Selecting a Medicare plan that’s right for you is an important decision, and you may find it comforting to know that you’re not alone in the process. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services, in 2021 there were approximately 63 million people enrolled in Medicare, many of whom likely made plan elections during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). From October 15 to December 7, you can join, drop or switch to a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan, and apply for a Medicare supplement insurance plan.
Deciding whether or not to make changes to your coverage can feel overwhelming. UnitedHealthcare offers tools that can help you assess your options and compare benefits and premiums. If you’re still undecided on whether or not you should make changes to your existing coverage, Medicare Made Clear® offers educational resources to help you learn all you need to know about Medicare so you can make informed decisions about your health and Medicare coverage.
How do I select the right Medicare plan?
UnitedHealthcare developed the Right Plan Promise, which is our commitment to helping individuals find the right plan for their needs. Part of what supports that promise is the Plan Recommendation tool, which helps you sort through your UnitedHealthcare plan options and makes the online shopping experience easier. It asks simple questions about your needs; based on your answers, it will provide you with a list of a few available plans that could fit your needs. (You can also get advice and further assistance assessing your needs from a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Plan Expert1 over the phone or through an online chat during any point in the process.) You can even do side-by-side comparisons, to help give you a better overview of your options.
And if you need some time to think before enrolling, you can email or save the recommendations and pick up where you left off later.
Visit the Plan Recommendation tool and enter your zip code to get started.
Will my Medicare plan cover my doctors?
As you’re making decisions about plans, you may want to check if your doctors are in the UnitedHealthcare network. Using network providers is often a smart move because it helps keeps your costs lower. Fortunately, you’ll have plenty of choices as a UnitedHealthcare member, since our provider network includes more than 1.3 million health care professionals, plus 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide.
Will my Medicare plan cover my medications?
Prescription drugs can be expensive, especially if you take several on a regular basis. The drug cost estimator can help you quickly see whether the medications you take are covered by the plan you’re considering and, if so, what they may cost.
When using the Plan Recommendation tool, you can create a list of your drugs as you go along. Begin by searching for the drugs you take (either by generic or brand name) and adding them to your drug list. From there, you can see which medications are covered by the available plans in your area and how much your costs may be. You can even select your favorite pharmacy for the most accurate estimates.
You’ll also have the opportunity to review a tiered formulary, which will help you see which tier each drug likely falls in. Drugs are grouped into four tiers, from Tier 1 (preferred generics) to Tier 4 (specialty drugs). The higher the tier, the more you’re likely to pay out of pocket.
| Drug tier | Type of drugs included | Your cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Most generic drugs | Lowest copay |
| Tier 2 | Most common brand name drugs Preferred brand name drugs Some high-cost generic drugs |
Medium copay |
| Tier 3 | Non-preferred brand name drugs | Highest copay |
| Tier 4 (Specialty Tier) |
Unique or very high-cost drugs | Percentage of total drug cost, called "coinsurance" |
Medicare Part D costs usually include premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. If you still have questions about drug costs and want to learn more, this article may be able to help.
How a Medicare Plan Expert can help you
Perhaps the most powerful tool is hidden in plain sight. When reviewing Medicare Coverage Options from UnitedHealthcare online, you can click the “Chat Now” button to reach one of our Medicare Plan Experts1 who can help you think through all your options. They’ve talked to thousands of consumers just like you. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Plan Experts can help you find the answers you’re looking for by asking you some basic questions. Your responses will then lead them to more specific inquiries regarding your healthcare needs, which will ultimately help them recommend a plan that makes the most sense for you, your lifestyle and your budget.
About Medicare Made Clear
Medicare Made Clear brought to you by UnitedHealthcare provides Medicare education so you can make informed decisions about your health and Medicare coverage.
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