What to do when an UnitedHealthcare account holder dies
Report the death to UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits at 1-888-299-2070
A death claim on a UnitedHealthcare policy is filed through UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits (1-888-299-2070). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
To start a claim, contact UnitedHealthcare by phone at 1-888-299-2070 or email documentation to FPCustomerSupport@uhc.com. You will need the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with UnitedHealthcare:
Filing a claim
- The death of a member enrolled in the health plan is a qualifying life event. Changes after a qualifying life event can most often be made 30 or 60 days after the event.
- Member lines on the contact page: plans through work 1-866-801-4409 (TTY 711); Medicare supplement plans 1-800-523-5800 (TTY 711).
- Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug and Community Plan/Medicaid members call the number on the member ID card.
- UnitedHealthcare's article on health insurance after a spouse dies tells a spouse covered by the deceased person's plan to call the company HR department or the plan's insurer as soon as possible.
- There are two versions: one for beneficiaries residing in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nevada or New York, and one for all other states.
- The employer attaches any enrollment forms and beneficiary designations it retained and the employee's time records for the 12 weeks before the last day worked.
- The employer sends all documentation to UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits by mail, email or fax.
Required Documents
- Request for Group Life Insurance Benefits (Proof of Death for Group Insurance), for a group life or AD&D claimSection 1 is completed by the claimant and Section 2 by the employer.
- Certified death certificate, for a group life or AD&D claimThe form version for Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nevada and New York asks for a finalized certified death certificate.
- Copies of any police report, toxicology report and autopsy report, if the death was the result of an accident
- Enrollment forms and beneficiary designations the employer retained, for a group life or AD&D claimThe employer attaches them.
- Employee's payroll records for the 12 weeks before the last day worked, for a group life or AD&D claimFrom the employer, with annual earnings or the prior-year W-2 if the benefit is based on them.
- Legal certified death certificate, to change health coverage after a dependent has died
Forms UnitedHealthcare issues2
- Request for Group Life Insurance Benefits (Proof of Death for Group Insurance), all other states
Completed by the claimant (Section 1) and the employer (Section 2). Available to download.1, 2
- Request for Group Life Insurance Benefits, version for beneficiaries in eight named states
Completed by the claimant (Section 1) and the employer (Section 2). Available to download.3, 2
Help UnitedHealthcare offers survivors2
- Beneficiary support services
UnitedHealthcare life insurance includes beneficiary support services, such as grief counseling, financial and legal assistance and social media shutdown services, at no additional cost.4
- Beneficiary Companion
Some plans include Beneficiary Companion, provided by Generali Global Assistance, LLC, which is not affiliated with UnitedHealthcare.5
Who qualifies: Included with some plans. Not available in New York and Washington.
What UnitedHealthcare's agreement and guidance say1
- How proceeds are paid
The "all other states" claim form authorizes Optum Bank to open an interest-bearing account in the claimant's name and directs UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company to pay claim proceeds of $5,000 or more into it. Proceeds under $5,000, or for a claimant who is ineligible or chooses a check, are paid by check.1
Sources5
- 1.Request for Group Life Insurance Benefits (Proof of Death for Group Insurance), all other states, Rev 04/2021
- 2.Oxford Benefit Management: for members
- 3.Request for Group Life Insurance Benefits (Proof of Death for Group Insurance), beneficiaries residing in AR, CO, KS, MD, NC, ND, NV, NY, Rev 04/2021
- 4.Specialty benefits (employer)
- 5.Beneficiary Companion
Frequently asked questions
With the Request for Group Life Insurance Benefits (Proof of Death for Group Insurance) form, available from UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits at 1-888-299-2070. The claimant completes Section 1 and includes a certified death certificate, plus copies of any police, toxicology and autopsy reports if the death was the result of an accident, then gives the form to the employer. The employer completes Section 2, attaches the enrollment forms and beneficiary designations it retained, and sends everything to UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits, PO Box 31328, Salt Lake City, UT 84131-0321, by mail, email or fax (1-800-980-0298).
UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits can be reached by phone at 1-888-299-2070, email at FPCustomerSupport@uhc.com, and fax at 1-800-980-0298 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from UnitedHealthcare primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
UnitedHealthcare death claims support
UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits (group life insurance claims)
Phone
Fax
Mailing address
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