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Medicare assistance programs can lower the cost of health insurance

Posted: August 27, 2022

Last updated date: August 27, 2022

There are programs to help make health care coverage more affordable for people with low income and few assets. Depending on the program, it could help pay for just a part or even all of your Medicare costs. Many people who could qualify to get help don’t know it. Read on to find out how.

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 Everything you need to know about Dual Special Needs Plans in one, convenient guide.

Medicare Extra Help can lower the cost of prescription drugs

Extra Help is also known as the “Low-Income Subsidy.” Extra Help is a program that helps pay for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Depending on your situation, Medicare Extra Help could cover:

  • Your monthly plan premiums (the amount that needs to be paid to keep your health insurance coverage going)
  • Your yearly deductible (the amount you have to pay before your plan starts to pay for care services)
  • Copays or coinsurance (the costs you pay when you fill your prescriptions or get care)

The Social Security Administration estimates that Medicare Extra Help is worth as much as $5,000 per year.1 You can apply for Extra Help online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or make an appointment with your local Social Security Office.  

The extra benefits you get with a dual health plan could be a big help to cover more of your care and costs

Medicare Savings Programs can help pay more of your Medicare costs

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help people with low income pay their Medicare premiums. You may be able to enroll in an MSP even if you don’t qualify for Medicaid medical benefits in your state. In some cases, MSPs may also pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, too. Learn more about Medicare Savings programs. Or visit your state Medicaid agency to apply.

Do you qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare?

If you have both Medicaid and Medicare, you may qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP). A D-SNPs typically include many extra benefits beyond Original Medicare or Medicaid – things like dental and vision coverage, plus credits to buy over-the-counter (OTC) products and covered groceries.

That could be a big help to cover more of your care and costs. Use the search box below to see what dual health plans UnitedHealthcare offers in your area.

1 Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs, Social Security Administration https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/prescriptionhelp.html (accessed April 14, 2022).

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Still have questions

We’re here to help

Contact us at:
1-844-812-5967 / TTY: 711
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, 7 days a week.

Disclaimer Information
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Looking for the federal government’s Medicaid website? Look here at Medicaid.gov.

UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete plans

Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Limitations, co-payments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year.

Nurse Hotline disclaimer

This service should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The information provided through this service is for informational purposes only. The nurses cannot diagnose problems or recommend treatment and are not a substitute for your doctor's care. Your health information is kept confidential in accordance with the law. The service is not an insurance program and may be discontinued at any time. Nurse Hotline not for use in emergencies, for informational purposes only.

UnitedHealthcare Connected® for MyCare Ohio (Medicare-Medicaid Plan)

UnitedHealthcare Connected® for MyCare Ohio (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Ohio Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees. 

UnitedHealthcare Connected® (Medicare-Medicaid Plan)

UnitedHealthcare Connected® (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Texas Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees.

UnitedHealthcare Connected® for One Care (Medicare-Medicaid Plan)

UnitedHealthcare Connected® for One Care (Medicare-Medicaid Plan) is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and MassHealth (Medicaid) to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees. 

UnitedHealthcare Connected® general benefit disclaimer

This is not a complete list. The benefit information is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan or read the Member Handbook. Limitations, copays and restrictions may apply. For more information, call UnitedHealthcare Connected® Member Services or read the UnitedHealthcare Connected® Member Handbook. 

UnitedHealthcare Senior Care Options (HMO SNP) Plan

UnitedHealthcare Senior Care Options (SCO) is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. This plan is a voluntary program that is available to anyone 65 and older who qualifies for MassHealth Standard and Original Medicare and does not have any other comprehensive health Insurance, except Medicare. If you have MassHealth Standard, but you do not qualify for Original Medicare, you may still be eligible to enroll in our MassHealth Senior Care Option plan and receive all of your MassHealth benefits through our Senior Care Options (SCO) program.

Star ratings disclaimer

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. The 5 Star rating applies to plan year 2023.

Important provider information

The Choice is Yours

We will provide you with information to help you make informed choices, such as physicians' and health care professionals' credentials. This information, however, is not an endorsement of a particular physician or health care professional's suitability for your needs.

The providers available through this application may not necessarily reflect the full extent of UnitedHealthcare's network of contracted providers. There may be providers or certain specialties that are not included in this application that are part of our network. If you don't find the provider you are searching for, you may contact the provider directly to verify participation status with UnitedHealthcare's network, or contact Customer Care at the toll-free number shown on your UnitedHealthcare ID card. We also recommend that, prior to seeing any physician, including any specialists, you call the physician's office to verify their participation status and availability.

Some network providers may have been added or removed from our network after this directory was updated. We do not guarantee that each provider is still accepting new members.

Out-of-network/non- contracted providers are under no obligation to treat UnitedHealthcare plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost- sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

American Disabilities Act notice

In accordance with the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("ADA"), UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company provides full and equal access to covered services and does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Referrals

Network providers help you and your covered family members get the care needed. Access to specialists may be coordinated by your primary care physician.

Paper directory requests

Paper copies of the network provider directory are available at no cost to members by calling the customer service number on the back of your ID card. Non-members may download and print search results from the online directory.

Inaccurate information

To report incorrect information, email provider_directory_invalid_issues@uhc.com. This email box is for members to report potential inaccuracies for demographic (address, phone, etc.) information in the online or paper directories. Reporting issues via this mail box will result in an outreach to the provider’s office to verify all directory demographic data, which can take approximately 30 days. Individuals can also report potential inaccuracies via phone. UnitedHealthcare Members should call the number on the back of their ID card, and non-UnitedHealthcare members can call 1-888-638-6613 TTY 711, or use your preferred relay service.

Declaration of Disaster or Emergency

If you’re affected by a disaster or emergency declaration by the President or a Governor, or an announcement of a public health emergency by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, there is certain additional support available to you.

  • Part A, Part B, and supplemental Part C plan benefits are to be provided at specified non- contracted facilities (note that Part A and Part B benefits must be obtained at Medicare certified facilities);
  • Where applicable, requirements for gatekeeper referrals are waived in full;
  • Plan-approved out-of-network cost-sharing to network cost-sharing amounts are temporarily reduced; and
  • The 30-day notification requirement to members is waived, as long as all the changes (such as reduction of cost-sharing and waiving authorization) benefit the member.

If CMS hasn’t provided an end date for the disaster or emergency, plans will resume normal operation 30 days after the initial declaration.

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Last Updated: 12.06.2022 at 02:01 AM CST

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