UnitedHealthcare's Bind Plan Rebranded as Surest

The health insurer is introducing a new plan nationwide for self-funded employers and in 11 states for fully insured employers.

UnitedHealthcare is rebranding its fastest-growing employer-sponsored plan as it aims to offer a new approach to benefits, the health insurer announced.

Initially introduced as Bind in 2016, Surest eliminates deductibles and coinsurance while offering upfront pricing.

The payer giant revealed the plan will be available nationwide to employers with self-funded plans, as well as to fully insured employers with 51 or more employees in 11 states (Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia). UnitedHealthcare stated it also intends to offer the plan in up to five more states by the end of the year.

More than 150 employers are currently using Surest, with more planning to add the program ahead of the 2023 open enrollment period.

"People and employers are looking for a simpler and more sustainable health care plan," said Alison Richards, CEO of Surest. "Our new brand name, Surest, helps convey the idea of clarity, confidence and control our members have with their plan."

The plan's primary benefit is its lack of deductibles or coinsurance, with transparent cost data available through the Surest app. According to UnitedHealthcare, Surest members utilized high-quality providers with the lowest price for procedures more than half the time and had 6% fewer emergency department visits. Virtual visit use, on the other hand, was 10 times higher.

Affordability is another benefit UnitedHealthcare is striving for with Surest. Employers that introduced the plan saw costs up to 15% less per member per month compared to high-deductible plans, while out-of-pocket costs for members were 44% less.