UnitedHealthcare Announces 2013 Medicare Plans
UnitedHealthcare Announces 2013 Medicare Plans
Company delivers additional savings to Medicare consumers through new low-premium Part D plan, preferred pharmacy network and expanded plan portfolio
New $15-premium prescription drug plan offers great value to consumers
MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYS: UNH) company, today announced its 2013 Medicare portfolio, including a new low-premium Part D plan and preferred pharmacy network that will deliver greater cost-savings and value to Medicare consumers.
UnitedHealthcare's medical and prescription drug plans, many of which carry the AARP brand, have been designed to help meet the diverse needs of the 49 million current beneficiaries as well as the historic wave of baby boomers who began aging into Medicare last year. Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to make changes to their health coverage during the Open Enrollment Period, which begins Oct. 15.
UnitedHealthcare's 2013 Medicare products offer the stability, value and peace of mind that its more than 10 million plan participants have come to expect from their coverage.
"As the largest company dedicated to meeting the health and well-being needs of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries, we offer a broad portfolio that enables our customers to choose a new plan if their health needs change without the hassle of switching insurance companies," said Jack Larsen, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. "We're committed to being a lifelong health care partner for our members, providing stable, trusted coverage throughout every stage of their lives. We designed our 2013 Medicare plans to offer the value and simple, personal care that Medicare beneficiaries deserve."
Expanded Part D Portfolio and New Preferred Pharmacy Network Deliver More Savings
In 2013, UnitedHealthcare will introduce the AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP) plan. The new plan offers consumers savings on both their monthly premium and their prescription copays.
The $15 premium on the AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus plan makes it the lowest-cost Part D prescription drug plan in the 45 states where the plan will be available in 2013.i The premium is substantially lower than the $30 average premium that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services projected for 2013 Part D plans.
UnitedHealthcare is bringing cost-savings opportunities to members of its stand-alone Part D plans in 2013 with the creation of a preferred pharmacy network that includes some of the most well-known and respected retailers: Walgreens, Kroger, Target, Safeway, Publix, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, H-E-B, Hannaford, Wegmans, Giant, Duane Reade, Fred Meyer, Smith's, Fry's, Vons, Sweetbay and many other retailers.
People enrolled in all three of the company's AARP MedicareRx Part D plans - Enhanced, Preferred and Saver Plus - can access prescriptions for lower copays if they purchase their drugs at one of more than 14,600 retail locations across the country that are included in the preferred pharmacy network. These savings are maximized for members enrolled in the Saver Plus plan, who can access many of the most commonly used generic drugs for as low as $1 at pharmacies in the preferred network.
"Our Part D offerings help customers get the most value for their health care money in 2013," said Mike Anderson, chief pharmacy officer, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. "The lower copays and low premium on our AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus plan make it a great option for value-conscious Medicare beneficiaries who are looking for prescription drug coverage from a company they trust."
UnitedHealthcare will continue to offer broad coverage with more than 65,000 network pharmacies in 2013 for people who value greater choice and flexibility in where they access their prescription drugs. In addition, members who prefer the convenience of receiving their medications through the mail can also take advantage of cost-savings. Most can access a 90-day supply of commonly used generic drugs for a $0 copay when purchased from OptumRx, UnitedHealthcare's preferred mail-service pharmacy.
In 2013, UnitedHealthcare will continue to offer its AARP MedicareRx Enhanced (PDP) and AARP MedicareRx Preferred (PDP) plans to help meet Medicare beneficiaries' diverse needs. With a stable premium, no deductible and copays as low as $2, the Preferred plan is expected to maintain its status as the most popular Part D plan by enrollment. Today nearly 4 million people are enrolled.
Medicare Advantage Plans Feature Stable Premiums, Continued Cost-Savings Opportunities
UnitedHealthcare will offer Medicare Advantage plans for individuals in 47 states and the District of Columbia in 2013. In areas where the company offers standard Medicare Advantage plans, more than 92 percent of Medicare-eligible individuals - approximately 32 million people - will have access to a UnitedHealthcare plan with no monthly premium above the Part B premium payment required by Medicare. UnitedHealthcare is the nation's largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, serving more than 2.5 million members.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans will continue to provide more benefits and services than are available through Original Medicare, such as coverage of gym memberships, dental and vision care, and custom-programmed hearing devices. The company's care provider network of doctors and hospitals is among the largest in the industry, giving members easy access to care from some of the most highly regarded health care providers.
People enrolled in most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage can save money on their prescriptions in 2013 through the Pharmacy Saver program, which reduces the out-of-pocket cost on hundreds of generic drugs when purchased at pharmacies participating in the program.
All of the retailers included in UnitedHealthcare's preferred pharmacy network will also participate in Pharmacy Saver in 2013, more than doubling the number of locations where Medicare Advantage-Part D members can take advantage of the cost-savings available through Pharmacy Saver. Since launching in January 2011, Pharmacy Saver has saved UnitedHealthcare plan participants more than $35 million.ii
UnitedHealthcare will offer beneficiaries more choice and greater access to health care services in 2013. Medicare beneficiaries with special needs, such as those with chronic illnesses, will find new options through the Care Improvement Plus plans now included in UnitedHealthcare's plan offerings. Care Improvement Plus provides comprehensive and specialized support for beneficiaries living with diabetes, heart failure or chronic lung disorders.
The addition of Preferred Care Partners and Medica HealthCare Plans to UnitedHealthcare's portfolio demonstrates the company's commitment to strengthening its services in South and Central Florida and to helping Floridians live healthier lives. Preferred Care and Medica have a strong record of providing quality, affordable health care coverage to Floridians.
In 2013, 1.9 million Floridians will have access to a Preferred Care Medicare Advantage plan, and 650,000 will have access to a Medica Medicare Advantage plan. All will have access to one of the company's zero-premium plans. Both Preferred Care and Medica offer plans that include a Medicare Part B premium rebate ranging from $40 to $99.90, and their plans often include coverage of tier 1 drugs, visits with primary care physicians and specialists, and inpatient hospital stays at no cost.
For beneficiaries seeking ways to supplement and fill in the financial gaps of their Original Medicare coverage, UnitedHealthcare will continue to offer a range of AARP Medicare Supplement plans in 2013. The plans will remain competitively priced nationwide. With more than 3 million plan participants, UnitedHealthcare is the nation's largest provider of Medicare supplement health insurance.
More information about UnitedHealthcare's 2013 Medicare offerings is available at www.UHCMedicareSolutions.com.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 650,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYS: UNH) , a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.
Other pharmacies are available in our network. Members may use any pharmacy in the network, but may not receive Pharmacy Saver pricing. Pharmacies participating in the Pharmacy Saver program may not be available in all areas.
Members may use any pharmacy in the network but may not receive Preferred Pharmacy pricing. Pharmacies in the Preferred Pharmacy Network may not be available in all areas. Copays apply after deductible.
The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.
Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
The family of UnitedHealthcare® Medicare Solutions plans includes Part D Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans featuring the UnitedHealthcare®, or AARP® brand names. Plans are insured or covered by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliates, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor.
AARP encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make specific product recommendations for individuals.
The AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, AARP MedicareComplete and AARP MedicareRx plans carry the AARP name, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.
Medica HealthCare is insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract.
Preferred Care Partners is insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract.
You are not required to use OptumRx to obtain a 90-day supply of your maintenance medications, but you may pay more out-of-pocket compared to using OptumRx, your plan's Preferred Mail Service Pharmacy. New prescriptions should arrive within ten business days from the date the completed order is received by the Mail Service Pharmacy. Completed refill orders should arrive in about seven business days. OptumRx will contact you if there will be an extended delay in the delivery of your medications.
OptumRx is an affiliate of UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company.
ihttp://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/index.html?redirect
ii Internal UnitedHealthcare data, September 2012
UnitedHealthcare
Sarah Bearce, 952-931-4732
Sarah_Bearce@uhc.com
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