Transition FAQ's
Print FAQ's / .pdf - .doc
 
Q1. Why is UniCare leaving the commercial health insurance product lines in Illinois and Texas?

A. UniCare remains financially sound and capable of paying medical claims in a timely
manner, however, competitive pressures have made it increasingly difficult to
maintain our high standards for excellent customer service and affordable, quality
benefits that our customers have come to expect.

A. UniCare is recommending that its current Texas and Illinois customers transition
their benefit plans to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas or Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Illinois.

Q2. What is the timeline for UniCare leaving these markets? What happens to UniCare business outside Illinois and Texas?

A. UniCare anticipates transitioning the majority of medical client accounts by
12/31/2009. UniCare and the BCBS plan will work together to assist members with an orderly transition.

A. UniCare has discontinued selling new medical policies in Texas and Illinois.

A. UniCare will continue to support claims payment and customer service functions
until UniCare coverage “runs out.”

Q3. Is BCBS acquiring UniCare? What does it mean that UniCare is “endorsing”
BCBS?

A. BCBS is not acquiring UniCare. UniCare is endorsing BCBS as the insurer of choice
for its members and employer groups in Texas and Illinois. UniCare’s parent
company WellPoint and Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC, the parent
company of Blue plans in Illinois, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma) have entered
into an agreement that ensures that current UniCare customers who elect to purchase
a BCBS policy will have a smooth transition of benefits and coverage.

Q4. What will happen to those members who are currently covered by UniCare? Will they simply become BCBS members?

A. Current UniCare members will have the option to become BCBS members. Current
UniCare employer groups may pursue an agreement with BCBS to become their new
carrier.

A. Those who purchase their coverage in the individual market may elect to switch their
coverage to BCBS and receive similar rates and benefits as their UniCare coverage.
Individuals would not have to go through medical underwriting.

A. BCBS will attempt to offer the same or similar benefits to UniCare customers;
however, there may be some slight differences in benefits. We encourage you to take
the time to review the BCBS offering.

Q5. Will I have to change doctors?

A. BCBS maintains a large provider network that includes thousands of physicians and
major hospital systems. As a result, in most cases members will not have to change
doctors.

Q6. How will this affect employers who currently are covered by UniCare?

A. Employers who are currently covered by UniCare will be offered BCBS products to
replace current UniCare medical benefits products. BCBS has a large provider
network that includes thousands of physicians and major hospital systems. As a
result, in most cases, UniCare members who switch to BCBS will not have to change
doctors.

A. Employers domiciled in states other than Illinois and Texas will continue to have
coverage with UniCare. Furthermore, UniCare coverage will continue for MHealth,
Medicaid and Senior products, the Federal Employees Program (FEP) and the Group
Insurance Commission (GIC) of Massachusetts.

A. BCBS is attempting to offer the same or similar benefits to Unicare customers;
however, there may be some differences in benefits. Please review the BCBS
offering to determine whether there are any differences between plans.

Q7. How long will my group’s employees continue to be covered by UniCare? What
happens to their current coverage?

A. UniCare anticipates transitioning the majority of medical client accounts by
12/31/2009.

A. UniCare standalone specialty products will continue to be offered.

Q8. How will claims that are currently in process be handled?

A. UniCare will continue to cover and pay all claims for covered services under your
UniCare policy until the BCBS coverage takes effect or the UniCare policy is no
longer in effect.


Q9. What are the options for finding another health insurance plan?

A. Employers who provide group coverage to their employees will have the choice of
transitioning their company’s benefits program from UniCare to BCBS or to another
carrier.

A. UniCare has worked with these BCBS plans to provide the most advantageous
transition for our customers. Like UniCare, BCBS offers a large provider network.
The benefits provided by many of the BCBS products are similar to the coverage
provided by UniCare.

A. UniCare and BCBS will work together to make the transition as seamless as possible
for employers UniCare customers will not be required to go through the standard
quoting process.

Q10. Why should I switch to BCBS? What are the advantages?

A. UniCare has worked with these BCBS plans to provide the most advantageous
transition for our customers. Like UniCare, BCBS offers a large provider network.
The benefits provided by many of the BCBS products are similar to the coverage
provided by UniCare.

A. UniCare and BCBS will work together to make the transition as seamless as possible
for employers, members, agents and consultants. UniCare customers will not be
required to go through the standard quoting process.

A. Those who purchase insurance on the individual market will be offered guaranteed
replacement coverage with benefits and rates similar to their UniCare plan, with no
medical underwriting required.

Q11. What if an employee in my group has upcoming surgery scheduled? Should
they cancel it?

A. No. If a person insured by UniCare has a surgery or another service scheduled while
under UniCare coverage, this decision to exit certain commercial markets in Texas
and Illinois should have no bearing on how those services are accessed. Claims for
covered services provided will be paid under the UniCare policy until the BCBS
coverage takes effect.

A. If a UniCare member transitions to a different health plan prior to the date of a
scheduled surgery, the member and his physician will need to discuss any reviews
that might be required by the new health plan.

A. Although UniCare anticipates that BCBS will honor current medical authorizations
that have been approved previously by UniCare, Members should contact BCBS to
ensure that necessary authorizations are in place before seeking care.
Q12. Will I receive deductible and coinsurance credit on transition to BCBS?

A. Yes, deductible and coinsurance credits will be transferred from UniCare to BCBS.
We will make this process seamless for the member.

Q13. I just went through a rate increase with UniCare. How long will BCBS honor
my rates?

A. The current rates will be honored until their next renewal. Please refer to you BCBS
offer letter and materials for more details.

Q14. Will claim information be provided through end date with UniCare? What is the end date for providing client reporting?

A. Yes UniCare will provide claim data consistent with current UniCare policy.

Q15. If I have any questions, whom do I contact?

A. Contact your WorldWide Insurance Services, Inc. representative at 800-955-0418 or by e-mail at info@wwins.com. There is also information posted online at www.UtoBlue.info