Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

[jphorenci]

I am absolutely appalled at the just announced price increases for United Healthcare coverage. The increase in RX (over 90%) announced during the last open enrollment was enough force me to make a change and now the supplemental health coverage increase (22%) is astounding. As their primary selling agent, you should anticipate my changing to another, more affordable carrier at my first opportunity and hopefully a boatload of others doing the same. Shameful, unjustified, heartless, and ridiculous. Shame on both you and United Healthcare.  

[MarieD844050]

My mother was enrolled in the UHC prescription plan paying $77 a month.  In the process of switching her coverage from one state to another (an increase of approximately 10%) I inadvertently enrolled her in an advantage plan.  I contacted Medicare and explained the error.  A very helpful  representative was able to switch her to traditional Medicare and retain UHC.  We discussed her prescription plan.  The rep was appalled my mother was paying a high premium ($77 per month).  We switched to Wellcare for $120 the first year she was enrolled, the second year it was free.  Same coverage as her UHC plan.  Now I'm with UHC since May 2024.  The increase effective June, 2024 was a total surprise as when I enrolled, the UHC rep never informed me of an increase beginning June 2024.  In addition the Wellcare plan is free.  I recently received an IRMMA letter increasing my Plan B premium by 28% and I am now responsible for $12.90 a month for Wellcare which isn't paid to the company, it's paid to Medicare.  My second month of retirement has produced an additional 35% decrease in my  monthly income, increases in medical coverage premiums.  Anyone ever get a 35% decrease is their monthly SSA income?  A very disappointing welcome to retirement!!!

[GailL1]

@MarieD844050 

IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount) Part B and Part D premium surcharges are accessed on beneficiaries that make a higher income - I have long paid them as well as many other beneficiaries.  If your IRMAA premium surcharges are based on excludable life event, you can ask for a reconsideration on form SSA-44- remember it is based on the tax return (2) years back or longer if that is the only one available.

https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/lower-irmaa 

Beneficiaries should review their Part D Medicare coverage EVERY year and make sure the plan they pick covers the specific meds they are taking because not every plan covers the exact same meds - the insurers are required to cover (2) meds in most all the various med classes and ALL of them in (5) classes -

So coverage of the med is 1st - then look at the cost of the meds, the premiums and whether or not there is a deductible.  Keep in mind, you don’t have to use the Med D plan if you can get the med cheaper in some other way - but you do need the med D plan to avoid late sign up penalties.

Medicare also rates insurers by star ratings.

If you are on Original Medicare with ore without a Medicare supplemental plan (MEDIGAP) then you have to look for a standalone Med D plan - most Medicare Advantage plans today combine the (2) coverages - Medicare Medical & Prescription Drug program (MAPD)

If a beneficiary has problem picking plans for themselves - they can contact a SHIP agent in their state or go thru an Independent Medicare Insurance Broker - an agent that writes for a lot of different Medicare insurance insurers - they can compare lots of different plans and explain the coverage options.  - A captive agent only writes for one Medicare Insurance company insurer - like UHC.

Please, Please, Please beneficiaries - just understand your options and pick the best one for your needs and pocketbook - and understanding Medicare - the whole program will be a benefit to you too.

[jwalker5]

Thank you for this information and reminder. 

[lhall12]

  It is a ridiculous increase. AND since they changed the timing of their increases to June instead of year end, like other plans, you can not compare prices for the new year. This has been underhanded and sneaky.  

[GailL1]

Medicare.gov - GET MEDIGAP COST

[GailL1]

@lhall12 

Bet if you read through your EOC (Explanation of Coverage) you might see that they might be able to raise premium twice a year, sometimes even more.

That isn’t regulated at the Federal level.  State, maybe.

Everbody needs to understand that MediGAP policies are gonna go up, Up and UP because of what they are based upon - Medical cost of a senior group.

• Goes up in rating method
• Goes up when Medicare coverage expands especially when the expansion involves very costly treatments, Part B meds, etc.
• Goes up when auxiliary benefits increase in cost
• Goes up with utilization of Medicare coverage
• Goes up when the beneficiary is exposed to a declining premium discount

[RitaC373420]

 I just retired and began Medicare coverage in September 2023.  A Medicare Benefits Consultant advised me to select AARP United Healthcare as my supplemental coverage.  My initial premium was reasonable; however, after less than eight months as a plan member, I received yesterday from AARP United Healthcare a letter about an increase to my Medicare Supplement Plan G. I am appalled at the huge increase. My premium increased more than 14%, an increase of 24.28 per month.  If I want to switch Medicare supplement providers, I would have to go through underwriting.  I certainly feel trapped by this situation and am unsure what to do next.   If AARP United Healthcare keeps increasing the cost each year at such a high rate, I will soon be priced out of getting supplemental health care coverage. I am appalled that AARP, an organization that I respect, would allow United Healthcare to get away with taking advantage of seniors who are on fixed incomes.

[p248613r]

5 years ago i went with aarp UHC because they were community based. Everything I read said thats a little higher cost monthly but because they don't  raise due to your age every year like all the other companys , in the long term they will be the most cost effective. So when I am 80 they are not charging me excessively because I am 80. With this last hike mine went from $136 to $ 153 a month for plan n and i am 70 . Thought of changing scares me because they are most likely age related or attained age. I know that I could not afford those rate increases of inflation and me getting older. .so I guess I suck it up and hope it doesn't get too crazy.

[kasyy]

you're lucky that's only as high as it went -0 my plan N ( I am 75) went from 172 to 226 !!!!!!!!!!!:

[GailL1]

@p248613r 

OR you might live in a state where any change to your MediGAP plan - can only be done if their is underwriting - 

Your state is the one that make the rules about changing MediGap policies so see what the rules are in your state - dept of insurance or whatever they call it in your state usually has detailed info.

Or if you give me your state - I will look it up.

[maeella9]

I am in total agreement with you, Rita.  This is beyond ridiculous.  It appears to me that caring for retired seniors is not a priority in the U.S. anymore.  In Pennsylvania where I live, I have been on a 7-year waiting list for affordable senior housing In Montgomery County.  I am forced to move in with my sister temporarily until my name comes up on the list because I simply cannot afford this place that I'm in right now where they nickel and dime you to death.  
They have no regard for seniors on fixed incomes.  My town was once full of factories and warehouses...they are now being gutted and replaced with luxury apartments! Why couldn't they add extra senior housing instead?  They are getting subsidies from the state and the feds.  Also, the post I made about AARP United Healthcare's premium increase for 2024 had me fuming.  We seniors have worked our butts off (I have worked since I was 16, I'm now soon to be 74) and no one, not even AARP will send a message to these Medicare supplement insurers that for AARP to attach their name to their insurances then they need to charge reasonable premiums for those of us with little to no savings and limited retirement resources.  This is a real slap in the face!

[GailL1]

@maeella9 

Speaking of the Housing which you commented upon  - 

Do you know how those Senior Independent Affordable Housing Complexes came about and why few are being built at a time when they are needed so badly?  

I posted a rather detailed piece about them in this Community’s HOUSING Board

https://community.aarp.org/t5/Housing/Senior-Housing-Market-Subsidized-Section-8/td-p/2546929 

The reason why they are in such low numbers in availability is:

1.  this program was found to be too expensive for the non-profits building and servicing them - especially in the areas where many seniors want to live because along with affordable comes accessible.

The price of land escalated as well as the price of construction and maintenance - so it is hard to find a good place for them without breaking everybody involve banks, so to speak.

2.  the income shift of seniors in these units has gone from subsidized to more Section 8 - as the income of seniors to their expenses has escalated - they are poorer and poorer.  But on the other hand, the upkeep of these places have escalated.  Those that paid market rent at one time are now at the subsidized level and those that were only subsidized are now Sect 8 along with the others already at this level.

3.  we are living longer - thus seniors stay in these places forever and a day.  With the wait list getting longer and longer.

Got a solution ?  

[RitaC373420]

Actually, I just discovered that the increase was 15.3%, far more than the rate of inflation.

[maeella9]

Outrageous!

[GailL1]

@RitaC373420 

GAP insurance premiums for Medicare is based on a lot of different things - MEDICAL inflation is but just one.  The coverage extensions to some relatively expensive treatments covered under Medicare could be another [like the new Alzheimer’s treatment coverage].  The expanded Part B coverage of insulin for pumps could be another.  When more benefits are added, the GAP coverage is there to pick up their part of the increase in coverage benefits.

Then there could also be a reduction of any premium discount which you might be under and of course, the rating method of your plan.  I believe that many UHC Medigap plans have such a declining discount.

Or if there is an added benefit in your policy outside of the standard federally mandated coverage, that part of the premium could also go up - like for gym participation or something else - cause these are outside of the plan coverage and are extra benefits.

I can’t tell you specifically why it went up - maybe your state can or the insurer.

However, here is a notice that UHC sent to the state of Vermont in November of 2023 discussing their increase premiums for 2024 MediGAP plans - 

https://www.uhc.com/content/dam/uhcdotcom/en/Legal/required-state-notices/2024-VT-Rate-Increase-Just... 

[AARPConsumerCare]

We're sorry to hear you’re having trouble with United Healthcare, @RitaC373420. 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. - Diana G.

[GailL1]

As a beneficiary of a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, the government has negotiated several really big cost saving changes that will go into effect in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and also a restriction of how much premiums can go up beginning in the following years.  So as a result of these changes, the insurers are doing some adjustments in their premiums for this year to get ready for this additional coverage they are going to have to bear come beginning in 2025.

Did you think that these things would just occur without cost?

KFF.ORG- 04/23/2023 - Changes to Medicare Part D in 2024 and 2025 Under the Inflation Reduction Act ...

It’s also been in the regular MSN

CNBC 11/23/2023 - Retirees face significantly higher Medicare Part D prescription drug premiums in 2...

Where your money is involved, pay attention to the government - you don’t get anything for FREE.

[LauraA422032]

I just received notice from UHC that my Medigap plan premium is increasing 4/1/2024. When I signed up for the plan during open enrollment, the premium was slightly higher than last years. How can they increase the premium 4 months later, when open enrollment has ended and I cannot change plans until next year? This is bait and switch. I informed AARP and I'm contacting the Govt next.

[lg78164236]

Laura, I totally agree with you.  I was shocked when I received a brand new account statement in the mail indicating my premium is increasing from $170.72 a month to $196.34... a $26.34 per month increase.  This blindsided me as well.  And we're stuck with the high rate until the next open enrollment.  At the same time, what other insurer is going to be any better?  I'm panicking.

[AARPConsumerCare]

We're sorry to hear you’re having trouble with UnitedHealthcare, @LauraA422032. 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. - Diana G.

[GailL1]

Medigap premium.increases are reviewed and approved by your state’s dept of insurance.  There is NOT an OPEN enrollment period for Medigap plans - there is only the initial enrollment period except in some states with a “birthday rule” or some sort of state rule that allows you to change plans based on some criteria.  

Open enrollment is only for Medicare Advantage plans or a Medicare Prescription Drug plan NOT a MediGAP plan.

Yes, Medigap plans can go up - they go up because of medical inflation plus based on whatever method they use to rate the MediGAP plan that you picked 

• community rated
• issue age rated
• attained age rated

They could do each of these separately - medical inflation 1st then a rated-based claim next.  Or actually for any other reason that passes your state’s approval system - 

After all, MediGAP policies aren’t health insurance - they are financial protection insurance to protect you from the “limitless” out of pocket cost in Original Medicare which the beneficiary has to bear.  

Some people handle this by getting a Medicare Advantage plan where the Medicare out of pocket cost are restricted under these managed care insurers.  Others get a MediGAP to pay this Medicare out of pocket and continue to pay higher and higher premium as they continue their original Medicare coverage.  Your MediGAP plan will continue to go up in premium cost - how much?  Who knows but the risk pool that you are in within your plan will get older and older and usually this may mean sicker and sicker.

MediGAP insurers are getting hit pretty hard in the last few years because now people are getting back to seeing their doctors regularly  which they stopped doing during the PHE (Public Health Emergency - i.e. Covid Pandemic).  

[LauraA422032]

According to CMS and the benefits company my old employer uses, as well as the UHC plan document, I cannot change plans after the open enrollment period.  There are a few exceptions, and being misled is one of them. My issue is more with how it was done: 8% increase during enrollment, then again a few months later. Had I known the second increase (15%) was coming, it would have better informed my decision on which policy to buy,

[GailL1]

@LauraA422032  wrote

According to CMS and the benefits company my old employer uses, as well as the UHC plan document . . . . 

++++++++++++++++++++++++

For clarity ~

By the above comment do you mean you have Retiree Coverage and that is where you are getting your UHC Medigap plan?

So it isn't an AARP-UHC branded policy?  What does your old employer have to do with it?   

If so, some other Medicare info may be pertinent.

Medicare.gov - Retiree insurance & Medicare

If this is a Retiree type Medigap policy - it is different.  

[LauraA422032]

No, I don't have retiree coverage. My old employer offers a service (a broker?) that helps with medicare coverage. There isn't a difference in cost but I do benefit from an HRA provided by my old employer. I have an AARP branded UHC plan.

[JamesH549418]

Wow! Add me to the list.

I just received my AARP UHC Plan N rate increase notice today. 11.7% increase mid year. My AARP UHC Rx more than doubled last fall after the aforementioned previous increase for Plan N. I too have a broker, ViaBenefits through the employer I retired from.

It seems like in the overall effort to reduce health care and prescription costs for some results in the majority paying more through premium increases.

It will be time to call the broker next open enrollment and shop around.

[AARPConsumerCare]

@JamesH549418, we are also concerned by price increases that in some cases would double the cost of people’s monthly premiums AARP knows that any increases, let alone ones on this scale, are difficult to manage – especially for people on fixed incomes. A major driver of these increases is the underlying  prices of prescription drugs charged by pharmaceutical companies. It is why AARP has fought so hard to bring down those prices, including by allowing Medicare to negotiate for better prices on behalf of consumers. Thanks to the law that passed last year, Medicare now has that ability with the first negotiated prices taking effect in 2026.

If you are interested in learning more about other available plans during open enrollment, please contact Medicare directly at: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can also use the comparison tool on the Medicare website: medicare.gov/plan-compare/ - Diana G.

[SummerIsTooHOT]

(3/18/24) @LauraA422032 , good for you!!! If enough people complain, MAYBE AARP will care.  🙄  Good Luck.  👵

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[*** LAURA @LauraA422032 wrote:

I just received notice from UHC that my Medigap plan premium is increasing 4/1/2024. When I signed up for the plan during open enrollment, the premium was slightly higher than last years. How can they increase the premium 4 months later, when open enrollment has ended and I cannot change plans until next year? This is bait and switch. I informed AARP and I'm contacting the Govt next. ***]

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[LauraA422032]

AARP called me this morning and is working it.

[maziemoo]

What was the result of aarp working on it?

[SummerIsTooHOT]

(3/19/24) That is AWESOME @LauraA422032 !!!  👵

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[*** LAURA @LauraA422032 wrote:

AARP called me this morning and is working it. ***]

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