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Plan now.
Benefit all year long.

Your health doesn’t start or stop with Annual Benefits Enrollment. Now’s the time to compare your options, select the plan that’s right for you and then put your benefits to work.

Annual Benefits Enrollment for 2024 is October 30 - November 17.

Onsite pop-up event information

Stop by to get your top benefit questions answered, meet our partners and learn about Wayfinder, your one-stop-shop for all physical, emotional and financial wellness programs at United.

Understanding the plan terms and specifics

Deductible
The amount you are responsible for paying before the plan begins to pay a percentage of covered expenses. Typically, if you select a higher deductible plan, it means you’ll pay a lower monthly premium.

Coinsurance
The percentage you pay for covered services or prescription drugs after you have met your deductible.

Preventive care
Annual preventive visits and age-appropriate screenings are always covered at 100% for all plan options.

Out-of-pocket maximum
The most you’ll have to pay for covered medical expenses in a plan year; after you meet this amount, the plan will cover any additional eligible expenses at 100%.

Copay
A fixed amount you pay for covered services or prescription drugs, typically at the time you receive the services.

Premium
The amount you pay per month for your health insurance plan. You continue to pay the premium even after you’ve met your deductible.

Who pays and when

Choose from four different types of health plans

All these plans offer prescription drug coverage, a network of reputable doctors and hospitals, access to virtual primary and mental healthcare, an on-call medical concierge, and free health and wellness tools.

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  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) with an HSA

    The United Savings PPO offers the most freedom when it comes to choosing the doctors and hospitals you want to use both in- and out-of-network at one of the lowest premiums of all the plans. It’s a high-deductible health plan that works with an HSA account that is yours for life.

    • You are responsible for paying an annual deductible before the plan starts to pay for a percentage of covered costs
    • HSA funds can be used to offset your deductible and out-of-pocket costs
    • United deposits money into your HSA after completion of your annual physical
    • United offers $3,000 in critical illness insurance
    • The Core HDHP also offers an HSA. Eligibility for the Core HDHP plan is available on YBR during enrollment
  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

    The United PPO and the United PPO 1250 offer the ability for you to use both in- and out-of-network doctors, specialists and facilities.

    • Like the United Savings PPO, but without an HSA
    • Features some of the highest premiums with lower out-of-pocket costs
    • You generally save money when you stay in-network with a PPO plan
    • Eligibility for the Core PPO and Traditional PPO plans is available on YBR during enrollment
  • Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)

    The Centivo Platinum Plus EPO, the United Silver Plus PPO and the Bronze EPO offer lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs than our PPO plan options, but limit you to providers within an exclusive network of doctors, hospitals and specialists that meet the highest quality and cost standards. There are no out-of-network benefits, except in the case of an emergency.

    • Smaller network of doctors and hospitals
    • The Centivo Platinum Plus EPO plan is available in select zip codes in parts of CA, CO, CT, FL, NJ, NY, PA and areas surrounding DEN, EWR and LAX and MCO
    • Eligibility for the Core EPO plan is available on YBR during enrollment
  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

    The HMO Plans offer the benefit of lower premiums and generally predictable out-of-pocket costs for individuals willing to work closely with their primary care physician (PCP) to manage their health. HMO options are available to employees within defined states.

    • Available in CA, CO, DC, GA, HI, IL, MD, OH, OR, TX, VA, and WA
    • Copays may be lower than with other health plans
    • This may be a good option for those with multiple or complex health issues

Before selecting a plan, ask yourself:

Do you need help selecting the plan right for you?

Do you go to the doctor often?

Are you good at saving and don't have a lot of health care needs outside of your annual physical?

Remember that before you enroll:

It’s time to pick the health plan that’s right for you and your family, so you can use these benefits resources to push your health forward all year long. So before enrolling in a plan, remember that:

  • You must actively enroll to elect in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) for 2024
  • Note the wellness credit and spousal surcharge 2023 elections roll over to 2024
  • Visit Your Benefits Resources (YBR) for your personal coverage and plan details as well as to compare your health plan premiums on YBR beginning October 23, 2023
  • Access YBR through Flying Together > Employee Services > Health & Insurance (YBR), or go to benefits.ual.com
  • Download the Alight Mobile app, available on the Apple or Google Play store
  • Opt in to text messages to get updates from your benefits team:
    • On your profile, go to ‘Manage Communications’ and then ensure delivery is marked ‘Yes’ next to ‘Text Messages for Benefits’
    • Pro tip: Opting into text messages provides you with an extra layer of security with confirmation texts sent anytime you make a change to your benefits

Why an HSA might be the way to go

An HSA (Health Savings Account) is an account that helps you pay for qualified medical expenses and is designed to work with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). This option is specific to the United Savings PPO and Core HDHP with an HSA.

Triple-tax savings.

With an HSA, your money goes in tax-free, earns interest tax-free, and is tax-free when you withdraw money—as long as you use for eligible healthcare expenses. You can roll over funds from year to year, and the money is yours to keep even if you leave United or retire.

Keep in mind, if you elect to use the HSA investment platform, there is a nominal service fee you are responsible for paying. However, gains on your investments are tax-free.

Some of its many benefits include:

  • Low premiums
  • Triple-tax savings
  • Automatic critical illness insurance is included in the United Savings PPO
  • No “use it or lose it” rule for money in your HSA account
  • Earning wellness incentives up to $800 for individuals, $1,600 for families after you receive your annual physical by the deadline ($750/$1,500 is automatically funded if enrolled in the Core HDHP plan)
  • You can change how much you contribute to your HSA via payroll deductions at anytime

A few ways you might use an HSA:

If you’re anticipating a big healthcare expense in the future, such as having a baby, an HSA is a good strategy for setting aside money, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected expenses later.

If you were previously spending $300 a month on your monthly premiums, but the United Savings PPO has reduced that amount to $200, you can apply your monthly savings to your HSA to offset your deductible or out-of-pocket costs on a pre-tax basis.

If you plan on changing jobs or using the money next year, your HSA will always be there. It is a rollover account, which means unused funds are never lost and are tax-deferred.

How Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can help you save in 2024:

An FSA provides you with a tax-free way to set money aside and pay for health care expenses that are not covered under the Medical, Dental or Vision plans and/or pay for dependent care expenses.

How it works:

FSAs allow you to contribute a portion of your salary to:

  • A “general-purpose” Health Care FSA (HCFSA) can be used to reimburse you for eligible health care expenses, such as medical, dental, and vision expenses. If you enroll in a health plan other than the United Savings PPO or Core HDHP, you will be eligible to contribute to a general-purpose HCFSA for 2024.
  • A “limited-purpose” Health Care FSA (HCFSA) can only be used to reimburse you for eligible health care expenses for certain unreimbursed dental and vision services. If you are enrolled in the United Savings PPO or Core HDHP, you will be eligible to contribute to a limited-purpose HCFSA for 2024.
  • A Dependent Care FSA can be used to reimburse you for qualifying childcare and other dependent care expenses.

A few things to keep in mind with FSAs:

  • If you decide to contribute to an FSA, your contributions will automatically be made on a pre-tax basis from your paycheck and deposited in your FSA account.
  • If you wish to enroll in a HCFSA, you may enroll in either the general-purpose FSA or limited-purpose FSA, but not both.
  • After you elect to contribute to an FSA, your total annual contribution for the year will be divided into payroll deductions among the remaining payroll periods for the 2024 calendar year.
  • The maximum annual amount you may contribute to each FSA varies each year and is determined by the IRS.
  • Only the employee may enroll in an FSA, but you may submit eligible expenses you have incurred for care provided to your eligible dependents for reimbursement from your FSA.
  • You will be reimbursed for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses that you have incurred upon your submission of a claim for reimbursement, along with the required documentation.
  • The entire amount of your annual contribution election to your Health Care FSA (reduced by previous reimbursements) is available to you at all times during the calendar year. You may submit a claim for reimbursement of a healthcare expense even if you have not yet contributed enough to cover the entire amount of the claim submitted.
  • Your Dependent Care FSA is limited to the amount you have contributed to date. If you have expenses greater than the amount accumulated in your Dependent Care FSA, they will be reimbursed automatically as additional contributions are credited to your FSA and you do not need to resubmit your claim.
  • All FSA accounts have a “use it or lose it” rule.

Note: In 2024, Your Spending Accounts (YSA) will be rebranded as Smart Choice.

Find the right health plan, then put it to work.

Have you checked in on your wellness?

Be sure to check out Wayfinder Wellness by United, your one-stop-shop for all physical, emotional and financial wellness programs we offer to find out about benefits you may not even know we have! Wayfinder’s dedicated microsite is within YBR (Flying Together > Employee Services > Wellness- Physical, Emotional and Financial (Wayfinder)) and customized to you based on which health plan you’ve selected.

 

 

Did you know? Dependents are generally eligible for our wellness programs offered within Wayfinder. Explore each condition-specific page for more information on eligibility.

How it works (Example):

  • Log into Wayfinder and find the condition(s) you’re looking for support with such as a second opinion for a recent diagnosis or treatment plan you were provided.
  • Review the condition-specific page to find out about resources like 2nd.MD to get an expert second opinion at no cost to you¹.
  • Connect directly with 2nd.MD to begin opening a case and getting connected with an expert in the specialty pertaining to your treatment plan.
    • These experts spend 30 minutes walking patients through their current treatment plan and diagnosis or an alternative treatment plan on average².
    • 82% of second opinions through 2nd.MD resulted in an alternative diagnosis².
  • This is just one example of how Wayfinder can connect you and your covered dependents to quality programs that support your physical, emotional and financial wellness. Once you’ve completed your annual benefits enrollment, take just 5 minutes to explore what programs can help you feel your best.

 

  • Remember: Your interactions with third-party vendors through Wayfinder are not tracked by United. You can access vendor web pages, call them directly, and obtain vendor services with peace of mind that your personal information will not be disclosed to United.

1. U.S. based employees and their covered dependents enrolled in a PPO or EPO plan with BCBS, Aetna or Centivo are eligible for 2nd.MD

2. https://www.2nd.md/services/

Frequently asked questions

Good news – we’ve made little to no changes for 2024 as we continue to focus on your physical, emotional and financial wellness through Wayfinder.

Can I have tomorrow what I have today?

Where can I learn about my plan options?

How do networks differ across plan types? Will I have to change my doctor next year?

What do I need to do?

What is a health concierge?

I am happy with my coverage for 2023 and would like to stay in my same plan. What do I need to do?

What is a HSA? How do I know if I have one?

I'm hearing about wellness incentives United offers. What do I need to do to receive the $800?

I have dependents. For our family to get the full $1,600 into our HSA by participating in the United Savings PPO, do my dependents also need to complete the physical exam?

Where can I learn more about dental and vision insurance? Where do I go if I have dental and vision questions?

I'm a new hire and have questions about enrolling in my benefits for 2023 and 2024?

How can I get benefits information and reminders?

What happens if I have a dependent on my coverage who is turning 26 in 2024?

I am turning 65 in 2024. How does this impact my benefits?

How can I tell which EPO and PPO plans are Aetna and which plans are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)?

I noticed the price and compare comparison tool has both embedded and aggregate deductibles listed for United’s plans. What does this mean?

I have an HRA account and don’t know how to get reimbursed. What do I do?

If I have an HRA and HSA what do I do and how does that impact how I get my funds?

Important dates to remember

Timeline for enrollment:

10/23 Decision Guide and "Price & Compare" tool available on YBR
10/30 Enrollment begins
11/17 Enrollment ends
01/01 Your 2024 benefits begin