UnitedHealthcare Launches ‘Medicare Made Clear’ Consumer Education Campaign

Most adults 65 and older are confused about or unaware of important aspects of the new health care law, according to a recent survey conducted for the National Council on Aging. In response to this and at the request of many of its Medicare-eligible health plan customers, UnitedHealthcare has launched Medicare Made Clear, a campaign to empower people eligible for Medicare with the knowledge they need to make informed, personalized Medicare choices.

"As Medicare enrollment increases over the next decade, there will be an even greater need for education on the Medicare program. The goal of Medicare Made Clear is to give seniors access to clear and timely information about Medicare so they can make confident decisions about their health care coverage,” said Tom Paul, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Solutions.

The multifaceted campaign will reach seniors across the country through involvement at community events, distribution of educational materials in local grocery stores and pharmacies, and online at www.MedicareMadeClear.com.

Community Outreach

Beginning in October, Medicare Made Clear educational materials will be available to consumers at various retail locations around the country, including Hy-Vee, Kroger, Safeway, Stop & Shop, SUPERVALU, Sweetbay and Walgreens. Interactive mall kiosks will also be set up in select markets and will be staffed by licensed UnitedHealthcare representatives who can provide consumers with basic Medicare information they will need to make informed health care decisions.

UnitedHealthcare is also participating in the "2010 AARP The Magazine Road Show” events, including the Half Moon Bay (Calif.) Pumpkin & Art Festival and the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Las Olas Arts Festival. Medicare Made Clear booths will be at the festivals providing campaign educational materials along with giveaways at each event.

Guides to Medicare

A central component of the campaign is the "Medicare Made Clear – Show Me Guide,” an easy-to-use reference for understanding Medicare options and frequently used Medicare language. The guide, also available in Spanish, explains various parts of Medicare, including the out-of-pocket costs associated with different coverage options to help seniors understand how Medicare coverage fits in with their household budget. An abbreviated version, the new "Medicare Made Clear – Answer Guide,” is also available to address commonly asked questions about the Medicare program.

Additionally, several educational videos are available at www.MedicareMadeClear.com:

• Overview on Medicare
• What is Part A & B
• What is Part C – Medicare Advantage
• How to choose a Medicare plan that’s right for you
• About Medicare Supplement plans
• 10 Big Ideas about Medicare

Online Engagement

To reach consumers online, Medicare Made Clear is plugging into social media. Consumers can follow the campaign at www.MedicareMadeClear.com, an interactive Web site that provides up-to-date resources on how to decipher the "Medicare Alphabet” – parts A, B, C, D and Medicare supplement.

Medicare information seekers can also find the campaign on Twitter (twitter.com/medicareclear) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/MedicareMadeClear), where regular wall postings and tweets will provide real-time Medicare information and tips on how to navigate the system. Medicare Made Clear also has a dedicated YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/medicaremadeclear), featuring a video series outlining the various components of the Medicare program.

Additional information about Medicare is available at www.medicare.gov, or by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group (www.unitedhealthgroup.com) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better. With headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of health benefit programs through UnitedHealthcare, Ovations and AmeriChoice, and health services through Ingenix, OptumHealth and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 75 million people worldwide.