Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

Hi @jphorenci, 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.

The current Part D premium increases are not unique to the AARP-branded Medicare Rx Part D plans from UnitedHealthcare and are happening across the industry. UnitedHealthcare has informed us that their goal is to provide valuable, sustainable, and affordable plans for Medicare members. According to United, although premiums for most Medicare Part D plans change each year, it has worked hard to minimize those increases over the past few years. 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), or visit: medicare.gov/plan-compare/ to use the comparison tool. - Diana G.

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.

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 and How Enrollees Will Benefit

It’s also been in the regular MSN

CNBC 11/23/2023 - Retirees face significantly higher Medicare Part D prescription drug premiums in 2024. What to know

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

 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.

  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.  

Same here. I just today learned that my and my husband’s UHC Rx premiums increased by 92%—from $40.90 to $78.80 EACH, effective Jan 1 2024!  I do not at all remember being notified about this increase because it strikes me that a 92% increase of ANYTHING is certainly something I’d take note of.  Too, I was never notified that I had an outstanding balance until I received an e-mail to that effect just last week. This is beyond shameful—it feels criminal and I am appalled that AARP is stands behind this. 

Same here - I am looking into another company that may sell me a policy at issue age - so I don;t ever have to deal with this again - shame on AARP for allowing this and selling it to the seniors they are "protecting".  Looking at Physicians Mututal plan G if they will sell it to me.

This is my 2nd month with Plan G and then send me a notice that my increase in 4/25 will be 42.08%. I asked for a review and got a canned answer, asked for it to be upgraded to a supervisor and haven’t heard a word. Feel like it’s a big bait and switch. Will be shopping for sure. 

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.

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!