UnitedHealthcare's 2021 Medicare Plans Bring Unique Solutions for Unique Times

Rhea-AI Summary

UnitedHealthcare has unveiled its 2021 Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans aimed at providing affordable coverage and enhanced member services. The plan will expand access to nearly 3.2 million additional people across almost 300 counties. Key offerings include $0 premiums for nearly 2.5 million members, $0 telehealth copays, and a comprehensive range of additional health benefits. Unique programs like HouseCalls and Navigate4Me will enhance at-home care and support for members with complex health needs.

Positive

• Expansion of service area to reach 3.2 million more people.
• $0 premiums for nearly 2.5 million members in 2021.
• Introduction of $0 copays for telehealth visits, enhancing accessibility.
• Unique programs like HouseCalls expected to complete 1.7 million visits.
• Broad range of benefits including dental, vision, and fitness programs.

Negative

• None.

MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealthcare^® today introduced its 2021 Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, showcasing affordable coverage, exclusive benefits, expanded plan access and a simplified member experience that connects people to quality care – when and where they need it.

“It is more important than ever during times like these to provide stability and peace of mind for people when it comes to their care and coverage,” said Tim Noel, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. “We have listened intently to our members, and to deliver on the stable, comprehensive coverage they expect and deserve, we are committed to delivering Medicare plans with more: more $0 and low-premium plans and $0 copays; more benefits and access to care – all adding up to more value for the people we serve.”

Currently, more than 6.5 million peopleⁱⁱ are enrolled in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. In 2021, the company will expand its service area to reach nearly 3.2 million additional people in nearly 300 counties – the company’s largest footprint expansion in five years.ⁱ

Highlights of UnitedHealthcare’s 2021 Medicare Advantage plans include:

More Access to Care from Anywhere to Bring Peace of Mind

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a watershed moment that is profoundly altering the health care landscape. At-home health care went from being a convenient care option to, at times, the only option for many people,” said Noel. “And while COVID-19 changed so much for so many of us, it did not change UnitedHealthcare’s unwavering commitment to helping people access the care they need, whether in a clinical setting or at home.”

Offerings that help enable more access to care include:

• Telehealth Visits: All plans will offer telehealth visits with a $0 copay. ⁱ
• Medicare National Network: The nation’s largest Medicare Advantage networkⁱⁱⁱ will be available across more plans, including many HMO plans. Whether at home or traveling, members pay network costs when they see any of the more than 850,000 network care providers.
• HouseCalls: Most plans will include HouseCalls, a program that offers people a yearly visit with a licensed clinician from the comfort of home, helping to coordinate needed care – including with an individual’s primary care provider; conducting health screenings and providing education on the management of chronic conditions. The company expects to complete nearly 1.7 million HouseCalls for its members in 2020.
• Tailored support: To provide a more personal and simpler member experience, UnitedHealthcare is rolling out a market-aligned Advocate4Me service model that empowers advocates’ expertise within their designated regions. This includes increased knowledge of the market, available plans, network and product offerings – helping to drive more tailored support, reduce transfer rates and improve satisfaction.
• Navigate4Me: For people in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans who have complex health care needs, such as those facing an acute health event like a surgery or cancer treatment, those managing a chronic illness like COPD or diabetes or those in Dual Special Needs Plans, Navigate4Me offers one-on-one support. A single point of contact helps to coordinate care, address claims issues, provide social support and assist with other needs. For members impacted by COVID-19, this service also offers a helping hand to navigate safe quarantine, obtain medication and food when isolated and access clinical care if needed. One million people will have a dedicated UnitedHealthcare navigator by the end of 2020.

Simple, Affordable Products

“In listening to the people we serve, we know the key is affordable, predictable coverage that is easy to use and understand,” said Steve Warner, senior vice president of Medicare Advantage, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. “We purposefully design our products to meet consumers’ expectations around affordability and simplicity.”

Plans and product features that will help deliver cost savings and a simpler consumer experience in 2021 include:

• Premiums: Nearly 2.5 million members will see $0 Medicare Advantage premiums in 2021, and almost all will see stable or reduced premiums. ⁱ
• Medicare Advantage Patriot Plans: The UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Patriot plans are designed specifically with veterans in mind, as well as other individuals with existing drug coverage. These plans will provide broad access to care and benefits beyond Original Medicare like dental, vision and fitness, and nearly all will have a $0 premium, and many will include a Part B premium rebate – up to $100 per month.
• $0 Copays: Almost all plans will have $0 copays on the following: medical and behavioral telehealth visits; labs; routine vision and hearing exams; colonoscopies and mammograms; and cardiac rehab. Additionally, nearly everyone in UnitedHealthcare’s coverage area will have access to a plan with $0 primary care copays.
• Prescription Drug Affordability: Most plans include prescription drug coverage, and with the goals of cost savings, price predictability and transparency, UnitedHealthcare is offering a variety of ways for people to save.
  • Part D Senior Savings Model: The company will offer broad access to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans that limit monthly out-of-pocket costs to $35 for all covered insulin, helping people better predict their monthly expenses and amounting to projected average annual savings of nearly $450 for beneficiaries who take insulin.
  • $0 Drug Copays on Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP): In 2021, UnitedHealthcare will be removing copays on covered drugs on most D-SNP plans, giving people access to the prescription drugs they need at no out-of-pocket cost.
  • Lower Costs and More Generics Covered: Even more generic prescription drugs are covered with low to $0 copays, including tier 1 and tier 2.
  • Bonus Drug Coverage: To lower out-of-pocket costs and simplify the consumer experience, the majority of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans will offer bonus drug coverage for common non-Medicare covered prescription drugs, including drugs for erectile dysfunction and commonly used prescription vitamins like vitamin D, folic acid and vitamin B12.
  • Home Delivery: Most plans also offer $0 copays for tier 1 and tier 2 drugs ordered through the OptumRx home delivery pharmacy. ⁱ

Distinctive Offerings

“The breadth of UnitedHealth Group allows us to develop unique products with benefits that add real value to people’s lives – and their pocketbooks,” said Warner. “Our portfolio of plans offers something for everyone – from people seeking everyday wellness support to those ready to ramp up their fitness routines to those managing chronic conditions – and everyone in between.”

Extra benefits and features that help improve physical and financial well-being include:

• Renew Active^TM Fitness Program: The gold standard in Medicare fitness programs for body and mind will expand to 11 new states and D.C. in 2021^iv, and will be available to people enrolled in most Medicare Advantage plans across 47 states and D.C. Renew Active provides access to an extensive, nationwide network of gyms and fitness locations – one of the largest of all Medicare fitness programs^v. Renew Active also offers access to local wellness classes and events, and to support staying healthy from the convenience of home, offers access to thousands of workout videos and an online brain health program from AARP Staying Sharp®.
• Dental: The company offers the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage dental network ⁱⁱⁱ , and a progressive benefit design offers expanded coverage with affordable access to comprehensive dental for most Medicare eligibles.
• Vision and Hearing: All plans cover an annual eye exam, and most cover standard lenses in full, with access to a broad retail eyewear network and convenient home delivery options through Glasses USA as well as exclusive partner, Warby Parker. The majority of plans also offer a choice of discounted hearing aids.
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products: Most plans will include a quarterly credit for a broad selection of common OTC products. People can order online, by phone or by mail for quick delivery to their door.
• Healthy Food Benefit: Most D-SNP plans will offer a monthly credit, up to $660 annually, to buy fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy and more.
• Renew Rewards: The majority of members may be eligible to earn up to $120 in rewards for completing certain health care activities such as an annual physical or wellness visit, preventive screenings, a flu shot or by staying active and tracking their steps.

More Plan Options to Meet Diverse Needs

The only company to offer Medicare plans with the AARP name, UnitedHealthcare serves nearly one in five people in the Medicare program through its portfolio of plans^vi.

This includes approximately 4.5 million through its Medicare Supplement plans. In 2021, people with eligible UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement plans across 35 states will have access to a variety of value-added programs and features offered at no additional cost, including a nationwide dental discount program with no waiting periods or annual limits, a hearing aid discount program; 24/7 nurse line; Renew Active by UnitedHealthcare, which offers access to an extensive network of participating gyms and fitness locations^vii as well as access to AARP Staying Sharp® online brain health program; and an AARP Smart Driver^TM course – an online or in-person driving refresher course that may allow for reduced insurance premiums.

UnitedHealthcare also serves approximately 4.1 million people through its stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans, including the AARP^® MedicareRx Walgreens (PDP) plan, which offers $0 tier 1 copays at more than 9,200 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations.

People can make changes to their Medicare coverage during Medicare Annual Enrollment, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

For more information on UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare plans, visit UHCMedicareHealthPlans.com.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter.

Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies. For Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans: A Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.

For Dual Special Needs Plans: A Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid Program.

$0 co-pay is applicable only during the initial coverage stage and may not apply during the coverage gap; it does not apply during the catastrophic stage.

UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. AARP encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make specific product recommendations for individuals. United contracts directly with Walgreens for this plan; AARP and its affiliates are not parties to that contractual relationship.

UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company contracts directly with Walgreens for this plan; AARP and its affiliates are not parties to that contractual relationship.

Other Pharmacies are available in our network, but you may not receive preferred retail pharmacy pricing. Copays apply after deductible.

AARP MedicareRx Preferred (PDP) and AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP)’s pharmacy network includes limited lower-cost pharmacies in rural AK, MT, NE, ND, SD and WY. There are an extremely limited number of preferred cost share pharmacies in suburban MT. AARP MedicareRx Walgreens (PDP)’s pharmacy network offers limited access to pharmacies with preferred cost sharing in urban ND; suburban HI, ND, PA and rural AK, AR, HI, IA, ID, KS, MN, MT, NE, OK, OR, PA, SD, and WY. There are an extremely limited number of preferred cost share pharmacies in suburban MT and rural ND. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, please call us or consult the online pharmacy directory using the contact information that appears on the booklet cover.

For 2021, this plan participates in the Part D Senior Savings Model which offers lower, stable, and predictable out-of-pocket costs for covered insulin through the different Part D benefit coverage stages. You will pay a maximum of $35 for a 1-month supply of covered insulin during the deductible, initial coverage and coverage gap or “donut hole” stages of your benefit. You will pay 5% of the cost of your covered insulin in the catastrophic stage. Your cost may be less if you receive Extra Help from Medicare.

Participation in the Renew Active™ program is voluntary. Consult your doctor prior to beginning an exercise program or making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine. Renew Active includes standard fitness membership. Equipment, classes, personalized fitness plans, caregiver access and events may vary by location. Certain services, classes and events are provided by Affiliates of UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or other third parties not affiliated with UnitedHealthcare. Participation in AARP® Staying Sharp® and the Fitbit® Community for Renew Active is subject to your acceptance of their respective terms and policies. AARP Staying Sharp is the registered trademark of AARP. AARP Smart Driver is the trademark of AARP. UnitedHealthcare is not responsible for the services or information provided by third parties. The information provided through these services is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor. The Renew Active program varies by plan/area. Access to gym and fitness location network may vary by location and plan. Renew Active premium gym and fitness location network only available with certain plans.

Renew Active by UnitedHealthcare is not available in all plans.

HouseCalls may not be available in all areas.

ⁱRefers to UnitedHealthcare’s standard Medicare Advantage plans (i.e., non-special needs plans).

ⁱⁱCMS enrollment data, August 2020. Enrollment across all plans.

ⁱⁱⁱNetwork size varies by market

^ivNew Renew Active states for 2021 – Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and West Virginia.

^vBased on gym and fitness location network size.

^viCMS enrollment data, August 2020.

^viiThese are additional insured member services apart from the Medicare Supplement Plan benefits, are not insurance programs, are subject to geographical availability and may be discontinued at any time. Availability of fitness program may vary by area. Fitness program network only includes participating facilities and locations. None of these services should be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Note that certain services are provided by Affiliates of UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or other third parties not affiliated with UnitedHealthcare.

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