INScompanies Blog

Employers with workers outside area can benefit from Blue Precision 

OWINGS MILLS, MD (November 13, 2006) – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), in conjunction with Blues plans across the country, has developed a new health plan that will provide a lower-cost option for national accounts – employers with multiple business locations or employees around the United States.  Blue Precision will give national account members access to custom networks of health care providers assembled by local Blues plans and result in lower costs for employers and reduced out-of-pocket costs for members.

National account members currently have access to care through the national BlueCard network of providers.  Beginning in January 2007, Blue Precision will offer custom local networks in 26 states and the District of Columbia.  Blue Precision members using the local network will have the least out-of pocket costs, with most benefits subject to a copay only.  Members will be responsible for a greater share of costs if they choose to use BlueCard or out-of-network providers.  By making available local networks of high-quality, cost-effective health care providers, employers and members will be better able to control health care costs.

“Blue Precision allows our national account members to take advantage of perhaps the biggest benefit of the Blue Cross Blue Shield family – unmatched local and regional health care networks around the country,” said Gregory A. Devou, CareFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Employers and the employees and families they cover are looking for ways to control health care costs, and Blue Precision will give national accounts and their members a new and effective way to do just that.”

In the CareFirst service area (Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia), Blue Precision members will have access to the company’s CareFirst BlueChoice health maintenance organization (HMO) network along with the broad networks already available to national accounts through BlueCard.  BlueCard allows Blue Cross Blue Shield members to seek treatment from health care providers in Blues plans’ networks around the country.

Blue Precision has an open access format, so members do not have to obtain referrals to get coverage from specialists. Members do not have to choose a primary care physician, but are encouraged to use providers in the custom network, or first tier, to keep out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.

National accounts with 200 or more enrolled members must have a physical location in at least one other Blues plan’s service area, and at least 20 enrolled employees living in another plan’s service area are eligible to opt for Blue Precision.

In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

Coverage of Generics During “Doughnut Hole” Period Now Offered 

OWINGS MILLS, MD (October 16, 2006) – Medi-CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (Medi-CareFirst), a CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield affiliate, will now offer an option to cover the so-called “doughnut hole” in the Medicare Part D plan for beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved Medi-CareFirst’s contract for 2007, enabling the insurer to offer Medicare Part D prescription drug products to beneficiaries in Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

Legislation enacted by Congress establishing a new voluntary Medicare prescription drug benefit provides for coverage up to the first $2,400 in total drug purchases in 2007, after which the beneficiary is totally responsible for any drug purchases up to $3,850 in out-of-pocket spending  — a period known as the “doughnut hole.”  Above that amount, 95 percent of drug expenses are covered for the rest of the year.

Medicare beneficiaries will be able to enroll in a Medi-CareFirst plan between November 15 and December 31 this year. Two products are available this year - Blue Rx Standard and Blue Rx Enhanced.  The first, Blue Rx Standard, is a standard product carrying a $34.20 monthly premium.  The new product offering for 2007, Blue Rx Enhanced, provides seniors and disabled individuals covered by Medicare with doughnut hole coverage for a $42.20 monthly premium that covers all generic drugs throughout the coverage gap.

“We realize how important it is for seniors to feel secure in their health care benefits, and providing them coverage in the doughnut hole is a high priority,” said Gregory A. Devou, CareFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “As always, Medi-CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is available to help seniors navigate what can be a confusing process.”

In another program change, the little-used prescription drug mail order option has been eliminated.  Enrolled seniors will now have the option of getting a three-month supply of their medications at their local pharmacy.  As an added benefit, three-month supplies will be available for the cost of two monthly copays – providing additional savings over the course of the year.

Medi-CareFirst is offering informational seminars at various locations throughout the Maryland, the District of Columbia and Delaware during October, November and December. In addition, outreach and sales staff will be available at numerous state and county-sponsored events throughout the region.

Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries may still enroll after the December 31 deadline for the Annual Election period.  However, current Medicare beneficiaries who do not enroll by December 31 will have to wait for the next Annual Election enrollment period, November 15 through December 31 of 2007.  Those beneficiaries who wait to enroll past their initial eligibility period will have to pay a 1 percent penalty for life for every month they did not have coverage that was equally as good as Medicare prescription drug coverage. Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries who first became entitled to Medicare October 1, 2006 and later can still enroll after December 31 without a penalty as long as they enroll within their 7-month initial eligibility window (three months prior to eligibility, the month of eligibility and three months after eligibility).

“We recommend that people enroll online at www.medi-carefirst.com or over the phone at 1-888-784-0790,” said Devou.

Medi-CareFirst is the only Blue Cross Blue Shield-licensed Medicare Part D plan offered in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Delaware. More than 32,000 individuals are enrolled in a Medi-CareFirst plan, and they will automatically be re-enrolled in the Blue Rx Standard plan, with the option of enrolling in the new Blue Rx Enhanced plan.

Medi-CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the trade name of First Care, Inc., which like its affiliate CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  CareFirst is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

High deductible HMO to be paired with funding arrangements 

OWINGS MILLS, MD (October 3, 2006) – Area consumers seeking to combine the traditional benefits of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) with the added control and tax advantages of consumer directed health plans (CDH) will soon have a new option.  Starting October 1, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, along with CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc., is rounding out its CDH portfolio, known as BlueFund Plans, with a high-deductible HMO paired with savings options.  The product will be available in Maryland, District of Columbia and Northern Virginia.

The plans will be CareFirst’s first Health Savings Account compatible HMOs offered in the individual market. CareFirst launched HMO BlueFund plans for groups earlier this year.

The lower-premium, high deductible HMO-based plans, called BlueChoice HSA, encompass tax-friendly medical funding arrangements to be used to help cover health care expenses, along with the interactive tools members need to manage their money and to receive health and wellness education. Out-of-pocket expenses associated with each member’s prescription drug benefits are also applied against the high deductible HMOs.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are funded by the member. Any year-end balances from either of the accounts roll over from year to year, and HSAs are portable. . Contributions to the HSAs can be made with pre-tax dollars, post-tax contributions are tax deductible, and contributed dollars can earn interest tax-free. HSAs are offered through CareFirst’s preferred bank, The Bancorp Bank.

Members can manage and track their HSA online at the www.myhsabankaccount.com  member portal, which also offers interactive tools members can use to educate themselves on various aspects of health and wellness. With these tools, and understanding that they are now accountable for more of their health care expenses, members will have a better grasp of the true cost of health care and therefore greater motivation to ensure that their health care dollars are spent responsibly. Tools include the new internet hospital comparison tool, provided by WebMD Quality Services, which enables CareFirst members to compare treatment outcomes for 165 specific diagnoses and procedures for up to 10 hospitals at a time.

Individuals may choose an HSA with CareFirst’s preferred bank, The Bancorp Bank, or set up an account with their own bank. BlueChoice HSA members who enroll with The Bancorp Bank will also receive a new CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield debit card, enabling them to quickly and easily withdraw money directly from their HSA account. Members can visit www.carefirst.com, which provides interactive online tools to learn about various aspects of health and wellness, and The Bancorp Bank allows members to manage and track their account through www.myhsabankaccount.com. These tools enable individuals to get a better grasp of the elements contributing to health care costs.

“By adding an HMO-based plan, CareFirst has given consumers another affordable option with BlueFund’s one-stop shop appeal,” said Gregory A. Devou, CareFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We are providing consumers the tools they need to make informed decisions about their health care, and ensuring they get the best care possible.”

Both medical and prescription drug coverage are combined under one deductible for members who have purchased a high deductible HMO with both medical and prescription drug coverage. Most preventive care is 100 percent covered, although a copay may apply in certain instances. Group members may get their care from any doctor in the CareFirst BlueChoice provider network.

Guidelines on what qualifies as acceptable medical spending of the HSA funds are listed in Section 213 of the federal tax code.  More information on HSAs is available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/public-affairs/hsa/. Once established, any money from the HSA that is withdrawn for purposes other than qualified medical expenses is taxed as ordinary income plus a 10 percent penalty.  The additional penalty is not assessed in similar situations for individuals after the age of 65.

In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. CareFirst BlueChoice is a for-profit affiliate under the control of CareFirst, Inc.  Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

First-of-Its-Kind Consumer-Directed Health Plan Empowers Seniors and Provides Increased Flexibility to Manage Health Care Spending

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP), the nation’s largest health benefits company, announced today that it will introduce an innovative new Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA), marking the first time an MSA plan will be available in the Medicare market. Consumers can enroll in this industry-leading plan beginning November 15, 2006 in conjunction with the Medicare open enrollment period. MSA plans will initially be offered in a number of states across the country.

The Medicare MSA plan offering is part of WellPoint’s new enterprise-wide initiative to make consumer-driven health plans available in all states and to all markets, from the largest employer to individual members.

The Medicare MSA plans include two components — a High Deductible Medicare Advantage health plan that covers Medicare benefits and a tax- advantaged Medical Savings Account (MSA). An MSA is an independent bank account, owned by the member, in which deposits will be made for use by the member to pay for health care services. ACS/Mellon Bank will serve as the custodian of the WellPoint Medicare MSA plans.

“Medicare MSAs offer an important choice for Medicare beneficiaries in that they allow members to save for future healthcare needs and exercise direct control over how their health care dollars are spent,” said Susan Rawlings, president, senior services for WellPoint. “WellPoint is committed to offering the diverse and growing senior population access to consumer directed health plans, thereby allowing our members more opportunities to choose the plans that best fit their needs and lifestyles.”

Medicare beneficiaries who would like more information about the Medicare MSA plan may call the company’s new enrollment unit in California at 888-211-9813 or elsewhere in the country at 888-949-5384. (TTY/TDD 800-297-1538). Hours of operations are 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. in all time zones.

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint’s mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Through its nationwide networks, the company delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com .

SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.

CONTACT: Media: Naomi Goldman, +1-310-552-4197, or Investor Relations: Wayne S. DeVeydt, +1-317-488-6390, both of WellPoint, Inc.
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding WellPoint, Inc.’s business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the completed quarters in the current fiscal year.

New Roper Survey Reveals Notable Disconnect Between Seniors and Adult Children on Critical Issues; Program to ‘Connect the Generations’ and Encourage Action Now

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP), the nation’s largest health benefits company, today launched Connecting the Generations, a long-term nationwide educational initiative to help older adults and their families discuss and plan for important health and aging issues such as health care, financial security, independent living and end-of-life planning. The new initiative was designed to address the notable disconnect found between older adults and their families on critical aging issues as revealed in a new national survey conducted by Roper Public Affairs and Media Group and commissioned by WellPoint. The program encourages proactive planning on broader life issues in conjunction with the upcoming Medicare open enrollment period, when families are already engaged in assessing their health care needs and options.

The Roper/WellPoint Survey on Life, Health and Aging, which polled more than 1,000 seniors and adult children nationwide, confirmed the following key findings:

Generations Perceive Aging Differently - Adult children believe their senior parents worry more about aging issues than they actually do (53 percent vs. 33 percent).

Generations Aren’t Talking About Important Aging Issues, Especially Health - While 60 percent of adult children say they talk regularly to their parents about health matters, only 32 percent of seniors report discussing health topics regularly with their kids. Equally notable are the health and aging issues neither group talk about regularly - such as nursing homes and long-term care, wills or life insurance, funeral planning or the ability to drive.

Seniors Say They Are Comfortable Talking About Aging Issues, But Seldom Do So - While 76 percent of seniors said they are very comfortable talking about their driving ability and/or wills and life insurance with their kids, only 17 percent and 18 percent respectively report doing so. While many seniors are comfortable receiving help with their health care needs or insurance coverage, only 16 percent have discussed this regularly with their children.

Generations Are Most Disconnected on Medicare - 76 percent of adult children agree that it’s important to understand health insurance coverage and Medicare issues so they can help their parents, but more than half of adult children (52 percent) don’t understand Medicare.

Both Generations Want to Talk About Health, But Are Waiting for the Other to Bring It Up First - While nearly four in ten seniors and their adult children (37 percent) reported that they would like to discuss health issues more often, a roughly equal number (43 percent) say they would talk about if the other brought it up first.

To help older adults and their families facilitate these vital conversations and help them proactively plan for the future, WellPoint has launched Connecting the Generations — a new long-term educational initiative designed to provide valuable education and support to help fill the “gaps” in information between older adults and other generations — to ultimately create a community-at-large that is more informed, engaged and equipped to address important life issues.

“Living a secure and healthy retirement requires more than a good health care plan — it requires a life plan that has been thoughtfully discussed and communicated with family,” said Joan E. Herman, president and chief executive officer of Specialty, Senior and State-Sponsored Business for WellPoint. “Connecting the Generations is an important new component of WellPoint’s commitment to serving the needs of the nation’s growing older adult population and their families. We are excited to launch this program and offer a new level of education and service to help close the communication gaps revealed by the Roper survey.”

“The Roper survey shows that seniors and adult children are comfortable talking about health and aging, but they need to get the conversation started!” said Dr. Edward Schneider, Dean Emeritus of the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California. “Often, families discuss these critical life issues under duress usually after a life-changing event impacts their family or friends. The time to talk and plan is now, when plans can be made proactively. Developing these action plans is imperative, enabling families to have peace of mind and a sense of control over their future.”

The first phase of Connecting the Generations includes easily accessible resources to empower seniors and their families including:

The Connecting the Generations Conversation Guide - a 24-page free booklet with tips and information for initiating conversations on critical health and aging issues, with practical checklists for future planning.

A new Web site, (http://www.ConnectingTheGenerations.org) serves as an online resource for older adults and their families to access information on health and aging. It also includes tips for initiating family conversations, an Ask the Expert column with noted gerontology expert and author Dr. Edward Schneider, information on health plan options, and downloadable checklists for future planning.

The initiative will also reach families through an expanding network of on-the-ground community outreach supported through nonprofit, public agency and retail partnerships in select regions across the country.

Future phases of Connecting the Generations will provide new educational tools, training and programs for caregivers, physicians and other health care providers to help serve the health and lifestyle needs and interests of the diverse senior population. The initiative will grow and evolve to utilize and engage WellPoint’s significant networks of physicians, pharmacists and other health care providers, associates, agents, brokers, corporate and community partners.

The Connecting the Generations Conversation Guide, full results of The Roper/WellPoint Survey on Life, Health and Aging, further information on the initiative are available online at http://www.ConnectingTheGenerations.org or by calling 866-406-0984.

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint’s mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Through its nationwide networks, the company delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com.

SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.

CONTACT: Media: Maggie Bava, +1-310-552-4180, Investor Relations: Wayne S. DeVeydt, +1-317-488-6390, both of WellPoint, Inc. 
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding WellPoint, Inc.’s business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the completed quarters in the current fiscal year.

WellPoint Partnership with CVS/pharmacy Designed to Educate Seniors, Provide Medicare Part D Enrollment Guidance in more than 5,800 Stores

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) announced today that it will partner with CVS/pharmacy as a part of its efforts to help educate seniors about Medicare Part D options during the upcoming Medicare Part D open enrollment period. The partnership, which will encompass more than 5,800 CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide in 43 states, is one of several new WellPoint initiatives designed to enhance customers’ overall enrollment experience. The alliance will provide seniors with readily available resources and a convenient process for reviewing Medicare Part D choices and selecting a product that best meets their needs.

Through this partnership, WellPoint and CVS/pharmacy will collaborate to educate seniors eligible to participate in Medicare Part D. WellPoint will provide in-store distribution of Making Sense of Medicare Part D, an easy-to- use educational booklet. The company will also provide personal interaction and support through on-site agents at a number of CVS/pharmacy stores during the open enrollment period.

To strengthen its portfolio of competitively priced, value added products, WellPoint has expanded the number of drugs offered in its plans while also reducing the premium costs of its products offered through a number of its affiliates.

“Through this partnership, WellPoint will make it easier, more personal and very convenient for seniors looking for support to find the best plan, price and drug benefit for them,” said Joan E. Herman, president and chief executive officer of Specialty, Senior and State-Sponsored Business for WellPoint. “It is a key priority for our company to help educate seniors about Medicare options so they are confident in the choices they are making. Community-based outreach through CVS/pharmacy’s local stores is an important element of our focused plan to accomplish that goal.”

About WellPoint, Inc.

WellPoint’s mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in the United States. Through its nationwide networks, the company delivers a number of leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integrated health care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialty products such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well as long term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CVS Corporation, is America’s largest retail pharmacy. CVS is committed to serving the healthcare needs of all customers by being the easiest pharmacy for customers to use, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS is available at http://www.cvs.com/pressroom, as well as http://investor.cvs.com.

SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, James P. Kappel, +1-317-488-6400; or Investor Relations, Wayne S. DeVeydt, +1-317-488-6390, both of WellPoint, Inc.
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding WellPoint, Inc.’s business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each of the completed quarters in the current fiscal year.

Programs are designed to give employers the means to provide affordable coverage options

(05/18/2005) CHICAGO, Ill – UniCare is now offering BasicChoice, a new line of lower cost benefit plans designed to provide coverage for the most basic commonly used health care benefits. The plans should especially appeal to groups in the service industry that often have employees who are among the “working uninsured.”

“These lower-cost benefits are not intended to replace the traditional employer-paid comprehensive health plans that employers already have in place,” said David Fields, president and CEO of UniCare. “Rather, when large numbers of employees work in service-oriented positions and are not eligible for the company’s benefits program or can’t afford the company’s standard benefits program, then BasicChoice is the right choice for both the member and the employer. These programs can supplement existing options and give employers the means to provide an affordable option to employees who would not otherwise have health care coverage.”

BasicChoice offers most of the commonly used health care benefits, such as:

- Flexible medical plan options to include coverage for doctor visits and basic assistance with hospitalization expenses
- Access to many of the leading physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals from the UniCare PPO network
- Prescription drug coverage

The BasicChoice plan has three varying levels of coverage:

Level I Benefits Coverage is based on the UniCare indemnity product and includes outpatient benefits such as office visits, diagnostic and lab services, X-rays and emergency services, and inpatient benefits such as hospital stays and maternity. Annual benefit maximums for inpatient services are up to $15,000.

Level II Benefits Coverage utilizes UniCare’s Platinum Provider Network for increased savings when compared to standard PPO plans. With higher deductible options and some benefit modifications, BasicChoice Level II is an affordable option for those who prefer traditional PPO plans. Other benefits are:
- Outpatient benefits such as office visits, diagnostic and lab services, X-rays, emergency room visits, well child care, immunizations, outpatient surgery
- Preventive benefits such as mammogram screenings and pap smears
- Inpatient benefits such as maternity and hospital stays
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy, including chiropractic services
- Annual maximum options range from $10,000 to $100,000 
- Utilization of PPO network
 
Level III Benefits Coverage resembles UniCare’s standard PPO benefit plans. Benefits include:
- Wide range of deductible options
- Annual benefit maximums ranging from $50,000 to $100,000
- Outpatient benefits such as office visits, diagnostic and lab services, X-rays, emergency room visits, well child care, immunizations
- Preventive benefits such as mammogram screenings and pap smears
- Inpatient benefits such as maternity and hospital stays
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy, including chiropractic services
- Utilization of PPO network

The prescription drug benefit is one of the most important components of any benefits plan. With BasicChoice, the group can choose to provide one of three UniCare pharmacy benefit plans for its associates: 

Members pay a monthly fee to participate in the UniCare Discount program. With this pharmacy benefits option, BasicChoice members utilize UniCare’s network discounts with thousands of pharmacies across the country. 

The UniCare Generic Plan option covers generic prescription drugs only. Members pay a $10 copayment per generic prescription. 

UniCare’s YourChoiceRX combines the convenience, quality service and cost-saving features of a conventional UniCare prescription drug plan with the concept of reference pricing. A pricing methodology generally used in the purchase of prescription drugs, reference pricing provides four different levels of pharmacy benefits and three levels of co-payments for this plan. 

UniCare is a national operating subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc., the nation’s largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company. WellPoint serves the health care needs of approximately 28.5 million medical members. UniCare can be found on the web at www.unicare.com.

Not all UNICARE products are available in all states where UNICARE is marketed. Insurance or health maintenance organization coverage is provided by any of the following: UNICARE Life & Health Insurance Company, UNICARE Health Insurance Company of the Midwest (IN and IL only) or UNICARE Health Plans of the Midwest, Inc. (HMO in IN and IL only), UNICARE Health Plans of Texas, Inc. (HMO in TX only), UNICARE Health Insurance Company of Texas (TX only), UNICARE Health Plan of Virginia, Inc. (HMO in VA only), UNICARE Health Plan of West Virginia, Inc. (HMO in WVA only). 

Contacts:     Media    
Deb Wiethop, (314) 923-4767, Deborah.Wiethop@wellpoint.com

Affordable, Quality Prescription Drug Plans for Medicare Beneficiaries Offered Nationwide

Oct. 3, 2005 - Chicago –UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company (UniCare) now offers Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans to eligible Medicare beneficiaries in all 50 states. These prescription drug plans are designed to help enhance affordability, increase access and provide exceptional value for Medicare beneficiaries nationwide.

Three UniCare MedicareRx Rewards plans are offered at different prices to meet the varying needs of Medicare beneficiaries. Monthly premiums vary based on plan selection and location:
• UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Value $17 to $31
• UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Plus $25 to $38
• UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Premier $34 to $51

Product highlights include:
• Cover both brand name and generic drugs
• All plans can be purchased independently or in conjunction with an existing health coverage plan
• Convenient access to prescription drugs through most retail pharmacies nationwide
• An option to obtain drugs via mail order pharmacy
• Services through a trusted, financially stable company

UniCare MedicareRx Rewards plans are available to:
• People who have Part A and/or Part B
• People who have purchased Medicare Supplemental coverage without pharmacy benefits
• People who have Medicare Supplemental coverage with drug coverage and want to discontinue the drug portion of their Supplemental coverage
• People who are turning 65 and/or becoming eligible for Medicare

“We are contributing to one of the most significant changes to Medicare history, said Susan Rawlings, Senior Vice President and President of Senior Services for UniCare. “We hope that by offering these new UniCare MedicareRx Rewards plans we can increase access and choice for Medicare beneficiaries nationwide.”

For more information about UniCare’s MedicareRx Rewards plans, please visit www.unicare.com or call 1-800-928-6201.
 Media Contact: Tony Felts
317-287-6036
Tony.felts@wellpoint.com

UNICARE CONTRACTS WITH JPMORGAN FOR HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS COMPATIBLE WITH HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS
FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY ARCUS FINANCIAL

News Releases - July 21, 2004

CHICAGO, ILL. –UNICARE today announced it has arranged to have Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) provided by JPMorgan directly to eligible UNICARE members. UNICARE has arranged for ARCUS Financial, a division of ARCUS Enterprises, Inc., to provide services related to the opening and maintenance of these HSAs. UNICARE previously announced that it will be offering the High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) designed to be compatible with HSAs to individuals and group employees. HSA-enabling legislation became effective as part of the Medicare Prescription & Modernization Act signed by President Bush on December 8, 2003. 

HSAs are the latest “consumer-driven” strategy for managing the rising costs of health care expenses. HSAs allow individuals and families who have qualified HDHPs to put aside money in a tax-exempt HSA account to cover their qualified medical expenses. Individuals who purchase or enroll in an HDHP can make a pre-tax annual contribution to an HSA of up to $2,600 with families allowed a maximum contribution of $5,150. Individual purchasers are not eligible for an HSA if they qualify for Medicare, are covered under another person’s tax return or are covered as an individual, spouse or dependent under another comprehensive health plan that is not an HDHP.

“The relationship between ARCUS Financial Services, JPMorgan and UNICARE will provide greater financial flexibility for individual consumers, employers, employees and their families to meet their increasing health and welfare needs in new, practical ways,” said Denny Weinberg, CEO of ARCUS Enterprises. “We value these types of joint development relationships that result in break-through ideas and products—ideas that will lead and shape our business for years to come.”

HSA advantages for consumers include: 
 Tax-deductible contributions 
 HSA account interest is tax-deferred 
 HSA withdrawals can be used to pay for any qualified medical expense 
 HSAs are portable and owned by the individual; contributions cannot be taken away 
 Unspent balances carry over and can accumulate over a lifetime to be used at retirement to pay for uncovered medical expenses. (However, consumers may not contribute once they reach age 65.) 
 HSAs may be passed on to a surviving spouse tax free if the account holder should pass away 

“As a leading financial services provider to the health care industry, JPMorgan is pleased to be providing this new health care financing option to UNICARE members,” said John Prince, senior vice president, JPMorgan Treasury Services. “JPMorgan is committed to developing new solutions to meet the needs of health care entities and to provide less expensive, more efficient and accurate tools for processing health care transactions.”

According to Sandra Van Trease, president of UNICARE, “Employers and consumers will benefit from having more options for managing their health care spending. They look to UNICARE to provide innovative products that offer flexibility, cost savings and tax advantages. Health Savings Accounts are yet another important financial resource that we’re pleased to offer as a direct service to our members.”

For more information on HDHPs and other UNICARE products, consumers may call their local agent for Individual & Small Employer Groups (less than 50 employees). Large Group consumers should contact their broker or their UNICARE sales representative. 

UNICARE and its affiliates offer a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO, POS and hybrid products, HMO and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements. UNICARE can be found on the web at www.unicare.com.

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $1.1 trillion and operations in more than 50 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and businesses, financial transaction processing, asset and wealth management, and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. has its corporate headquarters in New York and its U.S. retail financial services and commercial banking headquarters in Chicago. Under the JPMorgan, Chase and Bank One brands, the firm serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients. Information about the firm is available on the Internet at www.jpmorganchase.com.

UNICARE High Deductible Health Plans are not HSAs. The HSA, which must be established for tax-advantaged treatment, is a separate arrangement between the individual and a bank or other qualified institution. You must be an eligible individual under IRS regulations to receive HSA tax benefits. The IRS has not yet issued HSA or High Deductible Health Plan regulations or determined that UNICARE High Deductible Health Plans are qualified. Consultation with a tax advisor is recommended. 
 
Contacts:
Deb Wiethop
314.923.4767
deborah.wiethop@wellpoint.com 

LifeWise announces novel Well-way™ program — insurer will cover up to two years of employers’ program costs for employees’ personal health assessments and personal health coaching

PORTLAND, OR — (June 14, 2006) — To help prevent costly illnesses and conditions that result from unhealthy lifestyles, LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon announced today encouraging results by employers adopting health risk management (HRM) programs — and introduced a new program, Well-way™, designed to dramatically accelerate the rate at which employers can build a culture of wellness in their workplace and inspire their employees to adopt healthier habits.

“We’re seeing more interest in HRM programs as a way for employers to address declining workplace health and rising healthcare costs,” said Mark Charpentier, CEO of LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon. “We’re launching Well-way™ as part of a larger effort aimed at twin goals of better health and more sustainable costs for our members.”

LifeWise announced the Well-way™ program, which will subsidize up to two years of HRM program costs for existing customer groups with 200 or more employees. The program includes annual confidential personal health assessments and personal health coaching as a way to jump-start efforts to improve employee wellness in Oregon.

“Just as we see in the national trends, Oregon’s health challenges have never been greater,” said Charpentier. “We’re watching increased rates of obesity, diabetes and other preventable conditions combined with decreased amounts of physical activity put more people at risk for declining health.”

Data involving results from three major corporations served by LifeWise’s affiliates shows a clear opposite, positive trend. The first year HRM results from these employer groups demonstrate that every employer saw significant improvement in a single year for employees identified as high risk, while keeping moderate to low risk groups from moving into the high risk category.

“Personal health assessments and personal health coaching work. These results, in context with longer term studies, are exceptionally encouraging,” said Eric M. Wall, MD, MPH, LifeWise Medical Director. “We’re seeing a dramatic improvement in wellness in a short period of time.”

Other studies show a strong correlation between improved wellness scores and fewer sick days, increased productivity and reduced health-care costs for the employer, Dr. Wall noted. “We are hopeful Oregon employer groups will take a similar track,” Dr. Wall said.

“We expect that Well-way™ will allow more employers to take the important first step to building a culture of wellness in their workplace.” said Charpentier.

About LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon
LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon is a member of a family of companies with operations in Portland and Bend, Oregon; Mountlake Terrace and Spokane, Washington; Anchorage, Alaska; and Scottsdale, Arizona. LifeWise and its affiliates employ about 3,000 people and provide health-care coverage and related services to 1.5 million subscribers and their families.

CONTACT:
Deana Strunk
LifeWise Communications Manager
(541) 318-2071
(541) 318-2309 fax