What’s the catch with the Surest health plan?
When something new comes along, it’s natural—healthy even—to approach it with a dose of skepticism. Sometimes, though, a new offering is genuinely as good as it sounds. People just need time to understand how it works. This is particularly true in industries where “business as usual” has become the norm, like health insurance.
To help brokers and HR leaders better understand the Surest health plan, we sat down with John Chabot, Surest VP of Sales – Key Accounts, and asked him to address some common myths and misconceptions.
The Surest plan seems affordable, but there has to be a catch. Is it because there’s a limited provider network or major limitations on what’s covered?
No. The Surest health plan is a comprehensive medical plan that provides the same level of medical coverage you’d expect from traditional health insurance. We utilize the national UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network1, one of the largest and most extensive networks in the country. This ensures members have access to a wide range of providers and services. It's affordable because of how the plan is designed, not because we took anything away.
Isn’t Surest only good for the young and healthy? (And that’s why plan sponsors see savings results?)
This is a common misconception, but the data tells a different story. When you look at Surest data, you’ll find that our average member age is actually older than the average of the UnitedHealthcare commercial book of business. This proves that our plan is not just attracting younger, healthier individuals. As a matter of fact—according to a third-party study—Surest demonstrated sustained savings across ages, conditions, and comorbidities.2
This is because our plan is designed to actively change behavior, leading to potential savings for both members and plan sponsors.
Isn’t Surest really just a point solution?
No. This is a misunderstanding. Surest isn’t an “add-on” point solution; it’s a comprehensive medical plan. Point solutions focus on addressing specific health-related needs or challenges with targeted services; the Surest plan offers a holistic approach.
What about employees who aren’t comfortable with technology? Isn’t Surest too complicated for them?
Surest members are from across a wide range of demographics and industries. For example, Freeman, a sanitation worker, loves the digital experience and would be upset if his company took the plan away. Watch Freeman’s video.
According to 2024 Pew Research Center statistics, more than 98% of Americans own a cell phone, compared with 81% in 2015.3 The beauty of Surest is that so much is integrated right into our app, making it easy for members. At its core, the plan is about transparency.
Can a health plan really change behavior in the long-term?
When we get people to navigate to—and choose—high-value providers, it’s the providers who are changing behaviors for our members. A low-cost provider—one who is avoiding unnecessary procedures and services—is going to have more of an influence on behavior than any other strategy.
As a broker or HR lead, how can you give me reassurance that this plan isn’t too risky or too much work compared to sticking with the plan we have now?
Our biggest competitor is status quo. We get it. It can feel safe to stay with what you know. But it’s important, too, to think about the benefits of change. If nothing changes, nothing changes.
If you knew you could save your folks 50% on their health care costs, isn’t that worth exploring? I mean, I haven’t ever heard anyone say, “Give me more deductible and coinsurance; I’m loving that world.”
Those who have a fiduciary responsibility to saving money for members and plan sponsors should be motivated to take a serious look at Surest.
How can you be confident that Surest isn’t just a trendy flash in the pan until something better comes along?
The Surest plan isn’t just a “trend,” it’s the fastest-growing plan at UnitedHealthcare for good reason. As of April of 2025, there were nearly one million members.
Surest has maintained a year-over-year medical trend of less than 5% sustained over four consecutive years.4 This consistent performance underscores the plan’s reliability and effectiveness in managing health care costs.
For brokers and HR professionals, these numbers are more than just statistics—they represent significant savings and improved employee satisfaction.
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1 Select network in available states.
2 Aon’s UnitedHealthcare Surest Cost Efficiency Measurement 2021-2022, February 2024. Results from 2022 only.
3 Pew Research Center, November 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/
4 The Surest book-of-business demographic adjusted compound annual growth rate from 2019 to 2023 was 4.6%.