INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ — UniCare Health Plan of Kansas, Inc. (UniCare) received a contract to provide health care benefits statewide to enrollees in the Kansas HealthWave programs — Title 19 (Medicaid) and Title 21 (State Children’s Health Insurance Program). UniCare is pleased with the opportunity to provide high-quality health benefits and community resources to a well qualified and an excellent department like the Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) and Kansas Department of Administration, Division of Purchases.
The Kansas contract is the fourth Medicaid managed care award in the past two months to UniCare’s parent, WellPoint’s State Sponsored Business. The company was also selected for contracts in Indiana, Ohio, and Nevada.
UniCare is one of two vendors selected for this contract and is the only statewide vendor serving all three regions. There are approximately 160,000 HealthWave recipients, and UniCare expects to enroll approximately half of the recipients. Enrolled members will begin receiving health care benefits from UniCare and the other selected vendor on January 1, 2007.
“This latest award is recognition of our unique business model and our organization’s specialized ability to serve this vulnerable population,” said John Monahan, President, UniCare Health Plan of Kansas and State Sponsored Business for WellPoint, Inc. “Kansas HealthWave program administrators, providers, and recipients can trust in the strength and experience of UniCare to help improve health care quality and lower costs for Kansans.”
The HealthWave program provides access to hospital services, physicians, specialists, prescriptions, and vision benefits. UniCare members will receive additional benefits such as programs to aid in diabetes and obesity management and smoking cessation — benefits specifically designed to address high rates of these conditions in the Sunflower State.
UniCare will also open Community Resource Centers (CRCs) in Kansas. CRCs are a core component of our business model and are designed to provide local member outreach, health education, provider services, and other specialized programs. This innovative approach ensures that members and providers, in concert with UniCare, have a true managed care team with associates that live in the community, understand their needs and challenges, and share in the achievement of mutually beneficial outcomes. Additionally, UniCare is prepared to provide a smooth transition for new enrollees through its community-based model.
The contract is effective January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011 with two 1-year renewal options.
WellPoint’s State Sponsored Business has more than a decade of expertise serving more than two million Medicaid managed care members and businesses in 11 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Members have access to a wide network of health care providers as well as accredited, award winning health management programs.
The UniCare companies are wholly owned operating subsidiaries of WellPoint, Inc., the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company in terms of membership in the United States. If the health plan is provided on a self-funded basis by the member’s employer, claims are administered by UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company, UniCare Health Plans of Texas, Inc. (HMO only in TX) or UniCare Health Plans of the Midwest, Inc. (HMO in IN and IL only). If the member’s health plan is insured or health maintenance organization coverage, the coverage is provided by one of the following companies: UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company, UniCare Health Insurance Company of the Midwest (IN and IL only), UniCare Health Plans of the Midwest, Inc. (HMO in IN and IL only), UniCare Health Plan of Virginia, Inc. (HMO only in Virginia), UniCare Health Insurance Company of Texas (TX only) or UniCare Health Plans of Texas, Inc. (HMO only in TX), each of which is a separately incorporated and capitalized subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. UniCare can be found on the web at http://www.unicare.com/ . Not all UniCare products are available in all states where UniCare is marketed.
UniCare Health Plan of Kansas, Inc.
CONTACT: Tony Felts of UniCare, +1-317-287-6036,[email protected] ; or Leslie Porras of WellPoint, +1-805-557-6745,[email protected]
Web site: http://www.unicare.com/
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