Understanding UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage in Connecticut
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, a Part C plan, will likely integrate Original Medicare Part A and Part B into a single plan, and may offer supplementary benefits that could include:
- Prescription drug coverage
So how does this differ from Original Medicare? Essentially, UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans may provide coverage for all services offered by Original Medicare, while potentially adding benefits.
In Connecticut, some of these plans may come with extra features and possible benefits that could surpass those offered by Original Medicare. The Group Medicare Advantage plan, for instance, may include all the existing State of Connecticut covered services.
These plans could be offered by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, a company that will likely accept Medicare and is based in Hartford.
Navigating Plan Options: HMO, PPO, and HMO-POS
One of the key aspects to consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan is the type of plan. UnitedHealthcare offers three main types of plans in Connecticut: HMO, PPO, and HMO-POS.
HMO plans require members to use in-network providers, as opposed to a preferred provider organization. Typically, these plans cover services provided exclusively by healthcare providers within the network. Therefore, members should select a primary care provider (PCP) within the network to ensure effective care coordination.
On the other hand, there are different types of health insurance plans to choose from, including:
- HMO plans, require members to choose a primary care physician and only seek care from in-network providers
- PPO plans, which allow members to seek both in-network and out-of-network providers, provide flexibility at an increased cost
- HMO-POS plans, are a hybrid of HMO and PPO plans. They provide coverage that extends beyond Original Medicare and allow members to consult with in-network or out-of-network providers, although the latter incurs higher costs.
Analyzing Covered Services and Possible Benefits
UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans may offer an extensive range of services and possible benefits, which could include:
Coverage may be comprehensive and will likely be designed to meet the needs of Medicare beneficiaries, potentially offering all the features that may be required for their healthcare.
In addition to these, some UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans may also provide coverage that could cover preventive services, which may include screenings and annual wellness exams. Members may be required to pay a copay or coinsurance for some of these services, depending on their specific plan.
Furthermore, mental health services will likely be part of the coverage, and specialized plans for nursing home residents may cover long-term care services.
