Do you want the simplicity of one plan to meet your health care needs? A Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan may be the answer.
Find and Compare Medicare Advantage Plans from UnitedHealthcare
Medicare Advantage plans combine Medicare Part A (hospital stays) and Part B (doctor visits)—also known as Original Medicare—in a single plan. Most plans include prescription drug (Part D) coverage. Many plans offer additional benefits and features like routine vision, hearing, dental and fitness coverage not provided by Original Medicare.
When it comes to Medicare, one size does not fit all. That's why UnitedHealthcare offers a broad range of Medicare Advantage plans, so you have options to fit your health care needs.
Compare Medicare Advantage Plan Types
Depending on where you live and your personal situation, UnitedHealthcare may offer several types of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from. In addition to plans varying by the benefits they offer, there are also differences in cost and provider networks. Not all plans are available in all areas.
UnitedHealthcare HMO and PPO Plans – Access to the UnitedHealthcare® Medicare National Network
HMO
(Health Maintenance Organization)
United Healthcare HMO plans give you access to a local network of doctors and hospitals, and a primary care provider to help coordinate your unique health care needs. You’ll need to get care from providers in the network and you select a primary care provider to help coordinate your care. If you use a provider that isn’t in the national network, you may have to pay for the service yourself.† Many plans include UnitedHealthcare Passport®, which gives you the network costs and benefits of your plan when you travel. Many HMO plans have a low or $0 monthly premium.
HMO-POS (Point of Service) plans give you access to a local network of doctors and hospitals, and a primary care provider to help coordinate your health care needs. Plus, you'll have flexibility to see out-of-network providers for certain covered services.
†Emergency care, urgent care, and out-of-area dialysis services are covered where you need them.
PPO
(Preferred Provider Organization)
UnitedHealthcare PPO plans give you freedom to see any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare and don't require referrals for specialist or hospital visits. Many plans also provide in-network costs when you see doctors participating in the UnitedHealthcare Medicare National Network*. Many PPO plans have a low or $0 monthly premium.
Many United Healthcare HMO and PPO plans also give you access to care across the country at network costs using the UnitedHealthcare® Medicare National Network, the nation’s largest network of top doctors and specialists.*
* Networks vary by market.
UnitedHealthcare PFFS Plans – Freedom of Choice
PFFS
(Private Fee-for-Service)
A PFFS plan doesn’t have network. It gives you the freedom to get your health care services from any doctor, hospital or other facility in the U.S. as long as they are Medicare-approved. If a PFFS plan doesn’t include drug coverage, you can purchase a separate, standalone prescription drug plan.
UnitedHealthcare Special Needs Plans – Plans for Unique Needs
SNP
(Special Needs Plan)
A Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage plan. SNPs have a provider network. SNPs serve people that qualify with special health care and financial needs. All SNPs include prescription drug (Part D) coverage.
Plan Features
HMO & HMO-POS
PPO
PFFS
SNP
Has a contracted network of doctors and hospitals
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Must choose primary care provider from plan network
Yes
No
No
Yes
Must use providers within the plan network for covered services
HMO - Yes
HMO-POS – No, but costs more out-of-network
No, but costs more out-of-network
No
Yes
Referral required to see a specialist
Varies by plan
No
No
Yes
May include drug coverage
Yes
Yes
Yes
All include drug coverage
HMO & HMO-POS
Has a contracted network of doctors and hospitals
Yes
Must choose primary care provider from plan network
Yes
Must use providers within the plan network for covered services
HMO - Yes
HMO-POS – No, but costs more out-of-network
Referral required to see a specialist
Varies by plan
May include drug coverage
Yes
PPO
Has a contracted network of doctors and hospitals
Yes
Must choose primary care provider from plan network
No
Must use providers within the plan network for covered services
No, but costs more out-of-network
Referral required to see a specialist
No
May include drug coverage
Yes
PFFS
Has a contracted network of doctors and hospitals
No
Must choose primary care provider from plan network
No
Must use providers within the plan network for covered services
No
Referral required to see a specialist
No
May include drug coverage
Yes
SNP
Has a contracted network of doctors and hospitals
Yes
Must choose primary care provider from plan network
Yes
Must use providers within the plan network for covered services
Yes
Referral required to see a specialist
Yes
May include drug coverage
All include drug coverage
Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan That Fits Your Budget
Generally, Part C plans have a low or $0 monthly plan premium and offer more coverage than Original Medicare alone.
Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans limit the amount you pay out-of-pocket each year. Once you reach that limit, also called the out-of-pocket maximum, the plan pay’s 100% of allowable costs for the rest of the year.
When comparing Medicare Advantage plans, these questions can help you decide which plan fits your budget:
How much is the monthly premium?
How much is the annual deductible?
How much are the copays and coinsurance?
Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan with the Right Benefits
All Medicare Advantage plans include at least the same coverage as Original Medicare Part A and Part B, but that’s where the similarity ends.
All plans also have added benefits and features Original Medicare doesn’t have – but may be very different in exactly what they offer. Think about what extra coverage is important to you when comparing different Medicare Advantage plans.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Does the plan offer prescription drug (Part D) coverage?
Does the plan cover eye exams or glasses and contact lenses?
Does the plan have dental coverage?
Does the plan have health and wellness benefits, like a gym membership?
Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Coverage
A Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage is ideal if you don’t want a separate Part D plan. Plus, your premium is often lower for Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drugs, than a Part D plan alone.
If you’re considering Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, keep these questions in mind when comparing:
Does the plan’s formulary (drug list) cover your current medications?
How much will your drugs cost on the different plans?
Will switching from a brand name drug to a generic drug save you money?
Is your local pharmacy included in the plan’s pharmacy network?
Are you willing to use a mail order pharmacy to lower costs?
