What is UnitedHealthcare Select Plus PPO Health Insurance?

UnitedHealthcare Select Plus is a preferred provider organization (PPO) health insurance plan offered by UnitedHealthcare. It provides the flexibility to see any doctor or facility while incentivizing use of in-network providers for lower costs. Here’s an overview of how UnitedHealthcare Select Plus PPO insurance works.

What is UnitedHealthcare Select Plus?

UnitedHealthcare Select Plus is a nationwide PPO health plan product available to both individuals and employer groups. Key features include:

• A large PPO network of doctors, hospitals, and other providers

• The ability to see any provider, but reduced costs when using in-network providers

• A variety of plan designs with different deductibles, copays, and coinsurance

• Health savings account (HSA) compatible options

• Prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage available

• Travel benefits and virtual care access

Select Plus provides flexible coverage while encouraging use of cost-effective in-network providers. Members get the most savings when staying in-network, but can go out-of-network for care if they choose.

How Does the UnitedHealthcare Select Plus PPO Work?

Select Plus is a PPO plan, which differs from HMOs and EPOs in some key ways:

• Large national network – Access to over 1 million doctors, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network

• No referrals required – You can see any network specialist without a referral from a primary care physician

• Out-of-network coverage – Care from non-network providers is covered, but at a higher cost to the member

• Pre-authorization not required – You don’t need pre-approval for services, except certain major procedures

• Deductible and coinsurance – Cost sharing includes an annual deductible and coinsurance percentage, rather than copays for each service

Select Plus plans provide preventive care at no charge when using in-network providers. For other services, you pay the full discounted cost until meeting your annual deductible. After that, the plan pays a percentage of costs (for example, 80%) and you pay coinsurance for your share (e.g. 20%).

Out-of-network care is covered, but subject to higher deductibles and coinsurance. Out-of-network providers can also balance bill patients for any charges above the plan’s allowed amounts.

What Are the Benefits of UnitedHealthcare Select Plus?

Some key benefits and features of UnitedHealthcare Select Plus include:

• Low in-network costs – Discounted rates reduce your out-of-pocket costs for care

• National network – See providers across the country who participate in the Choice Plus PPO

• Virtual care – 24/7 access to virtual medical and mental health visits using designated partners

• Preventive care covered at 100% – No out-of-pocket costs for eligible preventive services like immunizations and screenings

• Pharmacy benefits – Prescription drug coverage with copays for medications from OptumRx network pharmacies

• Health savings account eligibility – Many Select Plus plans can be paired with an HSA for tax-advantaged savings

• Travel benefits – Coverage when traveling for emergency care, urgent care, and medical evacuations

• Wellness programs – Discounts and rewards programs for healthy behaviors

Select Plus provides a solid middle ground between restrictive HMOs and higher cost, but flexible, PPO plans. It offers a large provider network for convenience while incentivizing the use of cost-effective network providers and facilities.

What Does UnitedHealthcare Select Plus Cover?

UnitedHealthcare Select Plus covers a wide range of medical services including:

• Doctor’s office visits for illness, injury, and preventive care

• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services

• Emergency room and urgent care services

• Lab tests, x-rays, and diagnostic imaging

• Maternity and newborn care

• Mental health and substance abuse treatment

• Physical therapy, chiropractic care, and rehabilitation services

• Home health care and skilled nursing facility care

• Durable medical equipment, prosthetics, and supplies

• Prescription drug coverage

Benefits can vary by plan design. Certain major procedures like surgery may require pre-authorization. Out-of-network coverage details differ from the in-network provisions.

Select Plus plans do not cover adult dental or vision services. These are available as optional add-ons for an additional premium. Most Select Plus plans also have annual deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums that impact how costs are shared between the insurance company and member.

What Do UnitedHealthcare Select Plus Plans Cost?

UnitedHealthcare Select Plus premiums vary significantly based on factors like:

• Age of covered members

• Geographic location

• Plan design chosen (deductible, coinsurance, copays, etc.)

• Inclusion of dental, vision, or other optional benefits

As examples, average monthly rates for Select Plus coverage are:

• Individual rate – $300 to $600+ per month

• Couple rate – $500 to $1,000+ per month

• Family rates – $800 to $1,500+ per month

Deductibles often range from $1,000 for individual coverage up to $5,000 or more for families. Total out-of-pocket maximums may be $3,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the plan.

In comparison to HMO plans, Select Plus provides lower cost access to a much wider network of providers while incentivizing members to use in-network providers whenever possible. This balances maximum choice with cost-effective care.

Is UnitedHealthcare Select Plus a Good Choice?

UnitedHealthcare Select Plus can be a good option for those who:

• Want in- and out-of-network provider choice

• Prefer lower deductibles over copays for services

• Travel frequently within the United States

• Value access to national brand-name providers

• Use healthcare services occasionally but not extensively

It provides network flexibility combined with tools and incentives to drive utilization of cost-efficient providers. For those who don’t need regular care and wide open access, Select Plus offers a balanced PPO approach.