UnitedHealthcare

• Customer Ratings
• Coverage Options
• Medicare and Medicaid
• Short-Term Health Plans
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Employer Offerings
• Helpful Tools
• Support for Healthy Living
• Customer Service

Customer Ratings

UnitedHealthcare ranks in the top ten health insurance companies. This high ranking shows that UnitedHealthcare is a reliable health insurer. While it could have a higher star rating, it's star rating is average for the industry.

Customer Review: Kimberly from Hurlock, Maryland

"United Health Care is definitely my choice for health care. All bills are quickly and competently dealt with. In addition, when I have called for more information or to check the status of a medical provider, United Health Care has always had excellent customer service. The representatives are intelligent, extremely polite and very anxious to help. Their attitudes are very positive and cheerful. They are one of the best companies in any area that I have ever had the pleasure to turn to."

UnitedHealthcare has received many positive reviews on BestCompany.com. These reviewers mention satisfaction with the claims process, provider network, and coverage.

Coverage Options

Customer Review: CoachTrista from Englewood, Colorado

"I love the plan options I have with UHC. They are the most complete and comprehensive health care our family has ever had. They have helpful programs that can assist with finding providers and plan benefits."

Some of the plans at UnitedHealthcare are open-access, and others are in-network only plans. In-network only plans cover patient care received from professionals UnitedHealthcare has contracted with. If your preferred provider is out-of-network, you'll pay the full cost yourself.

In addition, UnitedHealthcare offers Consumer-Directed Health Plans (CDHP) options that are compatible with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

As is typical for the industry, you'll need to work with UnitedHealthcare to learn more about options available in your area.

When considering a health plan it's important to look at the covered services, premium rates, and out-of-pocket expenses to make sure that you find an insurance policy that meets your needs.

Customer Review: Jordon Patton from Pflugerville, Texas

"UHC has been great for us through covering us when we had a baby and when my wife needed a new hearing device. Very widely accepted, so easy to find providers."

Common health insurance plan network structures include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). HMO plans only offer coverage for care received by network providers. PPO plans offer more flexibility because they offer coverage for out-of-network care.

Often, in-network service has lower out-of-pocket costs than out-of-network service. You can get the most value out of your health plan by visiting in-network doctors. This will help keep your medical bills lower.

Customer Review: Debbie Stringham from Garden City, Utah

"I'm grateful for their large director for healthcare providers. I appreciate getting a choice."

Because the cost of a health plan varies based on several factors, including the number of people insured and the kind of policy chosen, those interested in a UnitedHealthcare health policy should research plans on its website to understand more about how much you'll pay for medical services with different plans.

Medicare and Medicaid

UnitedHealthcare also offers Medicare and Medicaid plans for consumers seeking Medicare or Medicaid services. It also participates in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). UnitedHealthcare's Medicare plans include Advantage plans and prescription drug plans. Individuals seeking a Medicare supplement plan (Medigap) can also find one from UnitedHealthcare.

Original Medicare is not available through any private insurer because it is managed by the government. A Medicare Advantage plan covers the same medical services that Original Medicare does. Most Advantage plans also include qualifying prescription drug coverage, which means you don't need to buy additional coverage.

Plan offerings vary by state. Specific information regarding available plans, premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses can be found on the UnitedHealthcare's Medicare site.

Short-Term Health Plans

UnitedHealthcare offers short-term health insurance to people under age 65. These plans are great if you need temporary health coverage. They offer low premiums and primarily cover preventive care and emergency services. They also cover care related to any new illness that you develop while the plan is in effect. Most of UnitedHealthcare's short-term plans also cover prescriptions.

Keep in mind, however, that these plans do not cover pre-existing conditions.

Dental and Vision Insurance

The dental and vision coverage at UnitedHealthcare is also good. The company has websites dedicated to both dental and vision insurance. For dental coverage, there are employer-sponsored plans, individual, and family plans.

These are great resources for individuals buying insurance and employers seeking to offer good health benefits to employees.

As far as individual and family dental plans work, preventative care is generally covered fully without a deductible or waiting period. The cost-sharing for other kinds of dental work varies by plan. Dental benefits differ for every state, but even if the dentist you want to see is out of UnitedHealthcare's network, it still has some plan options for you.

Vision insurance typically includes 100 percent coverage for an eye exam, glasses, and frames, including an option to add a scratch-resistant surface to your lenses. Other benefits depend on the individual plan.

Supplemental Insurance

In addition to health care insurance, UnitedHealthcare offers disability, critical illness, accident, and life insurance.

A few other health insurers offer similar types of supplemental insurance, so these offerings make UnitedHealthcare competitive for those interested in buying supplemental insurance plans.

Employer Offerings

UnitedHealthcare offers group plans for small businesses, large businesses, and national accounts. However many employees you have, UnitedHealthcare offers plans to meet your needs.

UnitedHealthcare's offerings vary by state, so it's best to work with UnitedHealthcare directly to learn more about your options.

Helpful Tools

Most healthcare insurance carriers offer their policyholders member resources. United Healthcare's offers competitive and helpful tools. When you enroll in a UnitedHealthcare plan, you sign up for a personal account in the online portal, myUnitedHealthcare.com.

Through it, you have access to any of the following:

• Downloadable forms
• Tools to help you locate a network provider (primary care doctor, mental health professional, dentist, etc.)
• ID card resources
• Claims management (for filing a claim and checking its status)
• A list of the prescriptions you take
• An explanation of the benefits of your health plan
• A tool to estimate the costs of various types of medical care with your insurance plan before you receive treatment

Many of these features are also available through UnitedHealthcare's app.

The ability to estimate healthcare costs based on your plan and search costs by service, health condition, and doctor are advantageous. It allows you to understand costs, avoid surprises, and budget for out-of-pocket expenses like copays and coinsurance.

Through this tool, you can also view quality ratings for in-network providers. You can use this tool to find high quality and cost-effective care. This kind of tool and cost transparency is difficult to find in the healthcare industry, so its availability makes UnitedHealthcare stand out from other providers.

Members also benefit from an online glossary of medical terms, a Healthy Pregnancy app, and access to Virtual Visits (telemedicine).

Support for Healthy Living

Members also benefit from support programs that help them live healthy lives. Programs support behavioral health, disease management (e.g. heart disease and diabetes), addiction, weight loss, and fitness.

If you're eligible, you can also access UnitedHealthcare's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to get referrals for assistance with life situations.

Many health insurers offer support programs to their members, and UnitedHealthcare's support resources make it competitive.

Customer Service

Customer Review: Brent Bishop from Layton, Utah

"The customer service there has been very professional. The wait time has been good"

UnitedHealthcare is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group (UHG), which has decades of experience. Backed by this insurance company, UnitedHealthcare puts an emphasis on technology and innovation. It strongly encourages both individual and societal health.

For five years in a row, Fortune named UHG one of the World's Most Admired Companies in the insurance industry. In addition, the company won a Stevie Award in 2015 for its customer service model, called Advocate4Me. All of these facts about the company add to their overall positive customer culture.

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people. To contact UnitedHealthcare, people can use phone numbers and a tool to provide feedback to the company online.

UnitedHealthcare further demonstrates its dedication to helping its members live healthier lives and have better health outcomes with its Health4Me app. The Health4Me app contributes a lot to customer service as well.

Through its 24/7 nurse hotline, its tool to refill a prescription, and its capabilities to estimate costs and check medical records, UnitedHealthcare has removed many hassles associated with health insurance logistics. The app even allows members to let customer service know they want to be contacted-making it possible to avoid being put on hold on a phone call to customer service.

• Negative Reviews
• State-Specific Health Plans

Negative Reviews

Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare has a substantial number of negative reviews. Having negative reviews is common for the industry. Reviewers who left poor ratings mentioned difficulty with communication, coverage, and claims denials.

As you read negative reviews, pay attention to where reviewers are from. Consider your situation and medical needs with what reviewers share about theirs.

If you're in a similar situation or in the same area, you may want to weigh concerns more as you make a decision. Even if you are in the same area, remember that UnitedHealthcare may offer multiple plans in your area, so you may still be able to find one that meets your needs.

State-Specific Health Plans

One potential disadvantage here is that some health plans and their benefits are state-specific. UnitedHealthcare's website filters its offerings by state. It's easy to see what's available in your state when you look at health insurance options online.

You should make sure that you understand the fee schedule (premiums, copays, and coinsurance), out-of-pocket limit, how the plan covers pre-existing conditions, and prior authorization requirements that are part of your plan.