UnitedHealthOne’s “Copay Select Value” health insurance plan is one of the cheapest policies available to individuals and families. Premiums are typically low in most states that it is offered, and many of the covered benefits are featured in much more expensive contracts. If you normally have less than four office visits per year (average), this plan may be a great affordable choice. The contract is marketed under the “Golden Rule” brand name.
Details Of Coverage
The “Copay Select Value” plan is actually a slimmed down version of the “Copay Select” plan, which is UnitedHealthOne’s most comprehensive contract. However, to keep the cost of the policy down, four office visits (per person per year) are provided to each insured, instead of unlimited covered visits. A $35 copay applies and a deductible then applies to any covered visit in excess of the four that are allowed. However, the cost of the office visits in excess of four would still receive a discount that is negotiated by the insurer. This reduction will be felt most with lab tests and X-rays to network facilities.
Like most plans issued after October of 2010, federal health care reform has mandated that any qualified preventive expense be covered without a waiting period, applicable deductible or any copay. Thus, routine annual physicals, mammograms, pap smears, wellness visits and many other benefits are provided with no out of pocket expense to the policyholder.Also, many diagnostic tests may actually be covered at no cost to you.
We have found that this feature will potentially save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the policy. Remember that complications from preventive visits may not be covered at 100%, but will receive the negotiated repricing. If you are unsure about the bill or statement you receive, a claims department representative can easily correct an error.
Golden Rule Health Insurance Plans Are Affordable
Prescription coverage is limited. Generic drugs are covered with a $15 copay. However, non-generic drugs are not covered. Potentially, expensive prescription costs could create high out of pocket costs. Whenever possible, always ask your physician for generic options. If you currently take brand-name prescriptions, this policy may not be the best choice for you, since potential out of pocket costs to you could be high. The “Copay Plus” plan will provide generous non-generic and brand-name benefits.
Deductible options range from $1,000 to $10,000. When a higher deductible is selected, the premium, already about 25% lower than UnitedHealthOne’s “Copay Select” plan, will drop again. The coinsurance amount is 30%, which can potentially add an additional $5,000 (the maximum) of out of pocket expenses to the deductible. While, of course, it is impossible to predict the number and type of major medical claims you will have in the future, higher deductibles are clearly the best option if very few (or no) hospital claims are submitted. The number of deductibles will not exceed two per family, regardless of how many family members are insured.
Although national health care reform was recently challenged in court, currently, some of the mandated changes apply to this policy. For example, there is no maximum payout on covered expenses. Whether your lifetime medical expenses are $250,000 or $25 million, they will be paid by UnitedHealthOne (subject to any deductible, coinsurance or coverage limitations). There is also no annual cap on the benefits that are paid. Other benefits may also be added in the next few years, especially beginning in 2014 when each state has an Exchange set up.
This type of policy is not the right fit for every individual or family. Rates can easily be quite competitive in one state, and perhaps not nearly as competitive in other areas of the country. That’s why it’s important to review and compare your quotes from all of the major companies to see if the “Copay Select Value” is the best fit for you. Often, Aetna and Blue Cross offer similar plans and they should be compared by requesting a free price check at the top of this article.
About UHC
UnitedHealthOne (UHC) is the recognized name of UnitedHealthcare, one of the largest health insurers in the United States. Golden Rule underwrites and administrates the plans and has offered health care coverage for more than 60 years. Their plans are generally very competitively priced and the Network of doctors, specialists, hospitals and other medical providers, is very extensive. No matter where you live, there should be an “in-network” provider close by. And if this policy isn’t a good fit for you, UHC has a wide assortment of other available policies.
Applying For Coverage
When you request quotes (at the top of this page), after providing some basic information, you’ll be able to make a side-by-side comparison of this plan with other similar plans. However, you may want to spend a little bit more money to upgrade your coverage to “unlimited” office visit benefits. Or, it also may be more cost-effective to completely eliminate office visit benefits if you can drastically reduce your costs.
