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.  

[JamesH549418]

To ALL on this thread.

As mentioned before the premium increases are not the fault of AARP or United H.C. 

They are a DIRECT RESULT in the Cares Act and our current administrations lowering prescription prices to those whose health problems require very expensive prescription drugs. Just like the increases from Obama care.

They get cheaper drugs and the rest of us get the increased premiums to pay for those reductions. A step closer to socialized medicine. Next up wait lists for drugs and procedures.

Wake up peeps. The only way to fix this is how you vote.

https://whnt.com/news/alabama-news/major-reductions-in-prescription-drug-prices-for-some-with-medica...

[BrandyP758294]

You are so wrong they are corrupted at the top! They have lawsuits, because they have been negligent and now, they are paying for it.! Or should I say we are paying for it! They have been greedy and not allowing full coverage for the ones that need it and now the lawsuits are coming in and they’re trying to cover their Hiney! I will be shopping around. I thought AARP had our back, but evidently they are paid off like the rest of them.

[DavidS457101]

Oh yeah? See: https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2024-12-11-how-aarp-shills-for-unitedhealthcare/

[JanetP305758]

first of all, this was not plan D. Secondly, if you think for one minute that this isn’t another example of corporate greed and insurance companies and drug companies in cahoots, you’re more politically brainwashed then you think you are! What’s the solution? No healthcare plan at all? You had to get political here! Nuts! This company changed our healthcare premium in the middle of a plan year! It’s the rip off insurance company! If political, it’s all politicians, all of them are bought. Stop with your nonsense 

[jphorenci]

Oh please. Your response is nonsense. I replaced United Healthcare/AARP RX coverage with a competitor's offer and got significantly better coverage for 1/4 the monthly premium. Yes I said 1/4 the United Healthcare premium. Plus, deductibles and copays are also 90% lower than they were with United Healthcare. One reason is the tier classification of our drugs are now much more favorable than UH. Your excuse is a joke. Maybe you should check the marketplace like I did to see for yourself. Just considering the RX plan, my wife and I are now saving well over $1,500 a year on identical medications.

[BrandyP758294]

I don’t have insurance through AARP for prescription drugs. And mine went up 22% in the middle of the year! I have a separate policy that Medicare suggested with zero premiums. I hope you can find one that is better than United health care insurance.

[CBtoo]

Which plan is best depends on the drugs you are taking. And, of course, you have little clue what might be added midyear that isn't on the formulary or is in the top tier so very expensive. If it is not on the formulary the $2000 max out of pocket does not apply.

[GailL1]

@jphorenci 

If that is a Part D plan just make sure that you pay attention to an 2025 ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) that you are notified about cause a lot is changing in the Prescription Drug coverage for 2025.  

You should be getting this ANOC real soon (during September) cause the new plans for 2025 Medicare Advantage and free-standing Part D plans should be out around 10/01/2024. 

Check the premiums, the formulary, any pre qualification  and the tiers just to make sure it is still the best plan for your needs.

If we are getting MORE per legislation effective for 2025, then somewhere we will pay more.  

[JamesH549418]

Unfortunately with more Govt involvement it is political and insurance companies are going to react ahead of the resulting impact.

For those benefiting, your welcome!

Having worked since I was 16 this isn't what I envisioned for retirement.

It didn't use to be this way and my idea of retirement isn't switching insurance companies every 2 years for a temporary discount.

Best of luck to you all!

[GailL1]

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@JamesH549418 wrote:

. . . . Having worked since I was 16 this isn't what I envisioned for retirement.

It didn't use to be this way and my idea of retirement isn't switching insurance companies every 2 years for a temporary discount.

Best of luck to you all!

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Actually, it has always been the case for Medicare Advantage plans and Prescription Drug plans because they can change every year and beneficiary’s need to make sure that the plan they pick meets their health needs in the best possible way.

This year isn’t different in that regards - It’s Insurance - Get More; Pay More even if you personally don’t get any good from the new benefits.

What’s different about plans for 2025 is that many of the many changes are being made by the government to the actual Part D program not just plan changes so those that have Part D plans have to also adjust for this in the selection.  

[dk7928592]

II'm also angry about the premium hikes for United Healthcare's supplement plan -- not just the amount, but the new way my wife and I are being billed. We signed up for Plan N nearly 10 years ago. We've always received a single monthly bill. This month that changed. We now have two bills. Another difference is that the payment goes to AARP and not United Healthcare. The only reason for these changes is that they obscure the huge 10.5 percent increase in the combined premiums. I'm very disappointed in AARP. This organization was founded to lobby for the nation's elderly. It looks like AARP now is just an adjunct of the health insurance industry. 

[GailL1]

@dk7928592 wrote -

“We've always received a single monthly bill. This month that changed. We now have two bills. Another difference is that the payment goes to AARP and not United Healthcare.”

WHAT ????

Think you better check those bills again.  Or come back here and give some more details.

Came back to edit and add:

See if this thread relates to your issue -it is from 2023 but it does talk about the AARP-UHC discount for family members

https://community.aarp.org/t5/Benefits-Discounts/AARP-UNITED-HEALTHCARE-MEDICARE-SUPPLEMENT/td-p/248... 

[BonnieR253797]

Mine increased by 32% - a THIRD! - and I am only going into year 2 of coverage  I too am totally appalled by this.  I tried calling UHC yesterday and today, waiting a half hour each time with no response, and am now on hold with the agent who sold me the coverage, oh another 23 minutes - she can’t get through either. Wow!  And here I was so pleased last year making my Medicare elections and buying a G supplement through the AARP plan. I thought I was so smart…..

[AmeliaS341499]

My has increased 20.00 per month instead the normal 4 or 5 dollars.  Has anyone else had this happen starting June!

[JanetP305758]

we are all being screwed. If I sign up for an insurance policy, and it runs Jan to December, they should not be permitted to change the fiscal to June, allowing these increases. Where are the politicians on health care, prescription drugs and insurance? They’re bought, that’s where!! 

[dewitja]

I was told the AARP loyalty discount decreases by 3% on you anniversary date… so, at 12 months your price increases by 3% (I signed on in January, so I get a slight increase each January). Also, the premium is recalculated in June (at least in Michigan). So… a larger increase happens in June, and this premium cost stays the same for 12 months. This explains why there is an increase twice a year. My G plan is great coverage, but I was not happy that it went up approx 25% in my year 2. 

[kasyy]

mine has gone up$34 pe rmonth - from 172 to 206!!!

[JanetP305758]

is it even legal to change a negotiated and promised monthly premium in the middle of the annual policy? I have only been with AARP United Healthcare since January 1, 2024, and there is a premium iincrease?! This cannot be legal! 

[dewitja]

The premium increases once a year, in June.

[CBtoo]

My understanding is that they increase the rates for everyone June 1 and they increase the rates on the anniversary month of when you originally signed up for them. So that means two increases a year.

[cb54357578]

I'm glad to find this discussion and see that I'm not alone. I knew when I enrolled last December that I couldn't change, due to the underwriting requirement. I was shocked to see a mid-year hefty price increase for my UHC/AARP Medigap G plan. I expected to see an annual increase but not one when I've only been on board a few months.

[JanetP305758]

Could this be a class-action suit? Should the federal government get in on this thievery? It's so strict with when we can secure health insurance. We choose a plan based on premiums and coverages. Then, five months into the plan, they are allowed to increase premiums? Can you imagine the boat load of money they are taking in by changing the 'premium year' from fiscal Jan to December  to  June to July?! We need to stand up to this! Not fair and most likely not legal

[lg78164236]

I'd like to start a new comment on this topic.  I see you posted your comments today.  Can you help direct me to how to start a new conversation re this topic?  I'm not seeing a "click here to write your new post".

[maziemoo]

My husband and I also received notices of 2 increases that will go in effect in June and then in August of this year totaling over 17%. Last year which was our first full year on UHC it went up 4% which, with inflation, is understandable but this year’s increases hits hard. Called UHC to complain but got the standard response that it’s due to rising medical costs. Since AARP gets $$$$ for promoting UHC, can’t they lobby to maybe take in less to give their members more? Has anyone gotten any meaningful response from AARP or are we just pawns in this insurance game?

[lg78164236]

I think it's a dead end trying to call AARP or UHC about this.  Do you, or does anyone, have a resource for agencies to whom I can write a letter?  I don't know where to start.  

[maeella9]

Hi, maziemoo.  

I just cannot believe the latest premium increase in our AARP supplemental insurance!  I feel so badly for you and your husband.  I would think that AARP would at least provide a list of other insurers with their rates to choose from since they are supposed to be advocates for the elderly and retirees.  It's sickening!

[GailL1]

@maeella9 wrote:

I would think that AARP would at least provide a list of other insurers with their rates to choose from since they are supposed to be advocates for the elderly and retirees

===========================

That info is available on the Medicare.gov website 

Medicare.gov - Find a MediGAP policy that works for you

[GailL1]

@maziemoo 

Recently there have also been some rather expensive treatment that have bee added to Medicare Part B coverage.

Take a gander at this White Paper from 

RGA March 2024 - Changing Financial Risks for Medigap Insurance

Treatment and monitoring test for Alzheimer’s , new treatment for Sickle Cell and other diseases treated with gene and/or cell therapies.

Then there are cancer chemo therapies.

If these new therapies involve infusions then those are covered by Medicare Part B - the actual infusion + the infused meds. 

Those would also be covered under any Medigap plan if those beneficiaries have opted to get one - most states now allow for at least one Medigap plan to cover those UNDER age 65 on Medicare.

Some of those under age 65 pay upwards of $ 500 a month just for their Medigap plan.

From the link:  Many gene therapies are indicated for conditions for which persons under age 65 can enroll in Medicare through meeting its disability eligibility rules. These conditions include, but are not limited to, retinal dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, and sickle cell anemia. Thus, Medigap  will be subject to some financial risk from people both over and under age 65.

That White paper is very informative - 

Since these premium increases aren’t just affecting the AARP UHC Medigap policies, perhaps it would be better to lobby for Medicare to establish a total out of pocket for beneficiaries  -  they already did it for Medicare Part D  - come next year the total out of pocket for Part D - Medicare Prescription Drug coverage will be $ 2000.  

Wait til you see what is going to happen to those premiums if it is a free standing plan.

=

[JanetP305758]

Increases in healthcare costs SHOULD NOT be considered by current policyholders in the middle of a plan year. They should be considered for next renewal, and should be fully-disclosed in the updated premiums, at that time, and not before!

[GailL1]

@maziemoo 

This is the response that UHC gave to the State of Vermont for their AARP UHC Medigap plan premium increases in the state.

Your state may have also required them to submit a reason - other than the standardization of the various MediGAp plans by the feds - most everything else is regulated by the state.

AARP UHC Medigap Rate Justification Vermont - Nov. 2023