Healthcare, Simplified. Costs, Certain.
An interactive analysis of the UnitedHealthcare Surest plan, a no-deductible model reshaping health benefits through transparency and value.
A Fundamental Shift in Benefits
Surest addresses the core frustrations of traditional insurance—unpredictable costs and confusing bills—by completely redesigning the payment model. This section explains the plan's simple yet powerful mechanics.
The Old Way: Uncertainty
Meet a High Deductible
Pay 100% of costs, often thousands, before the plan pays.
Navigate Coinsurance
Pay a percentage of a large, unknown bill after the deductible.
Face Surprise Bills
Receive confusing, unexpected charges weeks after care.
The Surest Way: Certainty
No Deductible. Ever.
Coverage starts from day one, with no spending threshold to meet.
Fixed, Upfront Copays
See the clear, all-inclusive price for a service before you book.
Value-Based Pricing
Pay less for visiting higher-quality, more efficient providers.
The Surest Impact Dashboard
The Surest model delivers quantifiable benefits for both individuals and organizations. Use the toggle below to explore the data-driven outcomes for members and employers.
Lowering Out-of-Pocket Costs
Surest members see a dramatic reduction in what they pay for care compared to traditional plans, freeing up household income.
Encouraging Healthier Habits
By removing cost barriers, the plan promotes proactive health screenings, leading to earlier detection and better outcomes.
Driving Smarter Care Choices
Members are guided toward more efficient care settings, reducing reliance on costly emergency services and embracing virtual care.
Reducing Total Medical Spend
Employers realize significant savings in total healthcare costs, making benefits more sustainable.
Savings on High-Cost Conditions
The plan design yields targeted savings in key areas that typically drive the highest claims costs for employers.
Rapid Growth & Broad Adoption
Surest is the fastest-growing plan in UHC's portfolio, demonstrating strong market demand and scalability.
~1M
Members Served
49
States Available
(Fully Insured)
1 in 6
UHC National Accounts Offer Surest
100s
of Employers Have Adopted the Plan
The Transparent Pricing Landscape
Surest is a leader in a growing market of health plans focused on transparency. This table compares the key features of Surest and its main competitors. Use the toggles to highlight plans with specific attributes.
| Payer / Plan | Core Model | Unique Selling Proposition |
|---|---|---|
| UHC Surest | No-deductible, value-based upfront copays. | Proven cost savings for members (54% OOP) & employers (11-15% total). |
| SimplePay / Coupe Health | No payment at time of service, single monthly bill. | 0% financing option on balances and "Health Valet" concierge. |
| Oscar Health | Low/no-deductible plans with a digital-first approach. | $0 virtual care, dedicated Care Team, and low-cost prescriptions. |
| Cigna (Select Plans) | Select plans feature $0 deductible and $0 copays. | 24/7 virtual care from $0 and member rewards programs. |
| Aetna (Select Plans) | Low average deductibles and $0 MinuteClinic visits. | Convenient access to care via CVS Health network. |
The Verdict: A New Paradigm with Trade-Offs
Surest represents a powerful shift towards consumer-centric healthcare. However, its innovative model comes with specific considerations for employers and members.
👍Key Strengths
- Unmatched Predictability: Eliminating deductibles and coinsurance removes financial uncertainty and anxiety for members.
- Proven Cost Savings: Delivers substantial, validated savings for both employee out-of-pocket costs and employer premiums.
- Drives Healthy Behaviors: The model actively encourages preventive care and guides members to high-value providers.
- High Member Satisfaction: Achieves superior Net Promoter Scores due to its simplicity and transparency.
🤔Key Considerations
- No HSA Eligibility: The no-deductible structure is incompatible with Health Savings Accounts, a key feature for many benefits strategies.
- Reliance on Digital Tools: The model's success hinges on member engagement with the app/website to find prices and providers.
- Operational Execution: While broadly successful, isolated administrative issues (e.g., claims processing) highlight the complexity of execution.
- Market Segmentation: Best fit for employers who prioritize upfront cost control and member experience over tax-advantaged savings accounts.