UC Medicare Choice

• Premiums are increasing significantly.
• Emergency room copay is increasing from $65 to $100 in the US and abroad.
• Inpatient hospital copay is increasing from $250 to $350 for each Medicare-covered hospital stay in-network or out-of-network, and for inpatient treatment for mental health/ substance abuse in a psychiatric hospital.
• $30 copay to Part B drugs will be added to match the office visit copay; Part B chemotherapy drugs and vaccines will continue to be covered without a copay. The $1,500 medical out-of-pocket maximum will apply since Part B drugs are covered under the medical plan. 
• For Medicare Part D Prescription Drugs, there will be a combined $100 deductible for Tiers 3 and 4 (non-preferred brand and specialty medications) except for covered insulin products and most adult Part D vaccines. The copay for Tier 4 specialty drugs is also changing from $30 to 30% of the total cost, up to $150 per script. There will be an exception for insulin on these tiers, which is capped at $35 per month out-of-pocket before the deductible is met.
• Fitness benefits will transition to Renew Active from Silver Sneakers, and members will have access to the Calm App, with self-paced programs for emotional health, sleep and mindfulness.
• Personal emergency response systems will no longer be a covered benefit.
• The Medicare Part D True Out-of-Pocket (TrOOP) limit is increasing from $2,000 to $2,100.

UC Medicare Choice delivers all the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B), includes prescription drug coverage (Part D), and offers additional benefits beyond Medicare.

Because UC Medicare Choice is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, you have access to any provider, in-network or out-of-network, at the same cost to you, as long as providers accept the plan and have not opted out of or been excluded from Medicare.

UC Medicare Choice is the “partner plan” of UC Blue & Gold HMO. That means that if you are a retiree enrolled in UC Blue & Gold HMO, you’ll be transferred into UC Medicare Choice when you turn 65, once Medicare has approved your enrollment form (UBEN 121).

See updated information about coverage for COVID tests.

• You prefer a Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Part C) that generally replaces your Medicare coverage and includes some extra benefits that Original Medicare does not cover.
• You would prefer to let UnitedHealthcare manage your Medicare benefits.
• You want the flexibility to see providers both in and out-of-network.

UC Medicare Choice has no deductible and the out-of-pocket maximum is $1,500.

Typical out-of-pocket costs:

UC offers a Medicare Coordinator Program (administered by Via Benefits) to retirees and to families whose members are all eligible for or enrolled in Medicare and live in a state outside California.