Oscar vs. UnitedHealthcare Insurance

Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare Oscar and UnitedHealthcare side by side.

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Oscar vs. UnitedHealthcare: What You Need to Know

In 2012, Oscar Ceo Mario Schlosser and his wife were preparing to have a baby and saw how difficult it was to navigate through the healthcare system. Schlosser’s friend, Josh Kushner, had also had a similar frustration in treating an injury. They founded Oscar Health on a hope to help consumers feel less powerless in managing their health. What makes Oscar different is the Concierge Team that guides members and handles customer service questions and coordination of clinical care.

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 Oscar Overview and UnitedHealthcare Overview.

What is Oscar and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Rating?

Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how Oscar and UnitedHealthcare ranked among the industry ratings.

Comparison Oscar UnitedHealthcare
Year Founded 2012 1977
Medicare Star Rating   4.5 stars (out of 5)
BBB Rating A+ A+
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.12%  

Pros & Cons of Oscar or UnitedHealthcare

Pros

Oscar
  • Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
  • Health plan concierges who offer guidance and answer questions.
  • Very low complaint ratio, which means they offer great customer service.
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

Oscar
  • Oscar Health Insurance is only available in New York, California, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Arizona, Florida, and Michigan.
UnitedHealthcare
  • Plans are in general more expensive than those of other health insurance providers.

Oscar and UnitedHealthcare Mobile Apps Options

The Oscar app allows you to access your health information anytime you need it. It allows you to search for doctors & drugs and even have virtual visits with a doctor.

The Health4Me app from UnitedHealthcare allows you to look for doctors and review your coverage and benefits.

Oscar Mobile App
iOS      4.8 2.5K users
Android      3.3 433 users
UnitedHealthcare Mobile App
iOS      4.5 10.1K users
Android      4.6 16,316 users

Oscar and UnitedHealthcare Enrollment Process

Oscar

Oscar Health Insurance offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes with SmartFinancial.

Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/.

UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealth Group offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching for plans with SmartFinancial.

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 Oscar and UnitedHealthcare Insurance

Oscar

Your doctor or care provider should submit a claim to the insurer. You should be covered except for copay. Your insurer will send you an explanation of benefits. If you owe anything, your doctor will send you a bill. If you visit an out-of-network provider, you will not be covered unless it was an emergency. Call 855-672-2755 with any additional questions.

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 Oscar Insurance

Oscar

Where is Oscar insurance available?

Oscar Insurance is available in New York, California, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Arizona, Florida, and Michigan.

What do Oscar's health insurance plans cover?

Oscar's health insurance plans cover a wide range of medical services and drugs. You have the option of selecting from different tiers, based on the coverage you anticipate needing. There’s an Oscar health insurance plan for every budget. Oscar also offers Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements.

Does CVS take Oscar insurance?

CVS pharmacy is Oscar’s preferred pharmacy in New York.

Is Oscar insurance a PPO?

No, Oscar is an Exclusive Provider Organization plan or EPO. Consumers receive coverage for in-network providers and they don’t need a primary care physician to refer them to a specialist. Out-of-network providers are only accepted in case of an emergency.

Check out our full list of common questions about Oscar.

 

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.

Oscar and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Contact Info

Oscar Contact Info
Address 75 Varick St. 5th Fl, New York, NY 10013
Phone 1 (844) 392-7589
Website https://www.hioscar.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OscarHealth/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/OscarHealthInsurance
Twitter https://twitter.com/OscarHealth
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/oscar-health/
UnitedHealthcare Contact Info
Address P.O. Box 1459, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1459
Phone 1 (800) 328-5979
Website https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/uhgemployees/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/UnitedHealthGroup
Twitter https://twitter.com/UnitedHealthGrp
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedhealth-group/

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