United Healthcare

[pjdurham]

WHY, would AARP, an advocate for retired americans, put their name on united healthcare? AARP, you know how this insurance company is ripping off the very people you advocate for. PULL your endorsement until they show reasonableness, and go with another company.

[GailL1]

@pjdurham 

MILLIONS, yes, MILLIONS,  have some type of health coverage thru UHC - Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap coverage of one plan or another, employer group health plans, union health plans, Federal and State employee health care systems, ACA marketplace coverage, I think they are still in that marketplace.  They also participate in various states as a MEDICAID managed care provider.  

In fact, I believe they are the largest health care insurance provider in the country - so it goes without saying that some people don’t get what they think they are entitled to under whatever plan they have with UHC.  But MILLIONS do -

I do a lot of reading of consumer issues with their health insurance and I can tell you that many people do not understand their particular plan nor if there is a premium for it, how that premium is regulated and charged.  States have the majority of responsibility in this arena.

They do not understand various cost containment methods that are employed to validate the best possible care - care of the best value.  

IF you feel this way, just change to another insurer.

Got a particular problem?

[jo85336578]

Truer words were never spoken:" Most people don't even know what kind of Medicare insurance they have!" I must admit that while I have long known the difference between a M.A. plan and a Medigap plan, I had never "gotten down in the weeds" until my notice from AARP/UHC arrived, notifying me that my Plan G premium would rise 35% in 2027 (from $200 to $270)! In the last year wherever and whenever we traveled, I would often strike up a conversation starting with the usual "Hi, Where are you folks from?" But this year, I've often added "I'm not an insurance salesman, but would you mind telling me what kind of Medicare insurance you have?" (I really enjoy meeting new people!) I can document that most people really don't know. And they don't know the difference between MA and  Medigap plans. My wife is "mostly" patient with hearing my "survey" questions addressed to my newest best friends. I've observed that people are more relaxed and open at "vacation" kinds of places (the mountains or beaches) and this year we've been able to spend time at both, "from Manteo to Murphy." But the bottom line is "They just don't know." I love learning about consumer issues, having been a Boglehead, a Clark Howard and Bob Brinker listener, all for decades. Learning how to spend (and save) your earnings is even more important than earning it (IMO).  And I can add this Board as the fountain of information about Medicare insurance. Thanks! I hope we keep this board just as it is today for a long time. (Edited to say that we're sticking with our decision to find something better than our current AARP/UHC Plan G!  Effective January 1, 2027, we'll be with a HD-G plan, subject to medical underwriting.)

[pjdurham]

Its time. AARP members should DEMAND AARP do something about insurance plans they associate with, in regard to cost, or members should just drop out. As a "advocate" for retired folks, AARP is failing. When was the last time AARP posted facts about how they are pressuring insurance companies they are associated with to lower prices? I am curious, who else besides individuals gives to AARP ? United Health Care "donates" to AARP. So my fellow retirees...there you have it.

[SereneSeagull]

The only advocate for me, is me …is how I feel.  If I’ve got a problem within my government I contact my representatives.  If I’ve got a problem with the government, I vote accordingly.  I will not depend on a company like AARP and the like to be my advocate. 

[GailL1]

@pjdurham 

AARP has NO say in the premiums that UHC charges - why would you even think they could do this - Health insurance premiums are set by rating methods, usage, risk factors which might come from a state law, and medical inflation.  They MUST cover these cost - then they can charge about 20- 35% based on the type of insurance that it is for administration, overhead and profit - each health insurance type has a different type of Medical Loss Ratio.

Your state is the one in charge of approving Medigap premium rates - you might start there - they have much more influence than AARP who is by NO means an insurer. 

You can just pick another insurer - 

They just get royalties from UHC for their use of their Branded name - 

AARP®

[SereneSeagull]

Hi, @pjdurham , this comes up here almost on a weekly basis.  Take a look at the old posts while you can with the magnifying glass search tool to the immediate right side, to be able to search discussions about this.  Keyword being United Healthcare, before they disappear with the new discussion board launching, happening soon.