How a Dual Special Needs plan helps Tommye manage her health

Tommye’s story

When UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete® member Tommye began experiencing worsening health conditions in her 60s, she knew it was time to find support.

“I didn’t have health problems when I was younger. And it seems like as I’ve evolved and aged, you need the help,” Tommye said. “I want to take the best care of myself. I want to keep the machine running for as long as I can.”

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Through her UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete plan — a Dual Special Needs (D-SNP) plan for people with Medicare and Medicaid — she’s been able to get just that. 

Individuals who qualify for a D-SNP often have additional health care needs due to disabilities, specific health conditions or their age. Along with the coverage available through Medicare and Medicaid, these plans may include extra benefits that include transportation to appointments and credits that can be used toward health care products or certain healthy foods.

One of the D-SNP benefits Tommye utilizes is assistance from Jennifer Baumgardner, a UnitedHealthcare care coordinator.

“We try to coordinate all the services as much as possible. Sometimes you’ll find that the specialists don’t necessarily talk with the primary care doctors, or the primary care doctors are not aware that they’re going to see a specialist sometimes,” Jennifer said. “So we try to coordinate all of that so everybody’s on the same page.”

As part of her health care coverage, Tommye is also eligible for the UnitedHealthcare UCard® that provides a monthly credit that can be used toward over-the-counter (OTC) products, healthy food and utilities.

“I buy healthy foods and my supplements with the OTC,” Tommye said. “It helps because of my income being pretty low.”

With support from Jennifer — and the benefits available through her Dual Complete plan — Tommye is able to live a healthier life.

“It feels like I have quality of life and I can be on my own,” she said. “It matters that you have that personal touch through UnitedHealthcare to be there with you and walk you through.”

For more information about dual plans, visit getdual.com.

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