 |
     |
|
|
     |
|
|
UnitedHealthcare and Jefferson Health System To Offer New Plan Options For Greater Philadelphia Businesses
PHILADELPHIA, PA. (July 21, 2005) – UnitedHealthcare announced today that it has signed a new multi-year agreement with Jefferson Health System, which will provide Unite dHealthcare customers with access to JHS hospitals. UnitedHealthcare’s network in the Philadelphia area has approximately 10,000 health care providers. UnitedHealthcare and JHS also signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of a consumer-driven health plan product, which will combine a high-deductible, insured open access plan with either a health savings account (HSA) or health care reimbursement arrangement (HRA). The product will include coverage for preventive care and discounts on select health care products and services. “Our goal is to make health care more affordable and accessible for businesses and individuals throughout the state,” said Tom Knox, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania. “This means offering the most comprehensive suite of medical and ancillary health benefits — from more traditional indemnity coverage and network-based plans to newer consumer-driven ones — so customers can choose the option that best fits their unique needs.” Through its relationship with Jefferson Health System, UnitedHealthcare will begin offering the consumer-driven health plan on October 1, 2005 for January 1, 2006 enrollment. Meetings for insurance brokers will be held in the early fall to provide more details on this product. “The new health plan will address the fundamental issue of health care access through highly competitive premiums, while also including innovative programs in the areas of preventive care, the management of chronic conditions, and administrative burden reductions for physicians,” said David Simon, senior vice president of Jefferson Health System. Currently, UnitedHealthcare provides health plan coverage to more than 275,000 individuals in the state through its various companies, including Golden Rule for individual HSA members and Uniprise for large group employers. UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania has offices in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. “Greater Philadelphia businesses have experienced significant premium rate increases over the past several years, with little or no options to help moderate these increases,” said Arnold Katz, owner and president of Brokerage Concepts, Inc . “UnitedHealthcare’s relationship with Jefferson Health System and this new collaborative plan design will bring much needed choice and competition into the marketplace and will have an immediate impact here.” About Jefferson Health System Based in Radnor, Pa., the non-profit Jefferson Health System has more than $3 billion in revenue, 21,000 full-time employees, 3,700 staffed beds and 4,600 medical staff members. Among other accolades, System member hospitals are ranked annually by U.S. News and World Report among America’s best hospitals. The System consists of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, including Albert Einstein Medical Center, MossRehab and Belmont Behavioral Health; Frankford Hospitals - including its Frankford, Torresdale and Bucks campuses; Magee Rehabilitation; Main Line Health - including Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Hospital, Paoli Hospital, and Bryn Mawr Rehab; and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals - including Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, and Methodist Hospital. Thomas Jefferson University is the primary academic affiliate of the System. About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare (www.unitedhealthcare.com) provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services, helping 22 million individual consumers nationwide achieve improved health and well-being through various health service systems. UnitedHealthcare arranges access to quality, affordable care with more than 460,000 physicians and care professionals and 4,200 hospitals across America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group, a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. Published: 7-21-2005 Contact: |
|
259 North Radnor-Chester Road