. If you are new to Medicare, you have an Initial Enrollment Period of seven months centered on your 65th birthday — three months before, the month of, and three months after.

You can enroll in a UnitedHealthcare plan online at Medicare.gov, by phone (1-800-MEDICARE), by mail, or directly through UnitedHealthcare. If you enroll online or by phone, you will receive a confirmation in the mail. Keep this confirmation until your new coverage begins.

If you miss the Annual Enrollment Period, you may still be able to enroll in a UnitedHealthcare plan if you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period. Special Enrollment Periods are triggered by life events such as moving to a new state, losing other health coverage, or getting married. You have 60 days from the event to enroll.

Costs and coverage limits to understand

UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans vary in cost. Some Medicare Advantage plans have a zero-dollar monthly premium but higher copays and deductibles. Others charge a monthly premium and have lower out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans always have a monthly premium and no copays or deductibles (except for Part B coinsurance on some plans). Part D plans have a monthly premium, a yearly deductible, and copays that vary by drug tier.

All Medicare Advantage plans have an annual out-of-pocket maximum. Once you reach this limit in a calendar year, the plan covers the rest of your care at no cost. Original Medicare does not have an out-of-pocket maximum, which is one reason people choose Medigap coverage.

UnitedHealthcare plans also have network restrictions. If you see an out-of-network doctor in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may pay more or the plan may not cover the visit at all (except in emergencies). Medigap plans have no network restrictions. Before you enroll, check whether your current doctors and hospitals are in-network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from UnitedHealthcare to another Medicare plan?

Yes. During the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7), you can switch to a different UnitedHealthcare plan, a different insurer's plan, or Original Medicare. Your new coverage begins January 1. If you switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, you may want to enroll in a Medigap plan at the same time to cover costs Medicare does not pay.

Does UnitedHealthcare Medicare cover my current doctor?

It depends on which plan you choose and whether your doctor is in-network. Use the plan finder on Medicare.gov or call UnitedHealthcare to check whether your doctor is in-network before you enroll. If your doctor is out-of-network, you may pay more or the plan may not cover the visit.

What happens if I do not enroll in a UnitedHealthcare plan during the enrollment period?

If you miss the Annual Enrollment Period and do not may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period, you cannot enroll in a UnitedHealthcare plan until the next Annual Enrollment Period. If you are new to Medicare and miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you may owe a lifetime penalty on your Medicare premiums.

Do UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans cover out-of-state care?

Most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans cover emergency care anywhere in the United States. For non-emergency care, coverage depends on your plan. Some plans cover urgent care out-of-state; others do not. Check your plan documents or call UnitedHealthcare before you travel.

Can I have both a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap plan?

No. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot also have a Medigap plan. However, you can have a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage included, or you can have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan and a separate Part D plan.