Northwestern Hospital: Unitedhealthcare Insurance Acceptance And Coverage

Northwestern Hospital is a renowned healthcare institution that provides a wide range of health insurance plans to its patients. The hospital accepts insurance plans from various providers, including UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana. It is important to note that the acceptance of specific insurance plans may vary depending on the physician providing care, as they may be independent practitioners. Northwestern Hospital also accommodates international students by offering them enrolment in accepted health insurance plans. Additionally, the hospital provides Medicare supplement plans and accepts Medicaid managed care plans.

Commercial, exchange, and government insurance plans

Commercial plans, also known as employer plans, are typically offered by an individual's employer. These plans have a larger network than exchange health insurance plans offered on the marketplace. Northwestern Memorial Hospital accepts a variety of employer plans, and an individual's plan may be accepted even if their employer is based outside of Illinois. Small business owners can enroll in a commercial or group health plan, which provides access to a large network of hospitals and doctors.

Exchange health insurance plans are offered on the marketplace, and Northwestern Hospital accepts plans from the Health Insurance Marketplace. These plans are eligible for subsidies through APTC and CSR and are supported by Healthcare.gov.

Government plans include a range of Medicare and/or Medicaid options. Northwestern Medicine participates in traditional Medicare and accepts Medicaid managed care plans from various carriers. They also participate in the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI), Family Health Plans (FHP), and Integrated Care Plans (ICP). However, it is important to note that Meridian Medicaid will be out of network at Northwestern Medicine starting January 1, 2025.

Medicaid plans

Medicaid is a way to get health care at a lower cost or sometimes at no cost. It typically covers children, pregnant women, elderly adults, people with disabilities, and eligible low-income adults. To enrol in Medicaid, you need to apply through the Medicaid agency in your state. The federal government requires states to provide certain medical benefits to eligible people, and states can choose to provide additional, optional benefits.

UnitedHealthcare offers low-cost or no-cost Medicaid plans and even more benefits with their Dual Special Needs plans. Medicaid coverage will need to be renewed, and you can take three simple steps to renew your coverage. Firstly, check and update your contact information with your state's Medicaid office. Secondly, know the deadline for your state's Medicaid renewal. Lastly, complete, sign, and return your renewal information as soon as possible.

Northwestern Medicine participates in traditional Medicare and Medicaid plans, as well as Family Health Plans (FHP), Integrated Care Plans (ICP), and the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI). However, Meridian Medicaid is out of network at Northwestern Medicine as of January 1, 2025.

Medicare supplement plans

Northwestern Hospital accepts a variety of insurance providers, including Medicaid managed care plans and plans from the Health Insurance Marketplace. They also accept Medicare supplement plans from major carriers, including Mutual of Omaha, Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, and UHC.

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is extra insurance you can buy from a private health insurance company to help pay your share of out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare. You generally must have Original Medicare – Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) – to buy a Medigap policy. Medigap plans are lettered A through G and K through N, with plans A through G generally providing benefits at higher premiums with limited out-of-pocket costs compared to plans K through N. Plan N, for example, pays 100% of the costs of Part B services, except for copayments for some office and emergency room visits. Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible plan in some states, though Plan F is not available to people new to Medicare after January 1, 2020.

Humana offers Medicare Supplement plans in many states, including AK, AZ, CA, DC, DE, HI, IA, LA, ME, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, OR, RI, SC, SD, VT, WI, WV, and WY. These plans may help pay some of the healthcare costs that Medicare Parts A and B do not, like coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles. Depending on the state, you may get a discount on your monthly premium if you enroll online.

It is important to note that insurance plans accepted by Northwestern Hospital may vary depending on the specific physician or care location. It is recommended to contact your physician's office directly to confirm the accepted insurance plans.

International student plans

International students often have different healthcare requirements, and UnitedHealthcare offers plans tailored to their needs. International student plans are a valuable solution for students and their families. These plans can be more cost-effective than other options and provide comprehensive benefits, including services not always found with other plans.

UnitedHealthcare's international student plans offer greater access to national and local networks of physicians and behavioural health specialists. This is especially important for international students, who may be unfamiliar with their new location and its healthcare providers.

All international students at UNG, for example, are automatically enrolled in UnitedHealthcare international student health insurance. This plan includes benefits such as repatriation of remains ($25,000 minimum), medical evacuation to one's home country ($50,000 minimum), and accident and sickness coverage ($250,000 per policy year). These benefits are essential for international students, who may face unique challenges in accessing healthcare while studying abroad.

It is important to note that international students should carefully review the requirements of their specific plan. For example, at UNG, students with other insurance plans may need to complete a waiver to opt out of the mandatory UnitedHealthcare plan. Additionally, students with insurance through a spouse or parent should ensure that it meets the unique requirements of international students, especially regarding repatriation and medical evacuation.

Northwestern Hospital, a renowned healthcare institution, accepts a wide range of health insurance plans, including international student plans. While the specific plans accepted may vary, UnitedHealthcare's presence as an accepted insurance provider at Northwestern Hospital suggests that its international student plans may be among those accepted. However, it is always advisable for students to contact the hospital directly to confirm their specific plan's acceptance.

Employer plans

If you are an employer or employee wanting to understand whether your insurance plan is accepted at Northwestern Hospital, there are a few things to consider.

Firstly, it is important to determine what type of health insurance plan you have. Northwestern Hospital accepts a range of insurance plans, including commercial, exchange, and government plans. Commercial health insurance plans are typically offered by employers and include network providers, such as Northwestern Medicine physician clinics. Exchange plans, on the other hand, are offered on the marketplace, and government plans include a range of Medicare and/or Medicaid options.

Secondly, it is worth noting that even if your employer is based outside of Illinois, your plan may still be accepted at Northwestern Hospital. This is because Northwestern accepts a variety of employer or commercial plans, which tend to have larger networks than Exchange plans.

Northwestern Hospital also accepts Blue Precision HMO plans, which require you to have an assigned primary care physician (PCP) affiliated with specific Northwestern Medicine sites. These sites include hospitals such as Kishwaukee, Valley West, and Central DuPage, among others.

Additionally, Northwestern Hospital accepts BlueChoice Preferred PPO and Cigna as individual Exchange options for accessing Northwestern Medicine.

It is always a good idea to check with your insurance provider and your physician's office to confirm that your specific insurance plan is accepted at Northwestern Hospital.

Frequently asked questions