We partner with Aetna to administer our U.S. medical plans in 2014
Nearly every day, some aspect of health care is in the news. It’s a hot topic for us, too, because we know you value the medical benefits we provide to you and your family. That’s why we review our benefits annually to ensure we offer the highest-quality health care plans at a price that is affordable for you and the company over the long term.
We have chosen Aetna as our primary benefit provider for our U.S. medical plans beginning in 2014 and will no longer offer medical PPO and Medicare supplement plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and United Healthcare (UHC). (This change will not impact HMOs offered by BCBS and UHC for active co-workers and retirees.)
For most co-workers in United’s medical plans, the change to Aetna will be seamless. You’ll use the same providers you see today, but Aetna will administer your health care claims. Express Scripts will continue to be our prescription drug provider and ValueOptions will continue to be our behavioral health provider.
Most co-workers’ doctors are already in Aetna’s network, but, if your doctor is not, you may nominate him or her to be included. Nominated providers will need to meet the Aetna certification requirements and agree to join the network. Transition of care benefits will be provided for co-workers who are in the middle of a medical treatment with a provider that is not in the Aetna network.
For more about the change to Aetna, go to the Benefits page on the Employees Services tab. We’re still working on the details of the transition and will continue to post information on whom to call if you have questions, determining if your provider is in the Aetna network and what you need to do to avoid disruption of current treatment for yourself or family members.
Annual Benefits Enrollment information about our 2014 benefits will be available in late September. This year, benefits enrollment for 2014 benefits will begin in mid-October.