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.  

[SteveD198726]

 I just got hit with a 22% increase in my Medigap premium from AARP. This is a lot more than the annual 3% discount reduction. The letter says it's due to increasing costs of healthcare, but I suspect it's because UHC stock is in the crapper! My state allows switching plans for 60 days starting in birth month, but I'm worried that another company might not provide good service. Other than rate increases, I haven't had any problem with UHC/AARP coverage as long as Medicare approves a claim. Any suggestions, anyone??

[JanetP305758]

What I've learned since the CEO was shot in New York is that UnitedHealthcare has TWICE THE AMOUNT OF DENIED CLAIMS. This company is valued at $560 Billion, expected to bring in $280 billion in revenue this year. That's denied claims folks! There's a lawsuit right now pertaining to an algorithm that makes errors 90% of the time because it knows that only 0.2% of policy holders will appear the decision to deny their claims. I am leaving this company, not to say they're not all in the same disgusting basket. You know, that basket protected by the very politicians who are supposed to be working for us, not them. But when you line politicians pockets with money, this is the result. No oversight and billions to the greedy corporate entities while politicians get richer and we get oh so much poorer

[TRL1111]

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@JanetP305758 wrote:

What I've learned since the CEO was shot in New York is that UnitedHealthcare has TWICE THE AMOUNT OF DENIED CLAIMS.

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Who cares.  We're talking about supplements here, and UHC has no power to deny any claims. 

Now, if you don't want to deal with UHC on principle, that's fine.  But at least get the principle right.

[CBtoo]

That is true (supplements) however there may be people reading this thread who saw their advantage plans go up and agree with that the increases are problematic. Of course denials aren't a supplement issue but they are an advantage plan issue (and there is no way on earth I'd ever get one - networks for one, denials for another...). And some read threads and forget the actual topic details of the thread and post something related although it may not be totally on topic. This tread is pretty long and I can see people remembering increased premiums and forgetting supplements and so post about advantage plans. 

[JanetP305758]

The company, as a whole, is twice more likely to deny claims. They are not necessarily just advantage plan claims! 

Advantage plans as a whole, with all companies, have more claim denials, but denials are a huge part of their profit making schemes!

[CBtoo]

If we are looking at just what affects medicare with UHC (whose business goes well beyond medicare - eg they do employee insurance too, and goes beyond insurance - they own a huge percentage of physician practices, etc. too) then denials are an advantage plan thing, not a medigap thing (law says if medicare approves it medigap has to pay). And yes the entire advantage plan business model across insurance companies involves a huge number of denials. They get paid more from the federal government (out of the medicare fund so this is contributing to depleting is faster than it otherwise would be depleted) than regular medicare A and B get paid. This is because they were claiming they were going to do a wellness model which would cut down on health care costs. So far the research documents this hasn't happened. As most of the companies that run these are for profit they take a pretty large percentage of of what they get to pay their stockholders (as does all the companies) which means less for medical care. Then you add on the free this and free that and that adds to the costs. That leaves even less for actual medical care. 

The entire for profit health care industry in this country contributes to our costs being pretty much the highest in the world (even if you count what the governments in countries with universal health care spends) and a far lower life span than most developed nations. We have tons of citizens without health care, about half the bankruptcies in this country are due to health care costs...

If you have an advantage plan and end up using an out of network provider the out of pocket for advantage plans can run as high as $12,000-$14,000 in my state. Even the out of pocket for in network is, on average, about $5-9000 (yes some are lower but many are not). That is far more, if you actually have to use your health care to any great degree, than paying for, for example, G and only having a (2024) $240 out of pocket. Sure advantage plans are cheaper when you don't use them and are healthy, but when you are not, for many of them it will cost you far more. And then, of course, you will likely fail medical underwriting and can't get a supplement (both to save money and get treatment out of the advantage plan's network- places like MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Mayo accept very few advantage plans) so are trapped in an advantage plan. 

[DavidS457101]

I'm in New York. My AARP/UHC Plan N medigap policy increased nearly $40 for 2025. I'm considering switching to Transamerica and dropping AARP altogether. I don't feel supported by AARP. It seems like they're just profiting off the premiums at our expense.

[BenjaminM550041]

I understand your frustration with the premium hike. Consider contacting your state's Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for advice on switching plans without excessive underwriting hurdles.

[zooeyhall]

With AARP's huge membership, they should have some real clout with negotiating with the insurance companies they sponsor.  And get us a better price.

That is, unless AARP itself isn't "benefiting" from the the increased premiums that its members are forced to pay.

[DavidS457101]

Everyone should see the article by Robert Kuttner in the American Prospect: https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2024-12-11-how-aarp-shills-for-unitedhealthcare/

[GailL1]

@zooeyhall wrote: 

That is, unless AARP itself isn't "benefiting" from the the increased premiums that its members are forced to pay.

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They don’t benefit from premiums - premiums are based on the risk, usage and rating method as any other insurance product.  

AARP.org - Medicare Related Options 

(copy & paste from the above link )

AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP.

[DavidS457101]

See the article I cited: https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2024-12-11-how-aarp-shills-for-unitedhealthcare/

They DO benefit. At our expense.

[BenjaminM550041]

I'm truly sorry to hear about your frustrations with the price increases.

Your concerns are valid and it's disheartening to face such substantial hikes. I understand your decision to seek more affordable options and hope you find a suitable alternative soon. If there's anything I can do to assist you in this transition, please let me know.

[RDor]

My wife and I have been in the plan for 17 years.  Our combined rate just went up $75 per month, or 14%.  At our age, there's really nothing we can do and they know that.

[lguy]

3 increases in 12 months. May 2024 $20, August 2024 $20, May 2025 $12.

UNC paid $22 million in ransom to hackers and it looks like we are footing the bill, I will be looking for another plan

[tl68594730]

 I am in disbelief at a mid-year 12% AARP United Health Care supplemental plan monthly premium increase.  I understand that AARP does not control this premium increase.  Nevertheless, since United Healthcare is an AARP endorsed product and is the reason why I selected United Healthcare for my Medicare supplemental plan, it is imperative that AARP intervene on our behalf.  It is simply unacceptable for United Healthcare to significantly increase our premiums, and implement a significant billing change for couples in the middle of the year.  AARP I implore you to leverage our membership or terminate the United Healthcare contract and get us a new provider.

[GailL1]

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@tl68594730 wrote:

 I am in disbelief at a mid-year 12% AARP United Health Care supplemental plan monthly premium increase.  I understand that AARP does not control this premium increase.  Nevertheless, since United Healthcare is an AARP endorsed product and is the reason why I selected United Healthcare for my Medicare supplemental plan, it is imperative that AARP intervene on our behalf.  It is simply unacceptable for United Healthcare to significantly increase our premiums, and implement a significant billing change for couples in the middle of the year.  AARP I implore you to leverage our membership or terminate the United Healthcare contract and get us a new provider.

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I doubt if they can do that - last agreement they signed was in 2017 with each other last until 2025 and potentially thru 2030.

PressRelease 07/17/2017 - UnitedHealth Group, AARP Extend Relationship Focused on Improving Older Am... 

They have been together over 20 years according to the Press Release info.

I also believe they are the LARGEST writer of Medicare Supplemental plans.  I also think that their rates are only guaranteed for 6-months when 1st signing up.    Pass that, it is renewable as long as you pay your premiums and no false health declarations were given in the application - but they can raise premiums at any time - read your contract - explanation of benefits.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have any need of a Medicare supplemental plan - For many beneficiaries, all that would take is to establish a Medicare annual out of pocket limit.  Cause for many, that’s all they want is some financial protection for a catastrophic accident or illness.

The other day a friend of mine signed up for a Plan G - their cost was going to be $ 203 a month for the Plan G - they started doing some figuring and decided to go with the HIGH DEDUCTIBLE Plan G - 2024 deductible is $2800 but once that is met - it is the same Plan G - premium cost for this HIGH DEDUCTIBLE Plan G was $ 47 per month.

Guess which one they picked? Yep, the HIGH DEDUCTIBLE 

Personally, I would rather pay the  $ 47 X 12  = $ 564 in premiums and the     $2800 for care IF I actually needed it than to pay $ 203 X 12 = $ 2436 regardless of if I even used it.   

[LilitdelianeG173597]

if you live in NYC, your Plan G premium is $306 per MONTH!!! sob. I am brand new- and signed up 10/01/2024 (no deductible version of plan).

[GailL1]

@LilitdelianeG173597 

The reason why you pay such HIGH premiums for a Medigap plan (Medicare Supplemental plan) in New York is because NY has passed some very liberal rules of guaranteed issue for their beneficiaries and thus you all have to share in the risk of switching or picking up plans without underwriting at just about anytime.

There are only 4 states that do this - CT, MA, ME and NY.

A few others have passed laws where a beneficiary can switch plans of equal or lesser value at a certain time per year - but unlike NY and the other 3 states - you can just change plans, you can’t pick one up after one’s initial enrollment period without underwriting.

The rest of the states just go by the Federal rules on guaranteed issue.  

So be it a curse or a blessing - that’s the way NY wants to do it.

[LilitdelianeG173597]

!   !! I just wanted to say Thank you, Gail! for responding-- I don't think I've ever been responded to online- in any kind of chat/on any subject-- (-:

I an not sure I understand your response yet (all the legalese is still a bit of a maze---) but I am going to read it again- until I do.

maybe this AARP website is at least good for a community comment section where people can actually learn!   !!

on another note, based on Plan D comments, above.. I signed up for the $0 Plan (because I found out, at least for now, that my 2 medications are generic/pennies..) and.. ha: 1) the $0 plan is really ~$3.80 for 2024 and.. 2) will be going up to ~$38 per month in 2025!     !!

but yes.. I then realized that, if Biden's success at capping insulin-- and other meds-- to $2,000/year? the only way that can happen is if the cost of this is spread out amont many, many, many more..

I am one of those who would gladly (gulp---) pay more taxes if it meant EVERYONE had health care (including the unemployed).. but that's still an impossible dream.

thanks again!

[DavidS457101]

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

[RitaC373420]

I completely agree!  In response to my post, I heard from AARP who referred me to United Healthcare. A cordial representative called. She sympathized with my concerns but said that the increases are due to rising healthcare costs and inflation. These increases are, however, way too high.

[JanetP305758]

THEY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ARBITRARILY CHANGE THEIR FISCAL YEAR, GIVING THEM POWER TO INCREASE PREMIUMS. PERIOD. THIS IS A SCAM AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GET INVOLVED. MAYBE THESE DAMNED POLITICIANS CAN DO SOMETHING BESIDES FIGHTING WITH ONE ANOTHER. SO SICK OF ALL OF THEM. THIS IS THE TYPE OF THINGS AMERICANS CARE ABOUT. BUT, POCKETS ARE LINED AND MOUTHS ARE SHUT

[JFStorey]

The entire healthcare system in the United States is a scam! 

[EvaT111535]

The US health care system - while I would not call it "A Scam"-  is almost impossible to navigate. I hope, that our new politicians are going to do something about it, but I am not holding my breath. 

[GailL1]

@EvaT111535 

What do you mean by “ is almost impossible to navigate” ?

[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