UnitedHealthcare: Overview

About UnitedHealthcare

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.

In 1995, the company acquired MetraHealth, which combined the group health care operations of The Travelers Insurance Company and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1996, the company automated its claims review process using Artificial Intelligence. UnitedHealth grew in prominence in 1997, when the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) selected UnitedHealth to provide coverage to its members. That same year UnitedHealth expanded its Evercare program, which is designed to cover long-term care in nursing homes, elderly people living at home, and people with chronic illnesses.

In 2002, UnitedHealth Group merged its Medicaid program with AmeriChoice and began to focus on individual and group health plans. In 2004, they began offering health savings accounts for employer groups. In 2005, UnitedHealth Group merged with PacificCare Health Systems, expanding into the Pacific Coast markets. In 2007, the company acquired Sierra Health Services, expanding into the Southwest Region, and enrolled 5 million Medicare beneficiaries into the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

In 2008, UnitedHealth introduced UnitedHealth Continuity, a plan that guarantees future insurability by locking in health insurance while patients are healthy, for coverage when they retire, become self-employed, unemployed, or move to a job without health benefits. That same year, they introduced their Medicare Advantage SNP, a special needs coverage for people with Alzheimer’s and chronic dementia,  In 2009, the company introduced a first-of-its-kind diabetes health care plan and in 2010, it announced a cancer care payment model to help patients pay oncologists.

In 2010, UnitedHealth also introduced the OptumizeMe one of the first mobile fitness challenge apps and launched the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, a partnership with YMCA and pharmacies to help prevent and control diabetes, pre-diabetes, and obesity. In 2012, they released the Health4Me app, which offered easy access to registered nurses, personal health benefits information, and the ability to locate nearby physicians and hospitals.

Today, UnitedHealth Group provides health insurance services to roughly 85 million individuals, with plans that include Medicare Advantage (MA), managed Medicaid, employer-sponsored insurance, and individual insurance. Worth $107.1 billion, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is the largest insurance provider in the US. Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, the company also offers benefits and services in more than 125 countries. UnitedHealth Group has ranked in the Fortune 500.

UnitedHealthcare Facts & Ratings

UnitedHealthcare Mobile App Rating

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

UnitedHealthcare Enrollment Process

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 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

Does Costco accept UnitedHealthcare vision?

Yes, Costco Optical is a vision provider with UnitedHealthcare Vision.

UnitedHealthcare Contact Info

Methodology

The information listed on this page is from our own in house research. It is accurate as of the article publish date. Visit the carrier website for additional information.

How does UnitedHealthcare compare to other health insurance companies?