EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) H8783-001 is a 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan or Part-C by UCare available to residents in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This plan includes extra prescription drug (Part-D) coverage. UCare EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) has a monthly premium of $33.00 and has an in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit of $4,500 (MOOP). This means that if you get sick or need a high-cost procedure the co-pays are capped once you pay $4,500 out-of-pocket. This can be an extremely nice safety net.

UCare works with Medicare to provide significant coverage beyond Part A and Part B benefits. If you decide to sign up for EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) you still retain Original Medicare. But you will get extra Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from UCare and not Original Medicare. With 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan you are always covered for urgently needed and emergency care. Plus, you receive all the benefits of Original Medicare from UCare except hospice care. Original Medicare still provides you with hospice care if you sign up for Medicare Advantage in Minnesota or Medicare Advantage in Wisconsin.

2023 UCare Medicare Advantage Plan Overview

What type of plan is EssentiaCare Secure (PPO)

EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) is a Local PPO. A preferred provider organization (PPO) is a Medicare plan that has created contracts with a network of "preferred" providers for you to choose from at reduced rates. You do not need to select a primary care physician and you do not need referrals to see other providers in the network. Offering you a little more flexibility overall. You can get medical attention from a provider outside of the network, but you will have to pay the difference between the out-of-network bill and the PPOs discounted rate.

How much does EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) cost?

Monthly Premium

A monthly premium is the fee you pay to the plan in exchange for coverage. UCare charges a $33.00 consolidated premium. The Part C premium is $23.00 this charge covers Medicare medical, hospital benefits and supplemental benefits if offered. You generally are also responsible for paying the Part B premium.

Part-D Deductible and Premium

An annual deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket for your prescription drugs before your plan begins to pay. EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) has a monthly drug premium of $10.00 and a $345.00 drug deductible. This UCare plan offers a $10.00 Part-D Basic Premium that is Not below the regional benchmark. This covers the basic prescription benefit only and does not cover enhanced drug benefits such as medical benefits or hospital benefits. The Part D Supplemental Premium is $0. This Premium covers any enhanced plan benefits offered by UCare above and beyond the standard PDP benefits. This can include extra coverage in the gap, lower co-payments, and coverage of non-Part D drugs. The Part D Total Premium is $10.00. The Part D Total Premium is the addition of supplemental and basic premiums for some plans this amount can be lowered due to negative basic or supplemental premiums.

UCare Gap Coverage

In 2023 once you and your plan provider have spent $4660 on covered drugs. (Combined amount plus your deductible) You will be in the coverage gap. (AKA "donut hole") You will be required to pay 25% for prescription drugs unless your plan offers extra coverage. This UCare plan does not offer extra coverage through the gap.

Extra Help Premium Assistance

The Low Income Subsidy (LIS) Extra Helps people with Medicare pay for prescription drugs and lowers the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. Income limits are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which changes every year in February or March. The 2022 income limit is $1,719 ($2,309 for couples) per month. Depending on your income level you may be eligible for a full 75%, 50%, 25% premium assistance. The EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) medicare insurance offers a $0 premium obligation if you receive a full low-income subsidy (LIS) assistance. And the payment is $2.50 for 75% low-income subsidy $5.00 for 50% and $7.50 for 25%.

MOOP

The maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) is a yearly limit on your out-of-pocket costs. EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) by UCare MOOP is $4,500. Once you spend $4,500 you will pay nothing for Part A or Part B covered services. Copayments and coinsurance for Medicare approved services apply toward your out-of-pocket limit. Remember Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t have a MOOP.

Formulary and Drug Coverage

EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) formulary is divided into tiers or levels of coverage based on usage and according to the medication costs. Each tier will have a defined copay that you must pay to receive the drug. Drugs in lower tiers will usually cost less than those in higher tiers. By reviewing different Medicare Drug formularies, you can pick a Medicare Advantage plan that covers your medications. Additionally, you can choose a plan that has your drugs listed at a lower price.

Drug Tier	Copay Preferred Pharmacy	Copay Nonpreferred Pharmacy
Tier 1	$1	$10
Tier 2	$10	$20
Tier 3	$47	$47
Tier 4	50%	50%
Tier 5	27%	27%

The complete EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) Formulary.
*Initial Coverage Phase and 30 day supply

2023 Summary of Benefits

The benefit information provided is a summary of what EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) covers and what you pay (such as copayments and coinsurance amounts) for certain common medical events. The Summary of Benefits from UCare helps get an idea of how much financial protection the plan is generally expected to provide for common health conditions. This section also contains information on coverage for in-network and out-of-network providers.

Wellness programs (e.g., fitness, nursing hotline)	Covered

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Contact lenses

In-Network Vision	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Eyeglass frames

In-Network Vision	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Eyeglass lenses

Out-of-Network Vision	$0 copay
In-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Eyeglasses (frames and lenses)

Out-of-Network Vision	$0 copay
In-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Other

Vision	Not covered

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Routine eye exam

In-Network Vision	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Vision	40% coinsurance

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Upgrades

Out-of-Network Vision	$0 copay
In-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Transportation	Not covered
Out-of-Network Skilled Nursing Facility	40% per stay
In-Network Skilled Nursing Facility	$0 per day for days 1 through 20 $196 per day for days 21 through 100

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Occupational therapy visit

In-Network Rehabilitation services	$40 copay
Out-of-Network Rehabilitation services	40% coinsurance

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Physical therapy and speech and language therapy visit

Out-of-Network Rehabilitation services	40% coinsurance
In-Network Rehabilitation services	$40 copay

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Cleaning

In-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay

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Dental x-ray(s)

Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay
In-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay

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Fluoride treatment

In-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay

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Oral exam

In-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay

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Out-of-Network Preventive care	40% coinsurance
In-Network Preventive care	$0 copay
In-Network Outpatient hospital coverage	$350 copay per visit
Out-of-Network Outpatient hospital coverage	40% coinsurance per visit
In-Network Other health plan deductibles?	No
Optional supplemental benefits	Yes

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Inpatient hospital - psychiatric

In-Network Mental health services	$300 per day for days 1 through 5 $0 per day for days 6 through 90
Out-of-Network Mental health services	40% per stay

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Outpatient group therapy visit

Out-of-Network Mental health services	40% coinsurance
In-Network Mental health services	$40 copay

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Outpatient group therapy visit with a psychiatrist

Out-of-Network Mental health services	40% coinsurance
In-Network Mental health services	$40 copay

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Outpatient individual therapy visit

In-Network Mental health services	$40 copay
Out-of-Network Mental health services	40% coinsurance

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Outpatient individual therapy visit with a psychiatrist

In-Network Mental health services	$40 copay
Out-of-Network Mental health services	40% coinsurance

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Chemotherapy

In-Network Medicare Part B drugs	20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Medicare Part B drugs	40% coinsurance

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Other Part B drugs

In-Network Medicare Part B drugs	20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Medicare Part B drugs	40% coinsurance

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Diabetes supplies

In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	20% coinsurance per item
Out-of-Network Medical equipment/supplies	40% coinsurance per item

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Durable medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, oxygen)

Out-of-Network Medical equipment/supplies	40% coinsurance per item
In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	20% coinsurance per item

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Prosthetics (e.g., braces, artificial limbs)

In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	20% coinsurance per item
Out-of-Network Medical equipment/supplies	40% coinsurance per item

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Maximum out-of-pocket enrollee responsibility (does not include prescription drugs)	$5,500 In and Out-of-network $4,500 In-network
In-Network Inpatient hospital coverage	$300 per day for days 1 through 5 $0 per day for days 6 through 90
Out-of-Network Inpatient hospital coverage	40% per stay

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Fitting/evaluation

Out-of-Network Hearing	40% coinsurance
In-Network Hearing	$0 copay

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Hearing aids - inner ear

Hearing	Not covered

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Hearing aids - outer ear

Hearing	Not covered

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Hearing aids - over the ear

Hearing	Not covered

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Hearing exam

Out-of-Network Hearing	40% coinsurance
In-Network Hearing	$45 copay

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Health plan deductible	$0
Out-of-Network Ground ambulance	$375 copay
In-Network Ground ambulance	$375 copay

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Foot exams and treatment

Out-of-Network Foot care (podiatry services)	40% coinsurance
In-Network Foot care (podiatry services)	$45 copay

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Routine foot care

Foot care (podiatry services)	Not covered

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Emergency

Emergency care/Urgent care	$100 copay per visit (always covered)

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Urgent care

Emergency care/Urgent care	$45 copay per visit (always covered)

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Primary

In-Network Doctor visits	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Doctor visits	$45-75 copay per visit

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Specialist

In-Network Doctor visits	$45 copay per visit
Out-of-Network Doctor visits	$45-75 copay per visit

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Diagnostic radiology services (e.g., MRI)

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	10% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	40% coinsurance

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Diagnostic tests and procedures

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	10% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	40% coinsurance

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Lab services

Out-of-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$0 copay
In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$0 copay

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Outpatient x-rays

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	10% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	40% coinsurance

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Diagnostic services

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Endodontics

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Extractions

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Non-routine services

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Periodontics

Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay
In-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay

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Prosthodontics, other oral/maxillofacial surgery, other services

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Restorative services

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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In-Network Additional benefits and/or reduced cost-sharing for enrollees with certain health conditions?	Yes, contact plan for further details

EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) Reviews

Is EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) a good plan? EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) received a 4 overall star rating from the CMS. The CMS uses a Star Rating System to measure how well Medicare Advantage and Part D plans perform. Plans are rated on a one-to-five scale, with one star representing poor performance and five stars representing excellent performance. Medicare Advantage with prescription drug (Part D) coverage (MA-PD) contracts are rated on up to 38 unique quality and performance measures. You can use the CMS star rating to compare EssentiaCare Secure Reviews among several different plans.

Staying Healthy, Screening, Testing, & Vaccines

Managing Chronic And Long Term Care for Older Adults

Member Experience with H8783-001 Health Plan

Member Complaints and Changes in Plans Performance

Health Plan Customer Service Rating for UCare

Drug Plan Customer Service Ratings

Ratings For Member Complaints and Changes in the Drug Plans Performance

Member Experience with the Drug Plan

Drug Safety and Accuracy of Drug Pricing

Coverage Area

(Click county or state to compare all available Advantage plans)

The availability of Medicare Advantage Plans will vary according to your region. This is why the Coverage Area matters in terms of Medicare eligibility. You will always be eligible for Original Medicare, but eligibility for EssentiaCare Secure (PPO) requires you to live in that plan’s service area. The service area is listed below:

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Source:CMS. Data as of Oct 1, 2022.

Last updated on December 03, 2022

Notes: Data are subject to change as contracts are finalized. For 2023, enhanced alternative may offer extra cost sharing reductions in the gap on a sub-set of the formulary drugs, beyond the standard Part-D benefit. Includes 2023 approved contracts. Employer sponsored 800 series and plans under sanction are excluded.