As one of UniCare's designated Premier Agents, MedPlan Access has been working with UniCare since their arrival in the Midwest. We feel qualified to offer some perspectives on UniCare health insurance for Illinois residents.
Because of their innovative product design, cost-effective PPO networks and selective underwriting, UniCare rates are consistently competitive. UniCare is an individual health insurance market leader in all states in which they operate, and we expect them to stay that way.
Most health insurers charge lower rates for new customers and higher rates for their longer-term customers. This is known as durational rating, and UniCare doesn't do it.
In determining rate adjustments, UniCare makes no distinctions based on policy duration. This translates into superior long-term relative cost stability for UniCare clients.
UniCare customers still get premium increases, which are never popular. But the UniCare rate increases are even-handed, and long-term clients are not punished for their loyalty -- which happens far too often with other insurance companies.
UniCare's parent, Wellpoint Health Networks, is, by any measure, one of the USA's top few health insurance organizations. Their internal growth has been fueled by an impressive combination of well-designed products, sound underwriting, expansive networks, competitive pricing and solid management.
Wellpoint (UniCare) is the most innovative company in the individual health insurance business. They're also a leader in using the internet to make health insurance more accessible, and in providing clients with online tools for managing both their health insurance plans and their health.
UniCare products are characteristically designed with strong disincentives against using non-network providers. This motivates utilization of PPO hospitals and physicians, which is a key element in UniCare's competitive pricing.
So, as a general rule, don't purchase a UniCare product unless you expect to be using hospitals and physicians participating in UniCare's extensive PPO networks.
UniCare's HSA-compatible plans and all their other individual plans in Illinois and Indiana do not include coverage for routine maternity. If maternity benefits are important to you, UniCare is probably not your best choice.
During the first year of coverage, UniCare will always apply their pre-existing condition exclusion. It doesn't matter if you've got continuous prior coverage or if the health condition is disclosed on the application.
UniCare underwrites applications faster than most other health insurers. In our experience, UniCare's rate of application approval is average to above-average.
UniCare charges an additional 40% for smokers, which is a relatively large adjustment. In addition, UniCare, like just about every other Illinois health insurer, will assess additional premium or require medical condition-specific exclusions for persons with ongoing health conditions or whose weight places them in higher risk categories.
When compared to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (UniCare's primary competitor), UniCare is more likely to assess additional premium charges or require condition-specific exclusions. However, our experience has been that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois rejects a higher proportion of applications.
Obtaining medical records can cause long delays in processing applications, so UniCare does much of their fact gathering through phone interviews with applicants.
Depending on an applicant's health circumstances, UniCare may still require medical records, though they'll pay administrative charges -- up to a limit -- required by the doctor or hospital.
UniCare is an exceptionally well managed company with experienced employees and advanced administrative systems. When you call for assistance, customer hold times are typically short.
UniCare gets high marks for paying claims, which they process quickly. They also employ knowledgeable claim representatives. Claim disagreements are infrequent and typically resolved quickly.
Customer Service for Illinois policyholders is centered in UniCare's regional home office in Bolingbrook IL.
No one health insurance company is best for everybody. However, we believe UniCare is a consistent superior choice for Illinois insurance consumers.
