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WilliamL207263
Contributor ⭐
October 18, 2024

Why underwriting if you change from AARP UHC Plan G w/wellness benefits to without

  • October 18, 2024
  • 7 replies
  • 5766 views

When I signed up for AARP UHC Plan G a few years ago, they didn’t have an option for declining the wellness benefits. It seem like they do now and it can save some money. I have been told you need to go through underwriting for this. Given that it is the same Plan G, why can’t you just decline the extra benefits (which I don’t use)?

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      7 replies

      j186060m
      Contributor ⭐
      October 18, 2024

      Good question.  When I initially purchased my UHC Plan G Medical Supplemental insurance I did so via a salesperson and declined at that time.  She has been in contact with me this year as it is renewal time.  Are you in contact with your UHC salesperson?  If so, make contact with UHC to confirm.

       

      Hope this helps.

        joostmw
        Contributor ⭐
        November 7, 2024

        I just ran into the same issue.  Did you ever get an answer?  

          CBtoo
          Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐
          November 29, 2024

          What they told me is that the original G with the alleged free benefits )which clearly aren't free since the G without them is much cheaper) and the new G without the "free" benefits are actually not offered by the same subdivision of United Healthcare so we can't just switch. We have to undergo medical underwriting. To me that is a loophole that is unfair as they claiming something is free when it isn't (since the plan without is cheaper). That should mean we have guaranteed issue rights. When I questioned that they said since they were different companies, even though owned by the same parent company the two plans and their rates have nothing to do with each other and we still have the extra benefits. I argued but they aren't free since the G without is $70.mo cheaper. They told me again different companies different plans so no deception. Sigh. A bunch of X&@#. 

            GailL1
            November 29, 2024

            @CBtoo @joostmw @WilliamL207263 @j186060m 

             

            Yes, there are (2) different UHC affiliate companies that offer Supplemental Plans - the company that you choose will have different items covered which are outside of the Federal requirement which each Medigap plan (Medicare Supplemental) has to cover in each of the plans.

             

            To go from one (company name) to another (company name), depending upon your state, you would have to go thru underwriting.

             

            UHC.com - AARP UHC Medigap Plan Differences 

             

            As you can see and read in the link - 

            AARP Medicare Supplemental Insurance insured by United Healthcare are under

            1.  United Healthcare Insurance Company of America. OR

            2.  United Healthcare Insurance Company 

             

            #1 United Healthcare Insurance Company of America - offers the supplemental plans WITH A DISCOUNTED PREMIUM STRUCTURE

             

            #2 United Healthcare Insurance Company - offers the supplemental plans WITH WELLNESS EXTRA BENEFITS

             

            A beneficiary should be able to look at their Explanation of Coverage document and see which of these companies are writing the AARP/UHC Supplemental plan which they have.

             

            The one that has premium discounts (United Healthcare Comany of America) available have different types of them and are used as to which is the better one for your situation when 1st signing up.

             

            The one that has the wellness extra benefits (Untied Healthcare Insurance Company) specifies the type of wellness benefits but does not commit to what company would be supplying them - so that can change.

             

            It is also VERY important to always read the footnotes and the disclosures so you know exactly what you are getting when you sign up -  This is really not any different than other types of insurance of whatever type.

             

             

             

             

              CBtoo
              Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐
              November 29, 2024

              Thank you for that information. When I signed up in 2018 this state ONLY had the G with extra benefits. The G without them was first introduced in this state June 1, 2023. As a result my choice was G or some other different alphabet letter medigap from AARP UHC and not between two different G's. When I signed up - and it STILL says this - it says FREE wellness extra benefits. The word FREE is in the description. Clearly they are not free or the G with them would cost what the other G without them does. Also when I signed up I was told, and had in writing that we have a declining "discount" on our premium based on age. So the G I have also has the discounts ages 65-75 so that is not different either. There may be state differences and so it may be different in your state, but this is what the case is in my state. I also confirmed this more than once with them when calling about this issue.

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