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HCSC vs. UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare HCSC and UnitedHealthcare side by side.
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 Written & Edited by Fran Majidi Fran MajidiFran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i... Read more |
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HCSC vs. UnitedHealthcare: What You Need to Know
HCSC serves over 15 million members with a variety of group and individual health care plans, services and life insurance products. As a pioneer in many states, HSBC was the first to do many things. In Illinois, HCSC was the first to provide coverage for bone marrow transplants, heart transplants and to provide group health insurance to rural and small communities as well as the first CareVan as a mobile immunization program. In Texas, they were the first to provide coverage for cancer treatment, catastrophic diseases like polio, leukemia and diptheria, and they provided healthcare starting at birth. They also provided coverage to migrant farm workers in Texas. In New Mexico, HCSC was the first to offer PPO coverage, point-of-service coverage, electronics claims exchange with providers, customer service for large group accounts and in-hospital medical coverage on a per visit basis. In Oklahoma, HCSC was the first to create a mobile health screening unit and free screenings for vision, hearing, glaucoma, blood and blood pressure.
UnitedHealth Group was founded in 1977 by Richard Burke and went public in 1984. It was Dr. Paul Ellwood, who coined the term “health maintenance organization,” and who helped Burke start up UnitedHealth. In 1979, the company created the first network senior health plan.
To learn more about each company, you can check out the HCSC Overview and UnitedHealthcare Overview.
What is HCSC and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Rating?
Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how HCSC and UnitedHealthcare ranked among the industry ratings.
| Comparison | HCSC | UnitedHealthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1929 | 1977 |
| Medicare Star Rating | 3 stars (out of 5) | 4.5 stars (out of 5) |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.40% for individual health |
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Pros & Cons of HCSC or UnitedHealthcare
Pros
HCSC
- Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
UnitedHealthcare
- Robust health plans and benefits for Medicare and Medicaid recipients.
- Marketplace plans for individuals and families that do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.
- Popular mobile app makes it easy to stay on top of your account.
- UnitedHealth is available in all 50 states.
Cons
HCSC
- HCSC only operates in 5 states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
UnitedHealthcare
- Plans are in general more expensive than those of other health insurance providers.
HCSC and UnitedHealthcare Mobile Apps Options
Each state has its own HCSC / Blue Cross Blue Shield app on iTunes and GooglePlay. The app allows users to find doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, view claims, pay bill, and manage prescriptions.
The Health4Me app from UnitedHealthcare allows you to look for doctors and review your coverage and benefits.
| HCSC Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| HCSC mobile app varies by State | ||
| UnitedHealthcare Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 4.5 | 10.1K users |
| Android | 4.6 | 16,316 users |
HCSC and UnitedHealthcare Enrollment Process
HCSC
HCSC offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes.
Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit Healthcare.gov. Remember that HCSC only operates in 5 states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealth Group offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching for plans here.
Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/.
How to File a Claim with HCSC and UnitedHealthcare Insurance
HCSC
To submit electronic claims, you or your billing agent need to use a third-party claims clearinghouse vendor, like Availity. For paper claims, you need to complete the right claim forms.
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealth Group pays network providers directly but if you are billed by a provider, you can contact UnitedHealth Group at 1 (800) 328-5979. If you are filing a claim for an out-of-network provider for an emergency or because you were referred to the provider by UnitedHealth Group you must submit the following information
- The Policyholder's name and address.
- The patient's name and age.
- The number stated on your ID card.
- The name and address of the provider of the service(s).
- The name and address of any ordering Physician.
- A diagnosis from the Physician.
- An itemized bill from your provider that includes the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes or a description of each charge.
- The date the Injury or Sickness began.
- A statement indicating either that you are, or you are not, enrolled for coverage under any other health insurance plan or program. If you are enrolled for other coverage you must include the name of the other carrier(s).
The above information should be sent to: UnitedHealthcare P.O. Box 740800 Atlanta, GA 30374-0800
If filing a claim for Outpatient Prescription Drug Benefits, your claims should be submitted to: Optum Rx P.O. Box 29077 Hot Springs, AR 71903
Common Questions About UnitedHealthcare and HCSC Insurance
HCSC
Does HCSC cover asthma?
HCSC covers asthma and has invested heavily in asthma awareness in connection with the American Lung Association.
What is the HCSC care van®?
The HCSC Care Van® strives to prevent disease across the 5 states it covers using mobile health vans to serve underserved communities with preventive services and screenings for adults and children.
How does HCSC medicare work?
You can choose to receive all your Medicare benefits through a private insurer like HCSC or you can choose a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) and get original Medicare A and B from the federal program. You can also add Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, also called Medigap, to help pay for copays, coinsurance, and deductibles as well as other expenses.
Does HCSC cover out of state?
HCSC only operates in 5 states: Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Can you cancel HCSC insurance anytime?
You can cancel using this cancellation form. However, you cannot start another plan anytime. Make sure you and your family members are covered before you cancel so you don’t have a gap in coverage. We highly suggest you shop rates here.
Check out our full list of common questions about HCSC.
UnitedHealthcare
What is the UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group is an American for-profit managed health care company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. They offer a wide variety of health plans for individuals and businesses. They also offer Medicare and Medicaid.
What Are UnitedHealth Medicare Advantage plans?
Medicare Advantage is Medicare Part C, which replaces original Medicare Parts A and B and is administered through a private insurer. Medicare Advantage plans offer some benefits that Original Medicare does not. UnitedHealth also offers special Medicare Advantage plans for patients with Alzheimer’s or chronic dementia.
Is UnitedHealth the same as UnitedHealthcare insurance?
Yes, in 1998, the company rebranded and changed the name UnitedHealthcare insurance to the UnitedHealth Group.
What is UnitedHealth insurance coverage for Individuals and Families?
If you don’t have health insurance through an employer, you can buy private insurance for yourself and/or your family with UnitedHealth insurance. For health insurance rates visit here and fill out a brief form.
Check out our full list of common questions about UnitedHealthcare.
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HCSC and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Contact Info
| HCSC Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601 |
| Phone | 1 (800) 654-7385 |
| Website | https://www.hcsc.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/healthcareservicecorporation/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/HealthCareService |
| https://twitter.com/HCSC | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-cross-and-blue-shield-of-illinois-new-mexico-oklahoma-&-texas/life/4548c167-e254-4ffd-a356-7892967212c3/ | |
| UnitedHealthcare Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 1459, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1459 |
| Phone | 1 (800) 328-5979 |
| Website | https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/groups/uhgemployees/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/UnitedHealthGroup |
| https://twitter.com/UnitedHealthGrp | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedhealth-group/ | |
Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about insurance-related topics. Prior, she was an arts and entertainment editor in New York City. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. in writing from The New School. She writes books under her given name, Afarin Majidi.
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