UnitedHealthcare is expanding individual, family plans on the marketplace
The larger ACA plan footprint will bring access to affordable benefits to more than 60% of the eligible population, UHC says.
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UnitedHealthcare has announced it is expanding its Individual and Family Affordable Care Act Marketplace Plans from 11 to 26 states in 2024.
The expansion increases its ACA footprint from 177 to 1,032 counties.
People may be able to access these plans for 2024 in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
The company's expanded ACA plan footprint will bring access to affordable benefits to more than 60% of the eligible population, UHC said.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
UHC said access would extend to those who do not qualify for or cannot afford other types of coverage, with many people qualifying for plans as low as $0 per month depending on their income.
In 2023, 90% of UnitedHealthcare Individual and Family ACA Marketplace plan members are receiving a subsidy to help lower their health insurance premium, the company said.
Its 2024 ACA marketplace plan includes $0 unlimited primary and virtual urgent care, prescriptions as low as $5 at over 40,000 in-network pharmacies, adult dental and vision offerings, an opportunity to earn a $100 gift card in rewards benefits for completing health- and account-related tasks, complimentary access to digital fitness classes, membership to a network of 17,000 gym locations, and new Copay Focus plan options, with $0 medical deductible and predictable copay for services.
The insurer also pointed to myuhc.com, which it billed as a one-stop experience for those who enroll, with convenient access to information regarding plans, specific benefits, claims and how to find the best healthcare provider.
This includes a personalized member website, which has a live chat embedded to allow real-time assistance. The member services call center is also available 24/7 with interpreters for more than 240 languages.
The expansion brings its ACA footprint from 11 to 26 states, and from 177 to 1,032 counties.
THE LARGER TREND
Earlier this year UHC introduced a rewards program in which eligible members, including spouses, can use wearable devices to earn up to $1,000 each per year by completing various daily health goals and one-time activities.
It also adopted a $0 out-of-pocket expense benefit for virtual visits for eligible members enrolled in applicable fully insured employer-sponsored plans. The new coverage enhancement is designed to make remote urgent care more affordable and convenient, UHC said.
In August, UnitedHealthcare agreed to implement a corrective action plan and pay $80,000 to resolve an investigation by the Office for Civil Rights over a potential violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule's right of access provision, which requires that patients be able to access their medical information in a timely manner.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com
