What medical benefit plans are available?

Last updated: August 2, 2026

Applies to: Benefits-eligible US employees.

Summary: Ascen offers three UnitedHealthcare FlexWork medical plan options — Basic MEC, Standard MEC, and the FlexWork Edge Advantage Minimum Value Plan (MVP). The MEC plans are limited plans focused on preventive and routine care; the MVP plan is more comprehensive and meets ACA minimum-value requirements. Coverage, costs, limits, and eligibility differ by plan, so review the Benefits Guide before enrolling.

The plans

All three are UnitedHealthcare FlexWork medical plans:

  • Basic MEC — a limited plan covering routine, preventive care.

  • Standard MEC — the same kind of limited plan, with higher annual visit limits and broader access to covered services than Basic MEC.

  • FlexWork Edge Advantage Minimum Value Plan (MVP) — a more comprehensive plan that meets minimum-value requirements under the Affordable Care Act.

How they differ

Basic MEC and Standard MEC are limited medical plans designed to help with routine, preventive healthcare. Both include:

  • preventive care services,

  • physician office visits,

  • urgent care visits,

  • virtual care,

  • emotional-support-line visits, and

  • prescription drug benefits.

Standard MEC generally provides higher annual visit limits and broader access than Basic MEC. Importantly, neither MEC plan is comprehensive coverage — services like emergency room visits, hospital admissions, inpatient care, and many major medical expenses are not covered.

The FlexWork Edge Advantage MVP offers more comprehensive coverage and is designed to meet minimum-value requirements under the Affordable Care Act (IRS: Affordable Care Act). In addition to preventive care, physician visits, urgent care, virtual care, and pharmacy benefits, it covers services such as emergency room visits, hospital admissions, outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory services — subject to plan limits and cost-sharing. It also generally provides higher annual visit limits and broader protection against unexpected healthcare costs.

Eligibility and choosing a plan

Because the plans differ significantly in both coverage and cost, review the Benefits Guide carefully to decide which best fits your needs. Note that the MVP plan has specific eligibility requirements — it's available only to employees classified as full-time and regularly scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week.

Beyond medical: other benefits available

Medical is just one part of what's offered. Eligible US employees can also enroll in:

  • Dental — UnitedHealthcare FlexWork Dental Plan.

  • Vision — UnitedHealthcare FlexWork Vision Plan.

  • Life insurance & AD&D — Supplemental Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage.

  • Supplemental protection plans — Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity, which pay cash benefits directly to you.

  • 401(k) retirement plan.

For the full lineup, costs, and coverage details, see the 2026–2027 Benefits Enrollment Guide and Does Ascen provide healthcare benefits?

  • 2026–2027 Benefits Enrollment Guide

  • Does Ascen provide healthcare benefits?

  • What is accident insurance · What is critical illness insurance · What is hospital indemnity insurance · What is Supplemental Life and AD&D coverage

  • Who is eligible to enroll in healthcare benefits

  • When does my benefit coverage begin

  • How can I change my benefits

  • Where can I view the Ascen Workforce benefit plan Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs)