Does United Healthcare Cover Medical Alert Systems?
United Healthcare (UHC) does not cover all medical alert systems but it does offer the Lifeline brand of system at no cost to its Medicare Advantage policy holders – UHC has partnered with Lifeline to this end. Lifeline is a reputable brand with a long history (it used to be called Philips Lifeline until its acquisition in 2021 by Connect America – see our Lifeline Company Review for more details).
You can enroll as a UHC member at this Lifeline UHC Sign-Up page. Lifeline offers 24/7 monitoring through US-based professional centers, and offers automatic Fall Detection as one of the optional features of its systems. However, these features may not be available at no cost to you, or may be free of charge to begin with and incur charges later on – these aspects are not clear, so be sure to ask and verify exactly what you’re getting. Again, Lifeline is a reputable company – but always read the fine print from any undertaking.
Other Options
It’s always worth shopping around. If you’re not a UHC Medicare Advantage member or your plan is not covered, contact UHC to ask about any available discounts or coverage options for your specific plan.
Even without the UHC insurance coverage, Lifeline does offer a useful discount to AARP members. And one shopping principle always to keep in mind is to ask for any promotional deals that may be available – many of the leading brands may offer seasonal or other promotions at times – check our review pages for the Best Medical Alert Systems to compare pricing, contract terms, reliability and many other factors at a glance.
Most private health insurance plans, and original Medicare (Parts A and B), do not cover medical alert systems. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, long-term care insurance, and certain Medicaid programs may offer coverage or reimbursements. To check for potential coverage, you should contact your insurance provider directly by phone or through their website.
If your goal is to use a medical alert system and your health insurance plan doesn’t cover this, then if you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you may be able to use pre-tax money to purchase a medical alert system and seek reimbursement. Check with your FSA/HSA administrator for details.
Some long-term care insurance plans cover medical alert systems, given that the plans are intended to help with long-term care needs. You will need to contact your provider to confirm if your specific policy includes this benefit. Check the website first, and then plan to call for confirmations – be specific with systems and the features you want, as well as reimbursements.
Coverage through Medicaid depends on the state and specific program. Some state Medicaid programs, particularly through waivers for home and community-based services, may cover medical alert systems if they are deemed medically necessary for you to live independently. And while you’re checking locally, remember that a wide variety of smaller, often non-profit or member-owned, insurers operate at the state or local level.
