r/UnitedHealthIsEvil 8d ago

Im sick of calling united healthcare customer service and being pushed around from one dept to another

So my employer has offered me 2 healthcare plans. One is breckpoint and the other is United Health. Breckpoint is a very basic plan and does not make sense for me. However, for United, we’ve been given 3 options under the heritage plan (Base, Mid and High). I need to enroll in a plan by day after tomorrow at max else wait for the open enrollment period that begins end of December.

I am a type 1 diabetic and I use insulin. I wanted to get some information about what tier my current medication falls under and how much my current medication would cost me if I choose one of the 3 united plans. And if there is a cheaper alternative incase it falls in a higher tier.

I have been calling united since the last 2 days and have only been getting pushed around with each department saying that we cannot help you without a member id. How am I supposed to have a member id if I have not enrolled in a plan yet? And this is exactly the reason why I need this information, so I can go ahead and enroll in a plan. I swear to god it is the most basic piece of information I need. They connected me to OptumRx who said that since you are not a member you will have to call TennHealth, who in turn said you will have to call OptumRx since you do not have coverage.

Can someone who has dealt with smth similar please help me out? I feel like I am in a loop. Is there smth I can do? Sorry for the long rant!

17 Upvotes

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5

u/xbumpinthatx 8d ago

Your employer should have HR or a broker who agreed on the plans with the insurer. Can you ask them to help you get this information? They have a special department of customer service they get to work with who have more knowledge/info than the reps trying to help you. They cant answer because UHG doesn't let them have the answers or access to them.

1

u/Glum-Assumption8 8d ago

I reached out to my HR who connected me with the benefits advisor. He said that if you need to know the cheaper alternative for your current medication you need to speak to your doctor. Called my doctor who said you need to speak to your healthcare provider and get that info from them. And then the drama unfolded

2

u/xbumpinthatx 8d ago

I personally would keep bugging your HR advisor because I trained with UHGs business department working with brokers and this was information that the broker and uhg employee should be able to answer and if theyre not they should be able to put a higher level rep on it to get back to you. Politely make it your HR reps problem, how can you select a plan when insurers are refusing to give you relevant information?

2

u/ScrollTroll615 8d ago

You should start with your employer's HR department. They should have guidance regarding the plans if you have questions.

1

u/Glum-Assumption8 8d ago

I reached out to my HR who connected me with the benefits advisor. He said that if you need to know the cheaper alternative for your current medication you need to speak to your doctor. Called my doctor who said you need to speak to your healthcare provider and get that info from them. And then the drama unfolded

1

u/ScrollTroll615 8d ago

Aw man! I am so sorry you are getting the runaround. I have always been able to go to my HR dept. when I had questions before selecting a plan. It's true you will need a member number before UHC will help because plan tiers and what drugs are covered specific to the plan selected.

1

u/Glum-Assumption8 8d ago

I reached out to my HR who connected me with the benefits advisor. He said that if you need to know the cheaper alternative for your current medication you need to speak to your doctor. Called my doctor who said you need to speak to your healthcare provider and get that info from them. And then the drama unfolded

2

u/Full-Ordinary-6030 8d ago

I think you should push back. You're not looking for a cheaper alternative but you need the prescription drug list for all the plans that they offer so you can make a decision on which plan to select.

try posting on r/HealthInsurance to see if they have more ideas.

1

u/Glum-Assumption8 7d ago

Thank you for your input guys! Fortunately i was able to speak to someone at UHG and they were able to give me the info I needed. I’ve enrolled in a plan for the time being. Hopefully I’m able to find a cheaper alternative for my medication, as the current one falls under Tier3.

1

u/mishdabish 2d ago

HOW did you finally get connected with a person?? I have been chatting AND on the phone WAITING for 20 minutes and all I want to do is pay my bill!!!!