We have the opportunity to choose between these 2 companies, for similar cost. We used Cigna for about 15+ years, but now we can change if we want. Any idea if United Healthcare is better/worse than Cigna?

Thanks

If all else is similar, you might as well stick with the same company to avoid needing to change doctors.

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I think it is highly dependent on individual plans, but I have to say that my current United Healthcare is the worst insurance experience I have had since I was a student. Many denials that I had to fight (and won most of them, but after much frustration), some of them truly ridiculous. Never had a problem in my previous company, where it was Cigna. I am considering looking for a new job just because I am tired of the insurance issues.

An additional "benefit": when trying to make an appointment and saying that insurance is United Health, I had several instances of the provider telling me there is nothing available next 6 months. Only later I realized that they are all afraid of some UH Community Plan, which does not pay enough, and that when I call I need to quickly say that it is NOT the community plan.

I've been on United Health/AAA for a couple of years without issue.

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Central VA

We found the service from the company to be truly awful-had to jump through endless hoops to get money we we're owed. We left them.

I've been with UHC Medicare for a few years now and I can't really complain. My PC is $0 copay, Specialist is $30. The extra dental care I pay for sucks as almost no decent dentist will take it. My copay for one day in the hospital two weeks ago was $295 but since I had to stay an extra day it may be double that, not sure.

Just make sure all your current Drs. are in any new plan you're considering.

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Grateful11

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anonymouse1
We found the service from the company to be truly awful-had to jump through endless hoops to get money we we're owed. We left them.

Which one?

Not sure about Cigna, but I do hate dealing with UHC

It really depends on the plan. Medicare or under-65 employer group plan?

You would need to have better benefits to switch because if the cost is the same and benefits are the same or similar then why switch?

I assume you're locked in for a year.

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Grateful11
I've been with UHC Medicare for a few years now and I can't really complain. My PC is $0 copay, Specialist is $30. The extra dental care I pay for sucks as almost no decent dentist will take it. My copay for one day in the hospital two weeks ago was $295 but since I had to stay an extra day it may be double that, not sure.

Just make sure all your current Drs. are in any new plan you're considering.

Just yesterday my dentist told me that United Healthcare Medicare Advantage that I have WITH the supplemental $49/month dental coverage doesn't cover implant crowns. It's my own fault--I signed up for the supplemental dental without reading all the ins and outs and now that I've read the policy, it's clear that it doesn't cover implants. When I needed an implant, the $2600 oral surgeon bill was covered for $258 (pulling the tooth!). And the $1900 crown will be on me. Having said that, United Healthcare sent me an email a month ago saying that one of their different policies might be better given "this year's claims experience" that I've had. They now have a policy in my area that covers dental for my out-of-network dentist at their in-network rate. That seems to be about 50% of what my dentist charges. This new policy includes implants along with all the other normal things. And there's no monthly charge for the policy (compared to the current $50/month). The downside of this policy is that if we go to the hospital it will be more expensive and going to an out-of-network specialist costs $65 instead of the current $45. But, I haven't been hospitalized since I was 6; my wife only when she delivered our kid 36 years ago. So, it seems like a good gamble. It'll save $99 a month each (since we won't need the supplemental dental and there's no cost for the policy) and if we stay as healthy as we've been it will only cost us an extra $40 a year to see an out-of-network dermatologist that we see each year.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2022 03:35PM by Michael.