Medicare Advantage Plans

[DaphneG777551]

Is anyone else have a problem with United Healthcare reducing in-network providers? MUSC providers, hospitals, and urgent treatment centers are no longer in network, and they are now in negotiations with Trident Systems (main hospital system in our area) and may no longer have them in network after September.  Is there any chance that AARP can work with other Medicare Advantage providers?

[Themack]

Yes, my wife and I are with Duke Health and UHC may drop Duke October 31. UHC dropped one of my wife's providers in April. I don't understand how they can just drop a provider during a plan year. UHC used to be a good company, now they appear to be just another greedy company. Profit, profit, stock price. AARP should think long and hard about their association with UHC.

[AARPConsumerCare]

@Themack   I'm sorry you're disappointed with UnitedHealthcare. We would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. Thanks!  Jodee R. 

[GailL1]

Medicare Advantage plans have always been able to update their in-network provider list - Remember, it is a two-way street - provider and the insurer - if the provider wants out for whatever reason, they don’t have to stay if their contract is up with the insurer - and these contracts have many differ dates of  origin and endings.  

Open Enrollment for Medicare Advantage plans and free-standing Part D Prescription Drug Plans is going to be coming up in the next few months for 2025 plans so you can pick a new one that hopefully will meet your health needs better.

• October 15, 2024 First day of Medicare open enrollment.
• December 7, 2024 Last day of Medicare open enrollment.
• January 1, 2025 New Medicare coverage begins.

There are lots of changes coming for these 2025 plans so just review them carefully for the benefits that meet your best needs.

[Themack]

Yes it's a two way street for the insurance companies and the healthcare providers, they get change during our plan year,  but it's a one way street for the consumer- January to January. No off ramp.  Is there a place to go to see when a healthcare provider's contract is up for renewal? As in the case of my wife, she chose a provider in January and the provider's contract terminated at the end of March. She was left high and dry. The way she found out about the contract termination was when she received the EOB and saw she was now being charged out of network. By the time she received the first EOB and inquired about the provider no longer being in network, she had seen the provider again on two more additional visits. Now she has three out of network bills and has to find a new provider. Had she known the healthcare provider's contract would be up for renewal in 3 months, she would not have chosen that provider. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

@Themack  Again, we are sorry you're having trouble with UHC and want to help! Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. Thanks!  Jodee R. 

[GailL1]

@Themack

Medicare.gov - UnderstandingYour Medicare Advantage Plan’s  Provider Network 

AARP 01/09/2024 - Can I change Medicare Advantage plans at any time?

[DaphneG777551]

I understand that, of course. However, AARP only has UnitedHealth and I was hoping that they could work with other insurers so that we have other options via AARP than that one. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

@DaphneG777551  I'm sorry you're having trouble with UnitedHealthcare! At this time, they are the only Medicare provider partner with AARP. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. Take care!  Jodee R.