UnitedHealthcare
Insurance
Company
UnitedHealthcare
Choice
Plus
Certificate of Coverage, Riders, Amendments, and Notices
for
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Group Number: GA
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Health Plan: 23 - W Prescription Code: OB
Effective Date:
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Offered and Underwritten by
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
Riders, Amendments, and
Notices
begin immediately following the last
page
of the Certificate of
Coverage
CCOV.I.11.WI
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
185 Asylum
Street
Hartford, CT
06103-3408
1-800-357-1371
Please read the copy of your enrollment form accompanying this certificate or which
has been otherwise previously delivered to you by us or your employer. Omissions or
misstatements in the enrollment form could cause an otherwise valid claim to be
denied. Carefully check the enrollment form and write us within 10 days if any
information shown on the enrollment form is not correct. The insurance coverage was
issued on the basis that the answers to all questions and any other material information
shown on the enrollment form were correct and complete.
Coverage of Eligible Expenses for Covered Health Services provided by non-Network
providers is limited to the amount we determine solely in accordance with our
reimbursement guidelines as defined in Section 9 of this certificate. We calculate
Eligible Expenses based on available data resources of competitive fees in specific
geographic areas. Eligible Expenses must not be greater than the fees that the
non-Network provider would charge any other health plan in the same or similar
situation for the same services. You are responsible for paying any difference between
the amount the non-Network provider bills you and the amount we will pay for Eligible
Expenses. You may call Customer Care at the telephone number listed on your ID card.
LIMITED BENEFITS WILL BE PAID WHEN NONPARTICIPATING PROVIDERS ARE USED.
You should be aware that when you elect to utilize the services of a nonparticipating
provider for a Covered Health Service, benefit payments to such nonparticipating
provider are not based upon the amount billed. The basis of your benefit payment will
be determined according to the Policy’s fee schedule, usual and customary charge
(which is determined by comparing charges for similar services adjusted to the
geographical area where the services are performed), or other method as defined in the
Policy. YOU RISK PAYING MORE THAN THE COINSURANCE, DEDUCTIBLE AND
COPAYMENT AMOUNT AFTER THE PLAN HAS PAID ITS REQUIRED PORTION.
Nonparticipating providers may bill Covered Persons for any amount up to the billed
charge after the plan has paid its portion of the bill. Participating providers have agreed
to accept discounted payment for Covered Health Services with no additional billing to
the Covered Person other than copayment, coinsurance and deductible amounts. You
may obtain further information about the participating status of professional providers
and information on out-of-pocket expenses by calling the number on your identification
(ID) card or by going to www.myuhc.com.
COC.I.11.WI
1
Certificate of
Coverage
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
Certificate of Coverage is Part of Policy
This Certificate of Coverage (Certificate) is part of the Policy that is a legal document between
UnitedHealthcare
Insurance Company and the Enrolling Group to provide Benefits to Covered Persons, subject to the
terms,
conditions, exclusions and limitations of the Policy. We issue the Policy based on the Enrolling
Group’s
application and payment of the required Policy
Charges.
In addition to this
Certificate
the Policy
includes:
The Group Policy.
The Schedule of Benefits.
The Enrolling Group’s
application.
Riders.
Amendments.
You can review the Policy at the office of the Enrolling Group during regular business hours.
Changes to the Document
We may from time to time modify this Certificate by attaching legal documents called Riders and/or
Amendments
that may change certain provisions of this
Certificate.
When that happens we will send you a new
Certificate,
Rider
or Amendment
pages.
No one can make any changes to the Policy unless those changes are in
writing.
Other Information You Should Have
We have the right to change, interpret, modify, withdraw or add Benefits, or to terminate the Policy, as
permitted
by law, without your
approval.
On its effective date, this Certificate replaces and overrules any Certificate that we may have previously issued
to
you. This
Certificate
will in turn be overruled by any
Certificate
we issue to you in the
future.
The Policy will take effect on the date specified in the Policy. Coverage under the Policy will begin at 12:01
a.m.
and end at 12:00 midnight in the time zone of the Enrolling Group’s location. The Policy will remain in effect
as
long as the Policy Charges are paid when they are due, subject to termination of the
Policy.
We are delivering the Policy in the State of Wisconsin. The Policy is governed by ERISA unless the Enrolling
Group is not an employee welfare benefit plan as defined by ERISA. To the extent that state law applies, the laws
of the State of Wisconsin are the laws that govern the Policy.
COC.I.11.WI
2
Introduction to Your
Certificate
We are pleased to provide you with this
Certificate.
This
Certificate
and the other Policy documents describe your
Benefits, as well as your rights and responsibilities, under the Policy.
How to Use this Document
We encourage you to read your
Certificate
and any attached Riders and/or Amendments
carefully.
We especially encourage you to review the Benefit limitations of this Certificate by reading the attached Schedule
of Benefits
along with Section 1: Covered Health Services and Section 2: Exclusions and
Limitations.
You
should
also carefully read Section 8: General Legal Provisions to better understand how this
Certificate
and your
Benefits
work. You should call us if you have questions about the limits of the coverage available to
you.
Many of the sections of this Certificate are related to other sections of the document. You may not have all of
the
information you need by reading just one section. We also encourage you to keep your Certificate and Schedule
of Benefits
and any attachments in a safe place for your future
reference.
If there is a conflict between this Certificate and any summaries provided to you by the Enrolling Group,
this
Certificate
will
control.
Please be aware that your Physician is not responsible for knowing or communicating your
Benefits.
Information about Defined Terms
Because this Certificate is part of a legal document, we want to give you information about the document that will
help you understand it. Certain capitalized words have special meanings. We have defined these words in Section
9: Defined Terms. You can refer to Section 9: Defined Terms as you read this document to have a clearer
understanding of your Certificate.
When we use the words "we," "us," and "our" in this document, we are referring to UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company. When we use the words "you" and "your," we are referring to people who are Covered Persons, as that
term is defined in Section 9: Defined Terms.
Don’t Hesitate to Contact Us
Throughout the document you will find statements that encourage you to contact us for further
information.
Whenever you have a question or concern regarding your Benefits, please call us using the telephone number
for
Customer Care listed on your ID card. It will be our pleasure to assist
you.
COC.I.11.WI
3
Your
Responsibilities
Be Enrolled and Pay Required Contributions
Benefits are available to you only if you are enrolled for coverage under the Policy. Your enrollment options,
and
the corresponding dates that coverage begins, are listed in Section 3: When Coverage Begins. To be enrolled
with
us and receive Benefits, both of the following
apply:
Your enrollment must be in accordance with the Policy issued to your Enrolling Group, including the
eligibility requirements.
You must qualify as a Subscriber or his or her Dependent as those terms are defined in Section 9: Defined
Terms.
Your Enrolling Group may require you to make certain payments to them, in order for you to remain enrolled
under the Policy and receive Benefits. If you have questions about this, contact your Enrolling Group.
Be Aware this Benefit Plan Does Not Pay for All Health Services
Your right to Benefits is limited to Covered Health Services. The extent of this Benefit plan’s payments for Covered
Health Services and any obligation that you may have to pay for a portion of the cost of those Covered
Health
Services is set forth in the Schedule of Benefits.
Decide What Services You Should Receive
Care decisions are between you and your Physicians. We do not make decisions about the kind of care
you
should or should not
receive.
Choose Your Physician
It is your responsibility to select the health care professionals who will deliver care to you. We arrange for
Physicians and other health care professionals and facilities to participate in a Network. Our credentialing
process confirms public information about the professionals’ and facilities’ licenses and other credentials, but
does not assure the quality of their services. These professionals and facilities are independent practitioners and
entities that are solely responsible for the care they deliver.
Obtain Prior Authorization
Some Covered Health Services require prior authorization. In general, Physicians and other health
care
professionals who participate in a Network are responsible for obtaining prior authorization. However, if
you
choose to receive Covered Health Services from a non-Network provider, you are responsible for obtaining
prior
authorization before you receive the services. For detailed information on the Covered Health Services
that
require prior authorization, please refer to the Schedule of Benefits.
Pay Your Share
You must pay a Copayment and/or Coinsurance for most Covered Health Services. These payments are due at
the time of service or when billed by the Physician, provider or facility. Copayment and Coinsurance amounts are
listed in the Schedule of Benefits. You must also pay any amount that exceeds Eligible Expenses.
Pay the Cost of Excluded Services
You must pay the cost of all excluded services and items. Review Section 2: Exclusions and
Limitations
to
become
familiar with this Benefit plan’s
exclusions.
COC.I.11.WI
4
Show Your ID Card
You should show your identification (ID) card every time you request health services. If you do not show your
ID
card, the provider may fail to bill the correct entity for the services delivered, and any resulting delay may
mean
that you will be unable to collect any Benefits otherwise owed to
you.
File Claims with Complete and Accurate Information
When you receive Covered Health Services from a non-Network provider, you are responsible for requesting
payment from us. You must file the claim in a format that contains all of the
informatio
n we require, as described
in Section 5: How to File a Claim.
Use Your Prior Health Care Coverage
If you have prior coverage that, as required by state law, extends benefits for a particular condition or a disability,
we will not pay Benefits for health services for that condition or disability until the prior coverage ends. We will pay
Benefits as of the day your coverage begins under this Benefit plan for all other Covered Health Services that are
not related to the condition or disability for which you have other coverage.
COC.I.11.WI
5
Determine Benefits
Our Responsibilities
We make administrative decisions regarding whether this Benefit plan will pay for any portion of the cost of
a
health care service you intend to receive or have received. Our decisions are for payment purposes only. We
do
not make decisions about the kind of care you should or should not receive. You and your providers must
make
those treatment
decisions.
We have the discretion to do the
following:
Interpret Benefits and the other terms, limitations and exclusions set out in this Certificate, the Schedule of
Benefits and any Riders and/or Amendments.
Make factual determinations relating to Benefits.
We may delegate this discretionary authority to other persons or entities that may provide administrative services
for this Benefit plan, such as claims processing. The identity of the service providers and the nature of their
services may be changed from time to time in our discretion. In order to receive Benefits, you must cooperate
with those service providers.
Pay for Our Portion of the Cost of Covered Health Services
We pay Benefits for Covered Health Services as described in Section 1: Covered Health Services and in
the
Schedule of Benefits, unless the service is excluded in Section 2: Exclusions and
Limitations.
This means we
only
pay our portion of the cost of Covered Health Services. It also means that not all of the health care services
you
receive may be paid for (in full or in part) by this Benefit
plan.
Pay Network Providers
It is the responsibility of Network Physicians and facilities to file for payment from us. When you receive
Covered
Health Services from Network providers, you do not have to submit a claim to
us.
Pay for Covered Health Services Provided by Non-Network Providers
In accordance with any state prompt pay requirements, we will pay Benefits after we receive your request for
payment that includes all required information. See Section 5: How to File a Claim.
Review and Determine Benefits in Accordance with our Reimbursement
Policies
We develop our reimbursement policy guidelines, in our sole discretion, in accordance with one or more of
the
following methodologies:
As indicated in the most recent edition of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), a publication of
the
American Medical
Association,
and/or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
As reported by generally recognized professionals or
publications.
As
used for Medicare.
As determined by medical staff and outside medical consultants pursuant to other appropriate sources
or
determinations that we
accept.
Following evaluation and validation of certain provider billings (e.g., error, abuse and fraud reviews),
our
reimbursement policies are applied to provider billings. We share our reimbursement policies with Physicians
and
other providers in our Network through our provider website. Network Physicians and providers may not bill you
for the difference between their contract rate (as may be modified by our reimbursement policies) and the billed
charge. However, non-Network providers are not subject to this prohibition, and may bill you for any amounts we
do not pay, including amounts that are denied because one of our reimbursement policies does not reimburse (in
whole or in part) for the service billed. You may obtain copies of our reimbursement policies for yourself or to
COC.I.11.WI
6
share with your non-Network Physician or provider by going to www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at
the telephone number on your ID card.
Offer Health Education Services to You
From time to time, we may provide you with access to information about additional services that are available
to
you, such as disease management programs, health education and patient advocacy. It is solely your
decision
whether to participate in the programs, but we recommend that you discuss them with your
Physician.
COC.I.11.WI
7
Certificate of Coverage Table of
Contents
Section 1: Covered Health Services ........................................................ 8
Section 2: Exclusions and Limitations ................................................. 23
Section 3: When Coverage Begins ........................................................ 34
Section 4: When Coverage Ends ........................................................... 37
Section 5: How to File a Claim ............................................................... 40
Section 6: Questions, Complaints and Grievances ............................. 42
Section 7: Coordination of Benefits ...................................................... 45
Section 8: General Legal Provisions ..................................................... 49
Section 9: Defined Terms ....................................................................... 55
COC.I.11.WI
8
Section 1: Covered Health
Services
Benefits for Covered Health Services
Benefits are available only if all of the following are
true:
The health care service, supply or Pharmaceutical Product is only a Covered Health Service if it is Medically
Necessary. (See definitions of Medically Necessary and Covered Health Service in Section 9: Defined Terms.)
The fact that a Physician or other provider has performed or prescribed a procedure or treatment, or the fact
that it may be the only available treatment for a Sickness, Injury, Mental Illness, substance use disorder,
disease or its symptoms does not mean that the procedure or treatment is a Covered Health Service under
the Policy.
Covered Health Services are received while the Policy is in effect.
Covered Health Services are received prior to the date that any of the individual termination conditions
listed
in
Section 4: When Coverage Ends
occurs.
The person who receives Covered Health Services is a Covered Person and meets all eligibility requirements
specified in the Policy.
This section describes Covered Health Services for which Benefits are available. Please refer to the attached
Schedule of Benefits
for details
about:
The amount you must pay for these Covered Health Services (including any Annual Deductible, Copayment
and/or Coinsurance).
Any limit that applies to these Covered Health Services (including visit, day and dollar limits on
services).
Any
limit that applies to the amount you are required to pay in a year (Out-of-Pocke t
Maximum).
Any responsibility you have for obtaining prior authorization or notifying us.
Please note that in listing services or examples, when we say "this includes," it is not our intent to limit the
description to that specific list. When we do intend to limit a list of services or examples, we state
specifically that the list "is limited to."
1. Ambulance Services
Emergency ambulance transportation by a licensed ambulance service (either ground or air ambulance) to the
nearest Hospital where Emergency Health Services can be performed.
Non-Emergency ambulance transportation by a licensed ambulance service (either ground or air ambulance, as
we determine appropriate) between facilities when the transport is any of the following:
From a non-Network Hospital to a Network
Hospital.
To a Hospital that provides a higher level of care that was not available at the original
Hospital.
To
a more cost-effective acute care
facility.
From an acute facility to a sub-acute setting.
2. Clinical Trials
Routine patient care costs incurred during participation in a qualifying clinical trial for the treatment of:
Cancer.
Cardiovascular disease
(cardiac/stroke).
Surgical musculoskeletal disorders of the spine, hip and knees.
Other diseases or disorders for which, as we determine, a clinical trial meets the qualifying clinical trial
criteria stated below.
Benefits include the reasonable and necessary items and services used to diagnose and treat complications
arising from participation in a qualifying clinical trial.
COC.I.11.WI
9
Benefits are available only when the Covered Person is clinically eligible for participation in the clinical trial as
defined by the researcher. Benefits are not available for preventive clinical trials.
Routine patient care costs for clinical trials include:
Covered Health Services for which Benefits are typically provided absent a clinical trial.
Covered Health Services required solely for the provision of the Investigational item or service, the
clinically
appropriate monitoring of the effects of the item or service, or the prevention of
complications.
Covered Health Services needed for reasonable and necessary care arising from the provision of an
Investigational item or service.
Routine costs for clinical trials do not include:
The Experimental or Investigational Service or item. The only exceptions to this are:
Certain Category B devices.
Certain promising interventions for patients with terminal illnesses.
Other items and services that meet specified criteria in accordance with our medical and drug policies.
Items and services provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis needs and that are not used in
the
direct
clinical management of the
patient.
Items and services provided by the research sponsors free of charge for any person enrolled in the trial.
To
be a qualifying clinical trial, a clinical trial must meet all of the following
criteria:
Be sponsored and provided by a cancer center that has been designated by the National Cancer Institute
(NCI) as a
Clinical
Cancer Center or
Comprehensive
Cancer Center or be sponsored by any of the following:
National Institutes
of Health (NIH). (Includes
National
Cancer
Institute
(NCI).)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Agency for
Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Department
of Defense (DOD).
Veterans
Administration
(VA).
The clinical trial must have a written protocol that describes a scientifically sound study and have
been
approved by all relevant institutional review boards (IRBs) before participants are enrolled in the trial.
We
may, at any time, request documentation about the
trial.
The subject or purpose of the trial must be the evaluation of an item or service that meets the definition of
a
Covered Health Service and is not otherwise excluded under the
Policy.
3. Congenital Heart Disease Surgeries
Congenital heart disease (CHD) surgeries which are ordered by a Physician. CHD surgical procedures
include
surgeries to treat conditions such as coarctation of the aorta, aortic stenosis, tetralogy of fallot, transposition
of
the great vessels and hypoplastic left or right heart
syndrome.
Benefits under this section include the facility charge and the charge for supplies and equipment. Benefits
for
Physician services are described under
Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services.
Surgery may be performed as open or closed surgical procedures or may be performed through
interventional
cardiac
catheterization.
We have specific guidelines regarding Benefits for CHD services. Contact us at the telephone number on your
ID
card for information about these
guidelines.
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10
4. Dental Services - Accident Only
Dental services when all of the following are true:
Treatment is necessary because of accidental damage.
Dental services are received from a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medical
Dentistry.
The dental damage is severe enough that initial contact with a Physician or dentist occurred within 72 hours
of the accident. (You may request an extension of this time period provided that you do so within 60 days of
the Injury and if extenuating circumstances exist due to the severity of the Injury.)
Please note that dental damage that occurs as a result of normal activities of daily living or extraordinary use of
the teeth is not considered having occurred as an accident. Benefits are not available for repairs to teeth that are
damaged as a result of such activities.
Dental services to repair damage caused by accidental Injury must conform to the following time-frames:
Treatment is started within three months of the accident, unless extenuating circumstances exist (such as
prolonged hospitalization or the presence of fixation wires from fracture care).
Treatment must be completed within 12 months of the
accident.
Benefits for treatment of accidental Injury are limited to the
following:
Emergency examination.
Necessary diagnostic X-rays.
Endodontic (root canal)
treatment.
Temporary splinting of
teeth.
Prefabricated post and core.
Simple minimal restorative procedures
(fillings).
Extractions.
Post-traumatic crowns if such are the only clinically acceptable treatment.
Replacement of lost teeth due to the Injury by implant, dentures or
bridges.
5. Diabetes Services
Diabetes Self-Management and Training/Diabetic Eye Examinations/Foot Care
Outpatient self-management training for the treatment of diabetes, education and medical nutrition
therapy
services. Diabetes outpatient self-management training, education and medical nutrition therapy services must
be
ordered by a Physician and provided by appropriately licensed or registered healthcare
professionals.
Benefits under this section also include medical eye examinations (dilated retinal examinations) and
preventive
foot care for Covered Persons with
diabetes.
Diabetic Self-Management Items
Insulin pumps and supplies for the management and treatment of diabetes, based upon the medical needs of the
Covered Person. Benefits for blood glucose monitors, insulin syringes with needles, blood glucose and urine test
strips, ketone test strips and tablets and lancets and lancet devices are described under the Outpatient
Prescription Drug Rider.
6. Durable Medical Equipment
Durable Medical Equipment that meets each of the following criteria:
Ordered or provided by a Physician for outpatient use primarily in a home
setting.
Used
for medical
purposes.
Not consumable or disposable except as needed for the effective use of covered Durable Medical
Equipment.
Not of use to a person in the absence of a disease or disability.
COC.I.11.WI
11
Benefits under this section include Durable Medical Equipment provided to you by a Physician.
If more than one piece of Durable Medical Equipment can meet your functional needs, Benefits are available only
for the equipment that meets the minimum specifications for your needs.
Examples of Durable Medical Equipment include:
Equipment to assist mobility, such as a standard wheelchair.
A
standard Hospital-type
bed.
Oxygen and the rental of equipment to administer oxygen (including tubing, connectors and masks).
Delivery pumps for tube feedings (including tubing and connectors).
Negative pressure wound therapy pumps (wound
vacuums).
Braces, including necessary adjustments to shoes to accommodate braces. Braces that stabilize an injured
body part and braces to treat curvature of the spine are considered Durable Medical Equipment and are a
Covered Health Service. Braces that straighten or change the shape of a body part are orthotic devices, and
are excluded from coverage. Dental braces are also excluded from coverage.
Mechanical equipment necessary for the treatment of chronic or acute respiratory failure (except that
air-conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers and filters and personal comfort items are excluded
from coverage).
Burn
garments.
Insulin pumps and all related necessary supplies as described under Diabetes Services.
External cochlear devices and systems. Benefits for cochlear implantation are provided under the applicable
medical/surgical Benefit categories in this
Certificate,
as required by Wisconsin insurance law.
Benefits under this section also include speech aid devices and tracheo-esophageal voice devices required for
treatment of severe speech impediment or lack of speech directly attributed to Sickness or Injury. Benefits for the
purchase of speech aid devices and tracheo-esophageal voice devices are available only after completing a
required three-month rental period. Benefits are limited as stated in the Schedule of Benefits.
Benefits under this section do not include any device, appliance, pump, machine, stimulator, or monitor that is
fully implanted into the body.
We will decide if the equipment should be purchased or rented.
Benefits are available for repairs and replacement, except that:
Benefits for repair and replacement do not apply to damage due to misuse, malicious breakage or
gross
neglect.
Benefits are not available to replace lost or stolen
items.
7. Emergency Health Services - Outpatient
Services that are required to stabilize or initiate treatment in an Emergency. Emergency Health Services must
be
received on an outpatient basis at a Hospital or Alternate
Facility.
Benefits under this section include the facility charge, supplies and all professional services required to
stabilize
your condition and/or initiate treatment. This includes placement in an observation bed for the purpose
of
monitoring your condition (rather than being admitted to a Hospital for an Inpatient
Stay).
Benefits under this section are not available for services to treat a condition that does not meet the definition of
an
Emergency.
8. Hearing Aids
Hearing aids required for the correction of a hearing impairment (a reduction in the ability to perceive
sound
which may range from slight to complete deafness). Hearing aids are electronic amplifying devices designed to
bring sound more effectively into the ear. A hearing aid consists of a microphone, amplifier and receiver.
Benefits are available for a hearing aid that is purchased as a result of a written recommendation by a Physician.
Benefits are provided for the hearing aid and for charges for associated fitting and testing.
COC.I.11.WI
12
Benefits under this section do not include bone anchored hearing aids. Bone anchored hearing aids are a
Covered Health Service for which Benefits are available under the applicable medical/surgical Covered Health
Services categories in this
Certificate,
only for Covered Persons who have either of the following:
Craniofacial anomalies whose abnormal or absent ear canals preclude the use of a wearable hearing aid.
Hearing loss of sufficient severity that it would not be adequately remedied by a wearable hearing
aid.
Benefits under this section include hearing aids for Enrolled Dependent children under 18 years of age
as
required by Wisconsin insurance
law.
9. Home Health Care
Services received from a Home Health Agency that are both of the
following:
Ordered by a Physician.
Provided in your home by a registered nurse, or provided by either a home health aide or licensed practical
nurse and supervised by a registered nurse.
Benefits are available only when the Home Health Agency services are provided on a part-time, Intermittent Care
schedule and when skilled care is required.
Skilled care is skilled nursing, skilled teaching and skilled rehabilitation services when all of the following are true:
It must be delivered or supervised by licensed technical or professional medical personnel in order to
obtain
the
specified medical outcome, and provide for the safety of the
patient.
It is ordered by a
Physician.
It is not delivered for the purpose of assisting with activities of daily living, including dressing, feeding,
bathing or transferring from a bed to a chair.
It requires clinical training in order to be delivered safely and
effectively.
It
is not Custodial
Care.
We will determine if Benefits are available by reviewing both the skilled nature of the service and the need
for
Physician-directed medical management. A service will not be determined to be "skilled" simply because there
is
not an available
caregiver.
10. Hospice Care
Hospice care that is recommended by a Physician. Hospice care is an integrated program that provides
comfort
and support services for the terminally ill. Hospice care includes physical, psychological, social, spiritual
and
respite care for the terminally ill person and short-term grief counseling for immediate family members while
the
Covered Person is receiving hospice care. Benefits are available when hospice care is received from a
licensed
hospice
agency.
Please contact us for more information regarding our guidelines for hospice care. You can contact us at
the
telephone number on your ID
card.
11. Hospital - Inpatient Stay
Services and supplies provided during an Inpatient Stay in a Hospital. Benefits are available
for:
Supplies and non-Physician services received during the Inpatient
Stay.
Room and board in a Semi-private Room (a room with two or more beds).
Physician services for radiologists, anesthesiologists, pathologists and Emergency room
Physicians.
(Benefits for other Physician services are described under Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services.)
12. Lab, X-Ray and Diagnostics - Outpatient
Services for Sickness and Injury-related diagnostic purposes, received on an outpatient basis at a Hospital or
Alternate Facility include:
Lab and radiology/X-ray, including blood lead tests for children under the age of
six.
COC.I.11.WI
13
Mammography.
Benefits under this section include:
The facility charge and the charge for supplies and
equipment.
Physician services for radiologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists. (Benefits for other Physician services
are described under Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services.)
When these services are performed in a Physician’s office, Benefits are described under Physician’s Office
Services - Sickness and Injury.
Lab, X-ray and diagnostic services for preventive care are described under Preventive Care Services.
CT scans, PET scans, MRI, MRA, nuclear medicine and major diagnostic services are described under Lab,
X-Ray and Major
Diagnostics
- CT, PET Scans, MRI, MRA and Nuclear Medicine - Outpatient.
13. Lab, X-Ray and Major Diagnostics - CT, PET Scans, MRI, MRA and Nuclear Medicine -
Outpatient
Services for CT scans, PET scans, MRI, MRA, nuclear medicine and major diagnostic services received on an
outpatient basis at a Hospital or Alternate Facility or in a Physician’s office.
Benefits under this section include:
The facility charge and the charge for supplies and equipment.
Physician services for radiologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists. (Benefits for other Physician
services
are
described under Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services.)
14. Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services include those received on an inpatient basis in a Hospital or an Alternate Facility,
and
those received on an outpatient basis in a provider’s office or at an Alternate
Facility.
Benefits include the following services provided on either an inpatient or outpatient
basis:
Diagnostic evaluations and
assessment.
Treatment planning.
Referral
services.
Medication
management.
Individual, family, therapeutic group and provider-based case management services.
Crisis
intervention.
Benefits include the following services provided on an inpatient
basis:
Partial
Hospitalization/Day Treatment.
Services at a Residential Treatment Facility.
Benefits include the following services provided on an outpatient
basis:
Intensive Outpatient Treatment.
The Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee determines coverage for all levels of care. If an Inpatient
Stay is required, it is covered on a Semi-private Room basis.
We encourage you to contact the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee for referrals to providers and
coordination of care.
Special Mental Health Programs and Services
Special programs and services that are contracted under the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee
may become available to you as a part of your Mental Health Services Benefit. The Mental Health Services
Benefits and financial requirements assigned to these programs or services are based on the designation of the
program or service to inpatient, Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, outpatient
or a Transitional Care category of Benefit use. Special programs or services provide access to services that are
beneficial for the treatment of your Mental Illness which may not otherwise be covered under the Policy. You must
COC.I.11.WI
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be referred to such programs through the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee, who is responsible
for coordinating your care or through other pathways as described in the program introductions . Any decision to
participate in such a program or service is at the discretion of the Covered Person and is not mandatory.
Coverage will be provided for the Mental Health clinical assessments of Dependent Full-time Students
attending school in the State of Wisconsin but outside of the Service Area. The clinical assessment must be
conducted by a provider designated by the Mental Health/Substance Use Designee and who is located in the
State of Wisconsin and in reasonably close proximity to the Full-time Student’s school. If outpatient Mental
Health/Substance Use Disorder Services are recommended, coverage will be provided for a maximum of 5
visits at an outpatient treatment facility or other provider designated by the Mental Health/Substance Use
Disorder Designee, that is located in the State of Wisconsin and in reasonably close proximity to the Full-time
Student’s school. Coverage for the outpatient services will not be provided, if the
recommende
d treatment
would prohibit the Dependent from attending school on a regular basis or if the Dependent is no longer a
Full-time Student.
Mental Health Services received on a transitional care basis including:
Services for children and adults in day treatment
programs.
Services for persons with chronic Mental Illness provided through a community support program.
Coordinated Emergency Mental Health Services for Covered Persons who are experiencing a mental health
crisis or who are in a situation likely to turn into a mental health crisis if support is not provided. Benefits for
these services are to be provided for the time period the Covered Person is experiencing the crisis until
he/she is stabilized or referred to other provider for stabilization.
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services must certify day treatment programs,
community
support programs and residential treatment programs and crisis intervention
programs.
15. Ostomy Supplies
Benefits for ostomy supplies are limited to the
following:
Pouches, face plates and
belts.
Irrigation
sleeves,
bags and ostomy irrigation catheters.
Skin
barriers.
Benefits are not available for deodorants, filters, lubricants, tape, appliance cleaners, adhesive, adhesive
remover,
or other items not listed
above.
16. Pharmaceutical Products - Outpatient
Pharmaceutical Products that are administered on an outpatient basis in a Hospital, Alternate Facility,
Physician’s
office, or in a Covered Person’s
home.
Benefits under this section are provided only for Pharmaceutical Products which, due to their characteristics
(as
determined by us), must typically be administered or directly supervised by a qualified provider
or
licensed/certified health professional. Benefits under this section do not include medications that are typically
available by prescription order or refill at a pharmacy.
We may have certain programs in which you may receive an enhanced or reduced Benefit based on your actions
such as adherence/compliance to medication or treatment regimens and/or participation in health management
programs. You may access information on these programs through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling
Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card.
17. Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services
Physician fees for surgical procedures and other medical care received on an outpatient or inpatient basis in a
Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility, Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility or Alternate Facility, or for Physician house calls.
COC.I.11.WI
15
18. Physician’s Office Services - Sickness and Injury
Services provided in a Physician’s office for the diagnosis and treatment of a Sickness or Injury. Benefits are
provided under this section regardless of whether the Physician’s office is free-standing, located in a clinic or
located in a Hospital.
Covered Health Services include medical education services that are provided in a Physician’s office by
appropriately licensed or registered healthcare professionals when both of the following are true:
Education is required for a disease in which patient self-management is an important component of
treatment.
There exists a knowledge deficit regarding the disease which requires the intervention of a trained
health
professional.
Covered Health Services include genetic counseling. Benefits are available for Genetic Testing which is
ordered
by the Physician and authorized in advance by
us.
Benefits under this section include allergy
injections.
Covered Health Services for preventive care provided in a Physician’s office are described under Preventive Care
Services.
Benefits under this section include lab, radiology/X-ray or other diagnostic services performed in the
Physician’s
office. Benefits under this section do not include CT scans, PET scans, MRI, MRA, nuclear medicine and
major
diagnostic
services.
19. Pregnancy - Maternity Services
Benefits for Pregnancy include all maternity-related medical services for prenatal care, postnatal care,
delivery
and any related
complications.
Both before and during a Pregnancy, Benefits include the services of a genetic counselor when provided
or
referred by a Physician. These Benefits are available to all Covered Persons in the immediate family.
Covered
Health Services include related tests and
treatment.
We also have special prenatal programs to help during Pregnancy. They are completely voluntary and there is
no
extra cost for participating in the program. To sign up, you should notify us during the first trimester, but no
later
than one month prior to the anticipated childbirth. It is important that you notify us regarding your
Pregnancy.
Your notification will open the opportunity to become enrolled in prenatal programs designed to achieve the
best
outcomes for you and your
baby.
We will pay Benefits for an Inpatient Stay of at
least:
48 hours for the mother and newborn child following a normal vaginal
delivery.
96 hours for the mother and newborn child following a cesarean section delivery.
If the mother agrees, the attending provider may discharge the mother and/or the newborn child earlier than
these minimum time frames.
20. Preventive Care Services
Preventive care services provided on an outpatient basis at a Physician’s office, an Alternate Facility or a
Hospital
encompass medical services that have been demonstrated by clinical evidence to be safe and effective in
either
the early detection of disease or in the prevention of disease, have been proven to have a beneficial effect
on
health outcomes and include the following as required under applicable
law:
Evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of "A" or "B" in the current recommendations of
the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
Immunizations that have in effect a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on
Immunization
Practices
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care and
screenings
provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services
Administration.
COC.I.11.WI
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With respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings as provided for in comprehensive
guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
21. Prosthetic Devices
External prosthetic devices that replace a limb or a body part, limited to:
Artificial arms, legs, feet and
hands.
Artificial face, eyes, ears and nose.
Breast prosthesis as required by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998. Benefits include
mastectomy bras and lymphedema stockings for the arm.
Benefits under this section are provided only for external prosthetic devices and do not include any device that is
fully implanted into the body.
If more than one prosthetic device can meet your functional needs, Benefits are available only for the prosthetic
device that meets the minimum specifications for your needs. If you purchase a prosthetic device that exceeds
these minimum specifications, we will pay only the amount that we would have paid for the prosthetic that meets
the minimum specifications, and you will be responsible for paying any difference in cost.
The prosthetic device must be ordered or provided by, or under the direction of a Physician.
Benefits are available for repairs and replacement, except that:
There are no Benefits for repairs due to misuse, malicious damage or gross
neglect.
There are no Benefits for replacement due to misuse, malicious damage, gross neglect or for lost or
stolen
prosthetic
devices.
22. Reconstructive Procedures
Reconstructive procedures when the primary purpose of the procedure is either to treat a medical condition or
to
improve or restore physiologic function. Reconstructive procedures include surgery or other procedures
which
are associated with an Injury, Sickness or Congenital Anomaly. The primary result of the procedure is not
a
changed or improved physical
appearance.
Cosmetic Procedures are excluded from coverage. Procedures that correct an anatomical Congenital
Anomaly
without improving or restoring physiologic function are considered Cosmetic Procedures. The fact that a
Covered
Person may suffer psychological consequences or socially avoidant behavior as a result of an Injury, Sickness
or
Congenital Anomaly does not classify surgery (or other procedures done to relieve such consequences
or
behavior) as a reconstructive
procedure.
Please note that Benefits for reconstructive procedures include breast reconstruction following a mastectomy,
and
reconstruction of the non-affected breast to achieve symmetry. Other services required by the Women’s Health
and Cancer Rights Act of 1998,
including breast prostheses and treatment of complications, are provided in
the
same manner and at the same level as those for any other Covered Health Service. You can contact us at
the
telephone number on your ID card for more information about Benefits for
mastectomy-related services.
23. Rehabilitation Services - Outpatient Therapy and Manipulative Treatment
Short-term outpatient rehabilitation services, limited
to:
Physical
therapy.
Occupational therapy. This does not include services as described under Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
in this section.
Manipulative
Treatment.
Speech therapy. This does not include services as described under Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
in
this
section.
Pulmonary rehabilitation therapy.
Cardiac rehabilitation therapy.
Post-cochlear implant aural
therapy.
COC.I.11.WI
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Cognitive rehabilitation therapy.
Rehabilitation services must be performed by a Physician or by a licensed therapy provider. Benefits under this
section include rehabilitation services provided in a Physician’s office or on an outpatient basis at a Hospital or
Alternate Facility.
Benefits can be denied or shortened for Covered Persons who are not progressing in goal-directed rehabilitation
services or if rehabilitation goals have previously been met. Benefits can be denied or shortened for Covered
Persons who are not progressing in goal-directed Manipulative Treatment or if treatment goals have previously
been met. Benefits under this section are not available for maintenance/preventive Manipulative Treatment.
Please note that we will pay Benefits for speech therapy for the treatment of disorders of speech, language, voice,
communication and auditory processing only when the disorder results from Injury, stroke, cancer, or Congenital
Anomaly. For speech therapy with relation to Autism Spectrum Disorders, please refer to the services described
under Autism Spectrum Disorder Services in this section. We will pay Benefits for cognitive rehabilitation therapy
only when Medically Necessary following a post-traumatic brain Injury or cerebral vascular accident.
24. Scopic Procedures - Outpatient Diagnostic and Therapeutic
Diagnostic and therapeutic scopic procedures and related services received on an outpatient basis at a Hospital
or Alternate Facility or in a Physician’s office.
Diagnostic scopic procedures are those for visualization, biopsy and polyp removal. Examples of diagnostic
scopic procedures include colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and endoscopy.
Please note that Benefits under this section do not include surgical scopic procedures, which are for the purpose
of performing surgery. Benefits for surgical scopic procedures are described under Surgery - Outpatient.
Examples of surgical scopic procedures include arthroscopy, laparoscopy, bronchoscopy and
hysterosco
py.
Benefits under this section include:
The facility charge and the charge for supplies and
equipment.
Physician services for radiologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists. (Benefits for all other
Physician
services are described under Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services.)
When these services are performed for preventive screening purposes, Benefits are described under Preventive
Care Services.
25. Skilled Nursing Facility/Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Services
Services and supplies provided during an Inpatient Stay in a Skilled Nursing Facility or Inpatient
Rehabilitation
Facility. Benefits are available
for:
Supplies and non-Physician services received during the Inpatient Stay.
Room and board in a Semi-private Room (a room with two or more
beds).
Physician services for radiologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists. (Benefits for other Physician
services
are
described under Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services.)
Please note that Benefits are available only if both of the following are
true:
If the initial confinement in a Skilled Nursing Facility or Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility was or will be a
cost
effective alternative to an Inpatient Stay in a
Hospital.
You will receive skilled care services that are not primarily Custodial Care.
Skilled care is skilled nursing, skilled teaching and skilled rehabilitation services when all of the following are true:
It must be delivered or supervised by licensed technical or professional medical personnel in order to
obtain
the
specified medical outcome, and provide for the safety of the
patient.
It is ordered by a
Physician.
It is not delivered for the purpose of assisting with activities of daily living, including dressing, feeding,
bathing or transferring from a bed to a chair.
It requires clinical training in order to be delivered safely and
effectively.
COC.I.11.WI
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We will determine if Benefits are available by reviewing both the skilled nature of the service and the need for
Physician-directed medical management. A service will not be determined to be "skilled" simply because there is
not an available caregiver.
Benefits can be denied or shortened for Covered Persons who are not progressing in goal-directed rehabilitation
services or if discharge rehabilitation goals have previously been met.
26. Substance Use Disorder Services
Substance Use Disorder Services include those received on an inpatient basis in a Hospital or an Alternate
Facility, and those received on an outpatient basis in a provider’s office or at an Alternate Facility.
Benefits include the following services provided on either an inpatient or outpatient basis:
Diagnostic evaluations and assessment.
Treatment
planning.
Referral services.
Medication management.
Individual, family, therapeutic group and provider-based case management
services.
Crisis intervention.
Benefits include the following services provided on an inpatient
basis:
Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment.
Services at a Residential Treatment
Facility.
Benefits include the following services provided on an outpatient
basis:
Intensive Outpatient
Treatment.
The Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee determines coverage for all levels of care. If an
Inpatient
Stay is required, it is covered on a Semi-private Room
basis.
We encourage you to contact the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee for referrals to providers
and
coordination of
care.
Special Substance Use Disorder Programs and Services
Special programs and services that are contracted under the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder
Designee
may become available to you as a part of your Substance Use Disorder Services Benefit. The Substance
Use
Disorder Services Benefits and financial requirements assigned to these programs or services are based on
the
designation of the program or service to inpatient, Partial
Hospitalization/Day
Treatment, Intensive
Outpatient
Treatment, outpatient or a Transitional Care category of Benefit use. Special programs or services provide
access
to services that are beneficial for the treatment of your substance use disorder which may not otherwise
be
covered under the Policy. You must be referred to such programs through the Mental Health/Substance
Use
Disorder Designee, who is responsible for coordinating your care or through other pathways as described in
the
program introductions. Any decision to participate in such a program or service is at the discretion of
the
Covered Person and is not
mandatory.
Coverage will be provided for the Mental Health clinical assessments of Dependent Full-time Students
attending
school in the State of Wisconsin but outside of the Service Area. The clinical assessment must be conducted by
a
provider designated by the Mental Health/Substance Use Designee and who is located in the State of
Wisconsin
and in reasonably close proximity to the Full-time Student’s school. If outpatient Mental Health/Substance
Use
Disorder Services are recommended, coverage will be provided for a maximum of 5 visits at an
outpatient
treatment facility or other provider designated by the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee, that
is
located in the State of Wisconsin and in reasonably close proximity to the Full-time Student’s school. Coverage
for
the outpatient services will not be provided, if the recommended treatment would prohibit the Dependent
from
attending school on a regular basis or if the Dependent is no longer a Full-time Student.
Mental Health Services received on a transitional care basis including:
Residential treatment programs for alcoholism and other drug dependent Covered
Persons.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment for alcohol and drug dependent Covered
Persons.
COC.I.11.WI
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Intensive outpatient programs for the treatment of psychoactive substance abuse disorders.
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services must certify day treatment programs,
community
support programs and residential treatment programs and crisis intervention
programs.
27. Surgery - Outpatient
Surgery and related services received on an outpatient basis at a Hospital or Alternate Facility or in a
Physician’s
office.
Benefits under this section include certain scopic procedures. Examples of surgical scopic procedures
include
arthroscopy, laparoscopy, bronchoscopy and
hysteroscopy.
Examples of surgical procedures performed in a Physician’s office are mole removal and ear wax
removal.
Benefits under this section
include:
The facility charge and the charge for supplies and equipment.
Physician services for radiologists, anesthesiologists and pathologists. (Benefits for other Physician services
are described under Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services.)
28. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Services
Diagnostic procedures and surgical or non-surgical treatment (including prescribed intraoral splint therapy
devices) for the correction of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) and associated muscles if all of the
following apply:
The condition is caused by congenital, developmental or acquired deformity, disease or
Injury.
There is clearly demonstrated radiographic evidence of significant joint
abnormality.
The procedure or device is reasonable and appropriate for the diagnosis or treatment of the condition.
The purpose of the procedure or device is to control or eliminate infection, pain, disease or
dysfunction.
Benefits are not available for cosmetic or elective orthodontic care, periodontic care or general dental
care.
Benefits for surgical services include arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, arthroplasty, arthrotomy and open or
closed
reduction of
dislocations.
Non-surgical treatment including clinical examinations, oral appliances (orthotic splints), arthrocent esis
and
trigger-point
injections.
29. Therapeutic Treatments - Outpatient
Therapeutic treatments received on an outpatient basis at a Hospital or Alternate Facility or in a Physician’s
office,
including dialysis (both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis), intravenous chemotherapy or other
intravenous
infusion therapy and radiation
oncology.
Covered Health Services include medical education services that are provided on an outpatient basis at
a
Hospital or Alternate Facility by appropriately licensed or registered healthcare professionals when both of
the
following are
true:
Education is required for a disease in which patient self-management is an important component
of
treatment.
There exists a knowledge deficit regarding the disease which requires the intervention of a trained health
professional.
Benefits under this section include:
The facility charge and the charge for related supplies and
equipment.
Physician services for anesthesiologists, pathologists and radiologists. Benefits for other Physician
services
are
described under Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services.
COC.I.11.WI
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30. Transplantation Services
Organ and tissue transplants when ordered by a Physician. Benefits are available for transplants when the
transplant meets the definition of a Covered Health Service, and is not an Experimental or Investigational or
Unproven Service.
Examples of transplants for which Benefits are available include bone marrow, heart, heart/lung, lung, kidney,
kidney/pancreas, liver, liver/small bowel, pancreas, small bowel and cornea.
Donor costs that are directly related to organ removal are Covered Health Services for which Benefits are payable
through the organ recipient’s coverage under the Policy.
We have specific guidelines regarding Benefits for transplant services. Contact us at the telephone number on
your ID card for information about these guidelines.
31. Urgent Care Center Services
Covered Health Services received at an Urgent Care Center. When services to treat urgent health care needs are
provided in a Physician’s office, Benefits are available as described under Physician’s Office Services - Sickness
and Injury.
32. Vision Examinations
Routine vision examinations, including refraction to detect vision impairment, received from a health
care
provider in the provider’s
office.
Please note that Benefits are not available for charges connected to the purchase or fitting of eyeglasses
or
contact
lenses.
Benefits for eye examinations required for the diagnosis and treatment of a Sickness or Injury are provided
under
Physician’s Office Services - Sickness and Injury.
Additional Benefits Required By Wisconsin Law
33. Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
The following definitions apply for purposes of Autism Spectrum
Disorders:
"Intensive level services" means evidence-based behavioral therapies that is designed to help an individual
with Autism Spectrum Disorder overcome the cognitive, social and behavioral deficits associated with that
disorder. Intensive level services may include evidence-based speech therapy and occupational therapy
provided by a qualified therapist when such therapy is based on, or related to, an individual’s therapeutic
goals and skills, and is concomitant with evidence-based behavioral therapy.
"Non intensive level services" means evidence-based therapy that occurs after the completion of
treatment
for
Intensive level services and that is designed to sustain and maximize gains made during treatment
with
Intensive level services or, for an individual who has not and will not receive intensive level services,
evidence-based therapy that will improve the individual’s condition.
Intensive Level
Services
Note: Benefits for intensive-level services begin after the Enrolled Dependent child turns two years of age
but prior to turning nine years of age.
Benefits are provided for evidence-based behavioral intensive level therapy for an insured with a verified
diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, the majority of which shall be provided to the Enrolled Dependent child
when the parent or legal guardian is present and engaged. The prescribed therapy must be consistent with all of
the following requirements:
Based upon a treatment plan developed by an individual who at least meets the requirements of a qualified
intensive level provider or a qualified intensive level professional that includes at least 20 hours per week over
a six-month period of time of evidence-based behavioral intensive therapy, treatment and services with
specific cognitive, social, communicative, self-care, or behavioral goals that are clearly defined, directly
COC.I.11.WI
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observed and continually measured and that address the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Treatment plans shall require that the Enrolled Dependent child be present and engaged in the intervention.
Implemented by qualified providers, qualified professional, qualified therapists or qualified paraprofessionals.
Provided in an environment most conducive to achieving the goals of the Enrolled Dependent
child’s
treatment
plan.
Included training and consultation, participation in team meeting and active involvement of the Enrolled
Dependent child’s family and treatment team for implementation of the therapeutic goals developed by the
team.
The Enrolled Dependent child is directly observed by the qualified intensive level provider or qualified
intensive level professional at least once every two months.
Beginning after the Enrolled Dependent child is two years of age and before the Enrolled Dependent child
is
nine
years of
age.
Intensive level services will be covered for up to four cumulative years. We may credit against any previous
intensive level services the Enrolled Dependent child received against the required four years of intensive
level services regardless of payer. We may also require documentation including medical records and
treatment plans to verify any evidence-based behavioral therapy the insured received for Autism Spectrum
Disorders that was provided to the Enrolled Dependent child prior to attaining nine years of age.
Evidence-based behavioral therapy that was provided to the Enrolled Dependent child for an average of 20
or more hours per week over a continuous six-month period to be intensive-level services.
Travel time for qualified providers, supervising providers, professionals, therapists, paraprofessionals or
behavioral analysts is not included when calculating the number of hours of care provided per week. We are
not required to reimburse for travel time.
We require that progress be assessed and documented throughout the course of treatment. We may
request
and
review the Enrolled Dependent child’s treatment plan and the summary of progress on a periodic
basis.
We will cover services from a qualified therapist when services are rendered concomitant with intensive
level
evidence-based behavioral therapy and all of the following
apply:
The qualified therapist provides evidence-based therapy to an Enrolled Dependent child who has
a
primary diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
The Enrolled Dependent child is actively receiving behavioral services from a qualified intensive
level
provider or qualified intensive level
professional.
The qualified therapist develops and implements a treatment plan consistent with their license and
this
section.
Non-Intensive Level
Services
Non intensive Level Services will be covered for an Enrolled Dependent child with a verified diagnosis of
Autism
Spectrum Disorder for non intensive level services that are evidence-based and are provided to an
Enrolled
Dependent child by a qualified provider, qualified professional, qualified therapist or qualified paraprofessional
in
either of the following
conditions:
After the completion of intensive level services and designed to sustain and maximize gains made
during
intensive level services
treatment.
To an Enrolled Dependent child who has not and will not receive intensive level services but for whom
non-intensive level services will improve the Enrolled Dependent child’s condition.
Benefits will be provided for evidence-based therapy that is consistent with all of the following requirements:
Based upon a treatment plan developed by an individual who minimally meets the requirements as
a
qualified provider, qualified professional or qualified therapist that includes evidence-based specific
therapy
goals that are clearly defined, directly observed and continually measured and that address
the
characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Treatment plans shall require that the Enrolled
Dependent
child be present and engaged in the intervention.
Implemented by qualified providers, qualified professionals, qualified therapist or qualified
paraprofessionals.
Provided in an environment most conducive to achieving the goal of the Enrolled Dependent child’s
treatment plan.
COC.I.11.WI
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Included training and consultation, participation in team meetings and active involvement of the Enrolled
Dependent child’s family in order to implement the therapeutic goals developed by the team.
Non intensive level services may include direct or consultative services when provided by qualified
providers,
qualified supervising providers, qualified professionals, qualified paraprofessionals, or qualified
therapists.
We require that progress be assessed and documented throughout the course of treatment. We may request
and review the Enrolled Dependent child’s treatment plan and the summary of progress on a periodic basis.
Travel time for qualified providers, qualified supervising providers, qualified professional, qualified therapists,
qualified paraprofessionals or qualified behavioral analysts is not included when calculating the number of
hours of care provided per week. We are not required to reimburse for travel time.
Intensive level and Non intensive level services include but are not limited to speech, occupational and behavioral
therapies.
The following services are not covered under the Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Acupuncture.
Animal-based therapy including hippotherapy.
Auditory integration training.
Chelation
therapy.
Child care fees.
Cranial sacral therapy.
Custodial or respite
care.
Hyperbaric oxygen
therapy.
Special diets or supplements.
Pharmaceuticals and durable medical
equipment.
34. Dental/Anesthesia Services - Hospital or Ambulatory Surgery Services
Hospital and ambulatory surgery center charges provided in conjunction with dental care, including
anesthetics
provided, if any of the following
applies:
The Covered Person is a child under the age of
five.
The
Covered Person has a chronic disability.
The Covered Person has a medical condition requiring hospitalization or general anesthesia for dental
care.
35. Kidney Disease Treatment
Inpatient and outpatient kidney disease treatment including dialysis, transplantation and donor-rela ted
services.
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Section 2: Exclusions and
Limitations
How We Use Headings in this Section
To help you find specific exclusions more easily, we use headings (for example A. Alternative Treatments below).
The headings group services, treatments, items, or supplies that fall into a similar category. Actual exclusions
appear underneath headings. A heading does not create, define, modify, limit or expand an exclusion. All
exclusions in this section apply to you.
We do not Pay Benefits for Exclusions
We will not pay Benefits for any of the services, treatments, items or supplies described in this section, even if
either of the following is true:
It is recommended or prescribed by a Physician.
It is the only available treatment for your
condition.
The services, treatments, items or supplies listed in this section are not Covered Health Services, except as
may
be specifically provided for in Section 1: Covered Health Services or through a Rider to the
Policy.
Benefit Limitations
When Benefits are limited within any of the Covered Health Service categories described in Section 1: Covered
Health Services,
those limits are stated in the corresponding Covered Health Service category in the Schedule of
Benefits.
Limits may also apply to some Covered Health Services that fall under more than one Covered
Health
Service category. When this occurs, those limits are also stated in the Schedule of Benefits under the
heading
Benefit Limits. Please review all limits carefully, as we will not pay Benefits for any of the services,
treatments,
items or supplies that exceed these Benefit
limits.
Please note that in listing services or examples, when we say "this includes," it is not our intent to limit the
description to that specific list. When we do intend to limit a list of services or examples, we state
specifically that the list "is limited to."
A. Alternative Treatments
1. Acupressure and
acupuncture.
2.
Aromatherapy.
3.
Hypnotism.
4. Massage
therapy.
5. Rolfing.
6. Art therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, horseback therapy and other forms of alternative treatment as
defined by the
National
Center for
Complementary
and
Alternative
Medicine (NCCAM) of the National
Institutes of Health. This exclusion does not apply to Manipulative Treatment and
non-manipula
tive
osteopathic care for which Benefits are provided as described in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
B. Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
Exclusions listed directly below apply to services described under Autism Spectrum Disorder Services in Section
1: Covered Health Services.
1. Services as treatments of sexual dysfunction and feeding disorders as listed in the current edition of the
Diagnostic
and
Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric Association.
COC.I.11.WI
24
2. Any treatments or other specialized services designed for Autism Spectrum Disorder that are not backed
by credible research demonstrating that the services or supplies have a measurable and beneficial health
outcome and therefore considered Experimental or Investigational or Unproven Services.
3. Mental retardation as the primary diagnosis defined in the current edition of the
Diagnostic
and Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric Association.
4. Tuition for or services that are school-based for children and adolescents under the
Individuals
with
Disabilities
Education Act.
5. Learning, motor skills and primary communication disorders as defined in the current edition of the
Diagnostic
and
Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric Association and which are not a part of Autism
Spectrum Disorder.
6. Treatments for the primary diagnoses of learning disabilities, conduct and impulse control disorders,
personality disorders and paraphilias. This exclusion does not apply for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Services provided as the result of an Emergency detention, commitment or court order.
7. Services or supplies for the diagnosis or treatment of Mental Illness that, in the reasonable judgment of the
Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee, are any of the following:
Not consistent with generally accepted standards of medical practice for the treatment of such
conditions.
Not consistent with services backed by credible research soundly demonstrating that the services
or
supplies will have a measurable and beneficial health outcome, and therefore considered
experimental.
Not consistent with the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee’s level of care guidelines
or
best practices as modified from time to
time.
Not clinically appropriate for the patient’s Mental Illness or condition based on generally
accepted
standards of medical practice and
benchmarks.
C. Dental
1. Dental care (which includes dental X-rays, supplies and appliances and all associated expenses,
including
hospitalizations and
anesthesia).
This exclusion does not apply to accident-related dental services for which Benefits are provided
as
described under Dental Services - Accident Only and
Dental/Anesthesia
Services -
Hospital
or Ambulatory
Surgery Services
and
Temporomandibular
Joint Disorder Services in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
This exclusion does not apply to dental care (oral examination, X-rays, extractions and
non-surgical
elimination of oral infection) required for the direct treatment of a medical condition for which Benefits
are
available under the Policy, limited
to:
Transplant
preparation.
Prior to the initiation of
immunosuppressive drugs.
The direct treatment of acute traumatic Injury, cancer or cleft
palate.
Dental care that is required to treat the effects of a medical condition, but that is not necessary to
directly
treat the medical condition, is excluded. Examples include treatment of dental caries resulting from
dry
mouth after radiation treatment or as a result of
medication.
Endodontics, periodontal surgery and restorative treatment are
excluded.
2. Preventive care, diagnosis, treatment of or related to the teeth, jawbones or gums. Examples
include:
Extraction, restoration and replacement of
teeth.
Medical or surgical treatments of dental conditions.
Services to improve dental clinical outcomes.
COC.I.11.WI
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This exclusion does not apply to accident-related dental services for which Benefits are provided as
described under Dental Services - Accident Only and
Dental/Anesthesia
Services -
Hospital
or Ambulatory
Surgery Services and
Temporomandibular
Joint Disorder Services in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
3. Dental implants, bone grafts and other implant-related procedures. This exclusion does not apply to
accident-related dental services for which Benefits are provided as described under Dental Services -
Accident Only and
Dental/Anesthesia
Services -
Hospital
or
Ambulatory
Surgery Services and
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Services in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
4. Dental braces (orthodontics).
5. Treatment of congenitally missing, malpositioned or supernumerary teeth, even if part of a Congenital
Anomaly.
D. Devices, Appliances and Prosthetics
1. Devices used specifically as safety items or to affect performance in sports-related activities.
2. Orthotic appliances that straighten or re-shape a body part. Examples include foot orthotics and some
types of braces, including over-the-counter orthotic braces.
3. Cranial banding.
4. The following items are excluded, even if prescribed by a Physician:
Blood pressure
cuff/monitor.
Enuresis
alarm.
Non-wearable external
defibrillator.
Trusses.
Ultrasonic
nebulizers.
5. Devices and computers to assist in communication and speech except for speech aid devices
and
tracheo-esophageal
voice devices for which Benefits are provided as described under Durable Medical
Equipment
in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
6. Oral appliances for
snoring.
7. Repairs to prosthetic devices due to misuse, malicious damage or gross
neglect.
8. Replacement of prosthetic devices due to misuse, malicious damage or gross neglect or to replace lost
or
stolen
items.
E. Drugs
1. Prescription drug products for outpatient use that are filled by a prescription order or
refill.
2. Self-injectable medications. This exclusion does not apply to medications which, due to
their
characteristics
(as determined by us), must typically be administered or directly supervised by a
qualified
provider or licensed/certified health professional in an outpatient
setting.
3. Non-injectable medications given in a Physician’s office. This exclusion does not apply to
non-injectable
medications that are required in an Emergency and consumed in the Physician’s
office.
4. Over-the-counter drugs and
treatments.
5. Growth hormone
therapy.
COC.I.11.WI
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F. Experimental or Investigational or Unproven Services
Experimental or Investigational and Unproven Services and all services related to Experimental or
Investigational and Unproven Services are excluded. The fact that an Experimental or
Investigati
onal or
Unproven Service, treatment, device or pharmacological regimen is the only available treatment for a
particular condition will not result in Benefits if the procedure is considered to be Experimental or
Investigational or Unproven in the treatment of that particular condition.
Determination on whether services are Experimental, Investigational and Unproven Services are made by our
Medical Director in consultation with a specialty review panel. When we receive a request for an Experimental,
Investigational, or Unproven Service, we will issue a Benefit decision within five working days. If we decide there
is no coverage for the Experimental, Investigational, or Unproven treatment, procedure, or device for a Covered
Person with a terminal condition or Sickness, we will include the following information in the non-coverage letter:
A statement that includes the specific medical and scientific reasons for denying coverage.
A notice of the Covered Person’s right to appeal.
A description of the appeal process.
This exclusion does not apply to Covered Health Services provided during a clinical trial for which Benefits
are provided as described under
Clinical
Trials in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
G. Foot Care
1. Routine foot care. Examples include the cutting or removal of corns and calluses. This exclusion does
not
apply to preventive foot care for Covered Persons with diabetes for which Benefits are provided
as
described under Diabetes Services in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
2. Nail trimming, cutting, or
debriding.
3. Hygienic and preventive maintenance foot care. Examples
include:
Cleaning and soaking the
feet.
Applying skin creams in order to maintain skin
tone.
This exclusion does not apply to preventive foot care for Covered Persons who are at risk of
neurological
or vascular disease arising from diseases such as
diabetes.
4. Treatment of flat
feet.
5. Treatment of subluxation of the
foot.
6.
Shoes.
7. Shoe
orthotics.
8. Shoe
inserts.
9. Arch
supports.
H. Medical Supplies
1. Prescribed or non-prescribed medical supplies and disposable supplies. Examples
include:
Compression
stockings.
Ace
bandages.
Gauze and
dressings.
Urinary
catheters.
This exclusion does not apply to:
Disposable supplies necessary for the effective use of Durable Medical Equipment for which Benefits are
provided as described under Durable Medical Equipment in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
COC.I.11.WI
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Diabetic supplies for which Benefits are provided as described under Diabetes Services in Section 1:
Covered Health Services.
Ostomy supplies for which Benefits are provided as described under Ostomy Supplies in Section 1:
Covered Health Services.
2. Tubings and masks except when used with Durable Medical Equipment as described under Durable
Medical Equipment in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
I. Mental Health
Exclusions listed directly below apply to services described under Mental Health Services in Section 1: Covered
Health Services.
1. Services performed in connection with conditions not classified in the current edition of the
Diagnostic
and
Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric Association.
2. Mental Health Services as treatments for V-code conditions as listed within the current edition of the
Diagnostic
and
Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric Association.
3. Mental Health Services as treatment for a primary diagnosis of insomnia and other sleep disorders, sexual
dysfunction disorders, feeding disorders, neurological disorders and other disorders with a known
physical basis.
4. Treatments for the primary diagnoses of learning disabilities, conduct and impulse control
disorders,
personality disorders and paraphilias. This exclusion does not apply for Mental Health Services
provided
as the result of an Emergency detention, commitment or court
order.
5.
Educational/behavioral
services that are focused on primarily building skills and capabilities
in
communication, social interaction and
learning.
6. Tuition for or services that are school-based for children and adolescents under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act.
7. Learning, motor skills and primary communication disorders as defined in the current edition of
the
Diagnostic
and
Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric Association.
8. Mental retardation and autism spectrum disorder as a primary diagnosis defined in the current edition
of
the
Diagnostic
and
Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric
Association.
Benefits for autism
spectrum
disorder as a primary diagnosis are described under Autism Spectrum Disorder Services in Section 1:
Covered Health Services.
9. Services or supplies for the diagnosis or treatment of Mental Illness that, in the reasonable judgment of
the
Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee, are any of the
following:
Not consistent with generally accepted standards of medical practice for the treatment of
such
conditions.
Not consistent with services backed by credible research soundly demonstrating that the services
or
supplies will have a measurable and beneficial health outcome, and therefore considered
experimental.
Not consistent with the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee’s level of care guidelines
or
best practices as modified from time to
time.
Not clinically appropriate for the patient’s Mental Illness or condition based on generally
accepted
standards of medical practice and
benchmarks.
COC.I.11.WI
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J. Nutrition
1. Individual and group nutritional counseling. This exclusion does not apply to medical nutritional education
services that are provided by appropriately licensed or registered health care professionals when both of
the following are true:
Nutritional education is required for a disease in which patient self-management is an important
component of treatment.
There exists a knowledge deficit regarding the disease which requires the intervention of a trained health
professional.
2. Enteral feedings, even if the sole source of nutrition.
3. Infant formula and donor breast milk.
4. Nutritional or cosmetic therapy using high dose or mega quantities of vitamins, minerals or elements and
other nutrition-based therapy. Examples include supplements, electrolytes and foods of any kind
(including high protein foods and low carbohydrate foods).
K. Personal Care, Comfort or Convenience
1. Television.
2.
Telephone.
3. Beauty/barber
service.
4. Guest
service.
5. Supplies, equipment and similar incidental services and supplies for personal comfort. Examples
include:
Air conditioners, air purifiers and filters and
dehumidifiers.
Batteries and battery
chargers.
Breast
pumps.
Car
seats.
Chairs, bath chairs, feeding chairs, toddler chairs, chair lifts and
recliners.
Exercise
equipment.
Home modifications such as elevators, handrails and
ramps.
Hot
tubs.
Humidifiers.
Jacuzzis.
Mattresses.
Medical alert
systems.
Motorized
beds.
Music
devices.
Personal
computers.
Pillows.
Power-operated
vehicles.
Radios.
Saunas.
Stair lifts and stair glides.
Strollers.
COC.I.11.WI
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Safety equipment.
Treadmills.
Vehicle modifications such as van lifts.
Video players.
Whirlpools.
L. Physical Appearance
1. Cosmetic Procedures. See the definition in Section 9: Defined Terms. Examples include:
Pharmacological regimens, nutritional procedures or treatments.
Scar or tattoo removal or revision procedures (such as salabrasion, chemosurgery and other such skin
abrasion procedures).
Skin abrasion procedures performed as a treatment for acne.
Liposuction or removal of fat deposits considered undesirable, including fat accumulation under the
male breast and nipple.
Treatment for skin wrinkles or any treatment to improve the appearance of the skin.
Treatment for spider
veins.
Hair removal or replacement by any
means.
2. Replacement of an existing breast implant if the earlier breast implant was performed as a
Cosmetic
Procedure. Note: Replacement of an existing breast implant is considered reconstructive if the initial
breast
implant followed mastectomy. See
Reconstructive
Procedures in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
3. Treatment of benign gynecomastia (abnormal breast enlargement in
males).
4. Physical conditioning programs such as athletic training, body-building, exercise, fitness, flexibility
and
diversion or general
motivation.
5. Weight loss programs whether or not they are under medical supervision. Weight loss programs
for
medical reasons are also
excluded.
6. Wigs regardless of the reason for the hair
loss.
M. Procedures and Treatments
1. Excision or elimination of hanging skin on any part of the body. Examples include plastic
surgery
procedures called abdominoplasty or abdominal panniculectomy and
brachioplasty.
2. Medical and surgical treatment of excessive sweating
(hyperhidrosis).
3. Medical and surgical treatment for snoring, except when provided as a part of treatment for
documented
obstructive sleep
apnea.
4. Rehabilitation services and Manipulative Treatment to improve general physical condition that
are
provided to reduce potential risk factors, where significant therapeutic improvement is not
expected,
including routine, long-term or
maintenance/preventive treatment.
5. Speech therapy except as required for treatment of a speech impediment or speech dysfunction
that
results from Injury, stroke, cancer, Congenital Anomaly, or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Services.
6. Outpatient cognitive rehabilitation therapy except as Medically Necessary following a post-traumatic
brain
Injury or cerebral vascular
accident.
7. Psychosurgery.
8. Sex transformation operations and related services.
9. Physiological modalities and procedures that result in similar or redundant therapeutic effects when
performed on the same body region during the same visit or office encounter.
COC.I.11.WI
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10. Biofeedback.
11. Upper and lower jawbone surgery, orthognathic surgery, and jaw alignment. This exclusion does not apply
to reconstructive jaw surgery required for Covered Persons because of a Congenital Anomaly, acute
traumatic Injury, dislocation, tumors, cancer or obstructive sleep apnea or temporomadibular joint
disorder.
12. Surgical and non-surgical treatment of obesity.
13. Stand-alone multi-disciplinary smoking cessation programs. These are programs that usually include
health care providers specializing in smoking cessation and may include a psychologist, social worker or
other licensed or certified professional. The programs usually include intensive psychological support,
behavior modification techniques and medications to control cravings.
14. Breast reduction surgery except as coverage is required by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of
1998 for which Benefits are described under
Reconstructive
Procedures in Section 1: Covered Health
Services.
15. In vitro fertilization regardless of the reason for treatment.
N. Providers
1. Services performed by a provider who is a family member by birth or marriage. Examples include a
spouse, brother, sister, parent or child. This includes any service the provider may perform on himself
or
herself.
2. Services performed by a provider with your same legal
residence.
3. Services provided at a free-standing or Hospital-based diagnostic facility without an order written by
a
Physician or other provider. Services which are self-directed to a free-standing or Hospital-bas
ed
diagnostic facility. Services ordered by a Physician or other provider who is an employee or
representative
of a free-standing or Hospital-based diagnostic facility, when that Physician or other
provider:
Has not been actively involved in your medical care prior to ordering the service,
or
Is not actively involved in your medical care after the service is
received.
This exclusion does not apply to
mammography.
O. Reproduction
1. Health services and associated expenses for infertility treatments, including assisted
reproductive
technology, regardless of the reason for the treatment. This exclusion does not apply to services
required
to treat or correct underlying causes of
infertility.
2. Surrogate parenting, donor eggs, donor sperm and host
uterus.
3. Storage and retrieval of all reproductive materials. Examples include eggs, sperm, testicular tissue
and
ovarian
tissue.
4. The reversal of voluntary
sterilization.
P. Services Provided under another Plan
1. Health services for which other coverage is required by federal, state or local law to be purchased
or
provided through other arrangements. Examples include coverage required by workers’
compensation,
no-fault auto insurance, or similar
legislation.
If coverage under workers’ compensation or similar legislation is optional for you because you could
elect
it, or could have it elected for you, Benefits will not be paid for any Injury, Sickness or Mental Illness
that
would have been covered under workers compensation or similar legislation had that coverage been
elected.
2. Health services for treatment of military service-related disabilities, when you are legally entitled to other
coverage and facilities are reasonably available to you.
COC.I.11.WI
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3. Health services while on active military duty.
Q. Substance Use Disorders
Exclusions listed directly below apply to services described under Substance Use Disorder Services in Section 1:
Covered Health Services.
1. Services performed in connection with conditions not classified in the current edition of the
Diagnostic
and
Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric Association.
2. Methadone treatment as maintenance, L.A.A.M. (1-Alpha-Acetyl-Methadol), Cyclazocine, or their
equivalents.
3. Educational/behavioral services that are focused on primarily building skills and capabilities in
communication, social interaction and learning.
4. Services or supplies for the diagnosis or treatment of alcoholism or substance use disorders that, in the
reasonable judgment of the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee, are any of the following:
Not consistent with generally accepted standards of medical practice for the treatment of such
conditions.
Not consistent with services backed by credible research soundly demonstrating that the services or
supplies will have a measurable and beneficial health outcome, and therefore considered experimental.
Not consistent with the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee’s level of care guidelines
or
best practices as modified from time to
time.
Not clinically appropriate for the patient’s substance use disorder or condition based on
generally
accepted standards of medical practice and
benchmarks.
R. Transplants
1. Health services for organ and tissue transplants, except those described under
Transplantation
Services
in
Section 1: Covered Health Services.
2. Health services connected with the removal of an organ or tissue from you for purposes of a transplant
to
another person. (Donor costs that are directly related to organ removal are payable for a
transplant
through the organ recipient’s Benefits under the
Policy.)
3. Health services for transplants involving permanent mechanical or animal
organs.
S. Travel
1. Health services provided in a foreign country, unless required as Emergency Health
Services.
2. Travel or transportation expenses, even though prescribed by a Physician. Some travel expenses
related
to Covered Health Services received from a Designated Facility or Designated Physician may
be
reimbursed at our discretion. This exclusion does not apply to ambulance transportation for which
Benefits
are provided as described under Ambulance Services in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
T. Types of Care
1. Multi-disciplinary pain management programs provided on an inpatient basis for acute pain or
for
exacerbation of chronic
pain.
2. Custodial Care or maintenance
care.
3. Domiciliary
care.
4. Private Duty Nursing.
5. Respite care. This exclusion does not apply to respite care that is part of an integrated hospice care
program of services provided to a terminally ill person by a licensed hospice care agency for which
Benefits are provided as described under Hospice Care in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
COC.I.11.WI
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6. Rest cures.
7. Services of personal care attendants.
8. Work hardening (individualized treatment programs designed to return a person to work or to prepare a
person for specific work).
U. Vision and Hearing
1. Purchase cost and fitting charge for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
2. Implantable lenses used only to correct a refractive error (such as Intacs corneal implants).
3. Eye exercise or vision therapy.
4. Surgery that is intended to allow you to see better without glasses or other vision correction. Examples
include radial keratotomy, laser and other refractive eye surgery.
5. Bone anchored hearing aids except when either of the following applies:
For Covered Persons with craniofacial anomalies whose abnormal or absent ear canals preclude the use
of a wearable hearing aid.
For Covered Persons with hearing loss of sufficient severity that it would not be adequately remedied by
a wearable hearing aid.
More than one bone anchored hearing aid per Covered Person who meets the above coverage
criteria
during the entire period of time the Covered Person is enrolled under the
Policy.
Repairs and/or replacement for a bone anchored hearing aid for Covered Persons who meet the
above
coverage criteria, other than for
malfunctions.
V. All Other Exclusions
1. Health services and supplies that do not meet the definition of a Covered Health Service - see the
definition
in Section 9: Defined Terms. Covered Health Services are those health services, including
services,
supplies,
or Pharmaceutical Products, which we determine to be all of the
following:
Medically
Necessary.
Described as a Covered Health Service in this
Certificate
under Section 1: Covered Health Services
and in the Schedule of Benefits.
Not otherwise excluded in this
Certificate
under Section 2: Exclusions and Limitations.
2. Physical, psychiatric or psychological exams, testing, vaccinations, immunizations or treatments that
are
otherwise covered under the Policy
when:
Required solely for purposes of school, sports or camp, travel, career or employment,
insurance,
marriage or adoption.
Related to judicial or administrative proceedings or orders.
Conducted for purposes of medical research. This exclusion does not apply to Covered Health Services
provided during a clinical trial for which Benefits are provided as described under
Clinical
Trials in
Section 1: Covered Health Services.
Required to obtain or maintain a license of any type.
3. Health services received as a result of war or any act of war, whether declared or undeclared or caused
during service in the armed forces of any country. This exclusion does not apply to Covered Persons who
are civilians Injured or otherwise affected by war, any act of war, or terrorism in non-war zones.
4. Health services received after the date your coverage under the Policy ends. This applies to all health
services, even if the health service is required to treat a medical condition that arose before the date your
coverage under the Policy ended.
COC.I.11.WI
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5. Health services for which you have no legal responsibility to pay, or for which a charge would not
ordinarily be made in the absence of coverage under the Policy.
6. In the event a non-Network provider waives Copayments, Coinsurance and/or any deductible for a
particular health service, no Benefits are provided for the health service for which the Copayments,
Coinsurance and/or deductible are waived.
7. Charges in excess of Eligible Expenses or in excess of any specified limitation.
8. Long term (more than 30 days) storage. Examples include cryopreservation of tissue, blood and blood
products.
9. Autopsy.
10. Foreign language and sign language services.
11. Health services related to a non-Covered Health Service: When a service is not a Covered Health Service,
all services related to that non-Covered Health Service are also excluded. This exclusion does not apply to
services we would otherwise determine to be Covered Health Services if they are to treat complications
that arise from the non-Covered Health Service.
For the purpose of this exclusion, a "complication" is an unexpected or unanticipated condition that is
superimposed on an existing disease and that affects or modifies the prognosis of the original disease or
condition. Examples of a "complication" are bleeding or infections, following a Cosmetic Procedure, that
require
hospitalization.
COC.I.11.WI
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How to Enroll
Section 3: When Coverage Begins
Eligible Persons must complete an enrollment form. The Enrolling Group will give the necessary forms to you.
The
Enrolling Group will then submit the completed forms to us, along with any required Premium. We will not
provide
Benefits for health services that you receive before your effective date of
coverage.
If You Are Hospitalized When Your Coverage Begins
If you are an inpatient in a Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility or Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility on the day your
coverage begins, we will pay Benefits for Covered Health Services that you receive on or after your first day of
coverage related to that Inpatient Stay as long as you receive Covered Health Services in accordance with the
terms of the Policy. These Benefits are subject to any prior carrier’s obligations under state law or contract.
You should notify us of your hospitalization within 48 hours of the day your coverage begins, or as soon as is
reasonably possible. For Benefit plans that have a Network Benefit level, Network Benefits are available only if you
receive Covered Health Services from Network providers.
Who is Eligible for Coverage
The Enrolling Group determines who is eligible to enroll under the Policy and who qualifies as a
Dependent.
Eligible Person
Eligible Person usually refers to an employee or member of the Enrolling Group who meets the eligibility
rules.
When an Eligible Person actually enrolls, we refer to that person as a Subscriber. For a complete definition
of
Eligible Person, Enrolling Group and Subscriber, see Section 9: Defined Terms.
Eligible Persons must reside within the United
States.
If both spouses are Eligible Persons of the Enrolling Group, each may enroll as a Subscriber or be covered as
an
Enrolled Dependent of the other, but not
both.
Dependent
Dependent generally refers to the Subscriber’s spouse and children. When a Dependent actually enrolls, we
refer
to that person as an Enrolled Dependent. For a complete definition of Dependent and Enrolled Dependent,
see
Section 9: Defined Terms.
Dependents of an Eligible Person may not enroll unless the Eligible Person is also covered under the
Policy.
If both parents of a Dependent child are enrolled as a Subscriber, only one parent may enroll the child as
a
Dependent.
When to Enroll and When Coverage Begins
Except as described below, Eligible Persons may not enroll themselves or their Dependents.
Initial Enrollment Period
When the Enrolling Group purchases coverage under the Policy from us, the Initial Enrollment Period is the first
period of time when Eligible Persons can enroll themselves and their Dependents.
Coverage begins on the date identified in the Policy if we receive the completed enrollment form and any required
Premium within 31 days of the date the Eligible Person becomes eligible to enroll.
COC.I.11.WI
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Open Enrollment Period
The Enrolling Group determines the Open Enrollment Period. During the Open Enrollment Period, Eligible
Persons can enroll themselves and their Dependents.
Coverage begins on the date identified by the Enrolling Group if we receive the completed enrollment form and
any required Premium within 31 days of the date the Eligible Person becomes eligible to enroll.
Dependent Child Special Open Enrollment Period
On or before the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after September 23, 2010, the Enrolling Group will
provide a 30 day dependent child special open enrollment period for Dependent children who are not currently
enrolled under the Policy and who have not yet reached the limiting age. During this dependent child special
open enrollment period, Subscribers who are adding a Dependent child and who have a choice of coverage
options will be allowed to change options.
Coverage begins on the first day of the plan year beginning on or after September 23, 2010, if we receive the
completed enrollment form and any required Premium within 31 days of the date the Dependent becomes eligible
to enroll under this special open enrollment period.
New Eligible Persons
Coverage for a new Eligible Person and his or her Dependents begins on the date agreed to by the
Enrolling
Group if we receive the completed enrollment form and any required Premium within 31 days of the date the
new
Eligible Person first becomes
eligible.
Adding New Dependents
Subscribers may enroll Dependents who join their family because of any of the following
events:
Birth.
Legal
adoption.
Placement for
adoption.
Marriage.
Legal
guardianship.
Court or administrative
order.
Coverage for the Dependent begins on the date of the event if we receive the completed enrollment form and
any
required Premium within 31 days of the event that makes the new Dependent
eligible.
In the case of a newborn infant, Coverage begins from the moment of birth and must include
Congenital
Anomalies and birth abnormalities as an Injury or
Sickness.
We must receive notification of the event and any required Premium within 60 days after the date of
birth.
If you fail to notify us and do not make any required payment beyond the 60 day period, coverage will
not
continue, unless you make all past due payments with 5 1/2% interest, within one year of the child’s birth. In
this
case, Benefits are retroactive to the date of
birth.
Special Enrollment Period
An Eligible Person and/or Dependent may also be able to enroll during a special enrollment period. A
special
enrollment period is not available to an Eligible Person and his or her Dependents if coverage under the
prior
plan was terminated for cause, or because premiums were not paid on a timely
basis.
An Eligible Person and/or Dependent does not need to elect COBRA continuation coverage to preserve
special
enrollment rights. Special enrollment is available to an Eligible Person and/or Dependent even if COBRA is not
elected.
A special enrollment period applies to an Eligible Person and any Dependents when one of the following events
occurs:
COC.I.11.WI
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Birth.
Legal
adoption.
Placement for adoption.
Marriage.
A special enrollment period also applies for an Eligible Person and/or Dependent who did not enroll during the
Initial Enrollment Period or Open Enrollment Period if the following are true:
The Eligible Person previously declined coverage under the Policy, but the Eligible Person and/or
Dependent
becomes eligible for a premium assistance subsidy under Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program
(CHIP).
Coverage will begin only if we receive the completed enrollment form and any required
Premium
within 60 days of the date of determination of subsidy
eligibility.
The Eligible Person and/or Dependent had existing health coverage under another plan at the time they had
an opportunity to enroll during the Initial Enrollment Period or Open Enrollment Period; and
Coverage under the prior plan ended because of any of the following:
Loss of eligibility (including legal separation, divorce or death).
The employer stopped paying the contributions.
In the case of
COBRA
continuation coverage, the coverage ended.
The Eligible Person and/or Dependent no longer lives or works in an HMO service area if no other
benefit option is available.
The plan no longer offers benefits to a class of individuals that include the Eligible Person and/or
Dependent.
An Eligible Person and/or Dependent incurs a claim that would exceed a lifetime limit on all benefits.
The Eligible Person and/or Dependent loses eligibility under Medicaid or
Children’s
Health Insurance
Program (CHIP). Coverage will begin only if we receive the completed enrollment form and any required
Premium within 60 days of the date coverage ended.
When an event takes place (for example, a birth, marriage or determination of eligibility for state subsidy),
coverage begins on the date of the event if we receive the completed enrollment form and any required Premium
within 31 days of the event unless otherwise noted above.
For an Eligible Person and/or Dependent who did not enroll during the Initial Enrollment Period or Open
Enrollment Period because they had existing health coverage under another plan, coverage begins on the day
immediately following the day coverage under the prior plan ends. Except as otherwise noted above, coverage
will begin only if we receive the completed enrollment form and any required Premium within 31 days of the date
coverage under the prior plan ended.
Note: In the case of a newborn, the same situation applies as noted in Adding a New Dependent above.
COC.I.11.WI
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Section 4: When Coverage
Ends
General Information about When Coverage Ends
We may discontinue this Benefit plan and/or all similar benefit plans at any time for the reasons explained in
the
Policy, as permitted by
law.
Your entitlement to Benefits automatically ends on the date that coverage ends, even if you are hospitalized or
are
otherwise receiving medical treatment on that
date.
When your coverage ends, we will still pay claims for Covered Health Services that you received before the
date
on which your coverage ended. However, once your coverage ends, we will not pay claims for any health
services
received after that date (even if the medical condition that is being treated occurred before the date
your
coverage
ended).
Unless otherwise stated, an Enrolled Dependent’s coverage ends on the date the Subscriber’s coverage
ends.
Events Ending Your Coverage
Coverage ends on the earliest of the dates specified below:
The Entire Policy Ends
Your coverage ends on the date the Policy ends. In the event the entire Policy ends, the Enrolling Group
is
responsible for notifying you that your coverage has
ended.
You Are No Longer Eligible
Your coverage ends on the last day of the calendar month in which you are no longer eligible to be
a
Subscriber or Enrolled Dependent. Please refer to Section 9: Defined Terms for complete definitions of
the
terms "Eligible Person," "Subscriber," "Dependent" and "Enrolled
Dependent."
We Receive Notice to End Coverage
Your coverage ends on the last day of the calendar month in which we receive written notice from the
Enrolling Group instructing us to end your coverage, or the date requested in the notice, if later. The
Enrolling Group is responsible for providing written notice to us to end your coverage.
Subscriber Retires or Is Pensioned
Your coverage ends the last day of the calendar month in which the Subscriber is retired or
receiving
benefits under the Enrolling Group’s pension or retirement plan. The Enrolling Group is responsible
for
providing written notice to us to end your
coverage.
This provision applies unless a specific coverage classification is designated for retired or
pensioned
persons in the Enrolling Group’s application, and only if the Subscriber continues to meet any
applicable
eligibility requirements. The Enrolling Group can provide you with specific information about
what
coverage is available for retirees.
Other Events Ending Your Coverage
When either of the following happens, we will provide advance written notice to the Subscriber that coverage
will
end on the date we identify in the
notice:
Fraud or Intentional Misrepresentation of a Material Fact
You committed an act, practice, or omission that constituted fraud, or an intentional misrepresentation of
a material fact. Examples include false information relating to another person’s eligibility or status as a
Dependent.
During the first two years the Policy is in effect, we have the right to demand that you pay back all Benefits
we paid to you, or paid in your name, during the time you were incorrectly covered under the Policy. After
the first two years, we can only demand that you pay back these Benefits if the written application
contained a fraudulent misstatement.
Threatening Behavior
COC.I.11.WI
38
You committed acts of physical or verbal abuse that pose a threat to our staff.
Coverage for a Disabled Dependent Child
Coverage for an unmarried Enrolled Dependent child who is disabled will not end just because the child
has
reached a certain age. We will extend the coverage for that child beyond the limiting age if both of the
following
are true regarding the Enrolled Dependent
child:
Is not able to be self-supporting because of mental or physical handicap or disability.
Depends mainly on the Subscriber for support.
Coverage will continue as long as the Enrolled Dependent is medically certified as disabled and dependent unless
coverage is otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of the Policy.
We will ask you to furnish us with proof of the medical certification of disability within 31 days of the date
coverage would otherwise have ended because the child reached a certain age. Before we agree to this extension
of coverage for the child, we may require that a Physician chosen by us examine the child. We will pay for that
examination.
We may continue to ask you for proof that the child continues to be disabled and dependent. Such proof might
include medical examinations at our expense. However, we will not ask for this information more than once a
year, after the two-year period immediately following the time the child reaches the limiting age.
If you do not provide proof of the child’s disability and dependency within 31 days of our request as described
above, coverage for that child will end.
Extended Coverage for Total Disability
Coverage for a Covered Person who is Totally Disabled on the date the entire Policy is terminated will not
end
automatically. We will temporarily extend the coverage, only for treatment of the condition causing the
Total
Disability. Benefits will be paid until the earlier of either of the
following:
The Total Disability ends.
Twelve months from the date coverage would have ended when the entire Policy was
terminated.
The
maximum Benefit is
paid.
The succeeding insurer’s policy provides coverage for the condition(s) causing the Total Disability.
Continuation of Coverage and Conversion
If your coverage ends under the Policy, you may be entitled to elect continuation coverage (coverage
that
continues on in some form) in accordance with federal or state
law.
Continuation coverage under COBRA (the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) is
available
only to Enrolling Groups that are subject to the terms of COBRA. You can contact your plan administrator
to
determine if your Enrolling Group is subject to the provisions of
COBRA.
If you selected continuation coverage under a prior plan which was then replaced by coverage under the
Policy,
continuation coverage will end as scheduled under the prior plan or in accordance with federal or state
law,
whichever is
earlier.
We are not the Enrolling Group’s designated "plan administrator" as that term is used in federal law, and we
do
not assume any responsibilities of a "plan administrator" according to federal
law.
We are not obligated to provide continuation coverage to you if the Enrolling Group or its plan administrator
fails
to perform its responsibilities under federal law. Examples of the responsibilities of the Enrolling Group or its
plan
administrator
are:
Notifying you in a timely manner of the right to elect continuation
coverage.
Notifying us in a timely manner of your election of continuation coverage.
COC.I.11.WI
39
Qualifying Events for Continuation Coverage under State Law
If your coverage is terminated due to one of the qualifying events listed below and you were continuously
covered
under the Policy for a period of at least three months, you may elect to continue coverage, including that of
any
eligible
Dependents.
Reduction of hours or termination of the Subscriber from employment with the Enrolling Group for any
reason except gross misconduct.
Termination of coverage due to the death of the Subscriber.
Termination of coverage due to an annulment or divorce from the
Subscriber.
Notification Requirements and Election Period for Continuation Coverage
under State Law
The Enrolling Group will provide you with written notification of the right to continuation coverage within five days
of when the Enrolling Group receiving notice to terminate coverage. You must elect continuatio n coverage within
30 days of receiving this notification or 30 days after the qualifying event. You should obtain an election form from
the Enrolling Group or the employer and, once election is made, forward all monthly Premiums to the Enrolling
Group for payment to us.
Terminating Events for Continuation Coverage under State Law
Continuation coverage under the Policy will end on the earliest of the following
dates:
The date the Covered Person establishes residence outside of the
state.
18 months from the date your continuation
began.
The date coverage ends for failure to make timely payment of the Premium.
For
the spouse, the date the Subscriber’s group coverage
ends.
The date coverage is or could be obtained under any other group health
plan.
The
date the Policy ends.
Conversion
If your coverage terminates for one of the reasons described below, you may apply for conversion
coverage
without furnishing evidence of
insurability.
Reasons for
termination:
The Subscriber is retired or pensioned.
You cease to be eligible as a Subscriber or Enrolled
Dependent.
Continuation coverage
ends.
The entire Policy ends and is not replaced.
Application and payment of the initial Premium must be made within 31 days after coverage ends under
the
Policy. Conversion coverage will be issued in accordance with the terms and conditions in effect at the time
of
application. Conversion coverage may be substantially different from coverage provided under the
Policy.
COC.I.11.WI
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Section 5: How to File a Claim
If You Receive Covered Health Services from a Network Provider
We pay Network providers directly for your Covered Health Services. If a Network provider bills you for
any
Covered Health Service, contact us. However, you are responsible for meeting any applicable deductible and
for
paying any required Copayments and Coinsurance to a Network provider at the time of service, or when
you
receive a bill from the
provider.
Continuity of Care
If a provider’s participation in the network has terminated, we will cover services, if we present the provider as a
member of the network in the marketing materials that are provided or available at the most recent open
enrollment period.
If you are undergoing a course of treatment with a Network provider who is no longer available, we will provide
coverage for the remainder of the course of treatment or 90 days, whichever is shorter. If maternity care is the
course of treatment and the Covered Person is in their 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy, we will provide
coverage until the completion of postpartum care for the mother and infant.
Coverage will not be provided, if the provider no longer practices in the Service Area or we terminate the
provider’s contract for misconduct on his/her part.
If You Receive Covered Health Services from a Non-Network Provider
When you receive Covered Health Services from a non-Network provider, you are responsible for
requesting
payment from us. You must file the claim in a format that contains all of the informatio n we require, as
described
below.
You should submit a request for payment of Benefits within 90 days after the date of service. If you don’t
provide
this information to us within 15 months of the date of service, Benefits for that health service will be denied
or
reduced, in our discretion. This time limit does not apply if you are legally incapacitated. If your claim relates
to
an Inpatient Stay, the date of service is the date your Inpatient Stay
ends.
Required Information
When you request payment of Benefits from us, you must provide us with all of the following
information:
The Subscriber’s name and
address.
The patient’s name and age.
The number stated on your ID
card.
The name and address of the provider of the
service(s).
The
name and address of any ordering
Physician.
A diagnosis from the Physician.
An itemized bill from your provider that includes the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes or
a
description of each
charge.
The date the Injury or Sickness
began.
A statement indicating either that you are, or you are not, enrolled for coverage under any other health
insurance plan or program. If you are enrolled for other coverage you must include the name of the other
carrier(s).
The above information should be filed with us at the address on your ID card.
COC.I.11.WI
41
Payment of Benefits
You may not assign your Benefits under the Policy to a non-Network provider without our consent. When
an
assignment is not obtained, we will send the reimbursement directly to you (the Subscriber) for you to
reimburse
them upon receipt of their bill. We may, however, in our discretion, pay a non-Network provider directly
for
services rendered to you. In the case of any such assignment of Benefits or payment to a non-Network
provider,
we reserve the right to offset Benefits to be paid to the provider by any amounts that the provider owes
us.
When you assign your Benefits under the Policy to a non-Network provider with our consent, and
the
non-Network provider submits a claim for payment, you and the non-Network provider represent and warrant
the
following:
The Covered Health Services were actually provided.
The Covered Health Services were medically appropriate.
COC.I.11.WI
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Section 6: Questions, Complaints and
Grievances
The following terms apply to this section:
Complaint - your expression of dissatisfaction with us or any Network provider.
Expedited Grievance - a Grievance where any of the following applies:
The duration of the standard resolution process will result in serious jeopardy to your life or health or your
ability to regain maximum control.
In the opinion of a Physician with knowledge of your condition, you are subject to severe pain that cannot
be
adequately managed without the care or treatment that is the subject of the
Grievance.
A Physician with knowledge of your condition determines that the Grievance should be treated as an
Expedited Grievance.
Grievance - a dissatisfaction with our administration, claims practices or provision of services that is expressed in
writing, to us by you or on your behalf.
To resolve a question, complaint, or grievance, just follow these steps:
What to Do if You Have a Question
Contact Customer Care at the telephone number shown on your ID card. Customer Care representatives
are
available to take your call during regular business hours, Monday through
Friday.
What to Do if You Have a Complaint
Contact Customer Care at the telephone number shown on your ID card. Customer Care and attempt to address
your complaint through formal discussion representatives are available to take your call during regular business
hours, Monday through Friday.
If you would rather send your complaint to us in writing, the Customer Care
representati
ve can provide you with
the appropriate address.
If the Customer Care representative cannot resolve the issue to your satisfaction over the phone, he/she can help
you prepare and submit a written complaint. We will notify you of our decision regarding your complaint within 30
days of receiving it.
Grievance Process
Each time we deny a claim or Benefit or initiate disenrollment proceedings, we will notify you of your right to file
a
grievance.
We will acknowledge a grievance, in writing, within five business days of its receipt and resolve the
grievance
within 30 calendar days of its receipt. If we are unable to resolve the grievance within that time, we will extend
the
time period by an additional 30 calendar days. If you receive notification that the grievance has not
been
resolved, additional time is needed and the expected date the grievance will be
resolved.
You or an authorized representative have the right to appear in person before the grievance committee to
present
written or oral information. We will notify you, in writing, of the time and place of the meeting at least
seven
calendar days before the
meeting.
Following a review of your grievance, you will receive a written notification of the committee’s decision, along
with
the titles of the people on the grievance
committee.
What to Do if Your Grievance Requires Immediate Action
In situations where the normal duration of the grievance process could have adverse effects on you, a grievance
will not need to be submitted in writing. Instead, you or your Physician should contact us as soon as possible. We
will resolve the grievance within 72 hours of its receipt, unless more information is needed. If more information is
needed, we will notify you of our decision by the end of the next business day following the receipt of the required
information.
COC.I.11.WI
43
The complaint process for urgent situations does not apply to prescheduled treatments, therapies, surgeries or
other procedures that we do not consider urgent situations.
What to Do if You Disagree with Our Decision
You may resolve your problem by taking the steps outlined above in the Grievance process. You may
also
contact the OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, a state agency which enforces
Wisconsin’s
insurance laws, and file a complaint. You can contact the OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
by
writing
to:
Office of the Commissioner of
Insurance
Complaints
Department
P.O. Box
7873
Madison, WI
53707-7873
or you can call (800)236-8517 (outside of Madison) or (608)266-0103 in Madison or email them
at
complaints@ociwi.state.us
and request a complaint
form.
Please note that our decision is based only on whether or not Benefits are available under the Policy. We do
not
determine whether the pending health service is necessary or appropriate. That decision is between you and
your
Physician.
External Review Program
You or your authorized representative may request and obtain an external review of a medical adverse
determination or the exclusion for Experimental, Investigational or Unproven Services, preexisting condition
exclusion denial determinations, and the rescission of a policy or certificate after exhausting the internal
Grievance process. In order to request an external review, the expected cost of the non-covered or terminated
treatment or payment must be in accordance with the requirements set forth in Wisconsin Ins. 18.105. The
request must be made in writing within four months of the date of the determination or within 4 months of the
completion of the internal Grievance process, whichever is later.
The external review will be conducted by an independent review organization (IRO). You or your authorized
representative must select an IRO from the list of IROs certified by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. In
addition, your written request must contain the name of the IRO selected.
You will not have to exhaust the internal Grievance process before requesting an external review, if either of the
following apply:
All parties agree that the matter may proceed directly to the external review;
or
The independent review organization determines that proceeding through the internal Grievance
process
before an external review would jeopardize your life and health or ability to regain maximum
function.
If the external review is not terminated, the independent review organization shall make a decision based on
any documents and information submitted, within 30 business days after the expiration of all time limits that
apply in this matter. If it is determined that following the normal external review process would
jeopardize
your life and health or your ability to regain maximum function, the independent review organization
shall
make a decision within 72 hours, after the expiration of the time limits that apply in this
matter.
Any decision made by the independent review organization is binding on both parties involved, unless it is
regarding a preexisting condition exclusion denial determination or a rescission it is not binding.
Contact us at the telephone number shown on your ID card for more information on the external review program
or for a current listing of independent review organizations.
For purposes of this section coverage denial determination is an adverse determination, an Experimental,
Investigational, or Unproven Service, a Preexisting Condition exclusion denial determination, or the rescission of
a policy or certificate.
Preexisting condition exclusion is a determination by or on behalf of an insurer that issues a health benefit plan
denying or terminating treatment or payment for treatment on the basis of a Preexisting Condition exclusion.
COC.I.11.WI
44
Adverse determination means a determination by or on behalf of an insurer that issues a health benefit plan to
which all of the following apply:
An admission to a health care facility, the availability of care, the continued stay or other treatment that is a
covered benefit has been reviewed.
The treatment does not meet the health benefit plan’s requirement for medical necessity,
appropriateness,
health care setting, level of care or
effectiveness.
The health benefit plan reduced, denied or terminated the treatment or payment for the treatment.
The amount of the reduction or the cost or expected cost of the denied or terminated treatment or payment
exceeds, or will exceed during the course of treatment, of the requirements set forth under Wisconsin INS
18.105.
COC.I.11.WI
45
Section 7: Coordination of Benefits
Benefits When You Have Coverage under More than One Plan
This section describes how Benefits under the Policy will be coordinated with those of any other plan
that
provides benefits to you. The language in this section is from model laws drafted by the National Association of
Insurance
Commissioners
(NAIC) and represents standard industry practice for coordinating
benefits.
When Coordination of Benefits Applies
This coordination of benefits (COB) provision applies when a person has health care coverage under more than
one Plan. Plan is defined below.
The order of benefit determination rules below govern the order in which each Plan will pay a claim for benefits.
The Plan that pays first is called the Primary Plan. The Primary Plan must pay benefits in accordance with its
policy terms without regard to the possibility that another Plan may cover some expenses. The Plan that pays
after the Primary Plan is the Secondary Plan. The Secondary Plan may reduce the benefits it pays so that
payments from all Plans do not exceed 100% of the total Allowable Expense.
Definitions
For purposes of this section, terms are defined as
follows:
A. A Plan is any of the following that provides benefits or services for medical, pharmacy or dental care
or
treatment. If separate contracts are used to provide coordinated coverage for members of a group,
the
separate contracts are considered parts of the same plan and there is no COB among those
separate
contracts.
1. Plan includes: group and non-group insurance contracts, health maintenance organization
(HMO)
contracts, closed panel plans or other forms of group or group-type coverage (whether insured
or
uninsured); medical care components of long-term care contracts, such as skilled nursing
care;
medical benefits under group or individual automobile contracts; and Medicare or any other
federal
governmental plan, as permitted by
law.
2. Plan does not include: hospital indemnity coverage insurance or other fixed indemnity
coverage;
accident only coverage; specified disease or specified accident coverage; limited benefit
health
coverage, as defined by state law; school accident type coverage; benefits for
non-medical
components of long-term care policies; Medicare supplement policies; Medicaid policies;
or
coverage under other federal governmental plans, unless permitted by
law.
Each contract for coverage under 1. or 2. above is a separate Plan. If a Plan has two parts and COB
rules
apply only to one of the two, each of the parts is treated as a separate
Plan.
B. This Plan means, in a COB provision, the part of the contract providing the health care benefits to
which
the
COB provision applies and which may be reduced because of the benefits of other plans. Any
other
part
of the contract providing health care benefits is separate from This Plan. A contract may apply
one
COB provision to certain benefits, such as dental benefits, coordinating only with similar benefits, and
may
apply another COB provision to coordinate other
benefits.
C. The order of benefit determination rules determine whether This Plan is a Primary Plan or Secondary
Plan
when the person has health care coverage under more than one Plan. When This Plan is primary,
it
determines payment for its benefits first before those of any other Plan without considering any
other
Plan’s benefits. When This Plan is secondary, it determines its benefits after those of another Plan and
may
reduce the benefits it pays so that all Plan benefits do not exceed 100% of the total Allowable
Expense.
D. Allowable Expense is a health care expense, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments , that
is
covered at least in part by any Plan covering the person. When a Plan provides benefits in the form of
services, the reasonable cash value of each service will be considered an Allowable Expense and a benefit
paid. An expense that is not covered by any Plan covering the person is not an Allowable Expense. In
addition, any expense that a provider by law or in accordance with a contractual agreement is prohibited
from charging a Covered Person is not an Allowable Expense.
COC.I.11.WI
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The following are examples of expenses or services that are not Allowable Expenses:
1. The difference between the cost of a semi-private hospital room and a private room is not an
Allowable Expense unless one of the Plans provides coverage for private hospital room expenses.
2. If a person is covered by two or more Plans that compute their benefit payments on the basis of
usual and customary fees or relative value schedule reimbursement methodology or other similar
reimbursement methodology, any amount in excess of the highest reimbursement amount for a
specific benefit is not an Allowable Expense.
3. If a person is covered by two or more Plans that provide benefits or services on the basis of
negotiated fees, an amount in excess of the highest of the negotiated fees is not an Allowable
Expense.
4. If a person is covered by one Plan that calculates its benefits or services on the basis of usual and
customary fees or relative value schedule reimbursement methodology or other similar
reimbursement methodology and another Plan that provides its benefits or services on the basis of
negotiated fees, the Primary Plan’s payment arrangement shall be the Allowable Expense for all
Plans. However, if the provider has contracted with the Secondary Plan to provide the benefit or
service for a specific negotiated fee or payment amount that is different than the Primary Plan’s
payment arrangement and if the provider’s contract permits, the negotiated fee or payment shall be
the Allowable Expense used by the Secondary Plan to determine its benefits.
5. The amount of any benefit reduction by the Primary Plan because a Covered Person has failed
to
comply with the Plan provisions is not an Allowable Expense. Examples of these types of
plan
provisions include second surgical opinions, precertification of admissions and preferred
provider
arrangements.
E. Closed Panel Plan is a Plan that provides health care benefits to Covered Persons primarily in the form
of
services through a panel of providers that have contracted with or are employed by the Plan, and
that
excludes benefits for services provided by other providers, except in cases of emergency or referral by
a
panel
member.
F. Custodial Parent is the parent awarded custody by a court decree or, in the absence of a court decree,
is
the parent with whom the child resides more than one half of the calendar year excluding any
temporary
visitation.
Order of Benefit Determination Rules
When a person is covered by two or more Plans, the rules for determining the order of benefit payments are
as
follows:
A. The Primary Plan pays or provides its benefits according to its terms of coverage and without regard to
the
benefits under any other
Plan.
B. Except as provided in the next paragraph, a Plan that does not contain a coordination of
benefits
provision that is consistent with this provision is always primary unless the provisions of both Plans
state
that the complying plan is primary.
Coverage that is obtained by virtue of membership in a group that is designed to supplement a part of a
basic package of benefits and provides that this supplementary coverage shall be in excess of any other
parts of the Plan provided by the contract holder. Examples of these types of situations are major medical
coverages that are superimposed over base plan hospital and surgical benefits and insurance type
coverages that are written in connection with a Closed Panel Plan to provide out-of-network benefits.
C. A Plan may consider the benefits paid or provided by another Plan in determining its benefits only when it
is secondary to that other Plan.
D. Each Plan determines its order of benefits using the first of the following rules that apply:
1. Non-Dependent or Dependent. The Plan that covers the person other than as a dependent, for
example as an employee, member, policyholder, subscriber or retiree is the Primary Plan and the
Plan that covers the person as a dependent is the Secondary Plan. However, if the person is a
Medicare beneficiary and, as a result of federal law, Medicare is secondary to the Plan covering the
person as a dependent; and primary to the Plan covering the person as other than a dependent
COC.I.11.WI
47
(e.g. a retired employee); then the order of benefits between the two Plans is reversed so that the
Plan covering the person as an employee, member, policyholder, subscriber or retiree is the
Secondary Plan and the other Plan is the Primary Plan.
2. Dependent Child Covered Under More Than One Coverage Plan. Unless there is a court decree
stating otherwise, plans covering a dependent child shall determine the order of benefits as follows:
a) For a dependent child whose parents are married or are living together, whether or not they
have ever been married:
(1) The Plan of the parent whose birthday falls earlier in the calendar year is the Primary Plan;
or
(2) If both parents have the same birthday, the Plan that covered the parent longest is the
Primary Plan.
b) For a dependent child whose parents are divorced or separated or are not living together,
whether or not they have ever been married:
(1) If a court decree states that one of the parents is responsible for the dependent child’s
health care expenses or health care coverage and the Plan of that parent has actual
knowledge of those terms, that Plan is primary. If the parent with responsibility has no
health care coverage for the dependent child’s health care expenses, but that parent’s
spouse does, that parent’s spouse’s plan is the Primary Plan. This shall not apply with
respect to any plan year during which benefits are paid or provided before the entity
has
actual knowledge of the court decree
provision.
(2) If a court decree states that both parents are responsible for the dependent child’s
health
care expenses or health care coverage, the provisions of subparagraph a) above
shall
determine the order of
benefits.
(3) If a court decree states that the parents have joint custody without specifying that
one
parent has responsibility for the health care expenses or health care coverage of
the
dependent child, the provisions of subparagraph a) above shall determine the order
of
benefits.
(4) If there is no court decree allocating responsibility for the child’s health care expenses
or
health care coverage, the order of benefits for the child are as
follows:
(a) The Plan covering the Custodial
Parent.
(b) The Plan covering the Custodial Parent’s
spouse.
(c) The Plan covering the non-Custodial
Parent.
(d) The Plan covering the non-Custodial Parent’s
spouse.
c) For a dependent child covered under more than one plan of individuals who are not
the
parents of the child, the order of benefits shall be determined, as applicable,
under
subparagraph a) or b) above as if those individuals were parents of the
child.
3. Active Employee or Retired or Laid-off Employee. The Plan that covers a person as an
active
employee, that is, an employee who is neither laid off nor retired is the Primary Plan. The
same
would hold true if a person is a dependent of an active employee and that same person is
a
dependent of a retired or laid-off employee. If the other Plan does not have this rule, and, as
a
result, the Plans do not agree on the order of benefits, this rule is ignored. This rule does not apply
if
the rule labeled D.1. can determine the order of
benefits.
4. COBRA or State Continuation Coverage. If a person whose coverage is provided pursuant
to
COBRA or under a right of continuation provided by state or other federal law is covered
under
another Plan, the Plan covering the person as an employee, member, subscriber or retiree
or
covering the person as a dependent of an employee, member, subscriber or retiree is the Primary
Plan, and the
COBRA
or state or other federal continuation coverage is the Secondary Plan. If the
other Plan does not have this rule, and as a result, the Plans do not agree on the order of benefits,
COC.I.11.WI
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this rule is ignored. This rule does not apply if the rule labeled D.1. can determine the order of
benefits.
5. Longer or Shorter Length of Coverage. The Plan that covered the person as an employee, member,
policyholder, subscriber or retiree longer is the Primary Plan and the Plan that covered the person
the shorter period of time is the Secondary Plan.
6. If the preceding rules do not determine the order of benefits, the Allowable Expenses shall be
shared equally between the Plans meeting the definition of Plan. In addition, This Plan will not pay
more than it would have paid had it been the Primary Plan.
Effect on the Benefits of This Plan
A. When This Plan is secondary, it may reduce its benefits so that the total benefits paid or provided by
all
Plans are not more than the total Allowable Expenses. In determining the amount to be paid for any
claim,
the Secondary Plan will calculate the benefits it would have paid in the absence of other health
care
coverage and apply that calculated amount to any Allowable Expense under its Plan that is unpaid by
the
Primary Plan. The Secondary Plan may then reduce its payment by the amount so that, when
combined
with the amount paid by the Primary Plan, the total benefits paid or provided by all Plans for the claim
do
not exceed the total Allowable Expense for that claim. In addition, the Secondary Plan shall credit to
its
plan deductible any amounts it would have credited to its deductible in the absence of other health
care
coverage.
B. If a Covered Person is enrolled in two or more Closed Panel Plans and if, for any reason, including
the
provision of service by a non-panel provider, benefits are not payable by one Closed Panel Plan,
COB
shall not apply between that Plan and other Closed Panel
Plans.
Right to Receive and Release Needed Information
Certain facts about health care coverage and services are needed to apply these COB rules and to determine
benefits payable under This Plan and other Plans. We may get the facts we need from, or give them to, other
organizations or persons for the purpose of applying these rules and determining benefits payable under This
Plan and other Plans covering the person claiming benefits.
We need not tell, or get the consent of, any person to do this. Each person claiming benefits under This Plan must
give us any facts we need to apply those rules and determine benefits payable. If you do not provide us the
information we need to apply these rules and determine the Benefits payable, your claim for Benefits will be
denied.
Payments Made
A payment made under another Plan may include an amount that should have been paid under This Plan. If
it
does, we may pay that amount to the organization that made the payment. That amount will then be treated
as
though it were a benefit paid under This Plan. We will not have to pay that amount again. The term
"payment
made" includes providing benefits in the form of services, in which case "payment made" means reasonable
cash
value of the benefits provided in the form of
services.
Right of Recovery
If the amount of the payments we made is more than we should have paid under this COB provision, we may
recover the excess from one or more of the persons we have paid or for whom we have paid; or any other person
or organization that may be responsible for the benefits or services provided for you. The "amount of the
payments made" includes the reasonable cash value of any benefits provided in the form of services.
When Medicare is Secondary
If you have other health insurance which is determined to be primary to Medicare, then Benefits payable
under
This Plan will be based on Medicare’s reduced benefits. In no event will the combined benefits paid under
these
coverages exceed the total Medicare Eligible Expense for the service or
item.
COC.I.11.WI
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Section 8: General Legal Provisions
Your Relationship with Us
In order to make choices about your health care coverage and treatment, we believe that it is important for you
to
understand how we interact with your Enrolling Group’s Benefit plan and how it may affect you. We help
finance
or administer the Enrolling Group’s Benefit plan in which you are enrolled. We do not provide medical services
or
make treatment decisions. This
means:
We communicate to you decisions about whether the Enrolling Group’s Benefit plan will cover or pay for the
health care that you may receive. The plan pays for Covered Health Services, which are more fully described
in this Certificate.
The plan may not pay for all treatments you or your Physician may believe are necessary. If the plan does
not pay, you will be responsible for the cost.
We may use individually identifiable information about you to identify for you (and you alone) procedures,
products or services that you may find valuable. We will use individually identifiable information about you as
permitted or required by law, including in our operations and in our research. We will use de-identified data for
commercial purposes including research.
Please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices for details.
Our Relationship with Providers and Enrolling Groups
The relationships between us and Network providers and Enrolling Groups are solely contractual
relationships
between independent contractors. Network providers and Enrolling Groups are not our agents or
employees.
Neither we nor any of our employees are agents or employees of Network providers or the Enrolling
Groups.
We do not provide health care services or supplies, nor do we practice medicine. Instead, we arrange for
health
care providers to participate in a Network and we pay Benefits. Network providers are independent
practitioners
who run their own offices and facilities. Our credentialing process confirms public information about
the
providers’ licenses and other credentials, but does not assure the quality of the services provided. They are
not
our employees nor do we have any other relationship with Network providers such as principal-agent or
joint
venture. We are not liable for any act or omission of any
provider.
We are not considered to be an employer for any purpose with respect to the administration or provision
of
benefits under the Enrolling Group’s Benefit plan. We are not responsible for fulfilling any duties or obligations
of
an employer with respect to the Enrolling Group’s Benefit
plan.
The Enrolling Group is solely responsible for all of the
following:
Enrollment and classification changes (including classification changes resulting in your enrollment or the
termination of your coverage).
The timely payment of the Policy Charge to
us.
Notifying you of the termination of the
Policy.
When the Enrolling Group purchases the Policy to provide coverage under a benefit plan governed by
the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq., we are not the plan administrator
or
named fiduciary of the benefit plan, as those terms are used in ERISA. If you have questions about your
welfare
benefit plan, you should contact the Enrolling Group. If you have any questions about this statement or
about
your rights under ERISA, contact the nearest area office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U. S.
Department of Labor.
COC.I.11.WI
50
Your Relationship with Providers and Enrolling Groups
The relationship between you and any provider is that of provider and
patient.
You are responsible for choosing your own provider.
You are responsible for paying, directly to your provider, any amount identified as a member responsibility,
including Copayments, Coinsurance, any deductible and any amount that exceeds Eligible Expenses.
You are responsible for paying, directly to your provider, the cost of any non-Covered Health
Service.
You must decide if any provider treating you is right for you. This includes Network providers you choose
and providers to whom you have been
referred.
You must decide with your provider what care you should receive.
Your provider is solely responsible for the quality of the services provided to
you.
The relationship between you and the Enrolling Group is that of employer and employee, Dependent or
other
classification as defined in the
Policy.
Notice
When we provide written notice regarding administration of the Policy to an authorized representative of the
Enrolling Group, that notice is deemed notice to all affected Subscribers and their Enrolled Dependents. The
Enrolling Group is responsible for giving notice to you.
Statements by Enrolling Group or Subscriber
All statements made by the Enrolling Group or by a Subscriber shall, in the absence of fraud, be
deemed
representations and not warranties. Except for fraudulent statements, we will not use any statement made by
the
Enrolling Group to void the Policy after it has been in force for a period of two
years.
Incentives to Providers
We pay Network providers through various types of contractual arrangements, some of which may
include
financial incentives to promote the delivery of health care in a cost efficient and effective manner. These
financial
incentives are not intended to affect your access to health
care.
Examples of financial incentives for Network providers
are:
Bonuses for performance based on factors that may include quality, member satisfaction
and/or
cost-effectiveness.
Capitation - a group of Network providers receives a monthly payment from us for each Covered Person who
selects a Network provider within the group to perform or coordinate certain health services. The Network
providers receive this monthly payment regardless of whether the cost of providing or arranging to provide
the Covered Person’s health care is less than or more than the payment.
We use various payment methods to pay specific Network providers. From time to time, the payment method
may change. If you have questions about whether your Network provider’s contract with us includes any
financial
incentives, we encourage you to discuss those questions with your provider. You may also contact us at
the
telephone number on your ID card. We can advise whether your Network provider is paid by any
financial
incentive, including those listed above; however, the specific terms of the contract, including rates of
payment,
are confidential and cannot be
disclosed.
Incentives to You
Sometimes we may offer coupons or other incentives to encourage you to participate in various
wellness
programs or certain disease management programs. The decision about whether or not to participate is
yours
alone but we recommend that you discuss participating in such programs with your Physician. These
incentives
are not Benefits and do not alter or affect your Benefits. Contact us if you have any questions.
COC.I.11.WI
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Rebates and Other Payments
We may receive rebates for certain drugs that are administered to you in your home or in a Physician’s office,
or
at a Hospital or Alternate Facility. This includes rebates for those drugs that are administered to you before
you
meet any applicable deductible. We do not pass these rebates on to you, nor are they applied to any
deductible
or taken into account in determining your Copayments or
Coinsurance.
Interpretation of Benefits
We have the sole and exclusive discretion to do all of the following:
Interpret Benefits under the
Policy.
Interpret the other terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions set out in the Policy, including this Certificate,
the Schedule of Benefits and any Riders and/or
Amendments.
Make factual determinations related to the Policy and its Benefits.
We may delegate this discretionary authority to other persons or entities that provide services in regard to the
administration of the Policy.
In certain circumstances, for purposes of overall cost savings or efficiency, we may, in our discretion, offer
Benefits for services that would otherwise not be Covered Health Services. The fact that we do so in any particular
case shall not in any way be deemed to require us to do so in other similar cases.
Administrative Services
We may, in our sole discretion, arrange for various persons or entities to provide administrative services in
regard
to the Policy, such as claims processing. The identity of the service providers and the nature of the services
they
provide may be changed from time to time in our sole discretion. We are not required to give you prior notice
of
any such change, nor are we required to obtain your approval. You must cooperate with those persons or
entities
in the performance of their
responsibilities.
Amendments to the Policy
To the extent permitted by law, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion and without your approval, to
change,
interpret, modify, withdraw or add Benefits or terminate the
Policy.
Any provision of the Policy which, on its effective date, is in conflict with the requirements of state or
federal
statutes or regulations (of the jurisdiction in which the Policy is delivered) is hereby amended to conform to
the
minimum requirements of such statutes and
regulations.
No other change may be made to the Policy unless it is made by an Amendment or Rider which has been
signed
by one of our officers. All of the following conditions
apply:
Amendments to the Policy are effective 31 days after we send written notice to the Enrolling
Group.
Amendments that result in a reduction of Benefits will be effective upon 60 days prior written
notice.
Riders are effective on the date we specify.
No agent has the authority to change the Policy or to waive any of its provisions.
No one has authority to make any oral changes or amendments to the
Policy.
Information and Records
We may use your individually identifiable health information to administer the Policy and pay claims, to identify
procedures, products, or services that you may find valuable, and as otherwise permitted or required by law. We
may request additional information from you to decide your claim for Benefits. We will keep this information
confidential. We may also use your de-identified data for commercial purposes, including research, as permitted
by law. More detail about how we may use or disclose your information is found in our Notice of Privacy
Practices.
By accepting Benefits under the Policy, you authorize and direct any person or institution that has provided
services to you to furnish us with all information or copies of records relating to the services provided to you. We
have the right to request this information at any reasonable time. This applies to all Covered Persons, including
COC.I.11.WI
52
Enrolled Dependents whether or not they have signed the Subscriber’s enrollment form. We agree that such
information and records will be considered confidential.
We have the right to release any and all records concerning health care services which are necessary to
implement and administer the terms of the Policy, for appropriate medical review or quality assessment, or as we
are required to do by law or regulation. During and after the term of the Policy, we and our related entities may
use and transfer the information gathered under the Policy in a de-identified format for commercial purposes,
including research and analytic purposes. Please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices.
For complete listings of your medical records or billing statements we recommend that you contact your health
care provider. Providers may charge you reasonable fees to cover their costs for providing records or completing
requested forms.
If you request medical forms or records from us, we also may charge you reasonable fees to cover costs for
completing the forms or providing the records.
In some cases, as permitted by law, we will designate other persons or entities to request records or information
from or related to you, and to release those records as necessary. Our designees have the same rights to this
information as we have.
Examination of Covered Persons
In the event of a question or dispute regarding your right to Benefits, we may require that a Network Physician
of
our choice examine you at our
expense.
Workers’ Compensation not Affected
Benefits provided under the Policy do not substitute for and do not affect any requirements for coverage by
workers compensation insurance.
Subrogation and Reimbursement
Subrogation is the substitution of one person or entity in the place of another with reference to a lawful
claim,
demand or right. Immediately upon paying or providing any Benefit, we shall be subrogated to and shall
succeed
to all rights of recovery, under any legal theory of any type for the reasonable value of any services and
Benefits
we provided to you, from any or all of the following listed
below.
In addition to any subrogation rights and in consideration of the coverage provided by this Certificate, we
shall
also have an independent right to be reimbursed by you for the reasonable value of any services and Benefits
we
provide to you, from any or all of the following listed
below.
Third parties, including any person alleged to have caused you to suffer injuries or damages.
Your
employer.
Any person or entity who is or may be obligated to provide benefits or payments to you, including benefits
or
payments for underinsured or uninsured motorist protection, no-fault or traditional auto insurance,
medical
payment coverage (auto, homeowners or otherwise), workers’ compensation coverage, other
insurance
carriers or third party
administrators.
Any person or entity who is liable for payment to you on any equitable or legal liability
theory.
These third parties and persons or entities are collectively referred to as "Third
Parties."
You agree as
follows:
That you will cooperate with us in protecting our legal and equitable rights to subrogation and
reimbursement, including:
Providing any relevant information requested by us.
Signing and/or delivering such documents as we or our agents reasonably request to secure the
subrogation and reimbursement claim.
Responding to requests for information about any accident or injuries.
Making court appearances.
COC.I.11.WI
53
Obtaining our consent or our agents’ consent before releasing any party from liability or payment of
medical expenses.
That failure to cooperate in this manner shall be deemed a breach of contract, and may result in the
termination of health benefits or the instigation of legal action against you.
That we have the authority and discretion to resolve all disputes regarding the interpretation of the
language
stated
herein.
That no court costs or attorneys’ fees may be deducted from our recovery without our express written
consent; any so-called "Fund Doctrine" or "Common Fund Doctrine" or "Attorney’s Fund Doctrine" shall not
defeat this right, and we are not required to participate in or pay court costs or attorneys’ fees to the attorney
hired by you to pursue your damage/personal injury claim.
That after you have been fully compensated or made whole, we may collect from you the proceeds of any full
or partial recovery that you or your legal representative obtain, whether in the form of a settlement (either
before or after any determination of liability) or judgment, with such proceeds available for collection to
include any and all amounts earmarked as non-economic damage settlement or judgment.
That benefits paid by us may also be considered to be benefits
advanced.
That you agree that if you receive any payment from any potentially responsible party as a result of an injury
or illness, whether by settlement (either before or after any determination of liability), or judgment, you will
serve as a constructive trustee over the funds, and failure to hold such funds in trust will be deemed as a
breach of your duties hereunder.
That you or an authorized agent, such as your attorney, must hold any funds due and owing us, as stated
herein, separately and alone, and failure to hold funds as such will be deemed as a breach of contract, and
may result in the termination of health benefits or the instigation of legal action against you.
That we may set off from any future benefits otherwise provided by us the value of benefits paid or
advanced
under
this section to the extent not recovered by
us.
That you will not accept any settlement that does not fully compensate or reimburse us without our
written
approval, nor will you do anything to prejudice our rights under this
provision.
That you will assign to us all rights of recovery against Third Parties, to the extent of the reasonable value of
services and Benefits we provided, plus reasonable costs of collection.
That our rights will be considered as the first priority claim against Third Parties, including tortfeasors
from
whom you are seeking recovery, to be paid before any other of your claims are
paid.
That we may, at our option, take necessary and appropriate action to preserve our rights under
these
subrogation provisions, including filing suit in your name, which does not obligate us in any way to pay
you
part of any recovery we might
obtain.
That we shall not be obligated in any way to pursue this right independently or on your behalf.
That in the case of your wrongful death, the provisions of this section will apply to your estate, the
personal
representative of your estate and your heirs or
beneficiaries.
That the provisions of this section apply to the parents, guardian, or other representat ive of a
Dependent
child
who incurs a Sickness or Injury caused by a Third Party. If a parent or guardian may bring a claim
for
damages arising out of a minor’s Injury, the terms of this subrogation and reimbursement clause shall
apply
to that
claim.
Refund of Overpayments
If we pay Benefits for expenses incurred on account of a Covered Person, that Covered Person, or any other
person or organization that was paid, must make a refund to us if any of the following apply:
All or some of the expenses were not paid by the Covered Person or did not legally have to be paid by
the
Covered
Person.
All or some of the payment we made exceeded the Benefits under the
Policy.
All
or some of the payment was made in error.
The refund equals the amount we paid in excess of the amount we should have paid under the Policy. If the
refund is due from another person or organization, the Covered Person agrees to help us get the refund when
requested.
COC.I.11.WI
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If the Covered Person, or any other person or organization that was paid, does not promptly refund the full
amount, we may reduce the amount of any future Benefits for the Covered Person that are payable under the
Policy. The reductions will equal the amount of the required refund. We may have other rights in addition to the
right to reduce future benefits.
Limitation of Action
You cannot bring any legal action against us to recover reimbursement until you have completed all the steps
in
the appeal process described in Section 6: Questions, Complaints and Appeals. After completing that process,
if
you want to bring a legal action against us you must do so within three years of the date we notified you of
our
final decision on your appeal or you lose any rights to bring such an action against
us.
Entire Policy
The Policy issued to the Enrolling Group, including this
Certificate,
the Schedule of Benefits, the Enrolling Group’s
application and any Riders and/or Amendments, constitutes the entire Policy.
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Section 9: Defined
Terms
Alternate Facility - a health care facility that is not a Hospital and that provides one or more of the following
services on an outpatient basis, as permitted by law:
Surgical services.
Emergency Health
Services.
Rehabilitative, laboratory, diagnostic or therapeutic services.
An Alternate Facility may also provide Mental Health Services or Substance Use Disorder Services on an
outpatient or inpatient basis.
Amendment - any attached written description of additional or alternative provisions to the Policy. Amendments
are effective only when signed by us. Amendments are subject to all conditions, limitations and exclusions of the
Policy, except for those that are specifically amended.
Annual Deductible - for Benefit plans that have an Annual Deductible, this is the amount of Eligible Expenses
you must pay for Covered Health Services per year before we will begin paying for Benefits. The amount that is
applied to the Annual Deductible is calculated on the basis of Eligible Expenses. The Annual Deductible does not
include any amount that exceeds Eligible Expenses. Refer to the Schedule of Benefits to determine whether or not
your Benefit plan is subject to payment of an Annual Deductible and for details about how the Annual Deductible
applies.
Autism Spectrum Disorders - a group of neurobiological disorders that includes Autistic Disorder, Rhett’s
Syndrome, Asperger’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrated Disorder
and Pervasive Development Disorders Not
Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS).
Benefits - your right to payment for Covered Health Services that are available under the Policy. Your right
to
Benefits is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the Policy, including this Certificate,
the
Schedule of Benefits and any attached Riders and/or
Amendments.
Coinsurance - the charge, stated as a percentage of Eligible Expenses, that you are required to pay for
certain
Covered Health
Services.
Congenital Anomaly - a physical developmental defect that is present at the time of birth, and that is
identified
within the first twelve months of
birth.
Copayment - the charge, stated as a set dollar amount, that you are required to pay for certain Covered
Health
Services.
Please note that for Covered Health Services, you are responsible for paying the lesser of the
following:
The applicable Copayment.
The Eligible
Expense.
Cosmetic Procedures - procedures or services that change or improve appearance without
significantly
improving physiological function, as determined by us.
Covered Health Service(s) - those health services, including services, supplies, or Pharmaceutical Products,
which we determine to be all of the following:
Medically
Necessary.
Described as a Covered Health Service in this
Certificate
under Section 1: Covered Health Services and in
the
Schedule of Benefits.
Not otherwise excluded in this
Certificate
under Section 2: Exclusions and Limitations.
Covered Person - either the Subscriber or an Enrolled Dependent, but this term applies only while the person is
enrolled under the Policy. References to "you" and "your" throughout this Certificate are references to a Covered
Person.
Custodial Care - services that are any of the following:
Non-health-related services, such as assistance in activities of daily living (examples include feeding,
dressing, bathing, transferring and ambulating).
COC.I.11.WI
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Health-related services that are provided for the primary purpose of meeting the personal needs of the
patient or maintaining a level of function (even if the specific services are considered to be skilled services),
as opposed to improving that function to an extent that might allow for a more independent existence.
Services that do not require continued administration by trained medical personnel in order to be
delivered
safely and
effectively.
Dependent - the Subscriber’s legal spouse or a child of the Subscriber or the Subscriber’s spouse. The term
child
includes any of the
following:
A natural child.
A stepchild.
A legally adopted
child.
A child placed for adoption.
A child for whom legal guardianship has been awarded to the Subscriber or the Subscriber’s spouse.
A child of an Enrolled Dependent child (grandchild) until the Enrolled Dependent who is the parent turns
18.
To
be eligible for coverage under the Policy, a Dependent must reside within the United
States.
The definition of Dependent is subject to the following conditions and
limitations:
A Dependent includes any child listed above under 26 years of age.
A Dependent includes an unmarried child who is 26 years of age or older, but less than 27 years of age who
meets either of the following requirements:
The child is not eligible for coverage under a group health benefit plan offered by the child’s employer or
the child’s employer does not offer health insurance benefits to their employees.
The child is eligible for coverage under a group health benefit plan offered by the child’s employer, but
the amount of the child’s premium contribution is greater than the premium amount for his or her
coverage as an Enrolled Dependent child under the Subscriber’s plan.
A Dependent includes an unmarried dependent child age 26 or older who is or becomes disabled
and
dependent upon the
Subscriber.
A Dependent also includes an adult child who meets all of the following
requirements:
The child was under age 27 when called to federal active
duty.
The child was called to federal active duty in the national guard or in a reserve component of the U.S. armed
forces while the child was attending, on a full-time basis, an institution of higher education.
The child is a Full-time Student, regardless of
age.
The child is not
married.
The child is not eligible for coverage under a group health benefit plan offered by the child’s employer or the
child is eligible for coverage under a group health benefit plan offered by the child’s employer, but the
amount of the child’s premium contribution is greater than the premium amount for his or her coverage as a
dependent under the Subscriber’s
plan.
The child’s employer does not offer health insurance benefits to their employees.
The child must apply to an institution of higher education as a Full-time Student within twelve months
from
the
date the child has fulfilled his or her active duty
obligation.
When the child is called to active duty more than once within a four-year period of time, we will use
the
child’s age when first called to active duty for determining
eligibility.
The Subscriber must reimburse us for any Benefits that we pay for a child at a time when the child did not
satisfy
these
conditions.
A Dependent also includes a child for whom health care coverage is required through a Qualified Medical Child
Support Order
or other court or administrative order. The Enrolling Group is responsible for determining if
an
order meets the criteria of a
Qualified
Medical Child Support Order.
A Dependent does not include anyone who is also enrolled as a Subscriber. No one can be a Dependent of
more
than one
Subscriber.
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Designated Facility - a facility that has entered into an agreement with us, or with an organization contracting on
our behalf, to render Covered Health Services for the treatment of specified diseases or conditions. A Designated
Facility may or may not be located within your geographic area. The fact that a Hospital is a Network Hospital
does not mean that it is a Designated Facility.
Designated Network Benefits - for Benefit plans that have a Designated Network Benefit level, this is the
description of how Benefits are paid for Covered Health Services provided by a Physician or other provider that
we have identified as Designated Network providers. Refer to the Schedule of Benefits to determine whether or not
your Benefit plan offers Designated Network Benefits and for details about how Designated Network Benefits
apply.
Designated Physician - a Physician that we’ve identified through our designation programs as a Designated
provider. A Designated Physician may or may not be located within your geographic area. The fact that a
Physician is a Network Physician does not mean that he or she is a Designated Physician.
Durable Medical Equipment - medical equipment that is all of the following:
Can withstand repeated use.
Is not
disposable.
Is used to serve a medical purpose with respect to treatment of a Sickness, Injury or their symptoms.
Is generally not useful to a person in the absence of a Sickness, Injury or their symptoms.
Is appropriate for use, and is primarily used, within the
home.
Is
not implantable within the
body.
Eligible Expenses - for Covered Health Services, incurred while the Policy is in effect, Eligible Expenses
are
determined by us as stated below and as detailed in the Schedule of Benefits.
Eligible Expenses are determined solely in accordance with our reimbursement policy guidelines. We develop
our
reimbursement policy guidelines, in our discretion, following evaluation and validation of all provider billings
in
accordance with one or more of the following
methodologies:
As indicated in the most recent edition of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), a publication of the
American Medical
Association,
and/or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
As reported by generally recognized professionals or
publications.
As
used for
Medicare.
As determined by medical staff and outside medical consultants pursuant to other appropriate source or
determination that we accept.
Eligible Person - an employee of the Enrolling Group or other person whose connection with the Enrolling Group
meets the eligibility requirements specified in both the application and the Policy. An Eligible Person must reside
within the United States.
Emergency - a serious medical condition or symptom resulting from Injury, Sickness or Mental Illness including
severe pain which would lead a prudent lay person with an average knowledge of health and medicine to
reasonably conclude that a lack of immediate medical attention will likely result in any of the
following:
Serious jeopardy to the person’s health or, with respect to a pregnant woman, serious jeopardy to the health
of the woman or her unborn child.
Serious impairment to the person’s bodily
functions.
Serious dysfunction of one or more of the person’s body organ or
parts.
Emergency Health Services - health care services and supplies necessary for the treatment of an
Emergency.
Enrolled Dependent - a Dependent who is properly enrolled under the
Policy.
Enrolling Group - the employer, or other defined or otherwise legally established group, to whom the Policy
is
issued.
Experimental or Investigational Service(s) - medical, surgical, diagnostic, psychiatric, mental health,
substance
use disorders or other health care services, technologies, supplies, treatments, procedures, drug
therapies,
medications or devices that, at the time we make a determination regarding coverage in a particular case,
are
determined to be any of the
following:
COC.I.11.WI
58
Not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
(FDA) to be lawfully marketed for the proposed use
and not identified in the American Hospital Formulary Service or the United States Pharmacopoeia Dispensing
Information
as appropriate for the proposed use.
Subject to review and approval by any institutional review board for the proposed use. (Devices which
are
FDA
approved under the Humanitarian Use Device exemption are not considered to be Experimental
or
Investigational.)
The subject of an ongoing clinical trial that meets the definition of a Phase 1, 2 or 3 clinical trial set forth in
the FDA regulations, regardless of whether the trial is actually subject to FDA oversight.
Exceptions:
Clinical trials for which Benefits are available as described under Clinical Trials in Section 1: Covered Health
Services.
Life-Threatening Sickness or Condition. If you have a life-threatening Sickness or condition (one that is
likely
to
cause death within one year of the request for treatment) we may, in our discretion, consider an
otherwise
Experimental or Investigational Service to be a Covered Health Service for that Sickness or condition.
Prior
to such a consideration, we must first establish that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that,
albeit
unproven, the service has significant potential as an effective treatment for that Sickness or
condition.
Genetic Testing - examination of blood or other tissue for chromosomal and DNA abnormalit ies and
alterations,
or other expressions of gene abnormalities that may indicate an increased risk for developing a specific
disease
or
disorder.
Home Health Agency - a program or organization authorized by law to provide health care services in the
home.
Hospital - an institution that is operated as required by law and that meets both of the
following:
It is primarily engaged in providing health services, on an inpatient basis, for the acute care and treatment
of
injured or sick individuals. Care is provided through medical, diagnostic and surgical facilities, by or
under
the supervision of a staff of
Physicians.
It has 24-hour nursing services.
A Hospital is not primarily a place for rest, Custodial Care or care of the aged and is not a nursing home,
convalescent home or similar institution.
Initial Enrollment Period - the initial period of time during which Eligible Persons may enroll themselves and
their Dependents under the Policy.
Injury - bodily damage other than Sickness, including all related conditions and recurrent symptoms.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility - a long term acute rehabilitation center, a Hospital (or a special unit of a
Hospital designated as an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility) that provides rehabilitation health services (including
physical therapy, occupational therapy and/or speech therapy) on an inpatient basis, as authorized by law.
Inpatient Stay - an uninterrupted confinement that follows formal admission to a Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility
or Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment - a structured outpatient mental health or substance use disorder
treatment
program that may be free-standing or Hospital-based and provides services for at least three hours per day,
two
or more days per
week.
Intermittent Care - skilled nursing care that is provided or needed
either:
Fewer than seven days each week.
Fewer than eight hours each day for periods of 21 days or
less.
Exceptions may be made in exceptional circumstances when the need for additional care is finite
and
predictable.
Manipulative Treatment - the therapeutic application of chiropractic and/or osteopathic manipulative
treatment
with or without ancillary physiologic treatment and/or rehabilitative methods rendered to restore/improve motion,
reduce pain and improve function in the management of an identifiable neuromusculoskeletal condition.
Medically Necessary - health care services provided for the purpose of preventing, evaluating, diagnosing or
COC.I.11.WI
59
treating a Sickness, Injury, Mental Illness, substance use disorder, condition, disease or its symptoms, that are all
of the following as determined by us or our designee, within our sole discretion.
In accordance with Generally Accepted Standards of Medical Practice.
Clinically appropriate, in terms of type, frequency, extent, site and duration, and considered effective for
your
Sickness, Injury, Mental Illness, substance use disorder, disease or its
symptoms.
Not mainly for your convenience or that of your doctor or other health care provider.
Not more costly than an alternative drug, service(s) or supply that is at least as likely to produce equivalent
therapeutic or diagnostic results as to the diagnosis or treatment of your Sickness, Injury, disease or
symptoms.
Generally Accepted Standards of Medical Practice are standards that are based on credible scientific evidence
published in peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, relying
primarily on controlled clinical trials, or, if not available, observational studies from more than one institution that
suggest a causal relationship between the service or treatment and health outcomes.
If no credible scientific evidence is available, then standards that are based on Physician specialty society
recommendations or professional standards of care may be considered. We reserve the right to consult expert
opinion in determining whether health care services are Medically Necessary. The decision to apply Physician
specialty society recommendations, the choice of expert and the determination of when to use any such expert
opinion, shall be within our sole discretion.
We develop and maintain clinical policies that describe the Generally Accepted Standards of Medical Practice
scientific evidence, prevailing medical standards and clinical guidelines supporting our
determinati
ons regarding
specific services. These clinical policies (as developed by us and revised from time to time), are available to
Covered Persons on
www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card, and
to Physicians and other health care professionals on UnitedHealthcareOnline.
Medicare - Parts A, B, C and D of the insurance program established by Title XVIII, United States Social Security
Act, as amended by 42 U.S.C. Sections 1394, et seq. and as later amended.
Mental Health Services - Covered Health Services for the diagnosis and treatment of Mental Illnesses. The fact
that a condition is listed in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association
does not mean that treatment for the condition is a Covered Health Service.
Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee - the organization or individual, designated by us, that
provides or arranges Mental Health Services and Substance Use Disorder Services for which Benefits are
available under the Policy.
Mental Illness - those mental health or psychiatric diagnostic categories that are listed in the current Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, unless those services are specifically excluded
under the Policy.
Network - when used to describe a provider of health care services, this means a provider that has a participation
agreement in effect (either directly or indirectly) with us or with our affiliate to participate in our Network; however,
this does not include those providers who have agreed to discount their charges for Covered Health Services by
way of their participation in the Shared Savings Program. Our affiliates are those entities affiliated with us
through
common ownership or control with us or with our ultimate corporate parent, including direct and
indirect
subsidiaries.
A provider may enter into an agreement to provide only certain Covered Health Services, but not all
Covered
Health Services, or to be a Network provider for only some of our products. In this case, the provider will be
a
Network provider for the Covered Health Services and products included in the participation agreement, and
a
non-Network provider for other Covered Health Services and products. The participation status of providers
will
change from time to
time.
Network Benefits - for Benefit plans that have a Network Benefit level, this is the description of how Benefits
are
paid for Covered Health Services provided by Network providers. Refer to the Schedule of Benefits to
determine
whether or not your Benefit plan offers Network Benefits and for details about how Network Benefits
apply.
New Pharmaceutical Product - a Pharmaceutical Product or new dosage form of a previously
approved
Pharmaceutical Product, for the period of time starting on the date the Pharmaceutical Product or new
dosage
form is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
(FDA) and ending on the earlier of the following
dates:
COC.I.11.WI
60
The date it is assigned to a tier by our Pharmaceutical Product List Management Committee.
December 31st of the following calendar
year.
Non-Network Benefits - for Benefit plans that have a Non-Network Benefit level, this is the description of
how
Benefits are paid for Covered Health Services provided by non-Network providers. Refer to the Schedule of
Benefits
to determine whether or not your Benefit plan offers Non-Network Benefits and for details about
how
Non-Network Benefits
apply.
Open Enrollment Period - a period of time that follows the Initial Enrollment Period during which Eligible
Persons
may enroll themselves and Dependents under the Policy. The Enrolling Group determines the period of time
that
is the Open Enrollment
Period.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum - for Benefit plans that have an Out-of-Pocket Maximum, this is the maximum
amount
you pay every year. Refer to the Schedule of Benefits to determine whether or not your Benefit plan is subject
to
an Out-of-Pocket Maximum and for details about how the Out-of-Pocket Maximum
applies.
Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment - a structured ambulatory program that may be a free-standing
or
Hospital-based program and that provides services for at least 20 hours per
week.
Pharmaceutical Product(s) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription
pharmaceutical
products administered in connection with a Covered Health Service by a Physician or other health care
provider
within the scope of the provider’s license, and not otherwise excluded under the
Policy.
Pharmaceutical Product List - a list that categorizes into tiers medications, products or devices that have
been
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This list is subject to our periodic review
and
modification (generally quarterly, but no more than six times per calendar year). You may determine to which
tier
a particular Pharmaceutical Product has been assigned through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by
calling
Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID
card.
Pharmaceutical Product List Management Committee - the committee that we designate for, among
other
responsibilities, classifying Pharmaceutical Products into specific
tiers.
Physician - any Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy who is properly licensed and qualified by
law.
Please Note: Any podiatrist, dentist, psychologist, chiropractor, optometrist, clinical social worker, marriage
and
family therapist, nurse practitioner, professional counselor or other provider who acts within the scope of his
or
her license will be considered on the same basis as a Physician. The fact that we describe a provider as
a
Physician does not mean that Benefits for services from that provider are available to you under the
Policy.
Policy - the entire agreement issued to the Enrolling Group that includes all of the
following:
The Group Policy.
This Certificate.
The Schedule of Benefits.
The Enrolling Group’s
application.
Riders.
Amendments.
These documents make up the entire agreement that is issued to the Enrolling Group.
Policy Charge - the sum of the Premiums for all Subscribers and Enrolled Dependents enrolled under the Policy.
Pregnancy - includes all of the following:
Prenatal
care.
Postnatal
care.
Childbirth.
Any complications associated with
Pregnancy.
Premium - the periodic fee required for each Subscriber and each Enrolled Dependent, in accordance with the
terms of the Policy.
Primary Physician - a Physician who has a majority of his or her practice in general pediatrics, internal
medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, family practice or general medicine.
COC.I.11.WI
61
Private Duty Nursing - nursing care that is provided to a patient on a one-to-one basis by licensed nurses in an
inpatient or home setting when any of the following are true:
No skilled services are identified.
Skilled nursing resources are available in the
facility.
The skilled care can be provided by a Home Health Agency on a per visit basis for a specific purpose.
The service is provided to a Covered Person by an independent nurse who is hired directly by the Covered
Person or his/her family. This includes nursing services provided on an inpatient or home-care basis,
whether the service is skilled or non-skilled independent nursing.
Residential Treatment Facility - a facility which provides a program of effective Mental Health Services or
Substance Use Disorder Services treatment and which meets all of the following requirements:
It is established and operated in accordance with applicable state law for residential treatment
programs.
It provides a program of treatment under the active participation and direction of a Physician and approved
by the Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Designee.
It has or maintains a written, specific and detailed treatment program requiring full-time residence and
full-time participation by the patient.
It provides at least the following basic services in a 24-hour per day, structured
milieu:
Room and
board.
Evaluation and
diagnosis.
Counseling.
Referral and orientation to specialized community
resources.
A Residential Treatment Facility that qualifies as a Hospital is considered a
Hospital.
Rider - any attached written description of additional Covered Health Services not described in this Certificate.
Covered Health Services provided by a Rider may be subject to payment of additional Premiums. Riders
are
effective only when signed by us and are subject to all conditions, limitations and exclusions of the Policy
except
for those that are specifically amended in the
Rider.
Semi-private Room - a room with two or more beds. When an Inpatient Stay in a Semi-private Room is
a
Covered Health Service, the difference in cost between a Semi-private Room and a private room is a Benefit
only
when a private room is necessary in terms of generally accepted medical practice, or when a Semi-private
Room
is not
available.
Service Area - the geographic area we serve and that has been approved by the appropriate regulatory
agency.
Contact us to determine the exact geographic area we serve. The Service Area may change from time to
time.
Shared Savings Program - the Shared Savings Program provides access to discounts from the
provider’s
charges when services are rendered by those non-Network providers that participate in that program. We will
use
the Shared Savings Program to pay claims when doing so will lower Eligible Expenses. We do not credential
the
Shared Savings Program providers and the Shared Savings Program providers are not Network providers.
Accordingly, in Benefit plans that have both Network and Non-Network levels of Benefits, Benefits for Covered
Health Services provided by Shared Savings Program providers will be paid at the Non-Network Benefit level
(except in situations when Benefits for Covered Health Services provided by non-Network providers are payable
at Network Benefit levels, as in the case of Emergency Health Services). When we use the Shared Savings
Program to pay a claim, patient responsibility is limited to Coinsurance calculated on the contracted rate paid to
the provider, in addition to any required deductible.
Sickness - physical illness, disease or Pregnancy. The term Sickness as used in this Certificate does not include
Mental Illness or substance use disorders, regardless of the cause or origin of the Mental Illness or substance use
disorder.
Skilled Nursing Facility - a Hospital or nursing facility that is licensed and operated as required by law.
Small Enrolling Group - an employer that had an average of at least 2 but not more than 50 employees on
business days during the preceding calendar year, or reasonably expects to have an average of at least 2 but not
more than 50 employees on business days during the current calendar year, if the employee was not in existence
during the preceding calendar year and that employs at least 2 employees on the first day of the plan year.
COC.I.11.WI
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Specialist Physician - a Physician who has a majority of his or her practice in areas other than general
pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, family practice or general medicine.
Subscriber - an Eligible Person who is properly enrolled under the Policy. The Subscriber is the person (who is
not a Dependent) on whose behalf the Policy is issued to the Enrolling Group.
Substance Use Disorder Services - Covered Health Services for the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism and
substance use disorders that are listed in the current Diagnostic and
Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric
Association, unless those services are specifically excluded. The fact that a disorder is listed in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association does not mean that treatment of the disorder is a
Covered Health Service.
Total Disability or Totally Disabled - a Subscriber’s inability to perform all of the substantial and material duties
of his or her regular employment or occupation; and a Dependent’s inability to perform the normal activities of a
person of like age and sex.
Transitional Care - Mental Health Services and Substance Use Disorder Services that are provided in a less
restrictive manner than inpatient Hospital services but more intensive than outpatient services. Services are
provided through transitional living facilities, group homes and supervised apartments that provide 24-hour
supervision that are either:
Sober living arrangements such as drug-free housing or alcohol/drug halfway houses. These are transitional,
supervised living arrangements that provide stable and safe housing, an alcohol/drug-free environment and
support for recovery. A sober living arrangement may be utilized as an adjunct to ambulatory treatment
when treatment doesn’t offer the intensity and structure needed to assist the Covered Person with recovery.
Supervised living arrangements which are residences such as transitional living facilities, group homes
and
supervised apartments that provide members with stable and safe housing and the opportunity to learn
how
to manage their activities of daily living. Supervised living arrangements may be utilized as an adjunct
to
treatment when treatment doesn’t offer the intensity and structure needed to assist the Covered Person
with
recovery.
Unproven Service(s) - services, including medications, that are determined not to be effective for treatment of
the
medical condition and/or not to have a beneficial effect on health outcomes due to insufficient and
inadequate
clinical evidence from well-conducted randomized controlled trials or cohort studies in the prevailing
published
peer-reviewed medical
literature.
Well-conducted randomized controlled trials. (Two or more treatments are compared to each other, and
the
patient is not allowed to choose which treatment is
received.)
Well-conducted cohort studies from more than one institution. (Patients who receive study treatment are
compared to a group of patients who receive standard therapy. The comparison group must be nearly
identical to the study treatment group.)
We have a process by which we compile and review clinical evidence with respect to certain health services.
From time to time, we issue medical and drug policies that describe the clinical evidence available with respect to
specific health care services. These medical and drug policies are subject to change without prior notice. You can
view these policies at www.myuhc.com.
Please
note:
If you have a life-threatening Sickness or condition (one that is likely to cause death within one year of the
request for treatment) we may, in our discretion, consider an otherwise Unproven Service to be a Covered
Health Service for that Sickness or condition. Prior to such a consideration, we must first establish that there
is sufficient evidence to conclude that, albeit unproven, the service has significant potential as an effective
treatment for that Sickness or condition.
We may, in our discretion, consider an otherwise Unproven Service to be a Covered Health Service for
a
Covered Person with a Sickness or Injury that is not life-threatening. For that to occur, all of the
following
conditions must be
met:
If the service is one that requires review by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
(FDA), it must be
FDA-approved.
It must be performed by a Physician and in a facility with demonstrated experience and expertise.
COC.I.11.WI
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The Covered Person must consent to the procedure acknowledging that we do not believe that sufficient
clinical evidence has been published in peer-reviewed medical literature to conclude that the service is
safe and/or effective.
At least two studies from more than one institution must be available in published peer-reviewed medical
literature that would allow us to conclude that the service is promising but unproven.
The service must be available from a Network Physician and/or a Network facility.
The decision about whether such a service can be deemed a Covered Health Service is solely at our discretion.
Other apparently similar promising but unproven services may not qualify.
Urgent Care Center - a facility that provides Covered Health Services that are required to prevent serious
deterioration of your health, and that are required as a result of an unforeseen Sickness, Injury, or the onset of
acute or severe symptoms.
1
UnitedHealthcare Choice
Plus
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
Accessing Benefits
Schedule of Benefits
You can choose to receive Network Benefits or Non-Network
Benefits.
Network Benefits apply to Covered Health Services that are provided by a Network Physician or other
Network
provider. Emergency Health Services are always paid as Network Benefits. For facility charges, these are
Benefits
for Covered Health Services that are billed by a Network facility and provided under the direction of either
a
Network or non-Network Physician or other provider. Network Benefits include Physician services provided in
a
Network facility by a Network or a non-Network Emergency room Physician, radiologist, anesthesiologist
or
pathologist.
Non-Network Benefits apply to Covered Health Services that are provided by a non-Network Physician or
other
non-Network provider, or Covered Health Services that are provided at a non-Network
facility.
Depending on the geographic area and the service you receive, you may have access through our
Shared
Savings Program to non-Network providers who have agreed to discount their charges for Covered
Health
Services. If you receive Covered Health Services from these providers, the Coinsurance will remain the same as
it
is when you receive Covered Health Services from non-Network providers who have not agreed to discount
their
charges; however, the total that you owe may be less when you receive Covered Health Services from
Shared
Savings Program providers than from other non-Network providers because the Eligible Expense may be a
lesser
amount.
You must show your identification card (ID card) every time you request health care services from a
Network
provider. If you do not show your ID card, Network providers have no way of knowing that you are enrolled
under
a UnitedHealthcare Policy. As a result, they may bill you for the entire cost of the services you
receive.
Additional information about the network of providers and how your Benefits may be affected appears at
the end of this Schedule of Benefits.
If there is a conflict between this Schedule of Benefits and any summaries provided to you by the Enrolling
Group,
this Schedule of Benefits will
control.
Prior Authorization
We require prior authorization for certain Covered Health Services. In general, Network providers are
responsible
for obtaining prior authorization before they provide these services to you. There are some Network
Benefits,
however, for which you are responsible for obtaining prior authorization. Services for which prior authorization
is
required are identified below and in the Schedule of Benefits table within each Covered Health Service
category.
We recommend that you confirm with us that all Covered Health Services listed below have been prior
authorized
as required. Before receiving these services from a Network provider, you may want to contact us to verify
that
the Hospital, Physician and other providers are Network providers and that they have obtained the required
prior
authorization. Network facilities and Network providers cannot bill you for services they fail to prior authorize
as
required. You can contact us by calling the telephone number for Customer Care on your ID
card.
When you choose to receive certain Covered Health Services from non-Network providers, you are
responsible for obtaining prior authorization before you receive these services. Note that your obligation to
obtain prior authorization is also applicable when a non-Network provider intends to admit you to a
Network facility or refers you to other Network providers. Once you have obtained the authorization, please
review it carefully so that you understand what services have been authorized and what providers are
authorized to deliver the services that are subject to the authorization.
2
To obtain prior authorization, call the telephone number for Customer Care on your ID card. This call starts
the utilization review process.
The utilization review process is a set of formal techniques designed to monitor the use of, or evaluate the clinical
necessity, appropriateness, efficacy, or efficiency of, health care services, procedures or settings. Such
techniques may include ambulatory review, prospective review, second opinion, certification, concurrent review,
case management, discharge planning, retrospective review or similar programs.
Covered Health Services which Require Prior Authorization
Please note that prior authorization timelines apply. Refer to the applicable Benefit description in the
Schedule of Benefits table to determine how far in advance you must obtain prior authorization.
Ambulance - non-emergent air and ground.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Services.
Clinical trials.
Congenital heart disease surgery.
Dental/Anesthesia Services - Hospital or ambulatory surgery
services.
Dental services - accidental.
Diabetes equipment - insulin pumps over $1,000.
Durable Medical Equipment over $1,000 in cost (either retail purchase cost or cumulative retail rental cost
of
a
single
item).
Genetic Testing -
BRCA.
Home health care.
Hospice care -
inpatient.
Hospital inpatient care - all scheduled admissions and maternity stays exceeding 48 hours for normal
vaginal
delivery or 96 hours for a cesarean section
delivery.
Kidney disease treatment.
Mental Health Services - inpatient services (including Partial
Hospitalization/Day
Treatment and services at
a
Residential Treatment Facility); Intensive Outpatient Treatment programs; outpatient
electro-convulsive
treatment; psychological testing; extended outpatient treatment visits beyond 45 - 50 minutes in
duration,
with or without medication
management.
Reconstructive procedures, including breast reconstruction surgery following
mastectomy.
Rehabilitation services and Manipulative Treatment - Manipulative Treatment.
Skilled Nursing Facility and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility
services.
Substance Use Disorder Services - inpatient services (including Partial
Hospitalization/Day
Treatment
and
services at a Residential Treatment Facility); Intensive Outpatient Treatment programs; psychologica l
testing;
extended outpatient treatment visits beyond 45 - 50 minutes in duration, with or without
medication
management.
Surgery - only for the following outpatient surgeries: diagnostic catheterization and electrophysiology
implant
and
sleep apnea
surgeries.
Temporomandibular joint disorder services.
Therapeutics - only for the following services: dialysis, intensity modulated radiation therapy, and
MR-guided
focused
ultrasound.
Transplants.
For all other services, when you choose to receive services from non-Network providers, we urge you to
confirm
with us that the services you plan to receive are Covered Health Services. That’s because in some
instances,
certain procedures may not be Medically Necessary or may not otherwise meet the definition of a Covered
Health
Service, and therefore are excluded. In other instances, the same procedure may meet the definition of
Covered
Health Services. By calling before you receive treatment, you can check to see if the service is subject
to
limitations or
exclusions.
3
If you request a coverage determination at the time prior authorization is provided, the determination will be
made based on the services you report you will be receiving. If the reported services differ from those actually
received, our final coverage determination will be modified to account for those differences, and we will only pay
Benefits based on the services actually delivered to you.
If you choose to receive a service that has been determined not to be a Medically Necessary Covered Health
Service, you will be responsible for paying all charges and no Benefits will be paid.
Care Management
When you seek prior authorization as required, we will work with you to implement the care management
process
and to provide you with information about additional services that are available to you, such as
disease
management programs, health education, and patient
advocacy.
Special Note Regarding Medicare
If you are enrolled in Medicare on a primary basis (Medicare pays before we pay Benefits under the Policy), the
prior authorization requirements do not apply to you. Since Medicare is the primary payer, we will pay as
secondary payer as described in Section 7: Coordination of Benefits. You are not required to obtain authorization
before receiving Covered Health Services.
4
Benefits
Annual Deductibles are calculated on a calendar year
basis.
Out-of-Pocket Maximums are calculated on a calendar year
basis.
When Benefit limits apply, the limit stated refers to any combination of Network Benefits and
Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically
stated.
Benefit limits are calculated on a calendar year basis unless otherwise specifically
stated.
Payment Term And Description
Amounts
Annual Deductible
The amount of Eligible Expenses you pay for Covered
Health
Services per year before you are eligible to receive
Benefits.
Amounts paid toward the Annual Deductible for Covered
Health
Services that are subject to a visit or day limit will also
be
calculated against that maximum Benefit limit. As a result,
the
limited Benefit will be reduced by the number of days/visits
used
toward meeting the Annual
Deductible.
When a Covered Person was previously covered under a
group
policy that was replaced by the group Policy, any amount
already
applied to that annual deductible provision of the prior policy
will
apply to the Annual Deductible provision under the
Policy.
The amount that is applied to the Annual Deductible is
calculated
on the basis of Eligible Expenses. The Annual Deductible does
not
include any amount that exceeds Eligible Expenses. Details
about
the way in which Eligible Expenses are determined appear at
the
end of the Schedule of Benefits
table.
Network
$1,000 per Covered Person, not to
exceed
$3,000 for all Covered Persons in a
family.
Non-Network
$2,000 per Covered Person, not to
exceed
$6,000 for all Covered Persons in a
family.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
The maximum you pay per year for the Annual Deductible
or
Coinsurance. Once you reach the Out-of-Pocket
Maximum,
Benefits are payable at 100% of Eligible Expenses during the
rest
of that year.
Copayments and Coinsurance for some Covered Health Services
will never apply to the Out-of-Pocket Maximum and those Benefits
will never be payable at 100% even when the Out-of-Pocket
Maximum is reached. Details about the way in which Eligible
Expenses are determined appear at the end of the Schedule of
Benefits table.
The Out-of-Pocket Maximum does not include any of the following
and, once the Out-of-Pocket Maximum has been reached, you still
will be required to pay the following:
Any charges for non-Covered Health Services.
The amount Benefits are reduced if you do not obtain prior
authorization as required.
Network
$3,500 per Covered Person, not to
exceed
$7,000 for all Covered Persons in a
family.
The Out-of-Pocket Maximum includes the
Annual Deductible.
Non-Network
$7,000 per Covered Person, not to exceed
$14,000 for all Covered Persons in a family.
The Out-of-Pocket Maximum includes the
Annual Deductible.
5
Payment Term And Description
Amounts
Charges that exceed Eligible Expenses.
Copayments or Coinsurance for any Covered Health Service
identified in the Schedule of Benefits table that does not apply
to the Out-of-Pocket Maximum.
Copayments or Coinsurance for Covered Health
Services
provided under the
Outpatient Prescription
Drug Rider.
Copayment
Copayment is the amount you pay (calculated as a set dollar amount) each time you receive certain
Covered
Health Services. When Copayments apply, the amount is listed on the following pages next to the description
for
each Covered Health
Service.
Please note that for Covered Health Services, you are responsible for paying the lesser
of:
The applicable
Copayment.
The Eligible
Expense.
Details about the way in which Eligible Expenses are determined appear at the end of the Schedule of Benefits
table.
Coinsurance
Coinsurance is the amount you pay (calculated as a percentage of Eligible Expenses) each time you
receive
certain Covered Health
Services.
Details about the way in which Eligible Expenses are determined appear at the end of the Schedule of Benefits
table.
6
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
1. Ambulance Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
In most cases, we will initiate and direct non-Emergency ambulance transportation. If you are
requesting
non-
Emergency ambulance services, you must obtain authorization as soon as possible prior to transport.
If
you
fail to obtain prior authorization as required, you will be responsible for paying all charges and no
Benefits
will
be
paid.
Emergency Ambulance
Network
Ground
Ambulance:
80%
Yes
Yes
Air Ambulance:
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
Same
as
Network
Same
as
Network
Same
as
Network
Non-Emergency Ambulance
Ground or air ambulance, as we
determine
appropriate.
Network
Ground
Ambulance:
80%
Yes
Yes
Air Ambulance:
80%
Yes
Yes
7
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Non-Network
Same as
Network
Same as
Network
Same as
Network
2. Clinical Trials
Prior Authorization Requirement
You must obtain prior authorization as soon as the possibility of participation in a clinical trial arises. If you
fail
to obtain prior authorization as required, you will be responsible for paying all charges and no Benefits will
be
paid.
Depending upon the Covered Health Service,
Benefit
limits are the same as those stated under the
specific
Benefit category in this Schedule of Benefits.
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
Benefits are available when the Covered
Health
Services are provided by either Network
or
non-Network providers, however the
non-Network
provider must agree to accept the Network level
of
reimbursement by signing a network
provider
agreement specifically for the patient enrolling in the
trial. (Non-Network Benefits are not available if the
non-Network provider does not agree to accept the
Network level of reimbursement.)
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
3. Congenital Heart Disease Surgeries
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization as soon as the possibility of a congenital
heart
disease (CHD) surgery arises. If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced
to
50% of Eligible
Expenses.
Network and Non-Network Benefits under this section
include only the inpatient facility charges for
the
congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery.
Depending
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
8
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
upon where the Covered Health Service is provided,
Benefits for diagnostic services, cardiac catheterization
and non-surgical management of CHD will be the same
as those stated under each Covered Health Service
category in this Schedule of Benefits.
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
4. Dental Services - Accident Only
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Network and Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization five business days before
follow-up
(post-Emergency) treatment begins. (You do not have to obtain prior authorization before the initial
Emergency
treatment.) If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of
Eligible
Expenses.
Limited to $3,000 per year. Benefits are further
limited
to a maximum of $900 per
tooth.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
Same as
Network
Same as
Network
Same as
Network
5. Diabetes Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization before obtaining any Durable Medical
Equipment
for the management and treatment of diabetes that exceeds $1,000 in cost (either retail purchase cost
or
cumulative retail rental cost of a single item). If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, you will
be
responsible for paying all charges and no Benefits will be
paid.
9
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Diabetes Self-Management and Training/Diabetic
Eye Examinations/Foot Care
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service is
provided, Benefits for diabetes self-management and
training/diabetic eye examinations/foot care will be the
same as those stated under each Covered Health
Service category in this Schedule of Benefits.
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits for diabetes self-management
and
training/diabetic eye examinations/foot care will be
the
same as those stated under each Covered
Health
Service category in this Schedule of Benefits.
Diabetes Self-Management Items
Benefits for insulin pumps are limited to one pump
per
year.
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits for diabetes self-management
items
will be the same as those stated under Durable
Medical Equipment
and in the
Outpatient
Prescription
Drug Rider.
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits for diabetes self-management
items
will be the same as those stated under Durable
Medical Equipment
and in the
Outpatient
Prescription
Drug Rider.
6. Durable Medical Equipment
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization before obtaining any Durable
Medical
Equipment that exceeds $1,000 in cost (either retail purchase cost or cumulative retail rental cost of a
single
item). If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, you will be responsible for paying all charges and
no
Benefits will be
paid.
10
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Limited to $2,500 in Eligible Expenses per year.
Benefits are limited to a single purchase of a type of
DME (including repair/replacement) every three years.
This limit does not apply to wound vacuums.
To receive Network Benefits, you must purchase or
rent the Durable Medical Equipment from the vendor
we identify or purchase it directly from the prescribing
Network
Physician.
Cochlear implants are included under the
Durable
Medical Equipment benefit as required by
Wisconsin
insurance
law.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
7. Emergency Health Services - Outpatient
Note: If you are confined in a non-Network
Hospital
after you receive outpatient Emergency
Health
Services, you must notify us within one business day
or
on the same day of admission if reasonably
possible.
We may elect to transfer you to a Network Hospital
as
soon as it is medically appropriate to do so. If
you
choose to stay in the non-Network Hospital after the
date we decide a transfer is medically appropriate,
Network Benefits will not be provided. Non-Network
Benefits may be available if the continued stay is
determined to be a Covered Health Service.
Network
100% after
you
pay
a
Copayment
of
$250 per visit
.
If you are
admitted as an
inpatient to a
Network
Hospital
directly from
the Emergency
room, you will
not have to pay
this
Copayment.
The Benefits
for an Inpatient
Stay in a
Network
Hospital will
apply
instead.
No
No
11
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Non-Network
Same as
Network
Same as
Network
Same as
Network
8. Hearing Aids
Limited to $2,500 in Eligible Expenses per
year.
Benefits are limited to a single purchase
(including
repair/replacement)
per hearing impaired ear
every
three
years.
For Enrolled Dependent children under age
18,
Benefits are limited to one hearing aid per ear,
every
three years as required by Wisconsin insurance
law.
Hearing aids for Enrolled Dependent children are
not
subject to dollar
maximums.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
9. Home Health Care
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization five business days before receiving services
or
as soon as is reasonably possible. If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be
reduced
to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
Limited to 60 visits per year. One visit equals up to
four
hours of skilled care
services.
This visit limit does not include any service which
is
billed only for the administration of
intravenous
infusion.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
12
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
10. Hospice Care
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization five business days before admission for
an
Inpatient Stay in a hospice facility or as soon as is reasonably possible. If you fail to obtain prior
authorization
as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
In addition, for Non-Network Benefits, you must contact us within 24 hours of admission for an Inpatient
Stay
in a hospice
facility.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
11. Hospital - Inpatient Stay
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits for a scheduled admission, you must obtain prior authorization five business
days
before admission, or as soon as is reasonably possible for non-scheduled admissions (including
Emergency
admissions). If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of
Eligible
Expenses.
In addition, for Non-Network Benefits you must contact us 24 hours before admission for
scheduled
admissions or as soon as is reasonably possible for non-scheduled admissions (including
Emergency
admissions).
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
13
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Non-Network
60% Yes Yes
12. Lab, X-Ray and Diagnostics - Outpatient
Lab Testing - Outpatient: Network
100% No
No
Non-Network
60% Yes
Yes
X-Ray and Other Diagnostic Testing - Outpatient: Network
100% No
No
Non-Network
60% Yes
Yes
13. Lab, X-Ray and Major Diagnostics - CT, PET,
MRI, MRA and Nuclear Medicine - Outpatient
Network
80% Yes
Yes
Non-Network
60% Yes
Yes
14
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
14. Mental Health Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits for a scheduled admission for Mental Health Services (including an admission
for
Partial Hospitalization/Day Treatment and services at a Residential Treatment Facility) you must
obtain
authorization prior to the admission or as soon as is reasonably possible for non-scheduled
admissions
(including Emergency
admissions).
In addition, for Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization before the following services
are
received. Services requiring prior authorization: Intensive Outpatient Treatment programs;
outpatient
electro-convulsive treatment; psychological testing; extended outpatient treatment visits beyond 45 -
50
minutes in duration, with or without medication
management.
If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
Network
Inpatient
80%
Yes
Yes
Outpatient
100% after
you
pay
a
Copayment
of
$30 per
visit
No
No
Transitional
Care
100% after
you
pay
a
Copayment
of
$30 per
visit
No
No
Non-Network
Inpatient
60%
Yes
Yes
15
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Outpatient
60%
Yes
Yes
Transitional
Care
60%
Yes
Yes
15. Ostomy Supplies
Limited to $2,500 per
year.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
16. Pharmaceutical Products - Outpatient
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
17. Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical
Services
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
16
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
18. Physician’s Office Services - Sickness and
Injury
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization as soon as is reasonably possible
before
Genetic Testing - BRCA is performed. If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will
be
reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
In addition to the office visit Copayment stated in
this
section, the
Copayments/Coinsurance
and
any
deductible for the following services apply when
the
Covered Health Service is performed in a
Physician’s
office:
Major diagnostic and nuclear medicine
described
under
Lab, X-Ray and Major
Diagnostics
- CT, PET,
MRI, MRA and Nuclear Medicine - Outpatient.
Outpatient Pharmaceutical Products
described
under
Pharmaceutical
Products - Outpatient.
Diagnostic and therapeutic scopic
procedures
described under Scopic Procedures - Outpatient
Diagnostic
and Therapeutic.
Outpatient surgery procedures described
under
Surgery - Outpatient.
Outpatient therapeutic procedures described under
Therapeutic Treatments
- Outpatient.
Network
100% after
you
pay
a
Copayment
of
$30 per visit
for
a
Primary
Physician
office visit
or
$60 per visit
for
a
Specialist
Physician
office
visit
No
No
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
17
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
19. Pregnancy - Maternity Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization as soon as reasonably possible if the
Inpatient
Stay for the mother and/or the newborn will be more than 48 hours for the mother and newborn child
following
a normal vaginal delivery, or more than 96 hours for the mother and newborn child following a
cesarean
section delivery. If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of
Eligible
Expenses.
It is important that you notify us regarding your Pregnancy. Your notification will open the opportunity to
become enrolled in prenatal programs that are designed to achieve the best outcomes for you and your
baby.
Network
Benefits will be the same as those stated under
each
Covered Health Service category in this Schedule of
Benefits
except that an Annual Deductible will
not
apply for a newborn child whose length of stay in
the
Hospital is the same as the mother’s length of
stay.
For Covered Health Services provided in
the
Physician’s Office, a Copayment will apply only to
the
initial office
visit.
Non-Network
Benefits will be the same as those stated under
each
Covered Health Service category in this Schedule of
Benefits
except that an Annual Deductible will
not
apply for a newborn child whose length of stay in
the
Hospital is the same as the mother’s length of
stay.
20. Preventive Care Services
Physician office services
Network
100%
No
No
18
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Non-Network
60%
No Copayment
or Coinsurance
applies to
influenza
immunizations.
Yes
Yes
Lab, X-ray or other preventive tests
Network
100%
No
No
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
21. Prosthetic Devices
Limited to $2,500 per year. Benefits are limited to
a
single purchase of each type of prosthetic device
every
three
years.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Once this limit is reached, Benefits continue to be
available for items required by the Women’s Health and
Cancer Rights Act of 1998.
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
19
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
22. Reconstructive Procedures
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization five business days before a
scheduled
reconstructive procedure is performed or, for non-scheduled procedures, within one business day or as
soon
as is reasonably possible. If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50%
of
Eligible
Expenses.
In addition, for Non-Network Benefits you must contact us 24 hours before admission for scheduled
inpatient
admissions or as soon as is reasonably possible for non-scheduled inpatient admissions (including
Emergency
admissions).
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
23. Rehabilitation Services - Outpatient Therapy and
Manipulative Treatment
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization five business days before receiving
Manipulative
Treatment, or as soon as is reasonably possible. If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required,
Benefits
will
be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
Limited per year as follows:
20 visits of physical
therapy.
20 visits of occupational
therapy.
20
visits of speech
therapy.
Network
100% after you
pay a
Copayment of
$30 per visit
No
No
20
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
20 visits of pulmonary rehabilitation therapy.
36 visits of cardiac rehabilitation therapy.
30 visits of post-cochlear implant aural
therapy.
20 visits of cognitive rehabilitation
therapy.
Visit
limits do not apply to Manipulative
Therapy.
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
24. Scopic Procedures - Outpatient Diagnostic and
Therapeutic
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
25. Skilled Nursing Facility/Inpatient Rehabilitation
Facility Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits for a scheduled admission, you must obtain prior authorization five business
days
before admission, or as soon as is reasonably possible for non-scheduled admissions. If you fail to obtain
prior
authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
In addition, for Non-Network Benefits you must contact us 24 hours before admission for
scheduled
admissions or as soon as is reasonably possible for non-scheduled admissions (including
Emergency
admissions).
21
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
For Skilled Nursing Facility services, Benefits are
limited to 30 days per Inpatient Stay.
For Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility services, Benefits
are limited to 60 days per year.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
26. Substance Use Disorder Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits for a scheduled admission for Substance Use Disorder Services (including
an
admission for Partial
Hospitalization/Day
Treatment and services at a Residential Treatment Facility) you
must
obtain authorization prior to the admission or as soon as is reasonably possible for non-scheduled
admissions
(including Emergency
admissions).
In addition, for Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization before the following services
are
received. Services requiring prior authorization: Intensive Outpatient Treatment programs; psychologic
al
testing; extended outpatient treatment visits beyond 45 - 50 minutes in duration, with or without
medication
management.
If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
Network
Inpatient
80%
Yes
Yes
Outpatient
100% after you
pay a
Copayment of
$30 per visit
No
No
22
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Transitional
Care
100% after you
pay a
Copayment of
$30 per visit
No
No
Non-Network
Inpatient
60%
Yes
Yes
Outpatient
60%
Yes
Yes
Transitional
Care
60%
Yes
Yes
27. Surgery - Outpatient
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits for diagnostic catheterization and electrophysiology implant and sleep
apnea
surgery
you must obtain prior authorization five business days before scheduled services are received or,
for
non-scheduled services, within one business day or as soon as is reasonably possible. If you fail to obtain
prior
authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
23
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
28. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization five business days before
temporomandibular
joint disorder services are performed during an Inpatient Stay in a Hospital. If you fail to obtain
prior
authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
In addition, for Non-Network Benefits you must contact us 24 hours before admission for scheduled
inpatient
admissions.
Benefits for diagnostic procedures and
non-surgical
treatment are limited to $1,250 per calendar
year.
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
29. Therapeutic Treatments - Outpatient
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization for the following outpatient therapeutic
services
five business days before scheduled services are received or, for non-scheduled services, within one
business
day or as soon as is reasonably possible. Services that require prior authorization: dialysis,
intensity
modulated radiation therapy and MR-guided focused ultrasound. If you fail to obtain prior authorization
as
required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
Network
80%
Yes
Yes
24
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
30. Transplantation Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
For Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization as soon as the possibility of a transplant arises
(and
before the time a pre-transplantation evaluation is performed at a transplant center). If you don’t obtain
prior
authorization and if, as a result, the services are not performed at a Designated Facility, Network Benefits
will
not be paid. Non-Network Benefits will
apply.
For Non-Network Benefits you must obtain prior authorization as soon as the possibility of a transplant
arises
(and before the time a pre-transplantation evaluation is performed at a transplant center). If you fail to
obtain
prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
In addition, for Non-Network Benefits you must contact us 24 hours before admission for
scheduled
admissions or as soon as is reasonably possible for non-scheduled admissions (including
Emergency
admissions).
For Network Benefits, transplantation services must
be
received at a Designated Facility. We do not
require
that cornea transplants be performed at a
Designated
Facility in order for you to receive Network
Benefits.
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
Non-Network Benefits are limited to $30,000 per
transplant.
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those stated
under each Covered Health Service category in this
Schedule of Benefits.
31. Urgent Care Center Services
In addition to the Copayment stated in this section, the
Copayments/Coinsurance and any deductible for the
following services apply when the Covered Health
Service is performed at an Urgent Care Center:
Major diagnostic and nuclear medicine described
Network
100% after you
pay a
Copayment
of
$100 per
visit
No
No
25
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
under Lab, X-Ray and Major
Diagnostics
- CT, PET,
MRI, MRA and Nuclear Medicine - Outpatient.
Outpatient Pharmaceutical Products described
under
Pharmaceutical
Products - Outpatient.
Diagnostic and therapeutic scopic procedures
described under Scopic Procedures - Outpatient
Diagnostic
and Therapeutic.
Outpatient surgery procedures described
under
Surgery - Outpatient.
Outpatient therapeutic procedures described
under
Therapeutic Treatments
- Outpatient.
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
32. Vision Examinations
Limited to 1 exam every 2 years.
Network
100% after you
pay a
Copayment of
$30 per
visit
No
No
Non-Network
60%
Yes
Yes
Additional Benefits Required By Wisconsin Law
33. Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
Prior Authorization Requirement
If you fail to obtain prior authorization as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible
Expenses.
26
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those stated
under each Covered Health Service category in the
Schedule of Benefits.
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
the
Schedule of Benefits.
34. Dental/Anesthesia Services - Hospital
Ambulatory Surgery Center
Prior Authorization Requirement
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service is provided, any applicable authorization requirements
will
be the same as those stated under each Covered Health Service category in this Schedule of
Benefits.
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
35. Kidney Disease Treatment
Prior Authorization Requirement
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service is provided, any applicable authorization requirements
will
be the same as those stated under each Covered Health Service category in this Schedule of
Benefits.
27
When Benefit limits apply, the limit refers to any combination of Network Benefits and Non-Network
Benefits unless otherwise specifically stated.
Covered Health Service
Benefit (The
Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible
Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those stated
under each Covered Health Service category in this
Schedule of Benefits.
Non-Network
Depending upon where the Covered Health Service
is
provided, Benefits will be the same as those
stated
under each Covered Health Service category in
this
Schedule of Benefits.
Eligible Expenses
Eligible Expenses are the amount we determine that we will pay for Benefits. For Network Benefits, you are
not
responsible for any difference between Eligible Expenses and the amount the provider bills. For
Non-Network
Benefits, you are responsible for paying, directly to the non-Network provider, any difference between the
amount
the provider bills you and the amount we will pay for Eligible Expenses. Eligible Expenses are determined
solely
in accordance with our reimbursement policy guidelines, as described in the Certificate.
For Network Benefits, Eligible Expenses are based on the
following:
When Covered Health Services are received from a Network provider, Eligible Expenses are our
contracted
fee(s)
with that
provider.
When Covered Health Services are received from a non-Network provider as a result of an Emergency or as
otherwise arranged by us, Eligible Expenses are billed charges unless a lower amount is negotiated or
authorized by state law.
For Non-Network Benefits, Eligible Expenses are based on either of the
following:
When Covered Health Services are received from a non-Network provider, Eligible Expenses are determined,
based on:
Negotiated rates agreed to by the non-Network provider and either us or one of our vendors, affiliates or
subcontractors, at our discretion.
If rates have not been negotiated, then one of the following amounts:
Eligible Expenses are determined based on 110% of the published rates allowed by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for Medicare for the same or similar service within the
geographic market.
When a rate is not published by CMS for the service, we use an available gap methodology
to
determine a rate for the service as
follows:
o For services other than Pharmaceutical Products, we use a gap methodology that uses
a
relative value scale, which is usually based on the difficulty, time, work, risk and resources
of
the service. The relative value scale currently used is created by
Ingenix,
Inc. If the Ingenix,
28
Inc. relative value scale becomes no longer available, a comparable scale will be used. We
and
Ingenix,
Inc. are related companies through common ownership by
UnitedHealth
Group.
o For Pharmaceutical Products, we use gap methodologies that are similar to the pricing
methodology used by CMS, and produce fees based on published acquisition costs or
average wholesale price for the pharmaceuticals. These methodologies are currently created
by RJ Health Systems, Thomson Reuters (published in its Red Book), or UnitedHealthcare
based on an internally developed pharmaceutical pricing resource.
When a rate is not published by CMS for the service and a gap methodology does not apply to the
service, or the provider does not submit sufficient information on the claim to pay it under CMS
published rates or a gap methodology, the Eligible Expense is based on 50% of the provider’s
billed charge, except that certain Eligible Expenses for Mental Health Services and Substance Use
Disorder Services are based on 80% of the billed charge.
For Mental Health Services and Substance Use Disorder Services the Eligible Expense will
be
reduced
by 25% for Covered Health Services provided by a psychologist and by 35% for
Covered
Health Services provided by a masters level
counselor.
We update the CMS published rate data on a regular basis when updated data from CMS
becomes
available. These updates are typically implemented within 30 to 90 days after CMS updates its
data.
When Covered Health Services are received from a Network provider, Eligible Expenses are our contracted
fee(s) with that
provider.
Provider Network
We arrange for health care providers to participate in a Network. Network providers are
independent
practitioners. They are not our employees. It is your responsibility to select your
provider.
Our credentialing process confirms public information about the providers’ licenses and other credentials,
but
does not assure the quality of the services
provided.
Before obtaining services you should always verify the Network status of a provider. A provider’s status
may
change. You can verify the provider’s status by calling Customer Care. A directory of providers is available
online
at www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card to request a
copy.
It is possible that you might not be able to obtain services from a particular Network provider. The network
of
providers is subject to change. Or you might find that a particular Network provider may not be accepting
new
patients. If a provider leaves the Network or is otherwise not available to you, you must choose another
Network
provider to get Network
Benefits.
If you are currently undergoing a course of treatment utilizing a non-Network Physician or health care facility,
you
may be eligible to receive transition of care Benefits. This transition period is available for specific
medical
services and for limited periods of time. If you have questions regarding this transition of care
reimbursement
policy or would like help determining whether you are eligible for transition of care Benefits, please
contact
Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID
card.
Do not assume that a Network provider’s agreement includes all Covered Health Services. Some Network
providers contract with us to provide only certain Covered Health Services, but not all Covered Health Services.
Some Network providers choose to be a Network provider for only some of our products. Refer to your provider
directory or contact us for assistance.
Designated Facilities and Other Providers
If you have a medical condition that we believe needs special services, we may direct you to a Designated
Facility
or Designated Physician chosen by us. If you require certain complex Covered Health Services for
which
expertise is limited, we may direct you to a Network facility or provider that is outside your local geographic
area.
If you are required to travel to obtain such Covered Health Services from a Designated Facility or
Designated
Physician, we may reimburse certain travel expenses at our
discretion.
In both cases, Network Benefits will only be paid if your Covered Health Services for that condition are
provided
by or arranged by the Designated Facility, Designated Physician or other provider chosen by
us.
You or your Network Physician must notify us of special service needs (such as transplants, or cancer
treatment)
29
that might warrant referral to a Designated Facility or Designated Physician. If you do not notify us in advance,
and if you receive services from a non-Network facility (regardless of whether it is a Designated Facility) or other
non-Network provider, Network Benefits will not be paid. Non-Network Benefits may be available if the special
needs services you receive are Covered Health Services for which Benefits are provided under the Policy.
Health Services from Non-Network Providers Paid as Network Benefits
If specific Covered Health Services are not available from a Network provider, you may be eligible for
Network
Benefits when Covered Health Services are received from non-Network providers. In this situation, your
Network
Physician will notify us and, if we confirm that care is not available from a Network provider, we will work with
you
and your Network Physician to coordinate care through a non-Network
provider.
Limitations on Selection of Providers
If we determine that you are using health care services in a harmful or abusive manner, or with harmful
frequency, your selection of Network providers may be limited. If this happens, we may require you to select a
single Network Physician to provide and coordinate all future Covered Health Services.
If you don’t make a selection within 31 days of the date we notify you, we will select a single Network Physician
for you.
If you fail to use the selected Network Physician, Covered Health Services will be paid as Non-Network Benefits.
DEPENDENTCOV.AMD.I.11.WI
Dependent Coverage
Amendment
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified to redefine Dependent.
Because this Amendment is part of a legal document (the group Policy), we want to give you information about
the document that will help you understand it. Certain capitalized words have special meanings. We have defined
these words in the
Certificate
of Coverage
(Certificate)
in Section 9: Defined Terms.
1. The definition of Dependent in the Certificate under Section 9: Defined Terms is replaced with the following:
Dependent - the Subscriber’s legal spouse or a child of the Subscriber or the Subscriber’s spouse. The term child
includes any of the following:
A natural child.
A
stepchild.
A legally adopted
child.
A child placed for adoption.
A child for whom legal guardianship has been awarded to the Subscriber or the Subscriber’s
spouse.
A child of an Enrolled Dependent child (grandchild) until the Enrolled Dependent who is the parent turns
18.
To
be eligible for coverage under the Policy, a Dependent must reside within the United
States.
The definition of Dependent is subject to the following conditions and
limitations:
A Dependent includes any child listed above under 26 years of age.
A Dependent includes an unmarried dependent child age 26 or older who is or becomes disabled
and
dependent upon the
Subscriber.
A Dependent also includes an adult child who meets all of the following
requirements:
The child is a Full-time Student, regardless of
age.
The child was called to federal active duty in the national guard or in a reserve component of the U.S. armed
forces while the child was attending, on a full-time basis, an institution of higher education.
The child was under age 27 when called to federal active
duty.
The child must apply to an institution of higher education as a Full-time Student within twelve months
from
the date the child has fulfilled his or her active duty
obligation.
When the child is called to active duty more than once within a four-year period of time, we will use
the
child’s age when first called to active duty for determining
eligibility.
The Subscriber must reimburse us for any Benefits that we pay for a child at a time when the child did not
satisfy
these
conditions.
A Dependent also includes a child for whom health care coverage is required through a Qualified Medical Child
Support Order
or other court or administrative order. The Enrolling Group is responsible for determining if
an
order meets the criteria of a
Qualified
Medical Child Support Order.
DEPENDENTCOV.AMD.I.11.WI
A Dependent does not include anyone who is also enrolled as a Subscriber. No one can be a Dependent of more
than one Subscriber.
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
President
CT14.AMD.I.WI.SB
1
Clinical Trials and Patient Protection and Affordable
Care
Act (PPACA) Related 2014 Provisions
Amendment
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified as stated below. This Amendment is applicable to Policies
issued in the state of Wisconsin.
Because this Amendment reflects changes in requirements of Federal law, to the extent it may conflict with any
Amendment issued to you previously, the provisions of this Amendment will govern.
Any provision of this Amendment which is in conflict with the requirements of state or federal statutes or
regulations (of the jurisdiction in which the Amendment is delivered) is hereby amended to conform to the
minimum requirements of such statutes and regulations.
1. Clinical Trials
Benefits for routine patient care costs incurred by a Covered Person when participating in a qualifying clinical
trial
are required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The Benefit for Clinical Trials and
the
definition of Experimental or Investigational Service(s) in the
Certificate
are replaced as described
below:
Section 1: Covered Health
Services
Clinical
Trials in Section 1: Covered Health Services is replaced with the following:
2. Clinical Trials
Routine patient care costs incurred during participation in a qualifying clinical trial for the treatment of:
Cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition. For purposes of this benefit, a life-threatening
disease
or
condition is one from which the likelihood of death is probable unless the course of the disease
or
condition is
interrupted.
Cardiovascular disease (cardiac/stroke) which is not life threatening, for which, as we determine, a
clinical
trial
meets the qualifying clinical trial criteria stated
below.
Surgical musculoskeletal disorders of the spine, hip and knees, which are not life threatening, for which, as
we determine, a clinical trial meets the qualifying clinical trial criteria stated below.
Other diseases or disorders which are not life threatening for which, as we determine, a clinical trial
meets
the
qualifying clinical trial criteria stated
below.
Benefits include the reasonable and necessary items and services used to prevent, diagnose and treat
complications arising from participation in a qualifying clinical trial.
Benefits are available only when the Covered Person is clinically eligible for participation in the qualifying clinical
trial as defined by the researcher.
Routine patient care costs for qualifying clinical trials include:
Covered Health Services for which Benefits are typically provided absent a clinical
trial.
Covered Health Services required solely for the provision of the Investigational item or service, the
clinically
appropriate monitoring of the effects of the item or service, or the prevention of
complications.
Covered Health Services needed for reasonable and necessary care arising from the provision of an
Investigational item or service.
Routine costs for clinical trials do not include:
The Experimental or Investigational Service or item. The only exceptions to this are:
CT14.AMD.I.WI.SB
2
Certain Category B devices.
Certain promising interventions for patients with terminal illnesses.
Other items and services that meet specified criteria in accordance with our medical and drug policies.
Items and services provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis needs and that are not used in the
direct clinical management of the patient.
A service that is clearly inconsistent with widely accepted and established standards of care for a
particular
diagnosis.
Items and services provided by the research sponsors free of charge for any person enrolled in the trial.
With respect to cancer or other life-threatening diseases or conditions, a qualifying clinical trial is a Phase I, Phase
II, Phase III, or Phase IV clinical trial that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection or treatment of
cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition and which meets any of the following criteria in the bulleted
list below.
With respect to cardiovascular disease or musculoskeletal disorders of the spine, hip and knees and other
diseases or disorders which are not life-threatening, a qualifying clinical trial is a Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III
clinical trial that is conducted in relation to the detection or treatment of such non-life-threatening disease or
disorder and which meets any of the following criteria in the bulleted list below.
Federally funded trials. The study or investigation is approved or funded (which may include funding through
in-kind contributions) by one or more of the following:
National Institutes
of Health (NIH). (Includes
National
Cancer
Institute
(NCI).)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Agency for
Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
A cooperative group or center of any of the entities described above or the
Department
of Defense
(DOD) or the Veterans
Administration
(VA).
A qualified non-governmental research entity identified in the guidelines issued by the
National
Institutes
of Health for center support grants.
The
Department
of Veterans Affairs, the
Department
of Defense or the
Department
of Energy as long as
the study or investigation has been reviewed and approved through a system of peer review that is
determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to meet both of the following criteria:
Comparable to the system of peer review of studies and investigations used by the National
Institutes
of Health.
Ensures unbiased review of the highest scientific standards by qualified individuals who have no
interest in the outcome of the review.
The study or investigation is conducted under an investigational new drug application reviewed by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration.
The study or investigation is a drug trial that is exempt from having such an investigational new
drug
application.
The clinical trial must have a written protocol that describes a scientifically sound study and have
been
approved by all relevant institutional review boards (IRBs) before participants are enrolled in the trial.
We
may, at any time, request documentation about the
trial.
The subject or purpose of the trial must be the evaluation of an item or service that meets the definition of a
Covered Health Service and is not otherwise excluded under the Policy.
CT14.AMD.I.WI.SB
3
Section 9: Defined
Terms
The
definition
of Experimental or
Investigational
Service(s) in Section 9: Defined Terms is replaced with the following:
Experimental or Investigational Service(s) - medical, surgical, diagnostic, psychiatric, mental health, substance
use disorders or other health care services, technologies, supplies, treatments, procedures, drug therapies,
medications or devices that, at the time we make a determination regarding coverage in a particular case, are
determined to be any of the following:
Not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
(FDA) to be lawfully marketed for the proposed use
and not identified in the American Hospital Formulary Service or the United States Pharmacopoeia Dispensing
Information
as appropriate for the proposed use.
Subject to review and approval by any institutional review board for the proposed use. (Devices which
are
FDA
approved under the Humanitarian Use Device exemption are not considered to be Experimental
or
Investigational.)
The subject of an ongoing clinical trial that meets the definition of a Phase I, II or III clinical trial set forth in
the FDA regulations, regardless of whether the trial is actually subject to FDA oversight.
Exceptions:
Clinical trials for which Benefits are available as described under Clinical Trials in Section 1: Covered Health
Services.
If you are not a participant in a qualifying clinical trial, as described under
Clinical
Trials in Section 1: Covered
Health Services,
and have a Sickness or condition that is likely to cause death within one year of the
request
for treatment we may, in our discretion, consider an otherwise Experimental or Investigational Service to
be
a Covered Health Service for that Sickness or condition. Prior to such a consideration, we must first
establish
that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that, albeit unproven, the service has significant potential as
an
effective treatment for that Sickness or
condition.
2. Additional Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Related
2014 Provisions
Durable Medical Equipment
Benefits for Durable Medical Equipment are not subject to the annual dollar limit stated in the Schedule of
Benefits,
however Benefits continue to be subject to the limitation of a single purchase of a type of DME
(including
repair/replacement)
every three
years.
Hearing Aids
Benefits for hearing aids are not subject to the annual dollar limit stated in the Schedule of Benefits,
however
Benefits continue to be subject to the limitation of a single purchase (including repair/repla cement) per
hearing
impaired ear every three
years.
Prosthetic Devices
Benefits for prosthetic devices are not subject to the annual dollar limit stated in the Schedule of Benefits,
however
Benefits continue to be subject to the limitation of a single purchase of each type of prosthetic device every
three
years.
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
President
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
1
Outpatient Prescription Drug
Rider
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
This Rider to the Policy is issued to the Enrolling Group and provides Benefits for Prescription Drug Products.
Because this Rider is part of a legal document, we want to give you information about the document that will help
you understand it. Certain capitalized words have special meanings. We have defined these words in either the
Certificate
of Coverage
(Certificate)
in Section 9: Defined Terms or in this Rider in Section 3: Defined Terms.
When we use the words "we," "us," and "our" in this document, we are referring to UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company. When we use the words "you" and "your" we are referring to people who are Covered Persons, as the
term is defined in the
Certificate
in Section 9: Defined Terms.
NOTE: The Coordination of Benefits provision in the Certificate in Section 7: Coordination of Benefits applies to
Prescription Drug Products covered through this Rider. Benefits for Prescription Drug Products will be
coordinated with those of any other health plan in the same manner as Benefits for Covered Health Services
described in the Certificate.
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
President
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
2
Introduction
Coverage Policies and Guidelines
Our Prescription Drug List (PDL) Management Committee is authorized to make tier placement changes on
our
behalf. The PDL Management Committee makes the final classification of an FDA-approved Prescription
Drug
Product to a certain tier by considering a number of factors including, but not limited to, clinical and
economic
factors. Clinical factors may include, but are not limited to, evaluations of the place in therapy, relative safety
or
relative efficacy of the Prescription Drug Product, as well as whether certain supply limits or prior
authorization
requirements should apply. Economic factors may include, but are not limited to, the Prescription Drug
Product’s
acquisition cost including, but not limited to, available rebates and assessments on the cost effectiveness of
the
Prescription Drug
Product.
Some Prescription Drug Products are more cost effective for specific indications as compared to
others;
therefore, a Prescription Drug Product may be listed on multiple tiers according to the indication for which
the
Prescription Drug Product was prescribed, or according to whether it was prescribed by a Specialist
Physician.
We may periodically change the placement of a Prescription Drug Product among the tiers. These
changes
generally will occur quarterly, but no more than six times per calendar year. These changes may occur
without
prior notice to
you.
When considering a Prescription Drug Product for tier placement, the PDL Management Committee
reviews
clinical and economic factors regarding Covered Persons as a general population. Whether a
particular
Prescription Drug Product is appropriate for an individual Covered Person is a determination that is made by
the
Covered Person and the prescribing
Physician.
NOTE: The tier status of a Prescription Drug Product may change periodically based on the process
described
above. As a result of such changes, you may be required to pay more or less for that Prescription Drug
Product.
Please access www.myuhc.com through the Internet or call Customer Care at the telephone number on your
ID
card for the most up-to-date tier
status.
Identification Card (ID Card) - Network Pharmacy
You must either show your ID card at the time you obtain your Prescription Drug Product at a Network Pharmacy
or you must provide the Network Pharmacy with identifying information that can be verified by us during regular
business hours.
If you don’t show your ID card or provide verifiable information at a Network Pharmacy, you will be required to
pay the Usual and Customary Charge for the Prescription Drug Product at the pharmacy.
You may seek reimbursement from us as described in the Certificate in Section 5: How to File a Claim. When you
submit a claim on this basis, you may pay more because you failed to verify your eligibility when the Prescription
Drug Product was dispensed. The amount you are reimbursed will be based on the Prescription Drug Charge,
less the required Copayment and/or Coinsurance, Ancillary Charge, and any deductible that
applies.
Submit your claim to the Pharmacy Benefit Manager claims address noted on your ID
card.
Designated Pharmacies
If you require certain Prescription Drug Products, including, but not limited to, Specialty Prescription
Drug
Products, we may direct you to a Designated Pharmacy with whom we have an arrangement to provide
those
Prescription Drug
Products.
If you are directed to a Designated Pharmacy and you choose not to obtain your Prescriptio n Drug Product
from
a Designated Pharmacy, you will be subject to the non-Network Benefit for that Prescription Drug
Product.
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
3
Limitation on Selection of Pharmacies
If we determine that you may be using Prescription Drug Products in a harmful or abusive manner, or
with
harmful frequency, your selection of Network Pharmacies may be limited. If this happens, we may require you
to
select a single Network Pharmacy that will provide and coordinate all future pharmacy services. Benefits will
be
paid only if you use the designated single Network Pharmacy. If you don’t make a selection within 31 days of
the
date we notify you, we will select a single Network Pharmacy for
you.
Rebates and Other Payments
We may receive rebates for certain drugs included on the Prescription Drug List. We do not pass these rebates on
to you, nor are they taken into account in determining your Copayments and/or Coinsurance.
We, and a number of our affiliated entities, conduct business with various pharmaceutical manufacturers separate
and apart from this Outpatient Prescription Drug Rider. Such business may include, but is not limited to, data
collection, consulting, educational grants and research. Amounts received from pharmaceutical manufacturers
pursuant to such arrangements are not related to this Outpatient Prescription Drug Rider. We are not required to
pass on to you, and do not pass on to you, such amounts.
Coupons, Incentives and Other Communications
At various times, we may send mailings to you or to your Physician that communicate a variety of messages,
including information about Prescription Drug Products. These mailings may contain coupons or offers
from
pharmaceutical manufacturers that enable you, at your discretion, to purchase the described drug product at
a
discount or to obtain it at no charge. Pharmaceutical manufacturers may pay for and/or provide the content
for
these mailings. Only your Physician can determine whether a change in your Prescription Order or Refill
is
appropriate for your medical
condition.
Special Programs
We may have certain programs in which you may receive an enhanced or reduced Benefit based on your
actions
such as
adherence/compliance
to medication or treatment regimens, and/or participation in health
management
programs. You may access information on these programs through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by
calling
Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID
card.
Prescription Drug Products Prescribed by a Specialist Physician
You may receive an enhanced or reduced Benefit, or no Benefit, based on whether the Prescription Drug Product
was prescribed by a Specialist Physician. You may access information on which Prescription Drug Products are
subject to Benefit enhancement, reduction or no Benefit through the Internet at
www.myuhc.com or by calling
Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card.
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
4
Outpatient Prescription Drug Rider Table of Contents
Section 1: Benefits for Prescription Drug Products .............................. 5
Section 2: Exclusions ............................................................................... 6
Section 3: Defined Terms ......................................................................... 8
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
5
Section 1: Benefits for Prescription Drug
Products
Benefits are available for Prescription Drug Products at either a Network Pharmacy or a non-Network Pharmacy
and are subject to Copayments and/or Coinsurance or other payments that vary depending on which of the tiers
of the Prescription Drug List the Prescription Drug Product is listed. Refer to the Outpatient Prescription Drug
Schedule of Benefits for applicable Copayments and/or Coinsurance requirements.
Benefits for Prescription Drug Products are available when the Prescription Drug Product meets the definition of a
Covered Health Service or is prescribed to prevent conception.
Specialty Prescription Drug Products
Benefits are provided for Specialty Prescription Drug Products.
If you require Specialty Prescription Drug Products, we may direct you to a Designated Pharmacy with whom we
have an arrangement to provide those Specialty Prescription Drug Products.
If you are directed to a Designated Pharmacy and you choose not to obtain your Specialty Prescription Drug
Product from a Designated Pharmacy, you will be subject to the non-Network Benefit for that Specialty
Prescription Drug Product.
Please see Section 3: Defined Terms for a full description of Specialty Prescription Drug Product and Designated
Pharmacy.
Refer to the Outpatient Prescription Drug Schedule of Benefits for details on Specialty Prescription Drug
Product
supply
limits.
Prescription Drugs from a Retail Network Pharmacy
Benefits are provided for Prescription Drug Products dispensed by a retail Network
Pharmacy.
Refer to the Outpatient Prescription Drug Schedule of Benefits for details on retail Network Pharmacy supply
limits.
Prescription Drugs from a Retail Non-Network Pharmacy
Benefits are provided for Prescription Drug Products dispensed by a retail non-Network
Pharmacy.
If the Prescription Drug Product is dispensed by a retail non-Network Pharmacy, you must pay for
the
Prescription Drug Product at the time it is dispensed and then file a claim for reimbursem ent with us,
as
described in your Certificate, Section 5: How to File a Claim. We will not reimburse you for the difference
between
the Predominant Reimbursement Rate and the non-Network Pharmacy’s Usual and Customary Charge for
that
Prescription Drug Product. We will not reimburse you for any non-covered drug
product.
In most cases, you will pay more if you obtain Prescription Drug Products from a non-Network
Pharmacy.
Refer to the Outpatient Prescription Drug Schedule of Benefits for details on retail non-Network Pharmacy
supply
limits.
Prescription Drug Products from a Mail Order Network Pharmacy
Benefits are provided for certain Prescription Drug Products dispensed by a mail order Network
Pharmacy.
Refer to the Outpatient Prescription Drug Schedule of Benefits for details on mail order Network Pharmacy
supply
limits.
Please access www.myuhc.com through the Internet or call Customer Care at the telephone number on your
ID
card to determine if Benefits are provided for your Prescription Drug Product and for information on how
to
obtain your Prescription Drug Product through a mail order Network
Pharmacy.
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
6
Section 2: Exclusions
Exclusions from coverage listed in the Certificate apply also to this Rider, except that any preexisting condition
exclusion in the
Certificate
is not applicable to this Rider. In addition, the exclusions listed below apply.
When an exclusion applies to only certain Prescription Drug Products, you can access www.myuhc.com through
the Internet or call Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card for information on which Prescription
Drug Products are excluded.
1. Coverage for Prescription Drug Products for the amount dispensed (days’ supply or quantity limit) which
exceeds the supply limit.
2. Coverage for Prescription Drug Products for the amount dispensed (days’ supply or quantity limit) which
is less than the minimum supply limit.
3. Prescription Drug Products dispensed outside the United States, except as required for Emergency
treatment.
4. Drugs which are prescribed, dispensed or intended for use during an Inpatient Stay.
5. Experimental or Investigational or Unproven Services and medications; medications used for experimental
indications and/or dosage regimens determined by us to be experimental, investigational or unproven.
This exclusion does not apply to Prescription Drug Products that are prescribed by a Physician for the
treatment of HIV infection, illness or medical condition arising from or related to HIV infection, if
the
medication is approved by the FDA and prescribed and administered in accordance with the
treatment
protocol approved for Investigational new
drug.
6. Prescription Drug Products furnished by the local, state or federal government. Any Prescription
Drug
Product to the extent payment or benefits are provided or available from the local, state or
federal
government (for example, Medicare) whether or not payment or benefits are received, except as
otherwise
provided by
law.
7. Prescription Drug Products for any condition, Injury, Sickness or Mental Illness arising out of, or in
the
course of, employment for which benefits are available under any workers’ compensation law or
other
similar laws, whether or not a claim for such benefits is made or payment or benefits are
received.
8. Any product dispensed for the purpose of appetite suppression or weight
loss.
9. A Pharmaceutical Product for which Benefits are provided in your
Certificate.
This exclusion does
not
apply to Depo Provera and other injectable drugs used for
contraception.
10. Durable Medical Equipment. Prescribed and non-prescribed outpatient supplies, other than the
diabetic
supplies and inhaler spacers specifically stated as
covered.
11. General vitamins, except the following which require a Prescription Order or Refill: prenatal
vitamins,
vitamins with fluoride, and single entity
vitamins.
12. Unit dose packaging of Prescription Drug
Products.
13. Medications used for cosmetic
purposes.
14. Prescription Drug Products, including New Prescription Drug Products or new dosage forms, that
we
determine do not meet the definition of a Covered Health
Service.
15. Prescription Drug Products as a replacement for a previously dispensed Prescription Drug Product
that
was lost, stolen, broken or
destroyed.
16. Prescription Drug Products when prescribed to treat
infertility.
17. Prescription Drug Products for smoking
cessation.
18. Compounded drugs that do not contain at least one ingredient that has been approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) and requires a Prescription Order or Refill. Compounded drugs that are
available as a similar commercially available Prescription Drug Product. (Compounded drugs that contain
at least one ingredient that requires a Prescription Order or Refill are assigned to Tier 3.)
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
7
19. Drugs available over-the-counter that do not require a Prescription Order or Refill by federal or state law
before being dispensed, unless we have designated the over-the-counter medication as eligible for
coverage as if it were a Prescription Drug Product and it is obtained with a Prescription Order or Refill
from a Physician. Prescription Drug Products that are available in over-the-counter form or comprised of
components that are available in over-the-counter form or equivalent. Certain Prescription Drug Products
that we have determined are Therapeutically Equivalent to an over-the-counter drug. Such determinations
may be made up to six times during a calendar year, and we may decide at any time to reinstate Benefits
for a Prescription Drug Product that was previously excluded under this provision.
20. Certain New Prescription Drug Products and/or new dosage forms until the date they are reviewed and
assigned to a tier by our PDL Management Committee.
21. Growth hormone for children with familial short stature (short stature based upon heredity and not caused
by a diagnosed medical condition).
22. Any product for which the primary use is a source of nutrition, nutritional supplements, or dietary
management of disease, even when used for the treatment of Sickness or Injury.
23. A Prescription Drug Product that contains (an) active ingredient(s) available in and Therapeutically
Equivalent to another covered Prescription Drug Product. Such determinations may be made up to six
times during a calendar year, and we may decide at any time to reinstate Benefits for a Prescription Drug
Product that was previously excluded under this provision.
24. A Prescription Drug Product that contains (an) active ingredient(s) which is (are) a modified version of
and
Therapeutically Equivalent to another covered Prescription Drug Product. Such determinations may
be
made up to six times during a calendar year, and we may decide at any time to reinstate Benefits for
a
Prescription Drug Product that was previously excluded under this
provision.
25. Certain Prescription Drug Products that have not been prescribed by a Specialist
Physician.
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
8
Section 3: Defined
Terms
Ancillary Charge - a charge, in addition to the Copayment and/or Coinsurance, that you are required to pay
when a covered Prescription Drug Product is dispensed at your or the provider’s request, when a Chemically
Equivalent Prescription Drug Product is available on a lower tier. For Prescription Drug Products from Network
Pharmacies, the Ancillary Charge is calculated as the difference between the Prescription Drug Charge or
Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) List price for Network Pharmacies for the Prescription Drug Product on the
higher tier, and the Prescription Drug Charge or Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) List price of the Chemically
Equivalent Prescription Drug Product available on the lower tier. For Prescription Drug Products from
non-Network Pharmacies, the Ancillary Charge is calculated as the difference between the Predominant
Reimbursement Rate or Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) List price for non-Network Pharmacies for the
Prescription Drug Product on the higher tier, and the Predominant Reimbursement Rate or Maximum Allowable
Cost (MAC) List price of the Chemically Equivalent Prescription Drug Product available on the lower tier.
Brand-name - a Prescription Drug Product: (1) which is manufactured and marketed under a trademark or name
by a specific drug manufacturer; or (2) that we identify as a Brand-name product, based on available data
resources including, but not limited to, First DataBank, that classify drugs as either brand or generic based on a
number of factors. You should know that all products identified as a "brand name" by the manufacturer,
pharmacy, or your Physician may not be classified as Brand-name by us.
Chemically Equivalent - when Prescription Drug Products contain the same active ingredient.
Designated Pharmacy - a pharmacy that has entered into an agreement with us or with an
organization
contracting on our behalf, to provide specific Prescription Drug Products, including, but not limited to,
Specialty
Prescription Drug Products. The fact that a pharmacy is a Network Pharmacy does not mean that it is
a
Designated
Pharmacy.
Generic - a Prescription Drug Product: (1) that is Chemically Equivalent to a Brand-name drug; or (2) that
we
identify as a Generic product based on available data resources including, but not limited to, First DataBank,
that
classify drugs as either brand or generic based on a number of factors. You should know that all
products
identified as a "generic" by the manufacturer, pharmacy or your Physician may not be classified as a Generic
by
us.
Network Pharmacy - a pharmacy that
has:
Entered into an agreement with us or an organization contracting on our behalf to provide Prescription Drug
Products to Covered Persons.
Agreed to accept specified reimbursement rates for dispensing Prescription Drug
Products.
Been
designated by us as a Network
Pharmacy.
New Prescription Drug Product - a Prescription Drug Product or new dosage form of a previously
approved
Prescription Drug Product, for the period of time starting on the date the Prescription Drug Product or
new
dosage form is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ending on the earlier of
the
following
dates:
The date it is assigned to a tier by our PDL Management
Committee.
December 31st of the following calendar year.
Out-of-Pocket Drug Maximum - the maximum amount you are required to pay for covered Prescription Drug
Products in a single year. Refer to the Outpatient Prescription Drug Schedule of Benefits for details about how the
Out-of-Pocket Drug Maximum applies.
Predominant Reimbursement Rate - the amount we will pay to reimburse you for a Prescription Drug Product
that is dispensed at a non-Network Pharmacy. The Predominant Reimbursement Rate for a particular
Prescription Drug Product dispensed at a non-Network Pharmacy includes a dispensing fee and any applicable
sales tax. We calculate the Predominant Reimbursement Rate using our Prescription Drug Charge that applies for
that particular Prescription Drug Product at most Network Pharmacies.
Prescription Drug Charge - the rate we have agreed to pay our Network Pharmacies, including the applicable
dispensing fee and any applicable sales tax, for a Prescription Drug Product dispensed at a Network Pharmacy.
Prescription Drug List - a list that categorizes into tiers medications, products or devices that have been
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This list is subject to our periodic review and
RDR.RX.PLS.I.11.WI
9
modification (generally quarterly, but no more than six times per calendar year). You may determine to which tier
a particular Prescription Drug Product has been assigned through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling
Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card.
Prescription Drug List (PDL) Management Committee - the committee that we designate for, among other
responsibilities, classifying Prescription Drug Products into specific tiers.
Prescription Drug Product - a medication, product or device that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
(FDA) and that can, under federal or state law, be dispensed only pursuant to a Prescription Order
or Refill. A Prescription Drug Product includes a medication that, due to its characteristics, is appropriate for
self-administration or administration by a non-skilled caregiver. For the purpose of Benefits under the Policy, this
definition includes:
Inhalers (with spacers).
Insulin.
The following diabetic supplies:
standard insulin syringes with needles;
blood-testing strips - glucose;
urine-testing strips - glucose;
ketone-testing strips and tablets;
lancets and lancet devices;
and
glucose
monitors.
Prescription Order or Refill - the directive to dispense a Prescription Drug Product issued by a duly
licensed
health care provider whose scope of practice permits issuing such a
directive.
Preventive Care Medications - the medications that are obtained at a Network Pharmacy with a
Prescription
Order or Refill from a Physician and that are payable at 100% of the cost (without application of any
Copayment,
Coinsurance, Annual Deductible, Annual Drug Deductible or Specialty Prescription Drug Product
Annual
Deductible) as required by applicable law under any of the
following:
Evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of "A" or "B" in the current recommendations of
the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care and
screenings
provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services
Administration.
With respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings as provided for in
comprehensive
guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
You may determine whether a drug is a Preventive Care Medication through the internet at www.myuhc.com
or
by calling Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID
card.
Specialty Prescription Drug Product - Prescription Drug Products that are generally high cost,
self-administered
biotechnology drugs used to treat patients with certain illnesses. You may access a complete list of
Specialty
Prescription Drug Products through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at the
telephone
number on your ID
card.
Therapeutic Class - a group or category of Prescription Drug Products with similar uses and/or
actions.
Therapeutically Equivalent - when Prescription Drug Products have essentially the same efficacy and
adverse
effect
profile.
Usual and Customary Charge - the usual fee that a pharmacy charges individuals for a Prescription
Drug
Product without reference to reimbursement to the pharmacy by third parties. The Usual and Customary
Charge
includes a dispensing fee and any applicable sales tax.
RDR.RXSBN.PLS.I.11.WI
1
Outpatient Prescription
Drug
UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Company
Schedule of
Benefits
Benefits for Prescription Drug Products
Benefits are available for Prescription Drug Products at either a Network Pharmacy or a non-Network
Pharmacy
and are subject to Copayments and/or Coinsurance or other payments that vary depending on which of the
tiers
of the Prescription Drug List the Prescription Drug Product is
listed.
Benefits for Prescription Drug Products are available when the Prescription Drug Product meets the definition of
a
Covered Health Service or is prescribed to prevent
conception.
If a Brand-name Drug Becomes Available as a Generic
If a Generic becomes available for a Brand-name Prescription Drug Product, the tier placement of the
Brand-name Prescription Drug Product may change, and therefore your Copayment and/or Coinsurance may
change and an Ancillary Charge may apply. You will pay the Copayment and/or Coinsurance applicable for the
tier to which the Prescription Drug Product is assigned.
Supply Limits
Benefits for Prescription Drug Products are subject to the supply limits that are stated in the "Description
and
Supply Limits" column of the Benefit Information table. For a single Copayment and/or Coinsurance, you
may
receive a Prescription Drug Product up to the stated supply
limit.
Note: Some products are subject to additional supply limits based on criteria that we have developed, subject
to
our periodic review and modification. The limit may restrict the amount dispensed per Prescription Order or
Refill
and/or the amount dispensed per month’s supply, or may require that a minimum amount be
dispensed.
You may determine whether a Prescription Drug Product has been assigned a supply limit for dispensing
through
the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID
card.
Prior Authorization Requirements
Before certain Prescription Drug Products are dispensed to you, either your Physician, your pharmacist or
you
are required to obtain prior authorization from us or our designee. The reason for obtaining prior
authorization
from us is to determine whether the Prescription Drug Product, in accordance with our approved guidelines, is
each of the following:
It meets the definition of a Covered Health
Service.
It is not an Experimental or Investigational or Unproven
Service.
We may also require you to obtain prior authorization from us or our designee so we can determine whether
the
Prescription Drug Product, in accordance with our approved guidelines, was prescribed by a
Specialist
Physician.
Network Pharmacy Prior Authorization
When Prescription Drug Products are dispensed at a Network Pharmacy, the prescribing provider,
the
pharmacist, or you are responsible for obtaining prior authorization from
us.
RDR.RXSBN.PLS.I.11.WI
2
Non-Network Pharmacy Prior Authorization
When Prescription Drug Products are dispensed at a non-Network Pharmacy, you or your Physician are
responsible for obtaining prior authorization from us as required.
If you do not obtain prior authorization from us before the Prescription Drug Product is dispensed, you may pay
more for that Prescription Order or Refill. The Prescription Drug Products requiring prior authorization are subject
to our periodic review and modification. You may determine whether a particular Prescription Drug Product
requires prior authorization through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at the telephone
number on your ID card.
If you do not obtain prior authorization from us before the Prescription Drug Product is dispensed, you can ask
us to consider reimbursement after you receive the Prescription Drug Product. You will be required to pay for the
Prescription Drug Product at the pharmacy. Our contracted pharmacy reimbursement rates (our Prescription
Drug Charge) will not be available to you at a non-Network Pharmacy. You may seek reimbursement from us as
described in the
Certificate
of Coverage
(Certificate)
in Section 5: How to File a Claim.
When you submit a claim on this basis, you may pay more because you did not obtain prior authorization from
us before the Prescription Drug Product was dispensed. The amount you are reimbursed will be based on the
Prescription Drug Charge (for Prescription Drug Products from a Network Pharmacy) or the Predominant
Reimbursement Rate (for Prescription Drug Products from a non-Network Pharmacy), less the required
Copayment and/or Coinsurance, Ancillary Charge and any deductible that applies.
Benefits may not be available for the Prescription Drug Product after we review the documentation provided
and
we determine that the Prescription Drug Product is not a Covered Health Service or it is an Experimental
or
Investigational or Unproven Service, except as stated in Section 2: Exclusions of the Prescription Drug
Rider.
We may also require prior authorization for certain programs which may have specific requirements
for
participation and/or activation of an enhanced level of Benefits associated with such programs. You may
access
information on available programs and any applicable prior authorization, participation or activation
requirements
associated with such programs through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at
the
telephone number on your ID
card.
Step Therapy
Certain Prescription Drug Products for which Benefits are described under this Prescription Drug Rider
or
Pharmaceutical Products for which Benefits are described in your Certificate are subject to step
therapy
requirements. This means that in order to receive Benefits for such Prescription Drug Products
and/or
Pharmaceutical Products you are required to use a different Prescription Drug Product(s) or
Pharmaceutical
Product(s)
first.
You may determine whether a particular Prescription Drug Product or Pharmaceutical Product is subject to
step
therapy requirements through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at the
telephone
number on your ID
card.
What You Must Pay
You are responsible for paying the applicable Copayment and/or Coinsurance described in the
Benefit
Information table, in addition to any Ancillary
Charge.
You are not responsible for paying a Copayment and/or Coinsurance for Preventive Care
Medications.
An Ancillary Charge may apply when a covered Prescription Drug Product is dispensed at your or the
provider’s
request and there is another drug that is chemically the same available at a lower tier. When you choose
the
higher tiered drug of the two, you will pay the difference between the higher tiered drug and the lower tiered
drug
in addition to your Copayment and/or Coinsurance that applies to the lower tiered
drug.
The amount you pay for any of the following under this Rider will not be included in calculating any
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum stated in your
Certificate:
Copayments for Prescription Drug Products, including Specialty Prescription Drug Products.
Ancillary Charges.
The difference between the Predominant Reimbursement Rate and a non-Network Pharmacy’s Usual
and
Customary Charge for a Prescription Drug
Product.
RDR.RXSBN.PLS.I.11.WI
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Any non-covered drug product. You are responsible for paying 100% of the cost (the amount the pharmacy
charges you) for any non-covered drug product and our contracted rates (our Prescription Drug Charge) will
not be available to you.
RDR.RXSBN.PLS.I.11.WI
4
Payment Information
The Out-of-Pocket Drug Maximums are calculated on a calendar year
basis.
Payment Term And Description
Amounts
Out-of-Pocket Drug Maximum
The maximum amount you are required
to
pay for covered Prescription Drug
Products
in a single year. Once you reach
the
Out-of-Pocket Drug Maximum, you will
not
be required to pay Copayments
or
Coinsurance for covered Prescription
Drug
Products for the remainder of the
year.
Network and Non-Network
$2,500 per Covered Person, not to exceed $5,000 for all
Covered
Persons in a
family.
Copayment and Coinsurance
Copayment
Copayment for a Prescription Drug
Product
at a Network or non-Network Pharmacy is
a
specific dollar
amount.
Coinsurance
Coinsurance for a Prescription Drug
Product
at a Network Pharmacy is a percentage
of
the Prescription Drug
Charge.
Coinsurance for a Prescription
Drug
Product at a non-Network Pharmacy is
a
percentage of the
Predominant
Reimbursement
Rate.
Copayment and Coinsurance
Your Copayment and/or Coinsurance
is
determined by the tier to which
the
Prescription Drug List (PDL)
Management
Committee has assigned a
Prescription
Drug Product.
Special Programs: We may have certain
programs in which you may receive a
reduced or increased Copayment and/or
Coinsurance based on your actions such as
adherence/compliance to medication or
treatment regimens, and/or participation in
health management programs. You may
access information on these programs
through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or
by calling Customer Care at the telephone
number on your ID card.
Prescription Drug Products Prescribed by
a Specialist Physician: You may receive a
reduced or increased Copayment and/or
For Prescription Drug Products at a retail Network Pharmacy,
you
are responsible for paying the lower of the
following:
The applicable Copayment and/or
Coinsurance.
The Network Pharmacy’s Usual and Customary Charge
for
the Prescription Drug
Product.
For Prescription Drug Products from a mail order
Network
Pharmacy, you are responsible for paying the lower of
the
following:
The applicable Copayment and/or Coinsurance.
The Prescription Drug Charge for that Prescription Drug
Product.
See the Copayments and/or Coinsurance stated in the Benefit
Information table for amounts.
You are not responsible for paying a Copayment and/or
Coinsurance for Preventive Care Medications.
RDR.RXSBN.PLS.I.11.WI
5
Payment Term And Description
Amounts
Coinsurance based on whether the
Prescription Drug Product was prescribed
by a Specialist Physician. You may access
information on which Prescription Drug
Products are subject to a reduced or
increased Copayment and/or Coinsurance
through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or
by calling Customer Care at the telephone
number on your ID card.
NOTE: The tier status of a Prescription
Drug Product can change periodically,
generally quarterly but no more than six
times per calendar year, based on the
Prescription Drug List (PDL) Management
Committee’s periodic tiering decisions.
When that occurs, you may pay more
or
less for a Prescription Drug
Product,
depending on its tier assignment.
Please
access www.myuhc.com through
the
Internet or call Customer Care at
the
telephone number on your ID card for
the
most up-to-date tier
status.
RDR.RXSBN.PLS.I.11.WI
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Benefit Information
Description and Supply Limits
Benefit (The Amount We Pay)
Specialty Prescription Drug Products
The following supply limits
apply.
As written by the provider, up to a
consecutive 31-day supply of a Specialty
Prescription Drug Product, unless
adjusted based on the drug
manufacturer’s packaging size, or based
on supply limits.
When a Specialty Prescription Drug Product
is packaged or designed to deliver in a
manner that provides more than a
consecutive 31-day supply, the
Copayment
and/or Coinsurance that applies will
reflect
the number of days
dispensed.
Supply limits apply to Specialty
Prescription
Drug Products obtained at a
Network
Pharmacy, a non-Network Pharmacy, or
a
Designated
Pharmacy.
Your Copayment and/or Coinsurance is determined by the tier
to
which the Prescription Drug List (PDL) Management
Committee
has assigned the Specialty Prescription Drug Product.
All
Specialty Prescription Drug Products on the Prescription Drug
List
are assigned to Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3. Please
access
www.myuhc.com through the Internet or call Customer Care at
the
telephone number on your ID card to determine tier
status.
Network Pharmacy
For a Tier 1 Specialty Prescription Drug Product: 100% of
the
Prescription Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $10
per
Prescription Order or
Refill.
For a Tier 2 Specialty Prescription Drug Product: 100% of
the
Prescription Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $100
per
Prescription Order or
Refill.
For a Tier 3 Specialty Prescription Drug Product: 100% of
the
Prescription Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $300
per
Prescription Order or
Refill.
Non-Network Pharmacy
For a Tier 1 Specialty Prescription Drug Product: 100% of
the
Predominant Reimbursement Rate after you pay a Copayment
of
$10 per Prescription Order or
Refill.
For a Tier 2 Specialty Prescription Drug Product: 100% of
the
Predominant Reimbursement Rate after you pay a Copayment
of
$100 per Prescription Order or
Refill.
For a Tier 3 Specialty Prescription Drug Product: 100% of
the
Predominant Reimbursement Rate after you pay a Copayment
of
$300 per Prescription Order or
Refill.
Prescription Drugs from a Retail Network
Pharmacy
The following supply limits apply:
As written by the provider, up to
a
consecutive 31-day supply of
a
Prescription Drug Product,
unless
adjusted based on the
drug
manufacturer’s packaging size, or
based
on supply
limits.
A one-cycle supply of a contraceptive.
You may obtain up to three cycles at one
time if you pay a Copayment and/or
Coinsurance for each cycle supplied.
Your Copayment and/or Coinsurance is determined by the tier to
which the Prescription Drug List (PDL) Management Committee
has assigned the Prescription Drug Product. All Prescription Drug
Products on the Prescription Drug List are assigned to Tier 1, Tier
2, or Tier 3. Please access www.myuhc.com through the Internet
or call Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card to
determine tier status.
For a Tier 1 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the Prescription
Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $10 per Prescription
Order or Refill.
For a Tier 2 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the Prescription
Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $35 per Prescription
RDR.RXSBN.PLS.I.11.WI
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Description and Supply Limits
Benefit (The Amount We Pay)
When a Prescription Drug Product is
packaged or designed to deliver in a
manner that provides more than a
consecutive 31-day supply, the Copayment
and/or Coinsurance that applies will reflect
the number of days dispensed.
Order or Refill.
For a Tier 3 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the Prescription
Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $60 per Prescription
Order or Refill.
Prescription Drugs from a Retail
Non-Network Pharmacy
The following supply limits apply:
As written by the provider, up to a
consecutive 31-day supply of a
Prescription Drug Product, unless
adjusted based on the drug
manufacturer’s packaging size, or based
on supply limits.
A one-cycle supply of a contraceptive.
You may obtain up to three cycles at one
time if you pay a Copayment and/or
Coinsurance for each cycle supplied.
When a Prescription Drug Product is
packaged or designed to deliver in a
manner that provides more than a
consecutive 31-day supply, the Copayment
and/or Coinsurance that applies will reflect
the number of days dispensed.
Your Copayment and/or Coinsurance is determined by the tier to
which the Prescription Drug List (PDL) Management Committee
has assigned the Prescription Drug Product. All Prescription Drug
Products on the Prescription Drug List are assigned to Tier 1, Tier
2, or Tier 3. Please access www.myuhc.com through the Internet
or call Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card
to
determine tier
status.
For a Tier 1 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Predominant
Reimbursement Rate after you pay a Copayment of $10
per
Prescription Order or
Refill.
For a Tier 2 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Predominant
Reimbursement Rate after you pay a Copayment of $35
per
Prescription Order or
Refill.
For a Tier 3 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Predominant
Reimbursement Rate after you pay a Copayment of $60
per
Prescription Order or
Refill.
Prescription Drug Products from a Mail
Order Network Pharmacy
The following supply limits apply:
As written by the provider, up to a
consecutive 90-day supply of a
Prescription Drug Product, unless
adjusted based on the drug
manufacturer’s packaging size, or based
on supply limits. These supply limits do
not apply to Specialty Prescription Drug
Products. Specialty Prescription Drug
Products from a mail order Network
Pharmacy are subject to the supply
limits stated above under the
heading
Specialty Prescription
Drug
Products.
You may be required to fill an initial
Prescription Drug Product order and obtain
1 refill through a retail pharmacy prior to
using a mail order Network Pharmacy.
To maximize your Benefit, ask
your
Your Copayment and/or Coinsurance is determined by the tier to
which the Prescription Drug List (PDL) Management Committee
has assigned the Prescription Drug Product. All Prescription
Drug
Products on the Prescription Drug List are assigned to Tier 1,
Tier
2, or Tier 3. Please access www.myuhc.com through the
Internet
or call Customer Care at the telephone number on your ID card
to
determine tier
status.
For up to a 90-day supply, we
pay:
For a Tier 1 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Prescription
Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $25 per
Prescription
Order or
Refill.
For a Tier 2 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Prescription
Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $87.50
per
Prescription Order or
Refill.
For a Tier 3 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Prescription
Drug Charge after you pay a Copayment of $150 per
Prescription
Order or Refill.
RDR.RXSBN.PLS.I.11.WI
8
Description and Supply Limits
Benefit (The Amount We Pay)
Physician to write your Prescription Order
or Refill for a 90-day supply, with
refills
when
appropriate. You will be charged a
mail order Copayment and/or Coinsurance
for any Prescription Orders or Refills sent to
the mail order pharmacy regardless of the
number-of-days’ supply written on the
Prescription Order or Refill. Be sure your
Physician writes your Prescription Order or
Refill for a 90-day supply, not a 30-day
supply with three refills.