topic Re: United Healthcare in Community Chat

United Healthcare

TW — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 17:38:05 GMT

I just got a letter from the only comprehensive Medical Center in our State that has a level 1 Trauma Unit. United has asked them to reduce their fees over 40%. They are trying to negotiate a new contract but if they are not successful they will no longer have United as 'In Network' and costs for patients will increase dramatically. Specifically Medicare Advantage was mentioned. So Buyer beware. What really makes me mad is the fact that United spends Millions on TV Commercials yet asks Hospitals for that reduction during a Pandemic? The letter also mentioned the huge profits United made last year. It's disgusting that as a patient we are at the mercy of these greedy insurance companies. Time for patients to speak up. I am sure if they are dropped as an insurance provider they would come to their senses. I am so sick of these money grabbers determening life or death in this country. The only reason they get away with this is because people don't speak up.

Re: United Healthcare

BLH — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 17:46:22 GMT

Don't get a medicare advantage plan. If you have regular medicare and a supplement, you can go to any doctor or hospital in this country.

Re: United Healthcare

proudlyfromNJ — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 17:50:04 GMT

I have an advantage plan. I've had no problem finding a doctor.

Re: United Healthcare

Puppy Lips — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 17:56:51 GMT

Our healthcare system is a mess and there is no easy fix.

Re: United Healthcare

deepwaterdotter — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 17:59:45 GMT

My primary physician advised me to stay away from Medicare Advantage plans if possible. I have supplemental insurance. I am happy with my coverage so far.

Re: United Healthcare

gidgetgh — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:00:21 GMT

@BLH wrote:
Don't get a medicare advantage plan. If you have regular medicare and a supplement, you can go to any doctor or hospital in this country.

@BLH - any doctor that accepts Medicare.

Re: United Healthcare

meallen616 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:10:49 GMT

@BLH,

I too have regular Medicare and a supplement, and, do just fine all year long with doctors and hospitals. I am very happy with both!

I was told Medicare Advantage is no advantage at all, at least for me!

Re: United Healthcare

Love my grandkids — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:17:55 GMT

@TW Just wondering what state you are in?

Re: United Healthcare

Bookplate — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:19:56 GMT

Agreed. You may be interested in this organization, which is attempting to curb the private insurance, profit-making, "Advantage" plans which Congress previously authorized.

Home - Protect Medicare

Re: United Healthcare

On It — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:23:16 GMT

United Healthcare has some big merger in the works that is going to give them a great deal more power and control. I do not know the details, but I recall reading that the merger was thought to be problematic.

In the meantime I was forced by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to go on a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage program. When I first retired I had traditional Medicare and Aetna as a supplement. Then we received a letter saying that we would be using a Humana Medicare Advantage program. Any retiree who withdrew to maintain their independent Medicare could not rejoin the TRS retirement insurance plan. Last year we were shifted to United Healthcare Advantage.

As part of being a teacher in Texas in my younger days, we were promised we would be provided healthcare by the state if our school district did not offer it. As retired teachers TRS was to continue offering insurance coverage. I am afraid to withdraw from the program in case Medicare is defunded. TRS is supposed to pick up our coverage. Whether they will or not is another matter. This is frightening.

I much preferred having Medicare with a supplemental policy.

Re: United Healthcare

fthunt — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:24:52 GMT

@meallen616 ..........your posting says exactly what I would post..... NO to Advantage for me either.

Re: United Healthcare

ALRATIBA — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:26:15 GMT

I have the "plain vanilla" Medicare and a retirement benefit supplement that covers drugs and picks up where Medicare stops.

My out-of-pocket over the last 11 years of retirement has been minuscule ... after several courses of PT, hospitalization with many tests, ambulance,etc.

Re: United Healthcare

proudlyfromNJ — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:27:16 GMT

My advantage plan costs fifteen dollars a month. Neither of us have had any problems with it.

Re: United Healthcare

Love my grandkids — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:37:30 GMT

I don't know what the future brings, but I've had Medicare and UHC for years. This May I will be 5 years cancer free.

I had 8 rounds of chemo, 20 radiation treatments, some blood infusions for severe anemia, some iron infusions for the same (chemo related), plus I had a chemo pump for a couple of days after each chemo treatment. The cost of the pump *alone* was almost $14,000!

I haven't had to pay one red cent for any of this care. Without the medical coverage I had, I would surely have died because I sure didn't have that kind of money.

Re: United Healthcare

Drythe — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:34:49 GMT

DH has UHC supplemental and we love it 😊

Re: United Healthcare

NYwoman — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:13:46 GMT

In short, United Hea;thcare SUCKS! Unfortunately, each area has a dominant Advantage program. UHC is mine and I could go on for hours about it.

Re: United Healthcare

NYwoman — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:15:11 GMT

@meallen616 wrote:
@BLH,
I too have regular Medicare and a supplement, and, do just fine all year long with doctors and hospitals. I am very happy with both!
I was told Medicare Advantage is no advantage at all, at least for me!

It's nice if you can afford it.

Re: United Healthcare

quilter61 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:15:52 GMT

I have an Advantage plan. Have had it ever since I went on Medicare 3 1/2 years ago. I currently pay no premium and everything has been covered. Even receive a quarterly $100 put on a debit card to pay for any copays. Also receive so much per quarter to purchase over the counter items.

I think it depends on what area of the country you live in regarding medicare plans. I live in an area with lots of hospitals and doctors.

Re: United Healthcare

kaydee50 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:31:46 GMT

I just switched from the high deductible UHC supplement plan to UHC Medicare Advantage plan. The premium is half of what I was paying; I get vision and dental included. Also a $50 per quarter to buy items from their pharmacy. I can go to any doctor within the network without a referral.

I have not had to use the plan except for dental and vision but I don't see why there are so many complaints about an "advantage" plan. In the old days they started out as HMOs which I avoided but that is no longer the case.

Re: United Healthcare

Sooner — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:47:58 GMT

@On It wrote:
United Healthcare has some big merger in the works that is going to give them a great deal more power and control. I do not know the details, but I recall reading that the merger was thought to be problematic.

In the meantime I was forced by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to go on a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage program. When I first retired I had traditional Medicare and Aetna as a supplement. Then we received a letter saying that we would be using a Humana Medicare Advantage program. Any retiree who withdrew to maintain their independent Medicare could not rejoin the TRS retirement insurance plan. Last year we were shifted to United Healthcare Advantage.

As part of being a teacher in Texas in my younger days, we were promised we would be provided healthcare by the state if our school district did not offer it. As retired teachers TRS was to continue offering insurance coverage. I am afraid to withdraw from the program in case Medicare is defunded. TRS is supposed to pick up our coverage. Whether they will or not is another matter. This is frightening.

I much preferred having Medicare with a supplemental policy.

@On It Same thing here in Oklahoma. Boy did people in education get the raw deal. Wow! I have a friend in the same boat you are and she is so so angry.