Is Secure Horizons the same as UnitedHealthcare?

Secure Horizons and UnitedHealthcare have a connected history. Secure Horizons was originally founded as a division of UnitedHealthcare, offering Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement plans, and Medicare Part D plans. In recent years, UnitedHealthcare has been rebranding Secure Horizons plans under the UnitedHealthcare name.

A Brief History of Secure Horizons

Secure Horizons was founded in 1983 as a division of PacifiCare Health Systems. PacifiCare offered Secure Horizons as a way to provide senior health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage HMO plans.

In 2005, UnitedHealth Group acquired PacifiCare and took over the Secure Horizons brand. For many years, UnitedHealthcare continued operating Secure Horizons as its own division focusing on Medicare plans.

Secure Horizons became one of the most popular Medicare Advantage plans in the regions it served, known for providing affordable copays and a broad network of doctors and hospitals. In addition to Medicare Advantage, Secure Horizons also offered Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D plans in select areas.

Over the past decade, UnitedHealthcare has been gradually phasing out the Secure Horizons name and rebranding plans under the UnitedHealthcare name instead. However, UnitedHealthcare notes that securehorizons.com will remain active for the foreseeable future to support existing Secure Horizons members through the transition.

Are Secure Horizons and UnitedHealthcare the Same Company?

Secure Horizons and UnitedHealthcare are not the same company, but they are connected. Here is the relationship:

• UnitedHealth Group is the parent company of UnitedHealthcare.
• UnitedHealthcare is the insurance carrier.
• Secure Horizons was originally a division of UnitedHealthcare that offered Medicare plans.

So in essence, Secure Horizons was a product line and brand name used by UnitedHealthcare for its Medicare insurance plans. Now those same plans are simply being sold under the UnitedHealthcare brand instead.

Why Did Secure Horizons Rebrand to UnitedHealthcare?

There are a few reasons why Secure Horizons plans have been gradually rebranded to UnitedHealthcare over the past several years:

Brand Recognition – The UnitedHealthcare brand is much more widely recognized nationwide compared to Secure Horizons. Using the UnitedHealthcare brand allows them to leverage their brand awareness and trust.

Streamlined Administration – With all Medicare plans under one brand, it streamlines internal processes and technology for UnitedHealthcare.

Cohesive Marketing – Using one brand enables UnitedHealthcare to have more cohesive national advertising and marketing campaigns.

Customer Transition – UnitedHealthcare wants to transition Secure Horizons customers over to the UnitedHealthcare brand. Keeping both brands was not feasible long-term.

How Rebranded Secure Horizons Plans Work

The rebranding effort has focused on Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Here is an overview of how it has worked:

• Medicare Advantage – Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage members have been transitioned over to UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. These plans have very similar benefits, networks, and premiums. Members use the same ID card and have access to the same Customer Service.

• Part D Plans – Standalone Part D prescription drug plans offered by Secure Horizons were transitioned to sister plans offered by UnitedHealthcare. The formulary, pharmacy network, and premiums remain very similar.

• Medigap – UnitedHealthcare has retained the Secure Horizons brand for Medicare Supplement plans in most states. These Secure Horizons Medigap policies are still underwritten by UnitedHealthcare.

The transition has aimed to keep plan benefits and premiums very consistent to avoid disruption for members. In most cases, Secure Horizons members can continue seeing the same doctors and using the same pharmacies after switching over to the UnitedHealthcare-branded plans.

Throughout the process, UnitedHealthcare sends multiple notices to members outlining what changes they can expect to see with the new plans. Customer Service is also available to help members understand the changes.

Examples of Rebranded Secure Horizons Plans

Here are some examples of popular Secure Horizons plans that have transitioned to UnitedHealthcare plans:

• SecureHorizons Choice Premier (HMO) => AARP MedicareComplete Plan 1 (HMO)
• SecureHorizons Choice (HMO SNP) => AARP MedicareComplete Choice Plan 2 (HMO SNP)
• SecureHorizons RxPlus (PDP) => AARP MedicareRx Walgreens (PDP)

As you can see, UnitedHealthcare aimed to retain very similar plan names to SecureHorizons during the transition.

The plan benefits, provider networks, and formularies remained nearly identical. Members kept the same ID card and Customer Service number through the rebranding process.

Are There Still Secure Horizons Plans Available?

While Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage and Part D plans have mostly completed their transition to UnitedHealthcare, a few Secure Horizons Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies remain active in select states like California, New York, and North Carolina.

However, the future of the Secure Horizons brand for Medicare Supplement plans is unclear. UnitedHealthcare may continue phasing it out in favor of using their AARP-branded Medigap plans nationwide.

What If I’m Currently a Secure Horizons Member?

If you currently have a Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, it’s important to carefully read any notices from UnitedHealthcare about your plan changing over to UnitedHealthcare branding. This transition will happen automatically, but you’ll want to understand any changes.

Be on the lookout for a new UnitedHealthcare member ID card in the mail. Make sure to begin using your new UnitedHealthcare card once you receive it.

You can continue using the same doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies that were in your Secure Horizons network. The provider networks are remaining the same.

If you have any questions about the rebranding process or want to learn about how it impacts you specifically, be sure to contact UnitedHealthcare Customer Service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about Secure Horizons and UnitedHealthcare:

Does UnitedHealthcare own Secure Horizons?

Yes. UnitedHealthcare is the parent company of Secure Horizons after acquiring them in 2005. Secure Horizons operates as a Medicare division within UnitedHealthcare.

Is my Secure Horizons network the same under UnitedHealthcare?

Yes. When you transition from Secure Horizons to a UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan, you keep the same network of doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies.

What happens if I have an upcoming doctor appointment scheduled?

Your existing appointments will not be disrupted by the plan name change over to UnitedHealthcare. Just make sure to bring your new UnitedHealthcare member ID card to any appointments after your plan transitions.

Where should I mail my premium payments now?

If you pay your Secure Horizons premium directly instead of automatic deductions, you will receive a new payment coupon book from UnitedHealthcare with their payment mailing address.

What happens if I’m using SecureHorizons online resources and apps?

You will need to begin using the UnitedHealthcare member portal and apps instead. Your account will transfer over to provide access to the same information.

The Bottom Line: Secure Horizons and UnitedHealthcare

Secure Horizons was founded as a Medicare division within UnitedHealthcare. Over the past decade, UnitedHealthcare has rebranded Secure Horizons Medicare plans over to the UnitedHealthcare brand name.

The plan benefits, networks, costs, and coverage have remained very similar during this transition. Members now simply access their plan under the UnitedHealthcare brand name rather than Secure Horizons. This rebranding aims to streamline UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare operations and leverage their brand recognition.