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October 28, 2009
Dear Broker:
UniCare has made a difficult strategic decision to exit commercial health insurance markets in Texas. Following a transition period, UniCare ...
UniCare has made a difficult strategic decision to exit commercial health insurance markets in Texas. Following a transition period, UniCare will no longer provide health benefits in Texas.
While UniCare continues to be financially secure, competitive pressures have made it increasingly difficult for us to maintain our high standards for excellent customer service and affordable, quality benefits that you expect from us.
UniCare is pleased to collaborate with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX), which will offer guaranteed replacement coverage to UniCare's existing employer groups and individual policyholders. We believe that BCBSTX is best positioned to offer quality products, a high level of benefits and the superior customer service that our customers have come to expect. In addition, like UniCare, BCBSTX is a statewide plan that includes a comprehensive network of physicians and hospitals to choose from.
For UniCare customers who elect to transition their benefits to BCBSTX, UniCare will pay all claims for covered services rendered on or before December 31, 2009. BCBSTX will pay all claims for covered services from the time and date specified in their offer letter. There will be no break in coverage.
For UniCare customers who do not choose to transition their benefits to BCBSTX, UniCare will offer to renew their policy but only for a term ending on June 1, 2010. If the customers' renewal date falls after June 1, 2010, UniCare will terminate coverage effective June 1, 2010 if permitted to do so by the terms of the policy, or otherwise continue to provide coverage up to the renewal date.
BCBSTX will be in contact with you soon to discuss an offer to transition your customers' health benefits. In the meantime, if you have questions regarding UniCare's decision, please use the below contact information:
For questions regarding Large Group, contact your UniCare Account Manager or BCBSTX Sales Representative
For questions regarding Small Group and Individual, contact your UniCare Agent Support team at 877-864-2468
If your customers also have dental, vision, group life or disability coverage through UniCare, the BCBSTX offer will also include that coverage.
Until UniCare has completed its exit from the market, we will continue to process claims as we do today and honor the commission structure that is in place.
We have enjoyed a productive working relationship with you and want to help make this transition as seamless as possible. BCBSTX looks forward to the opportunity to work with you to provide your customers with the same level of quality health care benefits and service that they received with UniCare.
First death in the health care reform battle. GI, no true enforcement to make people get coverage, texas having the higest % of uninsureds, heavy hispanic population with a knack for having tons of kids, future large % of materrnity claims.... POOF!!! we gone.... thanks, BHO
Unicare was not a 2nd teir carrier.... I think they are the largest managed care provider in the country
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I can't spell, I can't write..... and I can't be bothered if you dont like it... got it???
To my knowledge Unicare was never in GA, not IFP anyhow - or if it was it was well before my time. They pulled out of most of VA as well.
The end of an innovative company, it is a shame - agent support was always unmatched. FYI peeler if you login to BCBS TX look under pending you will see a surprise.
Unicare sold their block to BCBSGA maybe 5 years ago, might be longer. Can't say how long they offered their product here. Their rates were very low, giving everyone fits, much like Coventry is today. Blue lost a lot of money on the Unicare block until they got through a couple of renewals.
Someone will eventually buy the Coventry block and will have the same results. When that happens, existing Coventry policyholders will go through shock as renewals start rolling in.
It is just as well Unicare closes shop. Their service over the past few years has deteriorated to zilch. Their management hides behind the front line people so you can't get in touch with them. One RSM for every 500 agents, rude folks in agent services, horrible rate increases every October, rediculous renewal process for small groups....on and on. They sealed their fate when they got money hungry and forgot that their agents were where the money came from, they decided if you weren't a Roger Holt doing internet sales by the ton you weren't worth their time so they turned all their focus to the Roger Holt selling system of sell it and leave it, service was not part of that system. The RSM attention went all to these mega producers and wallah the system crashed as most could anticipate would eventually happen. They kept changing leaders none of whom understood what value the agent brought to the table and they treated us like pond scumb - I'm glad to see Unicare go, the only disadvantage is that it leaves fewer options on the table - hopefully another company much smarter in their method of delivery and management will fill the gap.
Well this sucks...BCBS will not let your Unicare clients go through underwriting to get the better street rates....just had an application yanked....hello Aetna.......
BCBS will not let your Unicare clients go through underwriting to get the better street rates.
Thats stupid on their part. All they will get are the sickies. Healthy folks will go elsewhere.
Carriers can really be dumb sometimes.
When they took over Unicare in GA you got to keep the same coverage until renewal, then you got hammered. I had Unicare at the time. Dropped in favor of Fortis. Dropped Fortis, went to Blue, then to . . .
Just In...Unicare Pulling Out....
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