Enrollment and Eligibility
The process of enrolling in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan could be quite simple. There are specific enrollment periods during which individuals could enroll in or modify their plan. These may include:
- Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
- Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
- Special Enrollment Period (2 months) for current Medicare enrollees to transition plans outside the standard enrollment periods.
The eligibility requirements for some UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans may require individuals to be at least 65 years old or have a qualifying disability.
For Special Needs plans, individuals must have Original Medicare Part A and Part B, reside in the plan’s service area, and satisfy specific plan eligibility criteria. To enroll, one can call one of our licensed agents at 1-844-709-9937 (TTY user 711) Mon-Fri 8am-9pm Est. They will be able to provide comprehensive information, personalized guidance, and ongoing assistance to navigate the enrollment process for private insurance companies, making it easier for beneficiaries to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Enrollment Periods
The General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31, and the Annual Election Period, occurring annually from October 15 to December 7, are the primary enrollment periods for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. Additionally, there are Special Enrollment Periods which are designated times outside of the standard enrollment periods during which individuals can enroll in or modify their Medicare Advantage plan.
These periods may be triggered by particular life events, such as loss of alternative coverage, relocation, or eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Furthermore, there’s the 5-star Special Enrollment Period which may allow individuals to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or Prescription Drug Plan that holds a 5-star rating. This period is accessible annually from December 8 to November 30 of the subsequent year.
The Initial Enrollment Period spans over 7 months, commencing 3 months before reaching the age of 65 or, for individuals with disabilities, upon receipt of their 25th disability check. This period extends 3 months after the qualifying event, allowing individuals the opportunity to enroll in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, individuals generally need to be 65 years old or have a qualifying disability and have received disability benefits for 24 months.
In certain states, individuals under 65 may be eligible if they are on Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal Disease. Contrary to what you might think, eligibility for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans is not influenced by income levels.
However, enrollment in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan does require U.S. citizenship or qualified legal residency.
And if you’re wondering about pre-existing conditions, there will likely be no specific requirements related to pre-existing conditions for enrolling in UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.
New York Medicare Resources and Assistance
Numerous resources and forms of assistance will likely be available for Medicare beneficiaries in New York. One such resource could be the Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program (HIICAP) that could potentially offer complimentary and unbiased information, counseling, and assistance on health insurance.

Beneficiaries can seek assistance from HIICAP by contacting 1-800-701-0501 or by accessing and completing an application online.
In addition to HIICAP, UnitedHealthcare Customer Support for Medicare beneficiaries in New York may be responsible for verifying medical claims and accuracy to ensure people are receiving the services they need.
They could assist with resolving inquiries, complaints, and information requests related to Medicare. Other resources available for Medicare beneficiaries in New York may include the 1-800-MEDICARE for guidance on coverage options, the New York State Office for the Aging for financial support, and HIICAP for information on Medicare plans.
HIICAP
The Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program (HIICAP) in New York will likely be a complementary resource that could offer information, education, and counseling to both current Medicare beneficiaries and individuals approaching Medicare eligibility.
HIICAP, centrally located at Area Agencies on Aging, potentially offers counseling services through a toll-free helpline.
HIICAP may provide a range of services to Medicare beneficiaries, which could include an education on the Medicare Program, Medigap policies, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Long-term care. Trained counselors will likely be on hand to help with inquiries about Medicare.
If you’re a Medicare beneficiary in New York and wish to seek assistance from HIICAP, you can do so by contacting 1-800-HIICAP or Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).
HIICAP will likely offer complimentary information, counseling, assistance, and advocacy on Medicare and related health insurance matters.
UnitedHealthcare Customer Support
Customer support is an essential component of any healthcare plan, and this will likely be where UnitedHealthcare shines. In New York, Medicare beneficiaries could reach out to UnitedHealthcare customer support by dialing 1-877-596-3258 / TTY 711.
The customer support team is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week, ready to assist you with your healthcare needs.

UnitedHealthcare may provide phone, email, and live chat support for Medicare recipients in New York, potentially making it easier for beneficiaries to seek assistance in a manner that may be the most convenient for them.
In addition to English, customer support will likely be available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, South Asia, and many other dialects to cater to the diverse linguistic needs of their members.
UnitedHealthcare will likely also adhere to stringent protocols for identifying, monitoring, resolving, and reporting possible appeals and grievances from Medicare beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries may also have the option to submit a written grievance by completing the Medicare plan appeal & grievance form and sending it via mail as per the provided instructions.