United Healthcare, otherwise known as UHC, is one of the more recognizable healthcare insurance brands and operates across the United States. It offers much the same plans as its peers, with the choice for customers between Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) options, as well as some tailored short-term health insurance plans. The resources offered to customers are plentiful with each customer's personal account allowing access to a wealth of tools, forms, and programs. Its website and apps have garnered much praise, in fact, we named UHC ‘Most User-Friendly’ in our round up of the best health insurance companies, a list that includes other providers like Kaiser Permanente and Molina.
UHC boasts some 115 million customers and an annual revenue of well over $200billion (2018). Its parent company, United HealthGroup, was founded in 1977 and brings decades of experience and expansion to the table. As such it is able to offer a wide range of health insurance plans, which is one of the company's biggest strengths.
Customers begin their experience at their main portal and then, as their individual requirements become clear, are connected with local healthcare providers and institutions. The website is comprehensive and contains all the information you could need regarding available plans, premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses.
United Healthcare review: How much does it cost?
- Quotes for UHC were slightly above average
- We always suggest pricing plans out for yourself
- UHC’s website returned a clear analysis of the various plans on offer
Sample quote for family: A man and a woman aged 35 with two kids aged 3 and 7: $1,250/month
Sample quote for a married couple: Aged 45-50, no pre-existing conditions: $705/month
Sample quote for an individual man or woman: Aged 45-50, no pre-existing conditions: $430/month
Quotes for health insurance policies vary dramatically depending on requirements and geographic locations, but overall, quotes for UHC were slightly above average. UHC does bring to the table a vast amount of resources and so many customers may feel that a slightly higher premium is worth the benefits.
Your personal results may vary though, and we suggest selecting at least three health insurance companies and pricing out the plans for yourself. As with all the health insurance providers we reviewed, you can do this online in just a few minutes with a minimal amount of personal information.
UHC’s website returned a clear analysis of the various plans on offer and gave plenty of choice within the plans on offer. As noted, the website is very straightforward and intuitive and is one of the best on the market.
United Healthcare review: Products
- Wide range of insurance products
- Widely accepted at hospitals and doctor's offices across the country
- Impressive online member portal that allows the customer 24/7 access
The UHC network of health care providers offers a wide range of insurance products. Some of their most popular products include:
- Individual Health Insurance
- Health Savings Accounts
- Dental and Vision Insurance
- Corporate Health Insurance
- Medicare Advantage Plans
UHC plans are nationwide and widely accepted at hospitals and doctor's offices across the country. UHC offers both open-access, and in-network only plans. It has a large network of health care professionals, with some 790,000 physicians around the US, plus 200,000 dentists and 50,000 optometrists. That means that even if customers sign up for an in-network only plan, UHC has plenty of options when choosing a physician or healthcare provider. The sheer size of the network reaps benefits for the customer, who can take advantage of the economy of scale cost savings. UHC Coverage options range from Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) to Health Maintenance Organization (HMO).
Other resources available to members include an impressive online member portal that allows the customer 24/7 access to all their relevant medical information. Extra features, including some not found on all health insurance company websites, include downloadable forms, tools to help customers locate a doctor, or other healthcare professional, real-time claims management (both for filing a claim and checking its status), prescription management and even a tool to estimate the costs of any procedures before customers commit to getting the work done.
UHC provides coverage across all 50 states. Thanks to this reach, customers have access to a relatively wide selection of healthcare providers regardless of their location compared to other insurance companies.
United Healthcare review: Wellbeing Programs and Member Discounts
- Number of wellbeing programs
- Cover a wide range of topics
- Access to discounts
UHC run a number of wellbeing programs that customers can gain access to. These cater to almost everyone from expectant mothers to elderly customers and wellbeing and fitness programs designed to run in the workplace. Customers also have access to discounts on items such as hearing aids, Lasik treatments, and more.
United Healthcare review: Appointments and Claims Tools
- Easy-to-use tools such as MyEasyBook
- 24/7 access online to set up appointments
- Customers can easily view the status of their claims
UHC has some easy-to-use tools such as MyEasyBook, which gives customers 24/7 access online to set up appointments, and MyClaimsManager, through which customers can view the status of their claims, as well as viewing the entire process a claim goes through on its way to being approved or denied.
United Healthcare review: Usability and User Reviews
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
- Excellent website and app
- Online quotation process is simple
Individual user experiences of course vary according to local providers within the Unite Healthcare network, but customer satisfaction is generally very positive and the Better Business Bureau ranks UHC as A+. JD Power ranks UHC’s vision insurance plans and customer service among the best on offer, and UHC has been in the top two providers in this sector for a number of years running.
Singled out for particular praise should be both the United Healthcare's website and the UHC app, Health4Me. The main website offers the tools and features outlined above and is perfect for people who wish to conduct their healthcare business online or electronically.
The mobile app provided by UHC is especially useful. UHC's Health4Me app both helps you locate a doctor and provides a real-time view of your online account. Customers can also check a claim's status, speak with a nurse at any time, order a prescription refill, email ID cards, check health records, and save medical contacts. One great feature is the myHeathCare Cost Estimator, which lets customers see how much a medical procedure would cost with their specific benefits before they commit to anything.
The online quotation process is simple, requiring the industry-standard submission of a basic amount of personal information. The comparison of the various plans suggested is very straightforward.
Customers can get a head start on any claims processes, with UHC providing all the necessary forms (which are downloadable) and information that customers may need.
Should I choose United Healthcare?
The Unite Healthcare name is well recognized and the company certainly has the scale and financial muscle to deliver many benefits to its customers. As noted, the premiums are slightly higher than average, but many customers may feel that the extra outlay is worth access to the huge, nationwide network and the many features that come with the online access and mobile app that UHC offer. In short, it’s worth looking at their plan quotes no matter where customers may be based, and though they may find that the quotes are a touch higher than some of their competitors, the extra features and discounts should be factored in.
As well as our guide to the best health insurance companies, we also look at how to choose a health insurance plan. You might also want to look at something more specific when it comes to health cover, in which case you'll find our guides to the best dental insurance and best vision insurance useful. Looking further ahead and we rate the best life insurance options and best Medicare Part D plans.
