UnitedHealthcare is discontinuing some Medicare Advantage plans and exiting some service areas for 2024.
In a message sent to providers Sept. 21, the nation's largest Medicare Advantage insurer said affected plans include some plans co-branded with AARP; UnitedHealthcare MedicareDirect, a fee-for-service-based program; some dual-eligible plans; and other MA options. Service area changes vary by plan, state and county, UnitedHealthcare said in its message.
"Only a small percentage of our overall Medicare Advantage membership will need to change their plan," the company wrote to providers.
A UnitedHealthcare spokesperson told Becker's the company is expanding its overall MA offerings for 2024.
"In 2024, UnitedHealthcare will be expanding its individual Medicare Advantage footprint and, nationally, we will offer more individual benefit plans that we have in 2023," the spokesperson said in a statement to Becker's.
Affected members will receive a letter informing them they will need to choose a new plan option in October, according to the notice.
The Medicare open enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7.
Editor's note: This article's headline was updated Sept. 22 to reflect new information from UnitedHealthcare, which said it will expand its overall Medicare Advantage footprint in 2024.