United Health Care - Advantage

 July 20, 2024    

A number of people have signed up for United Health -Advantage after Tyler suggested looking into it.  Jackie signed up and encouraged others to do so also.  

I made an appointment with Margaret Schultz to give Peter and me information about the benefits of this insurance.  Peter did not think he would be saving enough to justify signing up; I decided to give it a try.

The first time I went to Walgreen's with my card I got a few over-the-counter items at no charge.  I also sent for some vitamins from the catalog.  The next time I tried using my card, it was rejected.  I called Margaret who said that there is some glitch with MPS, because it has something to do with my benefits.  So I had been canceled.  Margaret re-enrolled me beginning July 1.

Janice suggested that I meet with their agent Jeff to set my mind at ease that my plan is good for me.  We had a Google Meet on July 16, and he seemed to think it was fine, especially the $500 per year maximum out-of-pocket cost.

I am allowed $375.00 per quarter for over-the-counter merchandise.  Since there is no way that I spend $375.00 in three months, I am buying things for Kinship.  Dwight thinks it is unethical, but Jackie researched the situation and that is what she and some others do.  On July 18, I ordered over $300 worth of merchandise that included some things for myself: pillow, vitamins, hydrogen peroxide.  

On Friday, July 19, Rachel from UHC-A called to give me phone numbers and information when I need help.  My concern was that my physicians are in the plan.  She could not find Dr. Kostopoulos.  She recommended that I call Aurora billing department to see if he is on their list.  They could not help me.  I called UHC-A again and was transferred to another department.  I could not understand the person I was talking to who spoke rapidly and cut off her words; I was cut off.  I did research on my own and I found Dr. Kostopoulos on the list of cardiac specialists, so I was satisfied.

September 12, 2024

I have been getting two insurance cards: one from Advantage and one with an MPS logo; I though I had opted out of MPS when Margaret met with Kathy Narlock and me and signed forms to discontinue MPS coverage.

When I purchase feminine pads at Pick 'n Save, which is a covered OTC  item, my card was rejected.

I left messages at both Margaret and Lisa at UHC, hoping to get answers about dual cards and coverage.

Lisa called my an Tuesday, September 10, while I was at the Bavarian Bierhaus with the MARTA luncheon.  Trying to hear in the lobby, then outside with the freeway traffic overhead was difficult.  We spent a minimum of 30 minutes getting details of what my cards covered.  Lisa tried to convince me that I did not qualify for the Advantage plan because I did not live in a nursing home or assisted living; buy when she then included senior living, I did qualify.  She tried connecting me to MPS with no results.  The bottom line: I had to contact MPS to opt out of their plan.

I tried calling MPS when I go home from the luncheon; that was a joke.  Expect a call-back in maybe two days.  I decided to personally go to MPS the following day.

I got to MPS Benefits office by about 10:45 a.m. The first person I spoke to did not have enough information about what plans I had.  The next person tried to discourage me for opting out because I was paying nothing for MPS coverage, plus getting some money every month; why would I pay for different coverage.  I explained that I would be getting added benefits from the Advantage plan.  They almost had me convinced.  But I signed the form and my coverage with MPS will end at the end of September.

LET'S HOPE!