topic Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting in Medicare & Insurance

Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

GailL1 — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 02:26:25 GMT

I understand from reading a few posters here that UHC allows people to switch their AARP /UHC supplemental plans without underwriting. Is this correct?

I am asking because a friend of mine was trying to switch her mother from an old Plan I (this is an old plan, not offered since 2010) to a Plan N and they told her that IF the plan was not "modern" then there would be underwriting.

So I am just mentioning this here to see if anybody has had any experience with this because I know several others who are considering switching their AARP/UHC Plan F after 2020 if rates start to go up somewhat drastically or if they just want to change. BUT IF this is the case about the underwriting, they may want to consider earlier.

?????????????????

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

ReTiReD51 — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:02:55 GMT

As of 60 days ago I could switch my United Health care plan F supplement to plan G without any underwriting. However I was cautioned that it’s possible this could change some time in the future, but as of now no problem changing lettered plans under the umbrella of UHC supplement plans. That’s one of the reasons I selected AARP/UHC. There might be other companies that allow you to switch plans without being underwritten but I didn’t find any 3 years ago.

Now as far as changing a discontinued “I” plan to a current letter plan I have no idea.

As you know discontinued plans H, I, J had either prescription or home healthcare or both included.

Why don’t you call them on behalf of an elderly friend just to find out? There’s nothing wrong with that.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

ls915 — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:15:45 GMT

What does "without underwriting" mean?

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

PaulK991030 — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 21:22:10 GMT

Just received a 9/5/18 letter from my agent indicating that they " were notified by UHC 'that effective October 1, 2018, they will no longer allow plan changes for their AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans without medical underwriting' ".

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

JohnL900627 — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 13:31:47 GMT

Okay. I just changed from AARP Plan F to G. Not a problem as long as you are within 3 years of your original signup at 65. No underwritting. Now if you are older, I think that the same AARP rules apply as if you are signing up for a new plan: answering health questions for those within 6 years of 65 to determine rates, and for those more than 6 years from 65 full underwritting with higher rates almost certain making change likely prohibitive for most.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

GailL1 — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 16:08:54 GMT

@JohnL900627 wrote:
Okay. I just changed from AARP Plan F to G. Not a problem as long as you are within 3 years of your original signup at 65. No underwritting. Now if you are older, I think that the same AARP rules apply as if you are signing up for a new plan: answering health questions for those within 6 years of 65 to determine rates, and for those more than 6 years from 65 full underwritting with higher rates almost certain making change likely prohibitive for most.

Everybody needs to understand the rules of coverage of Medigap (Medicare Supplemental) plans. It is GAP insurance, nothing more, nothing less - the beneficiary picks and pays for the amount of GAP coverage they want based on their alphabet plan choice.

Medigap coverage is an OPTIONAL coverage - it is NOT mandated by CMS (Medicare). It is PRIVATE insurance coverage - gap coverage.

CMS (Medicare) makes the rules as to the various plan coverage. They also make the rules as to when guaranteed issue is applicable or not. They set down a few ways which the insurance companies can rate (assign premiums). Community-rated, Age-rated, and Attained Age. Unless your state limited these manors of rating to a particular type, then an insurance can use their choice to come up with your premiums - And Yes, there is a big difference between them in premium cost.

Since this PRIVATE insurance, a state can make further rules. Example is the "birthday rule" in California as to when a beneficiary can change plans. There are other state rules - state specific.

Pay attention and know how all these things work when you are selecting a Medigap plan. Especially when you are comparing one insurer to anothe for the same Medigap plan.

And bear in mind, that the ONLY thing that you are assured of with a Medigap coverage is the amount of the GAP coverage you are getting with the plan selected.

There are NO other benefits that have to be covered - any that might be offered is purely a marketing enhancement and can be taken away with the bat of an eye.

It is up to the insurance company to underwrite or not when changing insurers or even changing to a more lucrative plan. Not the broker, the insurance company because the insurance company has the final say.

Do not cancel your old policy until you have the new one - signed, sealed and delivered and you know your coverage and premium. Do this even if yu have to pay premiums on both policies for a month because that is the only way you can get the old one back if there is any problem. I have already posted the Medicare rule about this 30 day look-see period.

i just don't want anybody here to get screwed by not understanding the rules.

Federal and State rules.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

JohnL900627 — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 18:48:26 GMT

All good info and advice. It is ashamed that healthcare has to be so complex in the USA.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

somarco — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 14:36:03 GMT

As evidenced by the other responses in this thread, there is no consensus.

CMS (Medicare) has one set of rules. States are allowed flexibility to deviate from federal laws but only if their plans and rules are not more restrictive than federal guidelines. Some states have been granted the ability to design non-standardized Medigap plans.

CMS offers guidelines about when a carrier may NOT use underwriting to determine acceptance but is silent on deviations such as anniversary or birthday rules (which are state specific). Nor do federal guidelines apply to rate making.

UHC has for many years allowed changes from one plan to another without underwriting. This was a company practice, not contractual. I am not aware of any other carrier that has this feature.

Moving from one plan to another without underwriting allows the policyholder to "play the system" to their advantage. Carriers understand this adverse selection and make allowances for it in their pricing.

UHC also has more liberal underwriting than most carriers and is willing to issue a policy that would be denied by other carriers. There is also a price for this, considerably higher than "standard" rates if you go in this direction.

UHC has in fact decided to eliminate the seamless move from one plan to another in some states. They are also dropping Silver Sneakers in several states.

Neither of these "benefits" were contractual and could be modified or changed at any time.

Only one thing is true. You can change your Medicare supplement plan any time you want. Same carrier or different carrier. Same plan or different plan. But in most states underwriting may be required. There are no "one size fits all" rules or guidelines.

If you rely on an oral representation and don't verify it against the policy verbiage you may find yourself disappointed in the future. Oral advice by a carrier representative, someone at Medicare.gov, SHIP, and agent or the person who styles your hair is worthless unless that promise is backed up in writing by the carrier.

I visit a lot of consumer forums and most of what is considered advice by forum participants is incorrect, incomplete, confusing or all of the above.

Don't get me wrong. Occasionally there are some gems but most of the responses are questionable at best.

There are Medicare experts out there but they are hard to find. Consider yourself fortunate if you do stumble across a good one.

Don't just assume that because someone is a volunteer or is paid a salary that they are unbiased and knowledgeable. Likewise don't avoid advice from an agent because they are paid a commission. How someone is paid is not an issue. The only thing that matters is the advice is sound and you are allowed to make a decision without pressure to "act now".

Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Make notes. Whether you choose to buy direct from a carrier, through Medicare direct, from a volunteer or an agent. Trust but verify.

Approach this as if you are interviewing someone for a job. That job is to be your advisor, not just now but ongoing.

Good luck.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

JohnL900627 — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 01:03:49 GMT

United Healthcare/AARP – Discount Program

Age 65 and Older Only:

Beneficiaries who are WITHIN 3 years of their 65th birthday (or within 3 years of their Medicare Part B start date, if later) will pay the Base Rate reduced by the *Early Enrollment Discount.

*The Early Enrollment Discount - The discount will be 30% at age 65, 27% at age 66, reducing by 3% after each 12 month period until the discount decreases to 0% when they will pay the Base Rate thereafter (e.g. 67-24%, 68-21%, 69-18%, 70-15%,

71-12%, 72-9%, 73-6%, 74-3%, 75-0%).

Rates for members who enroll MORE than 3 years AFTER their 65th birthday (or more than 3 years after their Medicare Part B start date, if later) will be based on their responses to underwriting questions.

1) Applicants who DO NOT have a serious health condition will receive the *Early Enrollment Discount as long as they enroll WITHIN 6 years after their 65th birthday (or within 6 years of their Medicare Part B start date, if later.)

2) Applicants who DO NOT have a serious health condition and enroll MORE than 6 years after their 65th birthday (or more than 6 years after their Medicare Part B start date, if later) will pay the Tier 1 rates, (which are 10% higher than the Base Rates.)

3) Applicants who are enrolling MORE than 3 years after their 65th birthday (or more than 3 years after their Medicare Part B start date, if later) whose responses indicate they HAVE a serious health condition will pay Tier 2 rates, (which are 50% higher than the Base Rates.)

Guaranteed Issue Situations - In Guaranteed Issue Situations: 1) companies cannot turn you down for Medigap Plans A, B, C, F, K or L because of poor health, and 2) must cover all of your pre-existing conditions, and 3) can’t charge you more for the policy because of past or present health problems. (See Medicare Publication No. 02110, Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare for a listing of the Guaranteed Issue Situations).

Contact Company Directly For “YOUR” Premium Amount

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

JohnL900627 — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 15:43:22 GMT

I live in Missouri and it is Not a community rated state?

The respected resource link below may clear up some of the confusion on MediGap Plans:

www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medigap-enrollment-and-consumer-protections-vary-across-states/

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

JohnL900627 — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 17:16:05 GMT

Unlike most Medigap insurers, who set premiums based on your current age (attained-age rating) or your age when you first buy the policy (issue-age), AARP/UnitedHealthcare uses community rating in most states except very few like Florida.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

GailL1 — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 18:24:28 GMT

@JohnL900627 wrote:
I live in Missouri and it is Not a community rated state?

The respected resource link below may clear up some of the confusion on MediGap Plans:

www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medigap-enrollment-and-consumer-protections-vary-across-states/

The AARP/United Heathcare Medigap plans are issued as GROUP coverage in most every state - that the reason why they are (most) all community rated.

In your state of Missouri - UHC issues NO individual Medigap plans - they all have to be the AARP/UHC brand and thus membership in AARP is required to participate in this group.

Ths is the Mo. Guide dated 09/2018.

https://insurance.mo.gov/seniors/documents/MedigapRateGuide_000.pdf

The KFF link which you provided also states this when talking about the rating methods:

The remaining 38 states and the District of Columbia do not require premiums to be community rated; therefore, Medigap premiums in these states may be subject to issue-age and attained-age rating systems, depending on state regulation. Medigap insurers are permitted to offer community rated policies in these states, but most do not.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

JohnL900627 — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 18:27:47 GMT

Great clarification, Thanks. I might add for other readers that joining AARP is not at all expensive and has many other benefits.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

JohnL900627 — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 19:46:18 GMT

For readers: Here is an interesting market share breakdown of the top medicare supplement insurance providers:

UnitedHealth Care — 34%
Mutual of Omaha — 10%
HSCS — 5%
Anthem — 5%
Aetna — 4%
CNO Financial — 3%
Cigna — 2%
Humana Group — 2%
BCBS of MA — 2%
BCBS of MI Group — 1%
Others — 32% (Comprises 4.06 million enrollees)

In my experience, which dates some 25 years from managing my parents as well as my own affairs, AARP/UHC has somewhat more expensive premiums, but they prevail in popularity because they pay right up to the end without all the arm wrestling and hoops that many of the other providers present with claims.

Bottom line: Don't just assume that all plan G plans for example are the same just because it looks that way on paper. Look at the satisfaction and complaint rankings that most states tabulate for providers within their states.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

GailL1 — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 20:07:27 GMT

@JohnL900627 wrote:
For readers: Here is an interesting market share breakdown of the top medicare supplement insurance providers:

UnitedHealth Care — 34%
Mutual of Omaha — 10%
HSCS — 5%
Anthem — 5%
Aetna — 4%
CNO Financial — 3%
Cigna — 2%
Humana Group — 2%
BCBS of MA — 2%
BCBS of MI Group — 1%
Others — 32% (Comprises 4.06 million enrollees)
In my experience, which dates some 25 years from managing my parents as well as my own affairs, AARP/UHC has somewhat more expensive premiums, but they prevail in popularity because they pay right up to the end without all the arm wrestling and hoops that many of the other providers present with claims.

Bottom line: Don't just assume that all plan G plans for example are the same just because it looks that way on paper. Look at the satisfaction and complaint rankings that most states tabulate for providers within their states.

Where did you get your data and how resent is it?

Your above statement is confusing - what a specific Medigap plan is suppose to pay is set in stone - there isn't a lot of leeway with the design - IF Medicare pays, they are suppose to pick up their part.

That is a far cry from the actual caliber of an insurance company - as we can see from all the different ones working in any field of insurance.

I find it hard to research on a mobile device, which I am on now, but I am pretty sure that CMS only gives Medigap plan insurers a specific amount of time to pay once Medicare pays and forwards the remaining claim to them.

Yes, everybody that is considering any sort of an Insurace product should make sure that the insurer is and stays on solid financial ground and works as agreed.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

MichaelO968701 — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 13:12:16 GMT

If you are looking to change the Medicare plan to cover the medical expenses for your health problem then The Health exchange Agency is the best option. I heard about it, the company guides you with the whole process of changing or taking the other health insurance plan. There are different health insurance plans available like Mutual of Omaha health insurance, Medigap plan G, Mutual of Omaha medicare and more. Take which one suits your reqirement.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

jo7269379 — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 20:16:54 GMT

Over a year ago, I spoke with a UHC rep who said that if someone had plan F and wanted to enroll in plan G, they'd be subjected to medical underwriting. He also said that if UHC found this then necessitated a higher premium for the plan G (higher tier?), then that person would also then have a higher premium for their plan F should they decline the plan G.

That doesn't make sense to me and I checked with our state insurance commission which seemed to agree with me.

Recently I spoke with a BCBS rep and asked a similar question and was told a different answer. That person said that the beneficiary could decline the Plan G rate and continue with their Plan F (i.e. no increase in premium due to underwriting issues).

Anybody have any good info on this one?

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

somarco — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 21:39:14 GMT

@jo7269379 UHC is changing their plan change / no underwriting rules on a state by state basis. What they do in GA may or may not be the same in OR.

The ability to change UHC plans without underwriting appears to be phasing out.

I would think that "peeking at your health records via an application" and deciding to change your rate on your EXISTING plan would not be allowed. I have never heard of a carrier doing that. If you qualify for a new plan then change. If you don't keep what you have.

Most (if not all) states prohibit an insurance carrier for singling you out for a rate increase based on your claim or health history.

Each carrier has their own guidelines. What UHC does is not the same as Aetna, Blue or any other carrier.

UHC doesn't tell Blue what they are doing and vice versa.

Nor does Macy's tell Gimble's their trade secrets.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

jo7269379 — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 18:18:47 GMT

Just spoke with rep at UHC who said that changing from F to G necessitates a new application and therefore medical underwriting. Changing from F to N does not require a new application. Once you complete application, this triggers the underwriting and after they approve and provide new rate, you can decline if you want to. Medical underwriting does trigger a request for medical records from your Dr. though.

Re: Changing AARP / UHC Supplemental (Medigap) Plans with No Underwriting

bd77157315 — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 17:12:30 GMT

We just got off the phone with United Healthcare and was told the same thing. Why medical underwriting is required does not seem to make sense. We were told that we have 30 days to reject the plan G and cancel it and keep Plan F.

very confusing since the only difference between the two plans is payment of the Part B Deductible.