Change in network, name coming July 1 for PPO, 500 medical plans

May 22, 2008

Change in network, name coming July 1 for PPO, 500 medical plans

Staff Benefits wants to make participants in the Incentive PPO and Purdue 500 medical plans aware of two upcoming changes.

On July 1, UnitedHealthcare Options will become the provider network for both medical plans, and medical plan administrator Fiserv Health will change its name to UMR.

In consultation with the Health Plan Advisory Committee, Purdue decided to adopt UnitedHealthcare Options as the network for the Incentive PPO and Purdue 500 plans at West Lafayette, Calumet and North Central. This change does not affect Fort Wayne campus employees, who have a different network arrangement.

UnitedHealthcare Options will replace Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS). The UnitedHealthcare Options network is different from the network used by the UnitedHealthcare medical plan offered at Purdue.

Changing to the UnitedHealthcare Options network gains a number of benefits for both employees and Purdue, says John Beelke, director of Human Resource Services.

With UnitedHealthcare Options, more providers used by Purdue participants are in-network, including IU Medical Center providers. UnitedHealthcare Options also has a stronger national presence and greater discounts.

"As a result, employees and Purdue will pay less for health care," Beelke says. "By moving to the UnitedHealthcare Options network now, Purdue hopes to help hold down medical plan premium increases for next year."

Fiserv Health is changing its name to UMR as a result of being purchased by UnitedHealthcare. In the coming months, employees will see more references to UMR and fewer to Fiserv Health as the company makes the transition.

As part of both changes, Incentive PPO and Purdue 500 participants should note the following:

-- Incentive PPO and Purdue 500 participants will receive a new medical plan ID card by July 1. The front of the card will show the new UMR name and the UnitedHealthcare Options logo. Contact information for UnitedHealthcare Options and UMR will be provided on the card's back.
Anthem/WellPoint will continue to be the provider network for prescription coverage and will not require a new prescription ID card.

-- Employees should show the new ID card to their medical provider at their next office visit.

-- Employees should check to see if their medical provider is in the UnitedHealthcare Options network at www.fiservhealthservices.com. Click on "Find a Provider" in the upper left part of the screen.

"Although the UnitedHealthcare Options network has more providers used by Purdue participants than PHCS has, it is important to verify that your provider is considered in-network," Beelke says.

Employees who are currently under treatment with a PHCS provider who is not part of the UnitedHealthcare Options network will have a 90-day "transition of care" period. This period will allow employees to finish treatment with their PHCS provider and find a UnitedHealthcare Options provider to continue care.

During this 90-day period, PHCS claims will be processed as though they were from an in-network provider if participants contact UMR or complete a designated form. More details about signing up for the transition of care benefit will be available soon.

Mayo Clinic will continue to be covered as an in-network provider due to Purdue's current relationship with this facility.

"Due to the size of the UnitedHealthcare Options network, we expect this network change to go smoothly for Incentive PPO and Purdue 500 participants," Beelke says. "However, we realize that a change of this type will always have a few bumps and many questions. Staff Benefits is available to help you through this transition."

For assistance, call 49-42222 or e-mail staffbenefits@purdue.edu.

For FSA participants
Employees contributing to a flexible spending account also should note that Fiserv Health will change its name to UMR as of July 1. Fiserv Health is the administrator for Purdue's FSA program.