My new Advantage plan that takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Need to change it.
- Thread starter JoeFromMo
- Start date
I know in my area of Mo, 50 miles from St Louis, United Health Care seem to be the one with no hassles
in getting what you need. You may still have time to change, check and see if your medical team takes it, or
what others they will. I believe you still can, just ask to be sure if there is an amount of time you have to wait.
MACKTEXAS
Well-known Member
The open enrollment deadline was Dec. 7th, but this link explains how and when you may still be able to change, starting January 1st. Click here -> FROM AARP
Generally, I believe you can switch during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 to another MA plan or go back to Original Medicare. If you return to Original Medicare, you should also choose a Part D drug plan.
Generally, I believe you can switch during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 to another MA plan or go back to Original Medicare. If you return to Original Medicare, you should also choose a Part D drug plan.
JoeFromMo
New Member
AnneTeak
Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
My sister just changed hers with no problem. Do it before January 1.
robin416
Member
For those with United HC, have you used it? How are they at paying claims?
This happened about 5 years ago when I spent an inordinate amount of time cruising hospital hallways when my husband was sick. I learned the hospital he was admitted into was going to refuse accepting patients with United because United refused to pay far too many claims putting patients in a bind financially.
That got United's attention and they said they'd do better.
This happened about 5 years ago when I spent an inordinate amount of time cruising hospital hallways when my husband was sick. I learned the hospital he was admitted into was going to refuse accepting patients with United because United refused to pay far too many claims putting patients in a bind financially.
That got United's attention and they said they'd do better.
MACKTEXAS
Well-known Member
I've had UHC for 2 years and had no issues. Their customer service number has been answered promptly and claims were paid timely. I would have stayed with them for 2026, but the particular plan I was on will not be available next year, so I switched to Humana.
Edited to add this comment:
UHC has a larger provider network than the Humana plan I'm moving to for 2026.
robin416
Member
I had Humana for several years. No problems with it all. Then I switched to an instate Advantage plan. It's served my purposes very well in the past 4 or 5 years.
You must have missed when United was denying claims like mad.
MACKTEXAS
Well-known Member
I have had good health and my only claims have been routine doctor visits twice yearly - and blood work, so there would be no reason for them to deny my claims. For others who may have complicated issues, their experiences may be different, I don't know. All Advantage plans require pre-authorizations for certain tests / treatments, and those are the cases which sometimes don't go well.
Kaila
SF VIP
I've had UHC in the past and had problems I don't want to write or post,
But I personally wouldn't have them again, for anything.
If they're the only option, or anyway ,
Traditional Medicare is much better in my opinion and experiences with both.
Yes, as was said above, you'd need a part d plan to go with Traditional Medicare.
Some have very low premiums.
But I personally wouldn't have them again, for anything.
If they're the only option, or anyway ,
Traditional Medicare is much better in my opinion and experiences with both.
Yes, as was said above, you'd need a part d plan to go with Traditional Medicare.
Some have very low premiums.
I don't have any health issues really, pretty healthy. I had Humana when I moved back here and the medical places were not sure they were going to take Humana for that very reason but UHC was taken with no qualms. So I switched since it wasn't clear if Humana was going to be taken where I need to go at that time.
Murrmurr
SF VIP
- Location
- Sacramento, California
And the reason it's hard to find a doctor who accepts Medicare Advantage is because of the ridiculously low compensation, having to wait months for payment (on all services), the excessive paperwork, and because MA was granted the authority to override your care-provider's medical decisions and to not pay for services they'd previously approved.
And yeah, all that is about profits, not patients.
My medical group accepted MA patients for only several months, then dropped it because the doctors and the billing department hated every aspect of it. And they knew that some patients were being stuck with bills they shouldn't have been stuck with. In a lot of those cases, rather than continue billing the patients, the clinic just ate the costs.
Happyflowerlady
Vagabond Flowerchild
- Location
- Northern Alabama
Devoted might be new in your area, @JoeFromMo .
When we changed from Humana to Devoted 2 years ago, they were brand new in Alabama, so not all of the doctors here even knew about Devoted Health.
Are you sure there are no doctors near you on the plan ?
If UHC has doctors there, then at least some of those should also accept Devoted.
You can also explain to your doctor that you just changed, and they can easily go to the Devoted website (www.devoted.com) and there is a place for providers.
This will take them right to the company and they can sign up to take Devoted. We had to do this at first, but now Devoted is accepted by almost all of the doctors and hospitals in our area.
Call Devoted on the 800 number and tell them you can’t find a doctor close to you, and see what they can find. They are very nice people and very helpful.
