CareSource is an Ohio-based non-profit managed health care company founded in 1989. Initially, it served only Medicaid members in Ohio; however, it currently provides healthcare programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace. CareSource is the most extensive Medicaid plan in Ohio and the second largest in the United States. It has over 2 million members and generates a revenue of $8.8 Billion as of 2017.
UnitedHealthcare is a for-profit health care organization founded in 1977. It is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States. Founded by Richard T. Burke, UnitedHealthcare is the largest healthcare company inside the United States and worldwide.
CareSource vs. UnitedHealthcare:
Here is an overall comparison between CareSource and UnitedHealthcare:
Insurance Rating
Health insurance companies get insurance ratings from organizations like Better Business Bureau (BBB), S&P Global, Medicare, etc.
| CareSource | UnitedHealthcare | |
| Medicare Star Rating | 2.5 stars out of 5 | 4.5 stars out of 5 |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 7.17% | 0.41% |
From the chart, it is seen that UnitedHealthcare has a better Medicare Star Rating than CareSource. UnitedHealthcare Medicare service tops any other health insurance company in the world. In contrast, CareSource Medicare service is the best in Ohio State and comes right after UnitedHealthcare in the entire US market. In the NAIC Comaplain Index, the complaint percentage of UnitedHealthcare is lower than that of CareSource.
Mobile Apps
Both CareSource and UnitedHealthcare have smartphone apps for their members. You can find the CareSource app and Health4Me app in both the Google Play Store of Android and the App Store of iOS.
| CareSource | Health4Me | |||
| Platform | iOS | Android | iOS | Android |
| User Rating | 4 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 6 |
| Number of Users | 1K | 397 | 10.1 K | 16.3 K |
Members can use the CareSource app to find doctors, view their digital ID cards, file claims, and make payments. On the other hand, the Health4Me app can be used to search for doctors and review member coverage and benefits.
Types of Plans
Both CareSource and UnitedHealthcare offer similar types of HMO and PPO plans.
HMOs
Health Maintenance Organisation or HMO plans have their own network of doctors and hospitals. Insurance companies will pay a certain percentage of your hospital and medical bills directly to the health care providers. You have to pay the bills in some cases, and your insurer will reimburse the money later. Since everything is ready within the network, HMO plans’ costs are generally lower than any other plans.
PPOs
Preferred Provider Organisation or PPO plans are expensive as it allows you to see doctors even outside the companies’ network. PPO plans are better as they have a wide network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. If you want to see any doctor or visit any hospital outside the network, you don’t need a referral from your primary care physician.
Advantages and Disadvantages of CareSource and UnitedHealthcare:
So what are the pros and cons of CareSource and UnitedHealthcare? Let’s find out –
Advantages of CareSource
- Caresource is one of the best options for people with low income and underserved communities.
- They have affordable managed health plans in the marketplace with a wide range of coverage options.
Disadvantages of CareSource
- According to the 2018 NAIC Complaint Index, CareSource’s complaint percentage is higher than most other healthcare providers.
Advantages of UnitedHealthcare
- UnitedHealthcare has robust health plans for Medicare and Medicaid members throughout the United States.
- They have a wide range of marketplace plans for individuals and families who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.
- As mentioned earlier, their easy-to-use mobile app is top-rated among smartphone users.
Disadvantages of UnitedHealthcare
- Healthcare plans are generally more expensive compared to other health insurance providers in the market.
Overall. UnitedHealthcare is a better option than CareSource if you are looking for a wide coverage network. In case you are living in Ohio, you can opt for CareSource as it outstands all other health insurance providers in that region. However, you have to make the final decision of choosing between the two that best matches your health care needs.
Frequently Ask Questions:
- Does CareSource cover blood pressure monitors?
Yes, CareSource offers blood pressure monitors. They will reimburse providers for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring. However, CareSource will only cover ABPM for patients suspected of white coat hypertension.
- Does CareSource offer vision benefits?
CareSource offers various vision benefits to members with their CareSource Advantage® Zero Premium (HMO) plan. This plan grants you an allowance of $100 per annum towards eyeglasses frames, eyeglass lenses, or contact lenses.
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