United Health Raising Rates Mid Year

[LorraineC792260]

How is United Healthcare allowed to raise their rates mid year?  People budget on the number they're given when deciding on plans.  They should not be allowed to raise mid year. How does AARP allow that to go through and not negotiate for it's members?  

[DanielG635143]

Egregious Rate Hikes announced by AARP-UnitedHealthcare 2025 Premiums for Supplemental Plans

I subscribe to Plan F and have received two notices of monthly rate increases:

(1) For the eleven months prior to April/2025, my monthly premium was $252.36.

      As from April/2025, my premium rose to $298.12, and INCREASE of 18.13%.

(2) I was then advised by UHC of a second rate increase, effective June 1st, 2025.

      My premium is to go up again, to $330.93, an increase of 11% more.

Effectively, my 2025 premium has increased by 31.13% over 2024 rates.

This is both egregious and outrageous.

-- How can AARP stand-by and offer NO push-back to UHC for these unsustainable increases?

-- Where is the voice of AARP, rallying members?

-- Why is AARP not seeking partnerships with other heathcare insurance providers of Medicare Supplemental Plans? 

-- Why is AARP sticking with UHC and these out-of-control rate increases?

-- Shouldn't AARP Leadership be speaking out on this, on our behalf?

[kevinmcmurry]

My Plan G is up 20%!  Where is AARP when they need to represent ALL members in such ridiculous rate hikes!!  

[GailL1]

@kevinmcmurry 

What do you expect AARP to do?  They do not have the clout to determine the rates of a Medigap plan - rates are based on the usage utilization of the plan, the medical loss ration (claims:premiums paid), medical inflation by area, and the rating method of the plan itself.

AARP merely sells their copyrighted name to them as a royalty payment.

Maybe you can take on more of the risk and switch plans to a High Deductible Plan G or switch to another carrier all together if you can in your area.  Or just keep paying higher and higher premiums until you can’t anymore and then go on a MA plan.

I really do not know what you think AARP can do about your Medigap premiums.  Members who have one can lower it themselves - but that would involve no using the Plan to hold down utilization cost.  

The AARP/UHC Supplemental Disclosure says it all:

DISCLOSURES

AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.

AARP® MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT FROM UNITEDHEALTHCARE® 

[MarkH983192]

Makes me wonder how much AARP actually advocates for members. I have UHC supplement insurance and there are always two rate increases a year. In June they have their adjusting rate each year which my rate went up 14%. So, I had a rate increase on January 1 and my total rate increase for 2025 is over 30%. I have yet to see anything from AARP that shows they are trying to help with increased insurance costs. They are more focused on other issues which in my mind are a much lower priority than health insurance costs.

[GailL1]

@MarkH983192 

I am curious as to what you think AARP can do to stop or slow premium increases since these are based on things outside of their control like USAGE, medical inflation, your specific state laws and how these affect premiums or in the case of AARP UHC Medigap the declining discount.

The question to AARP in this matter is even broader - WHAT CAN AARP DO ABOUT USAGE and MEDICAL INFLATION for the Medicare beneficiary group as a whole?  

As Medicare expands it’s coverage of mammoth diseases like Alzheimer’, as Traditional Medicare fails to rein in excessive medical use like where a service is rendered or fails to enforce or adopt any managed care philosophies, then we are all gonna be paying more for anything connected to Medicare - Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D and Medigap - depending upon one’s choices.  

I spoke to the son of a 85 year old yesterday - Nebraska - he was trying to find out what his mom could do about her medigap premiums - Plan F - which is NOT an AARP UHC plan - her current premiums are a few dollars shy of $ 700 a month.  

Everything is working against her -

• she is in an ATTAINED AGE rated policy,
• the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under their authority has CLOSED BOOK on Plan F so it is no longer sold to new beneficiaries thus those in her group are getting older and older, perhaps sicker and sicker.
• and he is doubtful that his Mom can pass underwriting.  

BUT she may have to try because at her current rate of which will continue to go up, AARP UHC maybe a good option for her since it is usually community rated which may bring down her premiums IF she can pass underwriting, even allowing for perhaps some underwriting up-cost.

On the other hand, to whatever plan she can switch to, if at all possible, to reduce her premiums, she will bring her age and her health condition to the new policy - and then those in this new policy will have to allow for her, perhaps raising their premiums since her useage might be great.  

She may be able to go to a High Deductible Plan F - with a 2025 deductible of $ 2870 - under some insurer that offers if.  The jury is still out but her son is trying to find out all her options from the Nebraska SHIP and local independent Medigap insurance brokers.

I really would like to know how those here with a AARP/UHC Medigap policy that is increasing in premiums thinks AARP can control their premiums?  Maybe put out a bulletin - “DO NOT USE MEDICARE so that you do NOT use your AARP/UHC medigap - to save premium cost.  That will go over like a lead ballon.  

[LorraineC792260]

i thought AARP advocates for it's members but what I'm reading is that they focus on strengthening medicare.  I would think they could somehow negotiate and come to an agreement where the rates are not increased in the middle of the year or to not increase them so much.  I don't know what the answer is, but it just seems wront that UHC can raise their rates twice a year. 

[TRL1111]

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@LorraineC792260 wrote:

I would think they could somehow negotiate and come to an agreement where the rates are not increased in the middle of the year or to not increase them so much.  I don't know what the answer is, but it just seems wront that UHC can raise their rates twice a year. 

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Why does it matter if they increase the rates in the middle of the year?  In the letter I got the other day, it listed my monthly premium, month by month, for the next year.  That's what people can use for their budget.

Also, UHC isn't actually increasing their premium twice a year.  They're doing it once a year, like every other supplement.  At another time of the year they're reducing the discount plan holders have based on their age--a reduction that everybody with that plan agreed to when they signed up.

Speaking of, does anybody know where I can find the age-related discount chart for a plan I already have?  I don't see it anywhere in my section of the UHC website.  I used the link to send an email asking for it, and of course heard nothing back.

[GailL1]

@TRL1111 wrote

Speaking of, does anybody know where I can find the age-related discount chart for a plan I already have?  I don't see it anywhere in my section of the UHC website.  I used the link to send an email asking for it, and of course heard nothing back.

—————————-

See page 19 of this AARP -UHC Medicare Supplemental Prospectus.

Is this what you are talking about?

Depending on when your policy was written the discount is different - This one has 2024 dates throughout it - for Texas

AARP UHC Medicare Supplemental Plan Prospectus  

[GailL1]

@LorraineC792260 

AI says . . . . 

Medigap insurers often raise premium rates around your policy anniversary or birthday month and some do it once a year. This is because they need to adjust rates to cover rising healthcare costs, including inflation and changes in Medicare's cost structure. 

Inflation and the general increase in healthcare costs necessitate annual adjustments to Medigap premiums to ensure insurers can cover claims and operating expenses. They also have to have a reserve.

Insurers can request permission from state insurance commissioners to raise premiums, known as a "Rate Action," if their claims costs exceed the premiums collected.

For those who have an AARP UHC Medigap which has a decreasing deductible, this is another increase that they will place on your premium when your policy anniversary rolls around.  

AARP is not an insurer, AARP does not give UHC any funds to cover the cost of a members Medicare cost which a beneficiary may run up - They have NO say in the Medicare cost that UHC covers.  

There are Medigap plans that are premium cheaper than others. 

KFF.org - 10/18/2024 - Key Facts About Medigap Enrollment and Premiums for Medicare Beneficiaries 

[LorraineC792260]

Yes exactly.  I thought they were to advocate for us.  

[papawofboo]

Quit with the AARP stuff and get to an insurance broker that has all kinds of plans for you to pick from. Be sure to take your info with you, which doctors you use and a list of all your meds.

At that price I hope you never have any bills from your providers or have to pay anything at the register.

[LorraineC792260]

I already work with a broker, but there's nothing we can do right now.  Other than paying my deductible, I never get a bill from a doctor. 

[TRL1111]

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@LorraineC792260 wrote:

I already work with a broker, but there's nothing we can do right now.  

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If you are wanting to switch to an Advantage plan, then yes, you have to wait until the open enrollment period at the end of the year.  

But if you're wanting to switch from one supplement to another, what is your broker telling you about when you can do it, if not right now in the middle of the year?

[LorraineC792260]

We must wait until open enrollment.  I would never go on an Advantage plan.  My mother-in-law was on one and it was awful.  It may be less expensive now but as you age and may have more health concerns, that's when it becomes very difficult to deal with. 

[TRL1111]

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@LorraineC792260 wrote:

We must wait until open enrollment.  

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Are you talking about the Medicare open enrollment period at the end of the year?  If so, it has nothing to do with switching supplements.  The year-end open enrollment period allows people to (1) switch from Medicare to Advantage, or (2) switch from advantage to Medicare, or (3) switch from one Advantage plan to another.  (Or switch their Part D prescription drug plan, which has nothing to do with supplements.)  Switching supplements doesn't fall into any of these categories.

Supplements can be purchased at any time of the year.  There might be medical underwriting considerations in changing to a different supplement, but buying a supplement during the year-end Medicare open enrollment period is no different from buying it at any other time of the year.  Well, except brokers are a lot busier during that time, and they might try to get people to switch from Medicare to Advantage, because that's the only time people can do that.  But when it comes to supplements, there's no reason to wait until the year-end open enrollment period because it's no different from any other time of the year if someone is changing from one supplement to another.

If you're healthy and can pass medical underwriting, you can change supplements whenever you want.  If you can't, then depending on your state there might be periods around your birthday when you can change without being rejected due to medical underwriting ("guaranteed issue"), and maybe your birthday is at the end of the year and you need that guaranteed issue period to switch?  But that's generally not referred to as "open enrollment" and usually called something like "guaranteed issue period."

FWIW, many many people think they can't change their supplement except during the year-end open enrollment period, and they're wrong.  I've posted many times here correcting that incorrect belief.

But I would think/hope Medicare agents and brokers know that's not the case.  Then again, if someone goes to a broker looking to switch supplements right now, the broker can't sell them an Advantage plan.  Maybe brokers purposely put people off until a period during which they can steer them to an Advantage plan?  I would hope they wouldn't do that, but I guess you never know.

Anyway, ask your broker why you can't switch supplements right now.  If s/he just says you have to wait until open enrollment, press the issue.  Although maybe there's something about your personal situation I'm missing--like maybe you can't pass underwriting and your state has a birthday rule and your birthday happens to be in November, which happens to coincide with the year-end Medicare open enrollment period.  But certainly if you'll have no problem passing underwriting, you should definitely ask your agent why you can't switch right now.

[TRL1111]

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@papawofboo wrote:

Quit with the AARP stuff and get to an insurance broker that has all kinds of plans for you to pick from. Be sure to take your info with you, which doctors you use and a list of all your meds.

Before going to an insurance broker, consider going to Medicare.gov and entering your information in the Medigap supplement plan finder to see the premium of all supplements available to you, just to get a feel for the lay of the land.  Supplements, especially Plan F or Plan G, are not cheap.

Also, at this time of the year it's not possible to change from traditional Medicare with a supplement to an Advantage plan, so it doesn't matter who your doctors are since only Advantage plans have networks.  It's also not possible to change drug coverage right now, so there's no need to have a list of medications because not only can you not switch right now, you can't even plan because what is a good plan for a given set of medications right now will not necessarily be a good plan next year.

But you can find out from a broker if you can possibly switch supplements, especially if you will be required to undergo medical underwriting because brokers are familiar with the requirements of the various supplements he sells (and note that brokers sell only supplements from companies they're contracted with).

Caveat:  traditional Medicare doesn't have networks, but there is a category of supplements called "Select" that does have a network of hospitals; before choosing a Select supplement, be very sure you know what it entails.

[LorraineC792260]

This is my point - raising prices midway through the year when we have no options.  UHC knows that we're stuck and can do nothing.  They should not be allowed to do this halfway through the year. 

[TRL1111]

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@LorraineC792260 wrote:

UHC knows that we're stuck and can do nothing.  

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UHC doesn't know that, because it's not true.

[GailL1]

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@papawofboo wrote:

Quit with the AARP stuff and get to an insurance broker that has all kinds of plans for you to pick from. Be sure to take your info with you, which doctors you use and a list of all your meds.

At that price I hope you never have any bills from your providers or have to pay anything at the register.

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With a Medigap Plan F - there is NO other out of pocket than the premiums as long as they use a provider that accepts Medicare assignment and the services is covered by Trad. Medicare.  With Plan F there isn’t even a deductible as with Plan G - $ 257 deductible for Part B in 2025 - 

Yep, other than premiums Plan F Medigap covers it all.  

[papawofboo]

I hope I am not understanding. You pay Medicare then you pay over $300 A MONTH for a supplement plan? 

[LorraineC792260]

Yes, when I started with UHC two years ago it was about  $150, and they keep raising it.  It will be about $280 now over and above medicare, but I have never received one bill from a doctor.  All I pay is my $200 deductible. 

[GailL1]

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@papawofboo wrote:

I hope I am not understanding. You pay Medicare then you pay over $300 A MONTH for a supplement plan? 

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Yep, some folks do depending on the Medigap plan, it’s extent of coverage, the state where they live and the specific cost of this extra coverage which depends on many things - in and outside of the beneficiary.  But Medigap coverage is a choice - because it really isn’t health coverage - it is financial protection insurance linked to Traditional Medicare in the event of a catastrophic medical event which Traditional Medicare covers.  It is also for those who don’t want to pay any or much for their healthcare cost out of pocket or don’t have the available money to pay it but can afford the premiums (or as long as they can).

Beneficiaries have several different ways of covering the 20% of the Medicare approved amount which Medicare does not pay - but many of these ways involve being eligible for other ways to pay for these out of pocket cost.  This is the way many of those who don’t have another way handle covering these beneficiary responsibility part of the cost.

If a beneficiary wants Traditional Medicare, they have to have some sort of a financial plan or way to cover these cost that Traditional Medicare does not pay.

Of course, there is many times a cheaper (less in premiums) Medigap plan available but each lesser in coverage Medigap plans, which are cheaper in premiums, involve the beneficiary paying more in their part of these healthcare cost -

Cheaper Medigap plan premiums = higher share of their risk (meaning their out of pocket cost).

Then in many states, when they have been on their Medigap plan for many years and the premiums have gone up over time. they find they are stuck with the more expensive plan because they cannot switch to a cheaper or la benefits lesser plans without being penalized with either underwriting and/or a pre-existing condition being excluded for a period of time.  Health conditions disqualify them from changing plans.

Then in the few states that do allow for changing plans at a specified time, they find that their premiums are still on the higher side because modifying the guaranteed issue time period adds more risk to the the plans.

Example - a person has had a very coverage expansive Medigap plan for years and years, like Plan F or now, G,  they have some health problems - but they live in a state that allows for a Medigap plan switch - so they switch Plans but they bring with them their health problems - to the new plan, which increases the risk for all the others in the new plan that they pick.

THUS the reason why many pick a Medicare Advantage (a managed care) plan over Traditional Medicare.  They have been in this type of coverage (managed care) for a long time while working and thus understand their part of the cost - deductible, copays, coinsurance - rules of coverage including prior approvals and step therapies (of which even Traditional Medicare could use if they desire) and are not adverse to paying some part of the cost.  

Several things are a given - and premiums will increase - probably at a steady and increased pace.

1.  Medical cost will continue to go up

2.  people in your plan choice with you will continue to get older and perhaps sicker and will use more and more care, just like you as a member if the plan

[GailL1]

@DanielG635143 

Most all Medigap insurers are raising their rates in 2025 because of the increase in their cost of coverage - the number and amount of claims - and then for some, added risk, when state law allows people to pick up or change plans without underwriting.

Most of them raise their rates in the summer but with a UHC Medigap you may actually get (2) raises if you have a declining premium discount plan which goes up, I believe, on your anniversary date with the plan.

AARP has no authority over UHC Medigap premium rates - like any other insurance, Medigap premiums are based on the coverage, the use, the rating method, and state law.  

You have an added problem with your Plan F - 

Your premium hikes for Plan F are probably gonna be somewhat higher since the plan is now closed to new younger and healthier beneficiaries that can balance out the older and perhaps sicker beneficiaries.  Otherwise, the rates are still based on the usage, medical inflation and the amount of risk the plan has based on state law.

Plan F was closed to new enrollees back in 2020 - 

Medicare.gov - Compare Medigap Plan Benefits  

from the link ~

Note: Plan C & Plan F aren’t available if you turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020, and to some people under age 65. You might be able to get these plans if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but not yet enrolled.

Now do you live in a state that has expanded their Medigap guaranteed issue period?  

See the Figure 2 color coded map at this link to identify which states have [any] of these added consumer protections,

KFF.org 10/18/2024 - Medigap May Be Elusive for Medicare Beneficiaries with Pre-Existing Conditions 

To find out any specifics, you can talk to the SHIP office in your state or you can contact an independent Medicare Broker in your area for your state specifics.

HINT: if your state has expanded this guaranteed issue period, that also adds to the insurers risk and usually these states will have higher premiums.

[SpringIsHereVA]

Daniel @DanielG635143 , it is still 2025, BUT I AM ALREADY DREADING 2026!!! How are we suppose to keep paying these "increases"?  😱  Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Daniel wrote on Friday 5/2/25: Egregious Rate Hikes announced by AARP-UnitedHealthcare 2025 Premiums for Supplemental Plans

I subscribe to Plan F and have received two notices of monthly rate increases:

(1) For the eleven months prior to April/2025, my monthly premium was $252.36.

      As from April/2025, my premium rose to $298.12, and INCREASE of 18.13%.

(2) I was then advised by UHC of a second rate increase, effective June 1st, 2025.

      My premium is to go up again, to $330.93, an increase of 11% more.

Effectively, my 2025 premium has increased by 31.13% over 2024 rates.

This is both egregious and outrageous.

-- How can AARP stand-by and offer NO push-back to UHC for these unsustainable increases?

-- Where is the voice of AARP, rallying members?

-- Why is AARP not seeking partnerships with other heathcare insurance providers of Medicare Supplemental Plans? 

-- Why is AARP sticking with UHC and these out-of-control rate increases?

-- Shouldn't AARP Leadership be speaking out on this, on our behalf? ***]

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[SpringIsHereVA]

Lorraine @LorraineC792260 , you are so right about our budgets. And add "fixed" income. Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Lorraine wrote on Friday 5/2/25: How is United Healthcare allowed to raise their rates mid year?  People budget on the number they're given when deciding on plans.  They should not be allowed to raise mid year. How does AARP allow that to go through and not negotiate for it's members?  ***]

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[TRL1111]

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@SpringIsHereVA wrote:

you are so right about our budgets. And add "fixed" income. 

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Fixed income isn't necessarily low income.  A retiree with a pension or an annuity that pays $200,000 a year has a fixed income--but it's not a low income.  A retiree whose retirement is funded by withdrawals from a 401k or IRA doesn't have a fixed income--and whether he's low income or high income would depend on the amount of the 401k or IRA he's withdrawing from.

[SpringIsHereVA]

@TRL1111 , my comment to Lorraine @LorraineC792260 had ZERO to do with the "label" of LOW INCOME. Our discussion was about increasing rates mid year./lol 🤣😂

➡️[*** YOU SAID: Fixed income isn't necessarily low income. A retiree with a pension or an annuity that pays $200,000 a year has a fixed income--but it's not a low income. A retiree whose retirement is funded by withdrawals from a 401k or IRA doesn't have a fixed income--and whether he's low income or high income would depend on the amount of the 401k or IRA he's withdrawing from.

[GailL1]

Most all Medigap insurers are raising their rates in 2025 because of the increase in their cost of coverage - the number and amount of claims - and then for some, added risk, when state law allows people to pick up or change plans without underwriting.

Most of them raise their rates in the summer but with a UHC Medigap you may actually get (2) raises if you have a declining premium discount plan which goes up, I believe, on your anniversary date with the plan.

AARP has no authority over UHC Medigap premium rates - like any other insurer ace company, the premiums are based on the coverage, the use, the rating method, and state law.  

Read your contract / EOB