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This post is for a review of the United Healthcare Medicare Complete and the AARP Medicare Complete plans for 2013.  If you want 2012 information CLICK HERE

United Healthcare will be making some minor changes for the better to the 2013 Medicare Complete plan line which includes United Healthcare Medicare Complete and AARP Medicare Complete products.  All products listed are Medicare Advantage plans.  Look at seperate postings for information on AARP Medicare Supplement plans.

The United Healthcare Medicare Complete product is very similar to the AARP branded version but most versions do not have out of network coverage as they are usually HMO plans.  The in network benefits tend to be a little better than the AARP branded in network benefits as a result.  for 2013 the United Healthcare branded products will look similar to the 2012 version with a few improvements such as a lower annual out of pocket max, a outpatient surgery benefit that offer more than 80% coverage and  a lower primary doctor copay.  The improvement to the outpatient surgery benefit is the most needed change overall and this will reduce costs for many members.

The AARP Branded Medicare Complete plan took on a $20 monthly premium in 2012 and it looks like that will stay for 2013 as well.  The outpatient surgery benefit and out of pocket max on this plan will also be improved over last years version.   The AARP branded plan is on a PPO platform in most states and offers out of network coverage as a result.  Last years version only provided for 70% coverage out of network.  It is not yet known if this will be improved for 2013 or not.

The drug coverage in both versions will be mainly the same for 2013 with some very small ($2 or $3) increases in the name brand tiers of the drug coverage.  While the United and AARP Medicare Complete plans did not compare well to competitors in 2012, it should be in a much more competitive position for 2013.

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There are a limited number of Medicare Advantage plans available in Connecticut for 2012.  The list includes plans from Connecticare, AARP/United, Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield and Wellcare.   Our agency has clients with all companies and plan types in Connecticut and we are happy to share the good and bad of them with you.

Please click the link below to view the comparison.   Call or email with any questions or requests.  Email: Edward@Croweandassociates.com or phone at 203-796-5403   Review our BBB rating here   Click for BBB Rating

Medicare Advantage comparison 2012 CT

AARP Medicare Complete is a PPO Medicare Advantage plan offered by United Healthcare. (By the way, If you do not have a basic understanding of how Medicare Advantage plans work, please refer to our other blogs for a quick tutorial.) The plan is offered on a regional basis is Connecticut, Mass, RI and Vermont. It was a $0 monthly premium plan in 2011 but now has a $20 monthly premium for 2012.

Here is a basic summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the plan.                   (Looking for AARP Medicare Complete 2013 Info?  CLICK HERE)

Network- United has built up a strong network in Connecticut. The AARP Medicare complete network is second only to the network of Connecticare. Overall, they are very good with network.

In Network Benefits- The AARP Med Complete plan certainly had some benefit changes for the worse for 2012. The most notable changes are Hospital inpatient charge ($400 a day 1-4), Outpatient surgery and Major Radiology at 20% cost share. Copays went up slightly for a primary care doc ($20) and a specialist ($45). Many Advantage plan members, worry about about office copays but the concern should be with the Outpatient surgery and Major Radiology. At 20% cost share, there can be substantial out of pocket costs for the insured.

Out of Network Benefits-The out of network benefit feature is a plus due to the freedom it allows. The fact that the cost share is 30% to the insured is of a concern however. The combined in and out of pocket max for this plan is $10,000 which seems to be a bit excessive.

Overall- While this plan may not look as good as the Anthem PPO (click here for info on the Anthem PPO) on paper, it tends to run much more smoothly. We receive far more client plan and benefit issues from the Anthem PPO than we do with the AARP Medicare Complete PPO. Again, the benefits do not compare well with the Anthem PPO but the administration of the plan is far better on the United side.

If you have specific questions or need any additional information, please email Edward Crowe at Edward@CroweandAssociates.com or call at 203-796-5403

For a link to the Application, Benefit Summaries and Rates click the link below

Click here for Benefit Summaries, applications and rates

WANT TO LEARN MORE?  REGISTER FOR OUR “HOW TO CHOOSE A MEDICARE PLAN” WEBINAR:  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

United Healthcare has made  changes to their current suite of AARP branded Medicare Complete plans for 2012. The majority of changes are to the basic co pay structure of the plan.  Some of the bigger changes are detailed below.

The AARP Medicare Complete RPPO $0 premium plan will no longer be $0 premium for 2012. The plan will now have a $20.00 monthly premium but will have the same platform as last year (PPO with in and out of network benefits). Office vist copay for 2012 are $20 per visit primary doctor and $45 per visit specialist. The Inpatient hospital copay has been changed to $400 a day for 4 days in 2012 vs. $320 a day for 5 days last year. The Rx benefit copays have increases slightly to $5.00 tier 1 generic, $8.00 tier 2 non-preferred generic, $45.00 tier 3 name brand and $95.00 for tier 4 non preferred name brand.  The biggest change is in the outpatient surgery benefit which is now a 20% cost share.

The plan still offers in and out of network coverage and maintains one of the larger Medicare Advantage plan networks in the northeast.  United HealthCare will also be offering their Non AARP branded Medicare Complete Plan 1 and Plan 2 HMO plans in most Northeastern states.   The Plan 2 option will still be $0 monthly premium.

More detailed information can be found by clicking on the links below

 AARP Medicare Complete Choice RPPO Summary of Benefits CT, MA, RI, VT

AARP Medicare Complete Choice RPPO CT MA RI VT Application 2012

AARP and United Medicare Complete plans comparison

United Medicare Complete Plan 1 and 2 Application CT