UnitedHealthcare’s Surest Insurance: What Is Surest Insurance? Is Surest Insurance Good for Healthcare?
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in the health insurance industry, and their new Surest group health insurance product is no exception. Marketed as a highly flexible, transparent health plan, Surest represents a significant departure from traditional insurance models that require deductibles, and other offerings, like health savings accounts and qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (QSEHRA), positioning itself as potentially the most disruptive product to hit the market in the last decade or so.
The reasons for this are manifold, ranging from its novel approach to cost transparency and coverage options, to its focus on consumer empowerment and healthcare outcomes that have resulted in positive Surest medical plan reviews. In this blog, learn more about how Surest insurance works and if it might be worth getting for yourself or your employees.
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Key Takeaways
- Surest insurance is a groundbreaking group health insurance product launched by UnitedHealthcare that requires only copays, no deductibles.
- Surest insurance is available to groups with 2 or more members. There are various pros and cons of Surest insurance, from flexibility to coverage options.
- While Surest insurance reviews show a major advantage of Surest is that costs are transparent through the app, they can also vary widely based on the provider. That can be a potential downside for members.
What Is Surest Insurance? Surest Insurance Pros & Cons
Surest is a group health insurance product available to businesses with groups of at least 2 members that requires only copays from members, no deductible and no co-insurance. Employers provide it on a fully insured, self funded and level funded basis. Members can look up providers on the UHC Choice or UHC Choice Plus (PPO) networks through the Surest app and see exact copay information for each service right in the app, including mental health services. Coverage extends to more than 1.8 million healthcare providers and more than 5,600 hospitals across the U.S.
Surest insurance steers members to the most effective provider, in terms of both quality and cost. Copays will vary based on provider, which ultimately helps put more power in the member’s hands, but that could also be a negative if someone’s preferred provider is comparatively more expensive.
However, it’s worth noting UHC reports members typically pay 54% less of out of pocket compared to other types of health insurance plans. There’s also an out-of-pocket limit that can help protect members from overpaying overall.
Because members use the app to find care and pay only copays, Surest helps reduce balance billing. This makes the program even more convenient for members and is one reason for positive Surest health insurance reviews.
There are also significant health insurance expense savings available to employers who use Surest. According to UHC, the Surest health plan led to lower claim costs exceeding $400 per member per year. Overall, employers can see up to 15% lower costs, according to Surest.
How Does Surest Insurance Work?
To use Surest, members can follow these steps to compare care options.
- Open the Surest app.
- Type in the issue the member needs help with – “sinus infection”, “ADHD,” “office visit” or “prescriptions”, for example.
- Choose the exact issue to narrow your search – for example, “inflammation of sinus” or “sick sinus syndrome”.
- See treatment options, such as virtual visit, medical office visit, urgent care and retail clinic visit.
- Once you choose your preferred type of treatment, you’ll see a map with providers and the amount a copay will cost.
- Click on the available options to see provider information (including ratings), addresses and scheduling information.
You can schedule your treatment right in the app, and you’ll know exactly how much you’ll pay for your visit.
Why Surest, Why Now?
Health insurance has long been criticized for its opacity, complexity and lack of consumer-friendly options. Traditional plans often leave patients guessing about costs, in-network providers and the extent of their coverage until after they’ve received care. This uncertainty can lead to financial stress, deferred care or patients being blindsided by unexpected bills.
UHC recognized these pain points and designed Surest to address them directly. Is Surest a good health plan? With cost-effective plans and complete transparency into pricing and provider options, consumers have more power and control over their choice of healthcare. This can help them better manage their budgets and select the best level of care for their unique situation.
Key Features of Surest Health Insurance
Is Surest insurance good? Surest has many advantages that have already made many employers and individuals consider it among their top healthcare choices. Some benefits include the following.
Cost Transparency
One of the standout features of Surest health insurance is its emphasis on upfront cost transparency. Unlike traditional plans, which often come with confusing deductibles, copays and coinsurance, Surest provides clear, fixed prices for services.
This means that members can know the exact cost of a procedure, doctor’s visit or medication before they make a decision, allowing for informed choices based on both quality and cost.
Steering Members to Appropriate Care
Surest incorporates tools that help guide members to the most appropriate and cost-effective care, which has led to positive Surest UnitedHealthcare reviews. By providing detailed information about providers and treatment options, the plan encourages members to choose high-quality, lower-cost options.
This steering not only improves the care experience for members, but it also helps employers and groups manage their claims more effectively. By reducing unnecessary or overly expensive treatments, Surest can help keep overall healthcare costs in check, leading to more sustainable premiums and better financial outcomes for both the insurer and the insured.
No Deductibles
Another radical departure from the norm that’s led to positive UHC Surest reviews is Surest’s elimination of deductibles. Deductibles have long been a standard feature of most health insurance plans, requiring policyholders to pay a significant out-of-pocket amount before their insurance coverage kicks in.
By removing this barrier, Surest allows members to access care without worrying about hitting a financial threshold first, which can encourage more timely and preventive care.
Personalized Coverage Options
Surest also offers a high degree of flexibility and personalization. Members can tailor their coverage to suit their needs, opting for a base level of coverage, and then add on additional benefits, as needed.
This customizable approach ensures that individuals are only paying for the coverage they truly need, rather than being locked into a one-size-fits-all plan that may include unnecessary services.
Enhanced Consumer Engagement
The Surest platform is designed to engage consumers more actively in their healthcare decisions, which has led to positive United Healthcare Surest reviews. Through an intuitive app or online portal, members can compare providers, services and costs, all while accessing real-time information about their benefits.
This level of engagement encourages consumers to take a more proactive role in managing their health and healthcare expenses.
Why Surest Is Disruptive
The disruptive potential of Surest lies in its ability to challenge and potentially upend traditional group health insurance models. By prioritizing transparency, flexibility and consumer empowerment, Surest addresses many of the long-standing frustrations that consumers have with the health insurance industry.
In a group health insurance market where complexity and confusion have often been the norm, Surest’s straightforward approach can be seen as a breath of fresh air. It not only simplifies the insurance experience, but also aligns more closely with the consumer-driven trends that are shaping other industries. As more consumers demand more control over their healthcare decisions, products like Surest that offer clarity and choice are likely to gain traction.
Moreover, Surest health plan reviews could pressure other insurance carriers to adopt similar practices or risk losing market share to UHC. If successful, Surest could spark a broader shift in the group health insurance industry toward more transparent, consumer-friendly products, making traditional plans less competitive.
UHC’s Surest product represents a bold and innovative step forward in the group health insurance landscape. By addressing key consumer pain points and offering a level of transparency and flexibility previously unheard of in the industry, Surest has the potential to be a game-changer. If it succeeds in gaining widespread adoption, it could reshape the health insurance market, setting a new standard for what consumers expect from their coverage. In an industry often resistant to change, Surest’s disruptive potential cannot be overstated.
AZ Health Insurance Brokers is here to help our clients navigate Surest insurance pros and cons reviews and evolving changes in the insurance industry. Whether you’re a business owner who wants to stay on top of insurance choices for your employees, or you’re an individual who wants the most cost-effective health insurance coverage for yourself or your family, an expert health insurance broker from our team can help. Call 602.617.4107, email quotes@azhealthinsuracebrokers.com or fill out our online form, and we’ll be in touch.
UnitedHealthcare Surest FAQs
What is the Surest health plan?
Surest is an employer-sponsored health plan that’s offered on a fully insured, level funded and self funded basis. In 2025, Surest plans expanded to groups with at least 2 employees.
Is Surest the same as UnitedHealthcare?
Surest is a UnitedHealthcare (UHC) company, so it’s not Surest vs United Healthcare, but rather Surest insurance is part of UHC.
How does a Surest medical plan work?
With Surest, members only pay copays, no coinsurance or deductibles. Members can use the Surest apps to find providers and see care offerings and costs before they select a provider.
Does Surest have an out-of-pocket maximum?
Yes. Surest has an out-of-pocket limit to protect members. Copays for in-network covered services count toward the out-of-pocket maximum.
Is Surest health insurance good?
Various studies and Surest copay plan reviews have confirmed both employers and Surest members cite advantages such as transparency, simplicity and cost savings as benefits Surest provides. AZ Health Insurance Brokers predicts Surest has immense potential to disrupt the health insurance industry, with similar products likely to follow in the market based on positive Surest reviews.
Does copay cover everything?
For members on a Surest health insurance plan, the copay is the only payment they have to make. This means, they receive complete transparency into costs for service and no delayed medical bills.
Does Surest require referrals?
Surest insurance does not require referrals in order to see a specialist. If your provider is contracted with UHC and Optum networks, they’re in-network with Surest.
What did Surest used to be called?
Surest insurance was first introduced as Bind, back in 2016. It is now known simply as Surest, or Surest UHC / UHC Surest.
Is Surest a high deductible plan?
No, Surest insurance is not a high deductible plan. With Surest health insurance, there’s no deductible and no coinsurance.
Why is Surest cheaper?
Surest insurance can be a less expensive health insurance plan for businesses to offer compared to traditional health insurance plans, because there’s no deductible or coinsurance. High deductible health plans can increase costs for employers, because members may pursue more health services once they’ve met their deductibles.
How long has Surest been around?
Surest insurance was first introduced to the market in 2016, under the name Bind. Surest became part of UHC in 2022.
Which providers are covered by Surest?
Surest members are covered by the UHC Choice and Choice Plus networks, which include more than 1.8 million healthcare providers and more than 5,600 hospitals across the country.
Can Surest work with other health coverage?
Yes. Because each Surest health plan has its own design, there may be a way to pair Surest with another business health coverage plan.
Is Surest compatible with flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs)?
Yes. You can submit expenses you incur while using Surest to your FSA and/or HRA.
Is Surest compatible with health savings accounts (HSAs)?
No. Because HSAs are paired with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), and Surest is not an HDHP, Surest members can’t contribute to an HSA. However, any funds that were accumulated in an HSA while on another plan may still be used toward Surest expenses.
