UnitedHealth, part of UnitedHealth Group, operates as a private company offering health plans, including Medicare Advantage. These cover hospitalization, medications and additional services. In contrast, Social Security, and its “sister” program Medicare, are federal structures that distribute monthly income to retirees, based on accumulated labor contributions.
These days when there is a lot of talk about UnitedHealth, it should be noted that it is a 100% private company, which is supported by premiums paid by users or employers, while Social Security depends on taxes (FICA legislation). Eligibility also varies: the government program requires 40 work credits, while private insurance is accessible by purchase.
A spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said, “Eligibility for no-cost Medicare Part A is linked to Social Security,” and is based on administrative interdependence, although their functions are different.
Can a retiree with Social Security, Medicare access UnitedHealth?
Both systems are critical for older adults. Social Security provides economic stability, with payments averaging $1,976 monthly. UnitedHealth, through Medicare Advantage, covers medical needs, including services not offered by traditional Medicare, such as dental or vision.
The combination of both is frequent. According to data from 2025, 67% of retirees with Social Security use complementary private plans. A former UnitedHealthcare Medicare employee said, “Our plans are designed to integrate with federal benefits, and they tend to be highly valued by users who have signed up for them.”
Automatic enrollment in Medicare upon turning 65—for those receiving Social Security—facilitates this coexistence. No eligibility conflicts are reported, according to SSA records we consulted.
Compatibility between Medicare and UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage
In the US, 59 million receive Social Security, and 28 million use Medicare Advantage. The overlap is significant: 83% of private plan users also receive the government benefit, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Retirees can enroll in both systems simultaneously. Those who activate Social Security four months before age 65 are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. They can later opt for UnitedHealth through Medicare Advantage.
Practical examples confirm this. The City of Savannah’s Retiree Plan requires Medicare enrollment to access UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage. With this it can be inferred that there is operational compatibility, backed by federal regulations. Although Medicare Advantage replaces Parts A/B, users retain Social Security without restrictions. There are also no limits on the choice of private providers, according to the SSA.
What does Medicare cover, and what does Medicare Advantage cover?
UnitedHealth offers plans with low premiums, although their cost depends on additional coverage that the retiree contracts. Social Security, on the other hand, does not require direct payments from the beneficiary: it was financed with 6.2% of salary taxes during the 35 years with the best income of their working life.
While Social Security prioritizes basic income, UnitedHealth includes options like Medigap (for non-covered expenses) or Part D (medications). A report from UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Plans details that 72% of its users combine both systems.
Although UnitedHealth does not supplement income, it mitigates medical expenses. For example, a typical plan covers up to 80% of hospitalization (when the case and patient qualify for this percentage), versus 60% in traditional Medicare. This reduces the financial burden, complementing the $1,976 average monthly Social Security benefit.
How to qualify for Social Security?
Registration in Social Security requires 10 years of work. For UnitedHealth, you only need to turn 65 or have qualifying disabilities.
For retirement benefits, it is required:
- Minimum age: 62 years, although the full retirement age varies: 66 years (born 1943-1954) or 67 (born 1960+). Receiving payments sooner reduces the amount.
- Work history: 40 credits (≈10 years working in jobs with FICA taxes). In 2025, each credit requires $1,810 in income, maximum 4 annually.
Those who do not accumulate 40 credits can qualify through the registration of their spouse or ex-spouse. The requirements differ:
- Married: Spouse must be entitled to benefits.
- Divorced: marriage of ≥10 years, no remarriage, and ex-partner must qualify.
- Widowers: access through the registry of the deceased.
- No contact with the ex-spouse is required to apply for benefits. The SSA guarantees privacy in these cases. The payments do not affect the amounts received by the ex-partner.
Children or dependents may receive benefits based on the holder’s registration if:
- They are <18 years old.
- They are between 18-19 and study high school full time.
- They have a disability diagnosed before the age of 22.
And how do you access traditional Medicare?
Medicare Part A offers free hospital coverage for those over age 65 who qualify for Social Security or RRB, or after 24 months of disability benefits (29 for public employees). Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease require dialysis or transplant, with coverage from the third month. Special cases such as ALS grant immediate access, while children with disabilities qualify at age 20 (18 for ALS). Those who do not meet the requirements can purchase Part A, but must also purchase Part B.
Medicare Part B covers non-hospital medical services for legal residents ≥65 years old or disabled who qualify for Part A, with a monthly premium of $174.70 in 2025 (increases for high incomes through IRMAA). Automatic enrollment applies when receiving Social Security 4 months before age 65. Outside the initial period (3 months before/after 65), a 10% annual penalty applies for delay.
Manual application is required without active Social Security benefits. Those who choose Medicare Advantage must keep Part A in effect, automatically linked to receiving Social Security.
