IF YOU ARE ON AN INDIVIDUAL UNICARE HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY
If you are currently on an Individual UniCare policy, they will give you an option of moving onto a “comparable” plan on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with no underwriting. This is actually a great thing. The only problem is that the premium will probably be higher than what you are paying now as they don’t seem to be giving “new business rates” (as if you were healthy and signing up for a new plan). If you are not eligible for a new plan, then at least you have continuity. If you are healthy and have been on UniCare for more than a year, you can transition to BCBS, then reapply for new business rates. If they accept you, then they will give you the cheaper rate and you won’t be stuck with the 1 year pre-existing condition clause. If you do not accept to change, you can keep your policy until 6/1/2010 when it will terminate.
IF YOU ARE ON A SMALL GROUP UNICARE POLICY
If you are currently on a UniCare small group policy, they give you the option of transitioning to a comparable plan on BCBS while keeping the SAME TOTAL premium until your next renewal date. As BCBS uses “composite” rates (averages everyone together for one rate for each classification of employee, employee only, employee/spouse, etc.), the rates will be different. If you choose NOT to accept the transition offer, then your coverage expires at your renewal date.
If anyone has questions, please feel free to post them here or email me directly.
