Comments on: Unicare Health Insurance Update

By: Kulmeet Galhotra

Kulmeet Galhotra — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:16:06 +0000

As I learned today at contract negotiations, the City has had a similar issue and they are contracting with BCBS to set up a new BCBS that will mimic the Unicare policy that has been pulled unilaterally by Unicare. I imagine that is what the County will do as well. That is as much as we know at this point, but you should know that you are not alone, because in 2008, there were 3,496 county employees covered by Unicare. Incidentally, 2008 saw a change in enrollment of -23% for Unicare due mainly to the Rush Health System exiting the Unicare network.

By: Stephanie S

Stephanie S — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:37:11 +0000

Unicare is leaving both Illinois and Texas. According to their letter to me, as a member,
and according to the risk management site, they advised everyone on October 29th, prior to popen
enrollment closing. However, I had already continued my coverage with them and was not notified
prior to the end of enrollment.
I can’t imagine Northwestern Hospital just accepting HMO patients unless they were part of the
agreement as well. I don’t see how an agreement between Unicare and BCBS of IL has anything
to do with the Hospital’s decision on who to accept. BCBS should have to reach a new agreemt
with NWMH in order for Unicare’s patients to continue in an HMO plan and still have their docs
at Northwestern.
Are county workers such a high risk and so expensive that no other insurance company would
like our business?

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:40:05 +0000

Has Blue Cross/Blue Shield taken over Unicare? Or is Unicare just leaving the state?

By: felicia weiss

felicia weiss — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:56:45 +0000

I just called Northwestern, because all my doctors are out of there, and she said, no, this is not true, they will not be accepting BCBC HMO instead of Unicare HMO, and the haven’t accepted it in years.
I hope at least we can switch to the PPO option, which my doctors do accept
(at greater cost to me). Strange that Unicare leaves after open enrollment is over.