United Silver Benefits is a supplemental insurance plan, not a government program
United Silver Benefits is a private insurance product sold by United Healthcare, designed to cover costs that Original Medicare does not pay. It is not a Medicare Advantage plan and not a government benefit — it is a voluntary insurance policy you purchase to reduce your out-of-pocket medical expenses.
The plan works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by paying some or all of the costs Medicare leaves with you: deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Because it fills the gaps in Original Medicare coverage, it is often called a Medigap or supplemental insurance plan. United Healthcare offers several versions of these plans, each labeled with a letter (Plan G, Plan N, Plan F, and others), and each covers a different combination of costs.
You must already be enrolled in Original Medicare to buy United Silver Benefits. The plan does not replace Medicare — it works alongside it. When you receive care, Medicare pays its share first, then United Silver Benefits pays its share according to the plan you chose.
Key Takeaways
- United Silver Benefits is a Medigap supplemental insurance plan sold by United Healthcare that covers deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that Original Medicare does not pay.
- You must be enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) before you can purchase United Silver Benefits, and the two plans work together to cover your costs.
- The specific costs covered depend on which plan letter you choose — Plan G, Plan N, Plan F, and others each have different coverage and different monthly premiums.
- You can enroll during your initial Medicare enrollment window or during the annual open enrollment period, though waiting may result in higher premiums or denial of coverage.
- United Silver Benefits does not cover prescription drugs, long-term care, dental, vision, or hearing aids — you need a separate Part D plan for prescriptions.
Which costs United Silver Benefits actually covers
The costs covered depend on which plan letter you choose. United Healthcare offers Plan G and Plan N most commonly to new enrollees, though older plans like Plan F may still be available if you were already on Medicare before 2020.
Plan G covers Medicare Part A deductible, Part B deductible, Part B copayments and coinsurance, hospital coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and blood transfusions. It does not cover the Part B excess charge (the amount some doctors charge above Medicare's approved amount) or foreign travel emergency care.
Plan N covers Medicare Part A deductible, Part A hospital coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and most Part B copayments and coinsurance. It does not cover the Part B deductible, the Part B excess charge, or foreign travel emergency care. Plan N typically has a lower monthly premium than Plan G but leaves you responsible for some costs.
Neither plan covers prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care. If you need prescription coverage, you must enroll in a separate Part D plan through Medicare or a private insurer.
How much United Silver Benefits costs each month
Monthly premiums vary by your age, location, and the specific plan you choose. United Healthcare sets its own rates, and those rates change each year. Premiums also depend on when you enroll — if you enroll during your initial Medicare enrollment window (the period when you first turn 65 or first become may be able to access for Medicare), you generally pay lower rates than if you wait.
If you delay enrollment and enroll later, you may face a late enrollment penalty that increases your premium permanently. The penalty is typically 10 percent of the average national Medigap premium for each year you were may be able to access but did not enroll. This penalty applies for as long as you hold the plan.
To find the current premium for your age and location, you can contact United Healthcare directly, visit their website, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to request quotes from multiple insurers at once.
When you can enroll in United Silver Benefits
Your enrollment window depends on your age and Medicare status. If you are turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare for the first time, your initial enrollment period is the three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after. During this window, you can enroll in any Medigap plan without medical underwriting — the insurer cannot deny you or charge more based on your health.
If you miss this window, you can still enroll during open enrollment, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. However, outside your initial enrollment period, United Healthcare may require medical underwriting, meaning they can deny your process or charge higher premiums based on your health history.
Some states have additional protections that allow you to enroll in Medigap plans outside the standard windows if you lose other coverage or meet certain conditions. Contact your state's insurance commissioner's office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn whether your state offers these protections.
How United Silver Benefits works with your other coverage
When you receive medical care, the order of payment is: Medicare pays first according to its rules, then United Silver Benefits pays its share of what Medicare did not cover. You are responsible for any costs neither plan covers.
If you receive care from a provider who does not accept Medicare, neither Medicare nor United Silver Benefits will pay. Make sure your doctor and hospital accept Medicare before you receive care.
United Silver Benefits does not work with Medicare Advantage plans. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you cannot also have a Medigap plan. You must choose one or the other. If you want to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare plus Medigap, you can do so during the annual open enrollment period, but you should enroll in the Medigap plan before or at the same time you drop your Medicare Advantage plan to avoid a gap in coverage.
What United Silver Benefits does not cover
Medigap plans, including United Silver Benefits, have clear limits. They do not cover prescription drugs — you need a separate Part D prescription drug plan for that. They do not cover dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care such as nursing home stays or home health aides. They do not cover routine physical exams, eyeglasses, or hearing aids even if Original Medicare covers part of the cost.
If you need any of these services, you must purchase separate coverage or pay out of pocket. Part D plans are available through Medicare or private insurers. Dental, vision, and hearing coverage can sometimes be found through supplemental plans offered by United Healthcare or other insurers, though these are separate from your Medigap plan.
How to compare United Silver Benefits with other Medigap plans
Because Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, Plan G from United Healthcare covers exactly the same benefits as Plan G from any other insurer. The only differences are price and customer service. This means you should compare premiums across multiple insurers rather than assuming one company is better than another.
To compare, contact at least three insurers and request quotes for the same plan letter (for example, Plan G) for your age and location. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them to send you quotes from all insurers in your area. Write down the monthly premium, any discounts (such as for paying by automatic bank draft), and the company's customer service phone number.
Once you choose a plan and enroll, you can switch to a different Medigap plan from a different insurer during open enrollment (January 1 to March 31) without medical underwriting, as long as you have been enrolled in your current plan for at least 12 months. Outside open enrollment, switching may require medical underwriting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy United Silver Benefits, or can I just use Original Medicare?
You are not required to buy any Medigap plan. You can use Original Medicare alone and pay out-of-pocket for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. However, these costs can add up quickly, especially if you have a serious illness or need frequent care. Many people find that a Medigap plan's monthly premium is worth the protection against large medical bills.
Can I switch from United Silver Benefits to a different Medigap plan?
Yes. During open enrollment (January 1 to March 31), you can switch to a different Medigap plan from any insurer without medical underwriting, as long as you have held your current plan for at least 12 months. Outside open enrollment, the new insurer may require medical underwriting and can deny you or charge more based on your health.
What happens if I enroll in United Silver Benefits after I turn 65?
If you enroll after your initial enrollment period ends, you may face a late enrollment penalty that increases your premium permanently. The penalty is typically 10 percent of the average national Medigap premium for each year you were may be able to access but did not enroll. Some states offer exceptions to this penalty under certain conditions — contact your state's insurance commissioner's office to learn more.
Does United Silver Benefits cover prescription drugs?
No. Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs. You must enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan through Medicare or a private insurer. You can enroll in Part D at the same time you enroll in Original Medicare and your Medigap plan, or during the annual open enrollment period.
Can I have both United Silver Benefits and a Medicare Advantage plan?
No. You must choose either Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan (like United Silver Benefits) or a Medicare Advantage plan. You cannot have both. If you want to switch from one to the other, you can do so during the annual open enrollment period.