In previous threads here a lot of commentators offered rather poor opinions of UnitedHealthcare insurance. In particular they have a reputation of denying claims at a rate of twice the industry average.
I've noticed that all the comments I've seen from people unhappy with UHC and all the stories I've read are about the kind of plans that most people here from the US would have. E.g., a plan that they got through their employer, or that they bought on the ACA marketplace, or that they bought directly from the insurer.
Question: does UHC's terribleness also apply to their Medigap plans?
My understanding is that if Medicare approves a medical service then your Medigap plan cannot deny payment for their share of the costs. Pretty much all the complaints about UHC are about them trying to deny payment by claiming the service was unnecessary or that a cheaper alternative service needs to be used. So if you are getting a Medigap plan to help with Medicare deductibles and coinsurance and/or to get an annual cap on out of pocket total Medicare costs and don't care about any extras the plan offers then there isn't a reason to not consider UHC.
I know that some Medigap plans provide extra coverage beyond what is required by regulation for Medigap plans. For example some add coverage to things Medicare does not cover, such as foreign travel medical insurance. I would guess that on those extra things they can try to deny claims, so if you care about those extra than UHC's reputation should give you pause.
From several doctors and elderly people I talk to, UHC absolutely will deny payment for Medigap. They take advantage of gaps in state systems delays in reporting or will outright fake not receiving evidence of Medicare approval.
In previous threads here a lot of commentators offered rather poor opinions of UnitedHealthcare insurance. In particular they have a reputation of denying claims at a rate of twice the industry average.
I've noticed that all the comments I've seen from people unhappy with UHC and all the stories I've read are about the kind of plans that most people here from the US would have. E.g., a plan that they got through their employer, or that they bought on the ACA marketplace, or that they bought directly from the insurer.
Question: does UHC's terribleness also apply to their Medigap plans?
My understanding is that if Medicare approves a medical service then your Medigap plan cannot deny payment for their share of the costs. Pretty much all the complaints about UHC are about them trying to deny payment by claiming the service was unnecessary or that a cheaper alternative service needs to be used. So if you are getting a Medigap plan to help with Medicare deductibles and coinsurance and/or to get an annual cap on out of pocket total Medicare costs and don't care about any extras the plan offers then there isn't a reason to not consider UHC.
I know that some Medigap plans provide extra coverage beyond what is required by regulation for Medigap plans. For example some add coverage to things Medicare does not cover, such as foreign travel medical insurance. I would guess that on those extra things they can try to deny claims, so if you care about those extra than UHC's reputation should give you pause.