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UnitedHealthcare vs. Molina Insurance
Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare UnitedHealthcare and Molina 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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UnitedHealthcare vs. Molina: What You Need to Know
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.
Molina Healthcare was founded in 1980 by C. David Molina, an emergency room physician in Long Beach, CA. After seeing that patients were being turned away because the hospital would not accept Medi-Cal, he established his first primary care clinic in Wilmington, California in 1980. His goal was to treat the lowest-income patients. For 20 years, his son and fellow physician, J. Mario Molina, ran the company while he served as president and CEO. His younger son, John, was the CFO of Molina Healthcare. The two sons took over the company after their father’s death in 1996.
To learn more about each company, you can check out the UnitedHealthcare Overview and Molina Overview.
What is UnitedHealthcare and Molina Insurance Rating?
Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how UnitedHealthcare and Molina ranked among the industry ratings.
| Comparison | UnitedHealthcare | Molina |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 1980 |
| Medicare Star Rating | 4.5 stars (out of 5) | 3.5 stars (out of 5) |
| BBB Rating | A+ | F |
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Pros & Cons of UnitedHealthcare or Molina
Pros
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.
Molina
- Affordable coverage for underserved communities, like Medicaid and Medicare recipients.
- Affordable marketplace plans for people who do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.
- Popular mobile app makes it easy to stay on top of your account.
Cons
UnitedHealthcare
- Plans are in general more expensive than those of other health insurance providers.
Molina
- Molina Healthcare only offers Medicaid plans in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
UnitedHealthcare and Molina Mobile Apps Options
The Health4Me app from UnitedHealthcare allows you to look for doctors and review your coverage and benefits.
The Molina app allows users to find doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, view claims, and pay your bill.
| UnitedHealthcare Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 4.5 | 10.1K users |
| Android | 4.6 | 16,316 users |
| Molina Mobile App | ||
|---|---|---|
| iOS | 4.6 | 1.6K users |
| Android | 2.9 | 351 users |
UnitedHealthcare and Molina Enrollment Process
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealth Group offers plans through the health insurance marketplace. You can begin searching for plans with SmartFinancial's Healthcare Insurance page.
Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/.
Molina
Molina 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/.
How to File a Claim with UnitedHealthcare and Molina Insurance
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
Molina
To submit claims for reimbursement, contact member services at 1-888-898-7969. You can only inquire about 3 or fewer claims per call. You can also submit claim to: Molina Healthcare, P.O. Box 22668, Long Beach, CA 90801. You must make timely submissions of your claims or else you may forfeit your right to payment. For filing limits and instructions about electronic claims submissions with Molina Healthcare visit here.
Common Questions About Molina and UnitedHealthcare Insurance
UnitedHealthcare
What is UnitedHealthcare premium designation?
The UnitedHealth Premium program provides doctors with designations based on quality and cost-efficiency. Physicians may also use these designations when referring patients to other physicians. These designations allow members to make better decisions and to save money on the care they need.
Does Costco accept UnitedHealthcare vision?
Yes, Costco Optical is a vision provider with UnitedHealthcare Vision.
Is UnitedHealthcare Motion worth it?
UnitedHealthcare Motion® is a walking program created for better health and to help lower out-of-pocket costs. If your health plan includes Motion, you can save money if you stay active.
What does the UnitedHealthcare dental cover?
Different plans cover different things but preventive dental care, like cleanings and x-rays, is usually covered, as are basic services like fillings and extractions, and major services like root canals, crowns, and more.
Check out our full list of common questions about UnitedHealthcare.
Molina
What are Molina’s dual options?
Molina Dual Options is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Medi-Cal to provide benefits of both programs to members. This plan is also called Cal MediConnect in California.
Does Walgreens accept Molina’s insurance?
As of January 1, 2017, Molina’s Medicaid pharmacy network no longer accepts Walgreens. Molina Medicare members, however, may continue using Walgreens. Walgreens does not participate in the Molina Marketplace pharmacy network.
Which dentists take Molina insurance?
Molina Healthcare covers dental services including oral surgery, x-rays, sealants, fillings, crowns (caps), root canals, dentures, and extractions. It also covers a dental exam and one cleaning every six months. To find a provider, visit here and at the top of the page pick your state. At the bottom of the page, you’ll be directed to an online provider directory.
How to renew Molina Healthcare?
You need to renew your Medicaid eligibility and your child’s Medicaid eligibility with your local County Department of Social Services every 12 months. This is called Medicaid Redetermination. Your Medicaid does not automatically renew. If you miss the deadline you may lose benefits for a whole year. You can renew either by phone using the Medicaid Renewal Hotline in your state or your local County Department of Social Services (each state has a different name for this).
Check out our full list of common questions about Molina.
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UnitedHealthcare and Molina Insurance Contact Info
| 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/ | |
| Molina Contact Info | |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Oceangate, Suite 100, Long Beach, CA 90802 |
| Phone | 1 (562) 435-3666 |
| Website | https://www.molinahealthcare.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/groups/Molinaheathcare/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/user/MolinaHealthcare |
| https://twitter.com/molinahealth | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/molina-healthcare/ | |
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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