Manhattan Life Insurance: Plans, Reviews, Costs, and Customer Experience

Introduction

Founded in 1850, Manhattan Life Insurance Company is one of America’s oldest insurance firms. Its long history and legacy (the classic 19th-century Manhattan Life Insurance Building is shown above) underscore its reputation in the U.S. market. Today, ManhattanLife offers a wide range of products – from life insurance to Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans, as well as dental, vision, hearing (DVH) plans and other supplemental coverages. In this guide, we review Manhattan Life’s main insurance plans and costs, share customer satisfaction ratings, and outline key pros and cons. American families and seniors exploring life or Medicare-related insurance will find detailed insights on plan options, premiums, policyholder login, and service features.

Manhattan Life Insurance is known for serving individual customers and small groups, especially seniors needing Medicare supplements and fixed-benefit health plans. As a recognized player in the insurance industry, Manhattan Life combines a long track record with modern supplemental insurance offerings. We’ll cover how it compares to larger insurers, what customers say, and how to contact Manhattan Life customer service or file claims.

What is Manhattan Life Insurance?

Manhattan Life Insurance Company (often branded as ManhattanLife) traces its roots to the mid-19th century. Incorporated in New York City in 1850, it has survived multiple economic cycles and is now part of Manhattan Life Group Inc., a privately-held insurance holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Although its name evokes old New York, Manhattan Life Group is an independent, Texas-based company with nationwide products (other subsidiaries include Standard Life & Casualty and Western United Life).

In the insurance landscape, Manhattan Life Insurance is noted for its financial stability and long history. It carries an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and an AM Best rating in the “Good” range (historically B++/B+++). Reviewers cite Manhattan Life’s long-standing service and Lady Liberty logo as symbols of its commitment and customer focus. The company is not publicly traded; it remains privately held by its founding group. In short, ManhattanLife is an established, independent insurance provider with deep roots (one of America’s oldest life insurers en.wikipedia.org) and a stable financial footing.

Types of Manhattan Life Insurance Plans Offered

Manhattan Life Insurance sells a broad portfolio of insurance products for individuals and families. Key offerings include:

• Life Insurance. Term and whole life policies for individuals and families. ManhattanLife offers traditional term life coverage (often up to $250,000) and whole life plans, including options like “Paycheck Provider” income protection. These plans pay a death benefit to beneficiaries and can include riders for accidental death or disability. According to industry reviews, Manhattan Life’s life policies are competitive in mid-range pricing.
• Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). ManhattanLife is a prominent provider of Medicare Supplemental plans for seniors. Its Medigap plans (e.g. Plan G, N, F*) help cover Medicare Part A/B coinsurance, deductibles, and co-pays that Original Medicare doesn’t pay. These are standardized “letter” plans (A, B, C, F, G, N, etc.) available in many states. ManhattanLife’s Medigap offerings are noted for having strong financial backing and a variety of plans (including the popular Plan G). *Note: New enrollees cannot buy Plan F after 2020, but Manhattan Life still supports existing Plan F customers.
• Health Insurance (Fixed Benefit Plans). ManhattanLife markets “Fixed Benefit” medical plans in dozens of states. These are limited-benefit health policies (not full major-medical) that pay fixed cash benefits for hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, and preventive care. Unusually, these plans have no deductible, and pay set amounts per covered service. For example, their “Affordable Choice” plans pay hospital room costs per day and offer generous benefits for surgery or cancer treatment. Applicants often choose these plans to cover large out-of-pocket medical expenses.
• Dental & Vision Insurance (DVH). A Dental, Vision & Hearing bundle is available through ManhattanLife. This DVH plan provides coverage for routine dental exams, fillings, vision exams and glasses, and hearing aids. (All three coverages can often be purchased together). No waiting periods apply for most preventative services. These supplemental policies help cover costs not paid by health or Medicare plans.
• Supplemental Insurance. ManhattanLife also offers various supplemental coverage, including short-term care or hospital indemnity plans (e.g. “OmniFlex” limited-benefit LTC plans) and critical illness, accident, and cancer coverage. These limited policies pay cash benefits on hospitalization or specific diagnoses, to supplement other insurance. The OmniFlex plan, for instance, provides daily home or nursing facility care benefits when long-term care is needed. (Manhattan Life’s focus is on fixed-benefit supplemental plans, not traditional employer health insurance).

Overall, Manhattan Life’s portfolio spans life, health, Medicare supplement, and other supplemental insurances. It aims to cover gaps (Medicare gaps, uninsured medical events, etc.) more than offering broad major-medical policies.

Accessing the Manhattan Life Insurance Provider Portal

Manhattan Life Insurance provides secure online portals for providers and policyholders. The Provider Portal (for doctors, hospitals and other health providers) is available 24/7 at provider.manhattanlife.com. Participating providers can use this portal free of charge to manage patient accounts. Key features include checking a member’s eligibility and benefits, submitting or tracking claims, requesting preauthorizations, and downloading provider-specific documents. For example, a doctor’s office can log in to submit a claim and immediately see its status. To register, providers go to the portal’s site and click “Register Now” (supported on modern browsers). Once registered, providers simply log in with their username/password to access patient insurance information securely.

Policyholders and agents use a separate Member (Client) Portal for everyday account management. To set this up, a customer goes to clients.manhattanlife.com and clicks “I want to register” under Life and Health policies. After completing a simple 5-step process (verifying policy ID, etc.), the user can log in at any time. The member portal lets insured customers view all active policies, download ID cards or claim forms, update contact info, and reach customer service. Both portals reinforce Manhattan Life’s support for online self-service.

Manhattan Life Insurance Cost & Premiums

Manhattan Life Insurance premiums depend on the product type, coverage level, and applicant factors. As with any insurer, age, health, and tobacco use greatly influence cost. For example, senior applicants (for Medigap or life insurance) pay higher rates than younger buyers. Geography and coverage level also matter: location, chosen plan (benefit amount), and whether a plan covers dependents all affect the monthly premium. Those are general factors for health and life policies in the U.S. Specifically, ManhattanLife’s plans tend to be mid-range in cost compared to the market. (In one review, Manhattan Life insurance rates were described as “around mid pricing tiers”seniorbenefitclient.com).

For illustration, a 65-year-old non-smoking male might pay roughly hundreds of dollars per month for a full-coverage Medicare Supplement Plan G (varying by state), while a 55-year-old non-smoker might pay far less. Term life insurance premiums are often quoted per $1,000 of coverage; a healthy 30-year-old might pay just a few dollars per $1,000, whereas a 60-year-old would pay significantly more due to age and any health issues. Dental/vision plan premiums are typically modest (often under $50/month) for basic coverage. (Exact rates require a quote.) In general, customers report that Manhattan Life’s premiums are competitive and mid-range among insurers offering similar products. Shopping around is wise, since each insurer’s price may differ by risk class and discounts.

Factors Affecting Premiums: A person’s age (older = higher cost), location, tobacco use, and plan type (e.g. high-benefit vs. low-benefit) largely determine the premium. Policy terms (face amount, riders) and medical history also play roles. Manhattan Life underwrites its plans based on these factors, meaning a healthier, younger applicant will secure lower rates than an older or less healthy one.

Manhattan Life Insurance Reviews & Customer Experience

Customer Experience has a mixed but generally positive reputation among customers. In independent ratings, it holds an A+ BBB accreditation and receives praise for its customer service responsiveness. For instance, company reviews note that ManhattanLife’s support team is “responsive” and helpful, and the insurer is credited for quickly answering questions. Overall customer satisfaction averages about 3.3 out of 5 stars on industry review sites. Many policyholders appreciate Manhattan Life’s long history and solid financial footing (which reinforces trust).

However, some customers report downsides. Complaints on review platforms often center on claims processing delays and administrative issues. A few users mention difficulty navigating billing or cancellation. In other words, while the service is usually good, there can be occasional holdups in claims or policy changes. Agencies like J.D. Power have noted that Manhattan Life is “often praised” for customer service but also flagged for policy and claim handling issues. The company is rated B+++ by AM Best, which is a “Good” rating (many top insurers are A or higher).

In summary, Manhattan Life’s strengths are its trusted history and reliable plans, especially in Medicare supplement insurance. Many customers report satisfactory experiences with Manhattan Life’s support. Its weaknesses include occasional service hiccups and a lack of digital tools compared to bigger insurers. (For example, larger insurers may offer more mobile apps or automated quoting, whereas Manhattan Life’s online tools are more basic.)

Manhattan Life Insurance Pros & Cons

• Manhattan Life Insurance Pros:
  • Long-Standing Reputation: Established in 1850, ManhattanLife is one of America’s oldest insurers, implying stability and trust.
  • Medicare Supplement Expertise: Strong focus on Medicare supplement plans (often rated highly for coverage and reliability).
  • Diverse Products: Offers a broad suite of individual products (life, Medicare, DVH, accident, etc.) under one brand.
  • Financial Strength: Good ratings (BBB A+AM Best “Good”) suggest solid financial footing.
  • Personalized Service: Customers often praise ManhattanLife’s attentive customer service and willingness to handle questions personally.
• Manhattan Life Insurance Cons:
  • Mixed Reviews: Some policyholders report delays in claims processing and customer service variability.
  • Limited Digital Tools: Fewer online shopping or self-service features compared to large insurers; no major online quote engine on the website.
  • Smaller Size: Being a smaller, independent company, ManhattanLife may have less negotiating power or network access than giants like Cigna or Aetna for certain medical plans.
  • Niche Focus: Mainly strong in supplemental and Medicare plans; not a traditional marketplace insurer (so not ideal if you need ACA/Obamacare plans or PPO network breadth).

How to Contact Manhattan Life Insurance

For customer support and claims, Manhattan Life Insurance provides several contacts:

• Customer Service (Life/Health Policies): Call 1-800-877-7703 (toll-free). This is the main number for questions about policy benefits, premium payments, and general inquiries.
• Dental, Vision & Hearing Claims: For questions or claims on DVH plans, call 1-800-999-2971.
• Affordable Choice (Fixed Benefit Plans) Service: Current “Affordable Choice” fixed-benefit health policyholders can call 1-800-877-7792 (option 5) for dedicated support, or email [email protected].
• Provider Portal/Networking: Medical providers can dial 1-800-669-9030 for provider relations. (This line assists in setting up and using the provider portal or resolving billing issues.)
• International and Other: For international customers or other inquiries, the ManhattanLife site lists an international line (800-877-7705) and marketing number (888-441-0770).

Claims Address: To mail claims or correspondence:

Manhattan Life  
Attn: Claims Department  
P.O. Box 925309  
Houston, TX 77292-5309  

The provider portal and member portal also let you download claim forms and submit them electronically.

Provider Portal Support: Healthcare providers having trouble with the Manhattan Life Provider Portal can call 800-669-9030. For login issues, they should ensure using a supported browser (Chrome or Edge).

Online Login: Individual policyholders can register and log in online. Visit clients.manhattanlife.com and click “Register”. Once registered, policyholders can access their policy details, ID cards, and claim forms anytime.

Competitor Comparisons

Compared to giant insurers, Manhattan Life occupies a niche market. Its strengths lie in specific supplemental products. For instance, Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, and Cigna are large carriers known for Medicare Supplement and life insurance, often with more plan options and nationwide networks. Those companies typically have larger marketing budgets, more robust digital tools, and broader product lines (e.g., major-medical health plans or Medicare Advantage plans). In contrast, ManhattanLife is smaller and more focused.

• Medicare Supplements: Mutual of Omaha, AARP/UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross have huge Medigap footprints and extensive plan choices. ManhattanLife offers similar standardized plans, but might lack some add-on benefits or discounts those big insurers provide. On the plus side, Manhattan’s long history can mean more personalized service or approval of pre-existing conditions.
• Life Insurance: Larger insurers often underwrite more aggressively for healthy applicants and might offer lower initial term rates for young adults. Manhattan Life’s term life rates are generally “mid-tier”so it may cost a bit more or less depending on individual factors.
• Dental/Vision: Many health insurers offer DVH riders, but Manhattan Life’s stand-alone DVH plan is comparable in benefits. Buyers should compare any underwriting differences.
• Who Should Consider Manhattan Life: People who value a specialty insurer with a long track record and who need straightforward Medicare or supplemental coverage may prefer ManhattanLife. It can be a good choice for seniors shopping for Medigap plans, or individuals needing supplemental health/hospital coverage.
• Who Might Prefer Larger Insurers: If you want sophisticated online quoting tools, large PPO networks, Medicare Advantage plans, or additional bells and whistles (like wellness incentives), you might lean toward Aetna, Cigna, Mutual of Omaha, or AARP/UnitedHealthcare instead. Those companies have bigger footprints and more diversified products.

Ultimately, Manhattan Life Insurance is most competitive when looking for guaranteed-issue supplemental plans or simple life policies, whereas an Aetna or Cigna plan might offer more in-network options. Comparing quotes for your specific state and situation is recommended.

Conclusion

Manhattan Life Insurance Company stands out as one of the oldest and most established insurers in the U.S., with roots going back to 1850. Its niche focus on Medicare supplements, hospital indemnity plans, and supplemental coverages makes it a trusted player for seniors and families filling gaps in coverage. Manhattan Life Insurance history and solid financial ratings (BBB A+, AM Best “Good”) underscore its reliability. On the other hand, its online tools and customer reviews are mixed – some policyholders note delays in claims, and service varies. Thus, ManhattanLife is a strong choice if you prioritize an experienced, customer-focused company (especially for Medicare plans), but those who prefer the cutting-edge digital experience of larger insurers might find options elsewhere.

In balancing the pros and cons, Manhattan Life Insurance offers dependable coverage with a specialty in Medicare Supplement and supplemental health plans. Families and seniors should carefully compare plan details and costs (and consider state-specific rates) when evaluating Manhattan Life against competitors.

Call-to-Action

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