UnitedHealthcare and Freedom Life Insurance Company have an affiliation through their parent organization USHEALTH Group. Freedom Life Insurance operates as a subsidiary of USHEALTH Group, which is a UnitedHealthcare company.
While this relationship exists, it’s important to understand the structure and operations of each company. This article will explain the connection between UnitedHealthcare, USHEALTH Group, and Freedom Life Insurance.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest health insurance providers in the United States. Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, UnitedHealthcare offers a wide range of health insurance plans to employers, individuals, and families across the country.
Some key facts about UnitedHealthcare:
- Provides coverage for over 50 million people in the U.S.
- Offers employer-sponsored plans, individual plans, Medicare plans, and Medicaid plans
- Operates in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
- Employs over 300,000 people worldwide
- Earned $243 billion in revenues in 2020
- Part of UnitedHealth Group, a diversified health services company
UnitedHealthcare contracts with care providers nationwide to form provider networks for its members. It focuses on providing innovative plan designs to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.
Overview of USHEALTH Group
While not a direct subsidiary, USHEALTH Group has an affiliation with UnitedHealthcare through common ownership. USHEALTH Group acts as the parent company for several health insurance companies.
USHEALTH Group is based in Fort Worth, Texas and some key facts include:
- Founded in 1982 as Ascent Assurance
- Rebranded as USHEALTH Group in 2005
- Wholly owned by UnitedHealth Group since 2012
- Specializes in individually underwritten health plans
- Main plans offered are accident, disability, specified disease, and life insurance
- Uses network of captive agents to promote products
- Has served over 15 million customers nationwide
The insurance companies owned by USHEALTH Group that underwrite plans include:
- Freedom Life Insurance Company of America
- National Foundation Life Insurance Company
- Enterprise Life Insurance Company
These insurers offer supplemental health insurance plans that can work alongside major medical coverage from other companies. The plans help pay for expenses that traditional health insurance may not cover.
Freedom Life Insurance Company Overview
Freedom Life Insurance Company of America is one of the three insurance subsidiaries under the USHEALTH Group umbrella.
Here are some key facts about Freedom Life Insurance:
- Based in Columbia, South Carolina
- Founded in 2002 as part of USHEALTH Group system
- Specializes in supplemental accident and life insurance plans
- Products available in 49 states and Washington D.C.
- Rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best for financial strength
As a USHEALTH Group subsidiary, Freedom Life Insurance distributes its products through the USHEALTH Advisors captive agent network. This network consists of licensed agents who exclusively sell plans for USHEALTH Group companies.
The supplemental health plans offered by Freedom Life Insurance can cover costs related to accidents, critical illness, hospital stays, short-term disability, and more. These plans help pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by traditional health insurance.
The UnitedHealthcare Connection
So how exactly is Freedom Life Insurance connected to UnitedHealthcare? Here is the relationship:
- UnitedHealth Group owns and operates UnitedHealthcare
- UnitedHealth Group became the parent company of USHEALTH Group in 2012
- As the parent, UnitedHealth Group fully owns and controls USHEALTH Group
- USHEALTH Group is the parent company of Freedom Life Insurance
Through this tiered ownership structure, Freedom Life Insurance is affiliated with UnitedHealthcare under the common parent organization – UnitedHealth Group.
However, it is crucial to note that UnitedHealthcare and Freedom Life Insurance operate as entirely separate companies:
- Each has its own executives and management team
- They are headquartered in different states
- Each is responsible for its own operations and financials
- UnitedHealthcare focuses on major medical insurance while Freedom Life offers supplemental plans
- Freedom Life distributes products through captive agents vs. UnitedHealthcare’s direct sales
Working With Freedom Life Insurance Plans
Healthcare providers may see patients covered under Freedom Life Insurance accident or supplemental plans.
These plans pay fixed cash benefits for specific medical events related to accidents, hospitalization, or other health services. They do not pay providers directly for rendering services.
Some key things to know about working with Freedom Life Insurance members:
- Verify eligibility and benefits by contacting Freedom Life Insurance directly
- Collect any deductible or copay amounts from patients at time of service
- Submit claims to patient’s Freedom Life plan for reimbursement of applicable cash benefits
- Freedom Life plans provide cash benefits to policyholder to reimburse expenses, not to providers
- Patients are responsible for covering any provider charges not reimbursed by Freedom Life plan
- Providers cannot waive patient responsibility portions or balance bill the plan
Make sure to always confirm coverage details with the member’s Freedom Life Insurance ID card and contact the company with any questions about claims submission or reimbursement processes.
Though affiliated through common ownership under UnitedHealth Group, Freedom Life Insurance operates independently from UnitedHealthcare. But having an understanding of how supplemental Freedom Life plans coordinate with major medical coverage can help facilitate a smooth insurance and payment process for providers seeking reimbursement and patients with coverage.
Freedom Life Insurance and UnitedHealthcare Highlights
- Freedom Life Insurance is a subsidiary under the USHEALTH Group umbrella.
- USHEALTH Group is owned by UnitedHealth Group which also owns UnitedHealthcare.
- Freedom Life and UnitedHealthcare are affiliated through common ownership but operate as totally separate companies.
- Freedom Life offers fixed-benefit supplemental plans while UnitedHealthcare provides major medical insurance.
- Freedom Life Insurance plans reimburse policyholders directly, not care providers.
- Providers should verify Freedom Life plan details to confirm coverage and payment processes.
Us health group – United health care freedom life policy summary
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