WellCare vs. UnitedHealthcare

WellCare vs. UnitedHealthcare: which is better? One of the largest and most widely recognized health insurance companies in the U.S. against a much smaller and less known carrier. 

On the surface, it may not feel like much of a comparison. But in this review, we'll compare Medicare plans from WellCare vs. UnitedHealthcare (UHC) to see how these insurance companies stack up.

UnitedHealthcare offers a range of coverage options such as individual and family plans, dental, vision and more. But the only type of insurance provided by WellCare are Medicare plans, so the focus of our comparison of these companies must remain there. 

Both WellCare and UnitedHealthcare offer Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. UnitedHealthcare also provides Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans, though WellCare doesn't.

WellCare provides the main types of Medicare Advantage plans, including Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for people with chronic health conditions or those who are dual-eligible beneficiaries (which means they're eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid). 

In a random sampling of WellCare Medicare Advantage plans in Los Angeles, CA, premiums were $0 per month across the board. The costs of WellCare Medicare plans where you live could also be $0, but they might not. The best way to compare local plan costs is to compare plans online or speak with a licensed insurance agent.

WellCare offers Medicare Advantage plans in the following 36 states:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Massachusetts 
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin 

Does Wellcare Offer Medicare Part D?

Yes, WellCare sells Medicare Part D prescription drug plans in all 50 states, and you may have a choice of up to three different plans in your area, depending on where you live. 

• WellCare Classic
• WellCare Medicare Rx Value Plus
• WellCare Value Script

Each plan has an initial coverage limit of $5,030 and an out-of-pocket spending limit of $8,000 in 2024. The WellCare Medicare Rx Value Plus plan has a $0 deductible while the two other plans have a $545 deductible in 2024.

All three plans have a 3-Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Each year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

In a sampling of price quotes for Phoenix, AZ, monthly premiums for WellCare Part D plans ranged from $0 to $78.90 per month. Keep in mind that monthly premiums, deductibles, copays and other costs could be different for plans available where you live. Compare a few plan options from your local area to find out which plans may best fit your budget.

UnitedHealthcare is a much bigger insurance company than WellCare, and they sell Medicare Advantage plans in every state except Alaska. Like WellCare, UHC Medicare plans can be any one of the popular types of Medicare Advantage plans like HMO, PPO and Special Needs Plans. 

UnitedHealthcare also sells Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans. These plans offer more flexible provider network rules than some other types of plans and may be used at any health care provider who agrees to the payment terms of the plan. 

In our random sampling of Medicare Advantage plan quotes in Los Angeles, CA, UnitedHealthcare HMO Medicare plan premiums ranged from $0 to $42 per month.

Does UnitedHealthcare Offer Medicare Part D?

Yes, UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Part D plans through its partnership with AARP. Plans are available nationwide and include three options in most areas: 

• MedicareRx Walgreens
• MedicareRx Preferred
• MedicareRx Basic

The Medicare Rx Preferred Medicare drug plan has a $0 deductible, while the MedicareRx Basic plan has a $545 deductible and the Walgreens plan has a $410 deductible in 2024.

In a sampling of price quotes from Phoenix, AZ, monthly premiums ranged from $39.30 to $98.20. As noted above, the monthly premiums for UHC Medicare Part D plans that are available where you live may be higher or lower than these examples.

UnitedHealthcare vs. WellCare: Medicare Supplement Plans

WellCare does not sell Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans, which are plans that can pay for many of your out-of-pocket Medicare costs such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays.

UnitedHealthcare, on the other hand, sells eight of the 10 standardized Medigap plans that are available in most states, including the popular Medicare Supplement Plan C, Medicare Plan F and Medicare Plan G plans. Plan availability will vary by location. 

Summary: WellCare vs. UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is a large insurance company selling Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D and Medigap plans all over the U.S. 

WellCare is a much smaller company with more limited options. While this carrier sells Medicare Part D nationwide, its Medicare Advantage plans reach only 36 states and there are no Medigap plans from which to choose. 

However, benefits and cost comparison between WellCare and UnitedHealthcare Medicare plans are competitive, so shoppers should be encouraged to seek out the plan options in their area that are offered by each company.

Compare these brands against other carriers like United Healthcare vs BCBS and Humana vs Aetna Medicare Advantage.