UnitedHealthcare is expanding its reach on the ACA exchanges to 22 states, the insurance giant announced on Thursday.
Open enrollment on the Affordable Care Act's insurance marketplaces begins next week on Nov. 1, and UHC's plans will be available to people in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
For the 2022 plan year, UnitedHealth plans were available in 18 states, up from 11 states in 2021. The insurer significantly scaled back its offerings in 2016 as payers struggled to turn a profit on the exchanges, but began to ramp up its reach in the individual market again in 2020.
Greater stability and a wave of sign-ups that led to the highest enrollment ever on the exchanges has encouraged previously hesitant health plans to bulk out their offerings.
“Everyone should have access to quality affordable health care coverage, particularly now as many Americans are working hard to keep their costs down,” said Marcus Robinson, senior vice president at UnitedHealthcare Individual and Family Plans, in the release. “With extended eligibility and subsidies, we have created even more options for the 2023 Health Insurance Marketplace that meet the diverse needs of our members and help people make the best choice for themselves and their families.”
UnitedHealthcare's slate of 2023 exchange plans include offerings with $0 unlimited primary care and $0 unlimited virtual urgent care, according to the announcement. Members can receive prescriptions as low as $3 through Optum's home delivery service or at Walgreens pharmacies. Walgreens will also offer members in eligible plans 20% off of its branded health and wellness products, UHC said.
There are also plans available with $0 deductibles, the insurer said, and health savings account options. For supplemental benefits, plans may include vision and dental coverage, complementary access to digital fitness classes and the potential to earn a $100 gift card.
The open enrollment window will end on Jan. 15.