UnitedHealthcare Non-Differential PPO
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
Certificate of Coverage
For
the Plan 7IF
of
LADWP
Enrolling Group Number: 742149
Effective Date: July 1, 2011
Offered and Underwritten by
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
185 Asylum Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3408
800-357-1371
Regulated by:
California Department of Insurance
Consumer Communication Bureau
300 South Spring Street, South Tower
Los Angeles, CA 90013
1-800-927-4357
TDD 800-482-4833
CCOV.I.07.CA
Table of Contents
Schedule of Benefits..................................................................................1
Accessing Benefits ....................................................................................................................................1
Pre-service Benefit Confirmation............................................................................................................... 1
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services .........................................................................................2
Care Coordination
SM
..................................................................................................................................2
Special Note Regarding Medicare.............................................................................................................3
Benefits......................................................................................................................................................3
Benefit Limits .............................................................................................................................................4
Additional Benefits Required By California Law......................................................................................12
Eligible Expenses ....................................................................................................................................13
Provider Network .....................................................................................................................................14
Continuity of Care.................................................................................................................................... 14
Second Medical Opinion.......................................................................................................................... 15
Designated Facilities and Other Providers..............................................................................................16
Certificate of Coverage..............................................................................1
Certificate of Coverage is Part of Policy.................................................................................................... 1
Changes to the Document.........................................................................................................................1
Other Information You Should Have .........................................................................................................1
Introduction to Your Certificate................................................................2
How to Use this Document........................................................................................................................2
Information about Defined Terms..............................................................................................................2
Don't Hesitate to Contact Us ..................................................................................................................... 2
Your Responsibilities ................................................................................3
Be Enrolled and Pay Required Contributions............................................................................................3
Be Aware this Benefit Plan Does Not Pay for All Health Services............................................................ 3
Decide What Services You Should Receive ............................................................................................. 3
Choose Your Physician ............................................................................................................................. 3
Pay Your Share .........................................................................................................................................3
Pay the Cost of Excluded Services ...........................................................................................................3
Show Your ID Card.................................................................................................................................... 4
File Claims with Complete and Accurate Information ...............................................................................4
Use Your Prior Health Care Coverage...................................................................................................... 4
Our Responsibilities..................................................................................5
Determine Benefits .................................................................................................................................... 5
Pay for Our Portion of the Cost of Covered Health Services .................................................................... 5
Pay Network Providers.............................................................................................................................. 5
Pay for Covered Health Services Provided by Non-Network Providers.................................................... 5
Review and Determine Benefits in Accordance with our Reimbursement Policies ..................................5
Offer Health Education Services to You.................................................................................................... 6
Certificate of Coverage Table of Contents ..............................................7
Section 1: Covered Health Services.........................................................8
Benefits for Covered Health Services ....................................................................................................... 8
1. Acupuncture Services............................................................................................................................8
2. Ambulance Services.............................................................................................................................. 8
3. Clinical Trials .........................................................................................................................................9
4. Congenital Heart Disease Surgeries ................................................................................................... 10
5. Dental Services - Accident Only..........................................................................................................11
6. Diabetes Services................................................................................................................................11
7. Diabetes Treatment .............................................................................................................................12
8. Durable Medical Equipment ................................................................................................................12
i
9. Emergency Health Serv
ices - Outpatient ............................................................................................13
10. Home Health Care.............................................................................................................................13
11. Hospice Care.....................................................................................................................................13
12. Hospital - Inpatient Stay .................................................................................................................... 14
13. Lab, X-Ray and Diagnostics - Outpatient..........................................................................................14
14. Lab, X-Ray and Major Diagnostics - CT, PET Scans, MRI, MRA and Nuclear Medicine - Outpatient
.................................................................................................................................................................14
15. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services - Inpatient and Intermediate....................................14
16. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services - Outpatient .............................................................15
17. Ostomy Supplies ...............................................................................................................................15
18. Pharmaceutical Products - Outpatient............................................................................................... 15
19. Physician Fees for Surgical and Medical Services ...........................................................................15
20. Physician's Office Services - Sickness and Injury............................................................................. 16
21. Pregnancy - Maternity Services ........................................................................................................16
22. Preventive Care Services..................................................................................................................16
23. Prosthetic Devices.............................................................................................................................17
24. Reconstructive Procedures ...............................................................................................................18
25. Rehabilitation Services - Outpatient Therapy and Chiropractic Treatment....................................... 18
26. Scopic Procedures - Outpatient Diagnostic and Therapeutic ...........................................................18
27. Skilled Nursing Facility/Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Services .....................................................19
28. Surgery - Outpatient ..........................................................................................................................19
29. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Services.......................................................................... 19
30. Therapeutic Treatments - Outpatient ................................................................................................20
31. Transplantation Services...................................................................................................................20
32. Urgent Care Center Services ............................................................................................................20
33. Vision Examinations ..........................................................................................................................21
34. Wigs...................................................................................................................................................21
Additional Benefits Required By California Law...................................................................................... 21
35. Dental Services - Inpatient ................................................................................................................21
36. Mastectomy Services ........................................................................................................................21
37. Medical Foods ...................................................................................................................................21
38. Mental Health Services - Severe Mental Illness and Serious Emotional Disturbances.................... 22
39. Nicotine Use Benefit..........................................................................................................................23
40. Orthotic Benefit..................................................................................................................................23
41. Osteoporosis Services ......................................................................................................................23
42. Prosthetic Devices - Laryngectomy...................................................................................................23
43. Specialized Footwear ........................................................................................................................23
44. Telemedicine Services ......................................................................................................................23
Section 2: Exclusions and Limitations ..................................................25
How We Use Headings in this Section....................................................................................................25
We do not Pay Benefits for Exclusions ...................................................................................................25
Benefit Limitations ...................................................................................................................................25
A. Alternative Treatments........................................................................................................................25
B. Dental.................................................................................................................................................. 25
C. Devices, Appliances and Prosthetics..................................................................................................26
D. Drugs ..................................................................................................................................................27
E. Experimental or Investigational or Unproven Services ....................................................................... 27
F. Foot Care ............................................................................................................................................27
G. Medical Supplies.................................................................................................................................28
H. Mental Health/Substance Abuse ........................................................................................................28
I. Nutrition ................................................................................................................................................29
J. Personal Care, Comfort or Convenience.............................................................................................29
K. Physical Appearance ..........................................................................................................................30
L. Procedures and Treatments................................................................................................................31
M. Providers ............................................................................................................................................ 32
ii
N. Reproduc
tion....................................................................................................................................... 32
O. Services Provided under another Plan............................................................................................... 32
P. Transplants .........................................................................................................................................32
Q. Travel.................................................................................................................................................. 33
R. Types of Care .....................................................................................................................................33
S. Vision and Hearing..............................................................................................................................33
T. All Other Exclusions ............................................................................................................................33
Section 3: When Coverage Begins.........................................................35
How to Enroll ...........................................................................................................................................35
If You Are Hospitalized When Your Coverage Begins ............................................................................ 35
If You Are Eligible for Medicare...............................................................................................................35
Who is Eligible for Coverage ...................................................................................................................35
Eligible Person.........................................................................................................................................35
Dependent ...............................................................................................................................................35
When to Enroll and When Coverage Begins...........................................................................................36
Initial Enrollment Period...........................................................................................................................36
Open Enrollment Period ..........................................................................................................................36
New Eligible Persons...............................................................................................................................36
Adding New Dependents.........................................................................................................................36
Special Enrollment Period .......................................................................................................................36
Section 4: When Coverage Ends............................................................38
General Information about When Coverage Ends ..................................................................................38
Events Ending Your Coverage ................................................................................................................ 38
Other Events Ending Your Coverage......................................................................................................38
Coverage for a Disabled Dependent Child..............................................................................................39
Continuation of Coverage and Conversion .............................................................................................39
Notification Requirements and Election Period for Continuation Coverage under Federal Law (COBRA)
.................................................................................................................................................................41
Terminating Events for Continuation Coverage under Federal Law (COBRA)....................................... 42
Continuation Coverage under State Law ................................................................................................43
Extension of Continuation under State Law (Cal-COBRA) after Exhaustion of Federal COBRA
Continuation Coverage............................................................................................................................43
Qualifying Events for Extended Coverage .............................................................................................. 43
Notification and Election Rights...............................................................................................................43
Termination of Extended Continuation Coverage ...................................................................................43
Continuation Coverage for Surviving Dependents of Fire Fighters and Peace Officers......................... 44
Eligibility...................................................................................................................................................44
Exemption to Continuation Coverage...................................................................................................... 44
Notification Requirements and Election Period....................................................................................... 44
Terminating Events..................................................................................................................................44
Conversion ..............................................................................................................................................45
Section 5: How to File a Claim................................................................46
If You Receive Covered Health Services from a Network Provider ........................................................ 46
If You Receive Covered Health Services from a Non-Network Provider ................................................ 46
Required Information...............................................................................................................................46
Payment of Benefits ................................................................................................................................46
Section 6: Questions, Complaints and Appeals ...................................48
IMPORTANT NOTICE - CLAIM DISPUTES ........................................................................................... 48
What to Do if You Have a Question ........................................................................................................48
What to Do if You Have a Complaint....................................................................................................... 48
How to Appeal a Claim Decision .............................................................................................................48
Post-service Claims.................................................................................................................................48
Pre-service Requests for Benefits........................................................................................................... 49
How to Request an Appeal......................................................................................................................49
iii
Appeal Process
.......................................................................................................................................49
Appeals Determinations ..........................................................................................................................49
Pre-service Requests for Benefits and Post-service Claim Appeals ......................................................49
Urgent Appeals that Require Immediate Action ......................................................................................50
Denial of Experimental, Investigational, or Unproven Services .............................................................. 50
Voluntary External Review Program .......................................................................................................50
Section 7: Coordination of Benefits.......................................................52
Benefits When You Have Coverage under More than One Plan............................................................52
When Coordination of Benefits Applies................................................................................................... 52
Definitions................................................................................................................................................ 52
Order of Benefit Determination Rules .....................................................................................................53
Effect on the Benefits of This Plan .......................................................................................................... 55
Right to Receive and Release Needed Information ................................................................................56
Payments Made.......................................................................................................................................56
Right of Recovery ....................................................................................................................................56
When Medicare is Secondary .................................................................................................................56
Section 8: General Legal Provisions......................................................57
Your Relationship with Us .......................................................................................................................57
Our Relationship with Providers and Enrolling Groups ...........................................................................57
Your Relationship with Providers and Enrolling Groups .........................................................................58
Notice.......................................................................................................................................................58
Statements by Enrolling Group or Subscriber......................................................................................... 58
Incentives to Providers ............................................................................................................................58
Incentives to You .....................................................................................................................................59
Rebates and Other Payments ................................................................................................................. 59
Interpretation of Benefits .........................................................................................................................59
Administrative Services ........................................................................................................................... 59
Amendments to the Policy.......................................................................................................................59
Information and Records .........................................................................................................................60
Examination of Covered Persons............................................................................................................60
Workers' Compensation not Affected......................................................................................................60
Medicare Eligibility...................................................................................................................................61
Reimbursement - Right to Recovery .......................................................................................................61
Refund of Overpayments.........................................................................................................................62
Limitation of Action ..................................................................................................................................63
Entire Policy.............................................................................................................................................63
Section 9: Defined Terms........................................................................64
Amendments, Riders and Notices (As Applicable)
Access Standards Amendment
Continuity of Care Amendment
Disabled Dependent Child Amendment
Domestic Partner Definition Amendment
Foot Care Exclusion and Limitation Amendment
Orthotic Benefit Amendment
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Amendment
Outpatient Prescription Drug Rider
iv
v
Important Notices under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (PPACA)
Changes in Federal Law that Impact Benefits
Some Important Information About Appeal and External Review
Rights Under PPACA
Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Parity
Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998
Statement of Rights under the Newborns' and Mothers' Health
Protection Act
Claims and Appeal Notice
Health Plan Notices of Privacy Practices
Financial Information Privacy Notice
Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices: Federal and State
Amendments
Statement of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(ERISA) Rights
ERISA Statement
UnitedHealthcare Non-Differential PPO
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
Schedule of Benefits
Accessing Benefits
Benefits are payable for Covered Health Services that are provided by or under the direction of a
Physician or other provider regardless of their Network status. This Benefit plan does not provide a
Network Benefit level or a Non-Network Benefit level.
We arrange for health care providers to participate in a Network. Depending on the geographic area, you
may have access to Network providers. These providers have agreed to discount their charges for
Covered Health Services. If you receive Covered Health Services from a Network provider, your
Coinsurance level will remain the same. However, the portion that you owe may be less than if you
received services from a non-Network provider because the Eligible Expense may be a lesser amount.
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 should show your identification card (ID card) every time you request health care services so that the
provider knows that you are enrolled under a UnitedHealthcare Policy.
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.
Additional information about the network of providers and how your Benefits may be affected
appears at the end of this Schedule of Benefits.
Pre-service Benefit Confirmation
We require notification before you receive certain Covered Health Services. Services for which you must
provide pre-service notification are identified below and in the Schedule of Benefits within each Covered
Health Service category.
To notify us, call the telephone number for Customer Care on your ID card.
Covered Health Services which require pre-service notification:
Ambulance - non-emergent air and ground.
Clinical trials.
Congenital heart disease surgery.
Dental services - accidental.
Durable Medical Equipment over $1,000.
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
1
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.
Reconstructive procedures.
Rehabilitation services and Chiropractic Treatment - Chiropractic Treatment.
Skilled Nursing Facility and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility services.
Temporomandibular joint services.
Therapeutics - only for the following services: dialysis.
Transplants.
As we determine, if one or more alternative health services that meets the definition of a Covered Health
Service in the Certificate of Coverage under Section 9: Defined Terms are clinically appropriate and
equally effective for prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a Sickness, Injury, Mental Illness, substance
abuse or their symptoms, we reserve the right to adjust Eligible Expenses for identified Covered Health
Services based on defined clinical protocols. Defined clinical protocols shall be based upon nationally
recognized scientific evidence and prevailing medical standards and analysis of cost-effectiveness. After
you contact us for pre-service Benefit confirmation, we will identify the Benefit level available to you.
The process and procedures used to define clinical protocols and cost-effectiveness of a health service
and a listing of services subject to these provisions (as 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.
For all other services, 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 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.
If you request a coverage determination at the time notice 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.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services are not subject to the pre-service notification requirements
described above. Instead, you must obtain prior authorization from the Mental Health/Substance Abuse
Designee before you receive Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Services. You can contact
the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee at the telephone number on your ID card.
Care Coordination
SM
When we are notified as required, we will work with you to implement the Care Coordination
SM
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.
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
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Special Note Regarding Medicare
If you are enrolled in Medicare on a primary basis (Medicare pays before we pay Benefits under the
Policy), the notification requirements described below 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 notify us before receiving Covered Health Services.
Benefits
Annual Deductibles are calculated on a Policy year basis.
Out-of-Pocket Maximums are calculated on a Policy year basis.
Benefit limits are calculated on a Policy 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.
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.
No Annual Deductible.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
The maximum you pay per year for Coinsurance. Once you
reach the Out-of-Pocket Maximum, Benefits are payable at
100% of Eligible Expenses during the rest of that year.
Details about the way in which Eligible Expenses are
determined appear at the end of the Schedule of Benefits.
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 notify us
as required.
Charges that exceed Eligible Expenses.
Copayments or Coinsurance for any Covered Health
Service identified in the Schedule of Benefits that does
not apply to the Out-of-Pocket Maximum.
Copayments or Coinsurance for Covered Health
Services provided under the Outpatient Prescription
Drug Rider.
No Out-of-Pocket Maximum.
Maximum Policy Benefit
The maximum amount we will pay for Benefits during the No Maximum Policy Benefit.
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
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SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA 4
Payment Term And Description Amounts
entire period of time you are enrolled under the Policy.
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.
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.
Benefit Limits
This Benefit plan does not have Benefit limits in addition to those stated below within the Covered Health
Service categories in the Schedule of Benefits.
Cov
ered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
1. Acupuncture Services
Limited to 20 visits per year. 100% No No
2. Ambulance Services
Pre-service Notification Requirement
In most cases, we will initiate and direct non-Emergency ambulance transportation. If you are
requesting non-Emergency ambulance services, you must notify us as soon as possible prior to
transport. If you fail to notify us as required, you will be responsible for paying all charges and no
Benefits will be paid.
Emergency Ambulance
Ground Ambulance:
100%
No
No
Air Ambulance:
100%
No
No
Non-Emergency Ambulance
Ground or air ambulance, as we
determine appropriate.
Ground Ambulance:
100%
No
No
Air Ambulance:
100%
No
No
3. Clinical Trials
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us as soon as reasonably possible if participation in a clinical trial arises. If you don't
notify us, 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.
Benefits are available when the
Covered Health Services are provided
by either a Network or Non-Network
provider; however if the non-Network
provider does not agree to accept the
network level of reimbursement by
signing a network provider agreement
specifically for the patient enrolling in
the trial, you will be responsible for
the difference and may be billed by
the non-Network provider.
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.
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
5
Cov
ered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
4. Congenital Heart Disease
Surgeries
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us as soon as reasonably possible if a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) surgery arises.
If you don't notify us, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
100% No No
5. Dental Services - Accident Only
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us five business days or as soon as reasonably possible before follow-up (post-
Emergency) treatment begins. (You do not have to notify us before the initial Emergency treatment.) If
you fail to notify us 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.
100% No No
6. Diabetes Services
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us before obtaining any Durable Medical Equipment for the management and
treatment of diabetes that exceeds $1,000 in cost (either purchase price or cumulative rental of a single
item). If you fail to notify us as required, you will be responsible for paying all charges and no Benefits
will be paid.
Dep
ending 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 and
Training/Diabetic Eye
Examinations/Foot Care
7. Diabetes Treatment
Coverage for diabetes equipment and
supplies, prescription items and
diabetes self-management training
programs when provided by or under
the direction of a Physician.
Diabetes equipment and supplies are
limited to blood glucose monitors and
blood glucose testing strips, blood
glucose monitors designed to assist
the visually impaired, insulin pumps
and all related necessary supplies;
ketone urine testing strips, lancets
and lancet puncture devices, pen
delivery systems for the
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.
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
6
Cov
ered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
administration of insulin, podiatric
devices to prevent or treat diabetes-
related complications, insulin
syringes, visual aids, excluding
eyewear, to assist the visually
impaired with proper dosing of insulin.
8. Durable Medical Equipment
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us before obtaining any Durable Medical Equipment that exceeds $1,000 in cost (either
purchase price or cumulative rental of a single item). If you fail to notify us as required, you will be
responsible for paying all charges and no Benefits will be paid.
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 orthotic appliances.
100% No No
9. Emergency Health Services -
Outp
atient
100% No No
10. Home Health Care
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us five business days before receiving services or as soon as is reasonably possible. If
you fail to notify us as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
Limited to 100 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.
100% No No
11. Hospice Care
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us five business days before admission for an Inpatient Stay in a hospice facility or as
soon as is reasonably possible. If you fail to notify us as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of
Eligible Expenses.
In addition, you must contact us within 24 hours of admission for an Inpatient Stay in a hospice facility.
100% No No
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7
Cov
ered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
12. Hospital - Inpatient Stay
Pre-service Notification Requirement
For a scheduled admission, you must notify us five business days before admission, or as soon as is
reasonably possible for non-scheduled admissions (including Emergency admissions). If you fail to
notify us as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
In addition, 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).
100% No No
13. Lab, X-Ray and Diagnostics -
Outp
atient
100% No No
14. Lab, X-Ray and Major
Diagnostics
- CT, PET, MRI, MRA
and Nuclear Medicine - Outpatient
100% No No
15. Mental Health and Substance
Abus
e Services - Inpatient and
Intermediate
Prior Authorization Requirement
You must obtain prior authorization through the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee in order to
receive Benefits. Without authorization, you will be responsible for paying all charges and no Benefits
will be paid.
100% No No
16. Mental Health and Substance
Abus
e Services - Outpatient
Prior Authorization Requirement
You must obtain prior authorization through the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee in order to
receive Benefits. Without authorization, you will be responsible for paying all charges and no Benefits
will be paid.
100% No No
17. Ostomy Supplies
100% No No
18. Pharmaceutical Products -
Outp
atient
100% No No
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
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Cov
ered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
19. Physician Fees for Surgical and
Medical Serv
ices
100% No No
20. Physician's Office Services -
Sickness an
d Injury
100% No No
21. Pregnancy - Maternity Services
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us 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 notify us 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.
Benefits will be the same as those stated under each Covered
Health Service category in this Schedule of Benefits.
22. Preventive Care Services
Physician office services
100% No No
Lab, X-ray or other preventive tests
We pay for Covered Health Services
incurred if you participate in the
Expanded Alpha Feto Protein (AFP)
program, a statewide prenatal testing
program administered by the State
Department of Health Services.
100% No No
23. Prosthetic Devices
100% No No
24. Reconstructive Procedures
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us 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
notify us as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
In addition, 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).
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
9
Cov
ered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
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.
25. Rehabilitation Services -
Outp
atient Therapy and
Chiropractic Treatment
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us five business days before receiving Chiropractic Treatment or as soon as is
reasonably possible. If you fail to notify us 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 Chiropractic
Treatment.
20 visits of speech therapy.
20 visits of pulmonary
rehabilitation therapy.
36 visits of cardiac
rehabilitation therapy.
30 visits of post-cochlear
implant aural therapy.
100% No No
26. Scopic Procedures - Outpatient
Diagno
stic and Therapeutic
100% No No
27. Skilled Nursing
Facilit
y/Inpatient Rehabilitation
Facility Services
Pre-service Notification Requirement
For a scheduled admission, you must notify us five business days before admission, or as soon as is
reasonably possible for non-scheduled admissions. If you fail to notify us as required, Benefits will be
reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
In addition, 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).
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
10
Cov
ered 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 100 days per year. 100% No No
28. Surgery - Outpatient
100% No No
29. Temporomandibular Joint
Disord
er (TMJ) Services
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us five business days or as soon as reasonably possible before temporomandibular
joint services are performed during an Inpatient Stay in a Hospital. If you fail to notify us as required,
Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
Covered Services are payable in the
same manner as surgery for other
covered medical conditions except
that benefits for treatment of TMJ are
limited to $3,000 during the entire
period of time you are covered under
the Policy.
Same as Hospital-
Inpatient Stay,
Surgery-Outpatient.
No No
30. Therapeutic Treatments -
Outp
atient
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us 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 notification: dialysis. If you fail to notify us as required,
Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
100% No No
31. Transplantation Services
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us as soon as reasonably possible if a transplant arises (and before the time a pre-
transplantation evaluation is performed at a transplant center). If you fail to notify us as required,
Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
In addition, 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).
100% No No
32. Urgent Care Center Services
100% No No
33. Vision Examinations
Limited to 1 exam every 2 years. 100% No No
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
11
Cov
ered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
34. Wigs
Limited to $300 every 24 months. 100% No No
Additional Benefits Required By California Law
35. Dental Services - Inpatient
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us five business days or as soon as reasonably possible before follow-up (post-
Emergency) treatment begins. (You do not have to notify us before the initial Emergency treatment.) If
you fail to notify us as required, Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
Services are limited to Covered
Persons who are one of the following:
A child under seven years of
age.
A person who is
developmentally disabled,
regardless of age.
A person whose health is
compromised and for whom
general anesthesia is required,
regardless of age.
100% No No
36. Mastectomy Services
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.
37. Medical Foods
Limited to Formulas and Special Food
Products prescribed by a Physician
for the treatment of phenylketonuria
(PKU).
100% No No
38. Mental Health Services-Severe
Mental Illness and Serious
Emotional Disturb
ances
Prior-Authorization Requirement
You must call and get authorization to receive these Benefits in advance of any treatment through the
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee. The Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee phone
number appears on your ID card. Without authorization, you will be responsible for paying all charges
and no Benefits will be paid.
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
12
Cov
ered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
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.
39. Nicotine Use Benefit
The maximum lifetime benefit is
$200.00 per person.
100% No No
40. Orthotic Benefit
100% No No
41. Osteoporosis Services
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.
42. Prosthetic Devices -
Lar
yngectomy
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.
43. Specialized Footwear
100% No No
44. Telemedicine Services
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 Covered Health
Services from non-Network providers, 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 of Coverage.
If one or more alternative health services that meets the definition of Covered Health Service in the
Certificate of Coverage under Section 9: Defined Terms are clinically appropriate and equally effective for
prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a Sickness, Injury, Mental Illness, substance abuse or their
symptoms, we reserve the right to adjust Eligible Expenses for identified Covered Health Services based
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
13
on define
d clinical protocols. Defined clinical protocols shall be based upon nationally recognized
scientific evidence and prevailing medical standards and analysis of cost-effectiveness.
Eligible Expenses are based on either of 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, Eligible Expenses are
determined, at our discretion, based on the lesser of:
For Covered Health Services other than Pharmaceutical Products, Eligible Expenses are
determined based on available data resources of competitive fees in that geographic area.
When Covered Health Services are Pharmaceutical Products, Eligible Expenses are
determined based on 110% of the amount that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) would have paid under the Medicare program for the drug determined by
either of the following:
Reference to available CMS schedules.
Methods similar to those used by CMS.
Fee(s) that are negotiated with the provider.
50% of the billed charge.
A fee schedule that we develop.
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.
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.
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.
Continuity of Care
If you are under the care of a Network provider for one of the medical conditions above, and the Network
provider caring for you is terminated from the Network by us, we can arrange, at your request and subject
to the provider's agreement, for continuation of Covered Health Services rendered by the terminated
provider for the time periods shown below. Copayments, deductibles or other cost sharing components
will be the same as you would have paid for a provider currently contracting with us.
Medical conditions and time periods for which treatment by a terminated Network provider will be covered
under the Policy are:
An acute condition or serious chronic condition. Treatment by the terminated provider may continue
for up to 90 days.
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
14
A high risk Pregnancy or a Pregnancy that has reached the second or third trimester. Treatment by
the terminated provider may continue until the postpartum services related to the delivery are
completed.
For the purposes of this section, "acute condition" means a medical condition that involves a sudden
onset of symptoms due to an illness, injury, or other medical problem that requires prompt medical
attention and has a limited duration.
For the purposes of this section, "serious chronic condition" means a condition due to a disease, illness or
other medical problem or medical disaster that is serious in nature and that does either of the following:
Persists without full cure or worsens over an extended period of times.
Requires ongoing treatment to maintain remission or prevent deterioration.
This section does not apply to treatment by a provider or provider group whose contract with us has been
terminated or not renewed for reasons relating to medical disciplinary cause or reason, fraud or other
criminal activity.
Second Medical Opinion
A second medical opinion is a reevaluation of your condition or health care treatment by an appropriately
qualified Physician. The Physician or specialist acting within his or her scope of practice, must possess
the clinical background necessary for examining the illness or condition associated with the request for a
second medical opinion.
Second medical opinions will be provided or authorized in the following circumstances:
When you question the reasonableness or necessity of recommended surgical procedures.
When you question a diagnosis or treatment plan for a condition that threatens loss of life, loss of
limb, loss of bodily function, or substantial impairment (including, but not limited to, a chronic
condition).
When the clinical indications are not clear, or are complex and confusing.
When a diagnosis is in doubt due to conflicting test results.
When the treating Physician is unable to diagnose the condition.
When the treatment plan in progress is not improving your medical condition within an appropriate
period of time given the diagnosis, and you request a second opinion regarding the diagnosis or
continuance of the treatment.
When you have attempted to follow the treatment plan or consulted with the initial treating
Physician and still have serious concerns about the diagnosis or treatment.
In most cases you or your treating Physician will request a second medical opinion without consulting us.
However, in the event that we approve a request by you for a second medical opinion, you shall be
responsible only for the costs of applicable copayments that are required for similar referrals.
The second medical opinion will be documented in a consultation report, which will be made available to
you and your treating Physician. It will include any recommended procedures or tests that the Physician
giving the second opinion believes are appropriate.
Please Note: The fact that an appropriately qualified Physician give a second medical opinion and
recommends a particular treatment, diagnostic test or service does not necessarily mean that the
recommended action is medically necessary or a Covered Health Service. If the recommended action is
not medically necessary or is not a Covered Health Service, you will also remain responsible for paying
any appropriate fees to the Physician who performs that recommended action.
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA
15
SBN.NDF2.I.07.CA 16
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.
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 the 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 California. 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 California are the laws that govern the Policy.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SO YOU WILL KNOW FROM WHOM OR WHAT
GROUP OF PROVIDERS HEALTH CARE MAY BE OBTAINED.
COC.CER.I.07.CA 1
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 the 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.INT.I.07.CA 2
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.
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.
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C.YRP.I.07.CA 3
COC.YRP.I.07.CA 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 information 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.
Our Responsibilities
Determine Benefits
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.
COC.ORP.I.07.CA 5
COC.ORP.I.07.CA 6
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 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.
Certificate of Coverage Table of Contents
Section 1: Covered Health Services.........................................................8
Section 2: Exclusions and Limitations ..................................................25
Section 3: When Coverage Begins.........................................................35
Section 4: When Coverage Ends............................................................38
Section 5: How to File a Claim................................................................46
Section 6: Questions, Complaints and Appeals ...................................48
Section 7: Coordination of Benefits.......................................................52
Section 8: General Legal Provisions......................................................57
Section 9: Defined Terms........................................................................64
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C.TOC.I.07.CA 7
Section 1: Covered Health Services
Benefits for Covered Health Services
Benefits are available only if all of the following are true:
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 and/or any Maximum Policy Benefit).
Any limit that applies to the amount you are required to pay in a year (Out-of-Pocket Maximum).
Any responsibility you have for notifying us or obtaining prior authorization.
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. Acupuncture Services
Acupuncture services for the following conditions:
Pain therapy, when another method of pain management has failed.
Nausea that is related to surgery, Pregnancy or chemotherapy.
Acupuncture services must be performed in an office setting by a provider who is one of the following,
either practicing within the scope of his/her license (if state license is available) or who is certified by a
national accrediting body:
Doctor of Medicine.
Doctor of Osteopathy.
Chiropractor.
Acupuncturist.
2. Ambulance Services
Emergency ambulance transportation by a licensed ambulance service 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:
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C.CHS.I.07.CA 8
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.
3. Clinical Trials
Routine patient care costs incurred during participation in a qualifying clinical trial for the treatment of:
Cardiovascular disease (cardiac/stroke).
Surgical musculoskeletal disorders of the spine, hip, and knees.
Benefits include the reasonable and necessary items and services used to 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 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 policy
guidelines.
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).
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C.CHS.I.07.CA 9
Cente
rs 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 to confirm that the clinical trial
meets current standards for scientific merit and has the relevant IRB approvals.
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.
Benefits include Covered Health Services provided in accordance with a clinical trial for cancer. An entity
requesting reimbursement for covered Persons who participate in a clinical trial must be approved by an
Institutional Review Board (IRB) and must meet requirements established by state law. Covered Health
Services must be coordinated by a Physician and meet all of the following criteria:
Treatment is being provided with a therapeutic or palliative intent for Covered Persons with cancer,
or for the prevention or early detection of cancer.
Treatment is being provided or studies are being conducted in a Phase II, Phase III or Phase IV
clinical trial for cancer.
Treatment is being provided in accordance with a clinical trial approved by one of the following:
One of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
A cooperative group funded by one of the National Institutes of Health.
The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the form of an investigational new drug
application.
The Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Department of Defense (DOD).
A federally funded general clinical research center.
The coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups.
Proposed protocol must have been reviewed and approved by a qualified IRB, which has a multiple
project assurance contract approved by the Office of Protection from research risks.
Facility and personnel providing the protocol must provided the treatment within their scope of
practice, experience, and training. They must be capable of doing so by virtue of their experience,
training and volume of patients treated to maintain expertise.
There must be no clearly superior, non-investigational approach.
The available clinical or pre-clinical data provide a reasonable expectation that the treatment will be
at least as efficacious as the non-investigational alternative.
The Covered Person has signed an IRB approved consent form.
4. Congenital Heart Disease Surgeries
Congenital heart disease (CHD) surgeries which are ordered by a Physician. CHD surgical procedures
include, but are not limited to, 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.
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C.CHS.I.07.CA 10
Surge
ry 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
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7. Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes equipment and supplies are limited to blood glucose monitors and blood glucose testing strips,
blood glucose monitors designed to assist the visually impaired, insulin pumps and all related necessary
supplies; ketone urine testing strips, lancets and lancet puncture devices, pen delivery systems for the
administration of insulin, podiatric devices to prevent or treat diabetes-related complications, insulin
syringes, visual aids, excluding eyewear, to assist the visually impaired with proper dosing of insulin.
Diabetes prescription items are limited to insulin, medication for the treatment of diabetes, and glucagon.
8. 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.
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. If you rent or
purchase a piece of Durable Medical Equipment that exceeds this guideline, you will be responsible for
any cost difference between the piece you rent or purchase and the piece we have determined is the
most cost-effective.
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).
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 under this. Braces that straighten or change the
shape of a body part are orthotic devices. Dental braces are 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.
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:
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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.
9. 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.
10. 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 but not limited
to 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.
11. 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
and spiritual 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.
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12. 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).
13. 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, but are not limited to:
Lab and radiology/X-ray.
Mammography. Benefits are provided whether mammography testing is ordered or referred by a
Physician, a nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse midwife.
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.
14. 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.
15. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services - Inpatient and Intermediate
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services received on an inpatient or Intermediate Care basis in a
Hospital or an Alternate Facility. Benefits include drug and alcohol detoxification from abusive chemicals
or substances that are limited to physical detoxification when necessary to protect your physical health
and well-being.
The Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee, who will authorize the services, will determine the
appropriate setting for the treatment. If an Inpatient Stay is required, it is covered on a Semi-private Room
basis. When limits apply to inpatient or Intermediate Care services in the Schedule of Benefits, inpatient
days may be converted to Intermediate Care (such as partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient
programs) or Transitional Care at the discretion of the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee.
One Inpatient day is equivalent to:
Two sessions of partial hospitalization/day treatment.
Five sessions of intensive outpatient treatment.
Six outpatient visits.
Ten days of Transitional Care (either sober living or transitional living arrangements).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services must be provided by or under the direction of the Mental
Health/Substance Abuse Designee. Referrals to a Mental Health or Substance Abuse Services provider
are at the discretion of the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee, who is responsible for coordinating
all of your care. Contact the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee regarding Benefits for
Inpatient/Intermediate Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
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16. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services - Outpatient
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services received on an outpatient basis in a provider's office or at
an Alternate Facility, including:
Mental health, substance abuse and chemical dependency evaluations and assessment.
Diagnosis.
Treatment planning.
Referral services.
Medication management.
Short-term individual, family and group therapeutic services (including intensive outpatient
therapy).
Crisis intervention.
Referrals to a Mental Health or Substance Abuse Services provider are at the discretion of the Mental
Health/Substance Abuse Designee, who is responsible for coordinating all of your care. Contact the
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee regarding Benefits for outpatient Mental Health and Substance
Abuse Services.
17. Ostomy Supplies
Benefits for ostomy supplies are limited to the following:
Pouches, face plates and belts.
Irrigation sleeves, bags and catheters.
Skin barriers.
Benefits are not available for deodorants, filters, lubricants, tape, appliance cleaners, adhesive, adhesive
remover, or other items not listed above.
18. 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.
19. 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.
When these services are performed in a Physician's office, Benefits are described under Physician's
Office Services - Sickness and Injury.
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20. 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 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.
21. 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.
When the mother and child are discharged early, coverage is provided for at least one post discharge
follow-up visit within 48 hours of discharge, when prescribed by the treating Physician. A post discharge
visit is provided by a licensed health care provider whose scope of practice includes postpartum care and
newborn care. The visit includes, at a minimum, parent education, assistance and training in breast or
bottle-feeding, and the performance of any necessary maternal or neonatal physical assessments. The
treating Physician, in consultation with the mother, will determine whether the post discharge visit occurs
at home, a birth facility, or the treating Physician's office. Prenatal diagnosis and counseling for genetic
disorders are covered.
22. Preventive Care Services
Services for preventive medical care provided on an outpatient basis at a Physician's office, an Alternate
Facility or a Hospital. Examples of preventive medical care include but are not limited to the following:
Physician office services:
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Routine physical examinations.
Well baby and well child care. (Preventive care services for children include periodic health
evaluations and laboratory services that are consistent with the Recommendations for Preventive
Pediatric Health Care as adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the most current
version of the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule/United States, jointly adopted by
the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices and the
American Academy of Family Physicians, unless determined otherwise by the State Department of
Health Services.)
Immunizations. (FDA approved AIDS vaccines are covered if recommended by the United States
Public Health Service.)
Vision and hearing screening. (Vision screenings do not include refractive examinations to detect
vision impairment.)
Voluntary family planning.
Blood lead screening in children.
Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
Participation in the Expanded Alpha Feto Protein (AFP) program
Lab, X-ray or other preventive tests:
Screening mammography. Benefits are provided whether mammography testing is ordered or
referred by a Physician, a nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse midwife.
Screening colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.
Cervical cancer screening.
Prostate cancer screening.
Bone mineral density tests.
23. 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 noses.
Speech aid prosthetics and tracheo-esophageal voice prosthetics.
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 other than breast prostheses.
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.
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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.
24. 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 for cosmetic purposes only, but
rather to improve function and/or to create a normal appearance, to the extent possible.
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.
25. Rehabilitation Services - Outpatient Therapy and Chiropractic Treatment
Short-term outpatient rehabilitation services, limited to:
Physical therapy.
Occupational therapy.
Chiropractic Treatment.
Speech therapy.
Pulmonary rehabilitation therapy.
Cardiac rehabilitation therapy.
Post-cochlear implant aural 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.
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, Congenital Anomaly, or autism spectrum disorders.
26. 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.
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Diag
nostic 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,
hysteroscopy.
When these services are performed for preventive screening purposes, Benefits are described under
Preventive Care Services.
27. 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).
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 but not limited
to dressing, feeding, bathing or transferring from a bed to a chair.
It requires clinical training in order to be delivered safely and effectively.
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.
28. 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, hysteroscopy.
29. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Services
Services for the evaluation and treatment of temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) and associated
muscles.
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Diag
nosis: Examination, radiographs and applicable imaging studies, and consultation.
Non-surgical treatment including clinical examinations, oral appliances (orthotic splints), arthrocentesis,
and trigger-point injections.
Benefits are provided for surgical treatment if the following criteria are met:
There is clearly demonstrated radiographic evidence of significant joint abnormality.
Non-surgical treatment has failed to adequately resolve the symptoms.
Pain or dysfunction is moderate or severe.
Benefits for surgical services include arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, arthroplasty, arthrotomy, open or closed
reduction of dislocations, and TMJ implants.
30. Therapeutic Treatments - Outpatient
Therapeutic treatments received on an outpatient basis at a Hospital or Alternate Facility or in a
Physician's office, including but not limited to 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.
31. 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.
32. 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.
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33. 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.
34. Wigs
Wigs and other scalp hair prosthesis regardless of the reason for hair loss.
Additional Benefits Required By California Law
35. Dental Services - Inpatient
Services including general anesthesia and associated Hospital or Alternate Facility charges when the
clinical status or underlying medical condition of the Covered Person requires dental procedures that
ordinarily would not require general anesthesia to be rendered in a Hospital or Alternate Facility setting.
Services are limited to Covered Persons who are one of the following:
A child under seven years of age.
A person who is developmentally disabled, regardless of age.
A person whose health is compromised and for whom general anesthesia is required, regardless of
age.
Services for the diagnosis or treatment of a dental disease are not Covered Health Services.
Please remember that you must notify us as follows:
For elective admissions: five business days before admission.
For non-elective admissions: within one business day or the same day of admission.
For Emergency admissions: within one business day or the same day of admission, or as soon as
is reasonably possible.
If you don't notify us, Benefits may be reduced.
36. Mastectomy Services
Coverage for mastectomies and lymph node dissections is provided in the same manner as other
covered surgeries. The length of Hospital stay is determined by the attending Physician in consultation
with the patient. We will not require the attending Physician to obtain prior approval of the length of the
Hospital stay. The Policy covers all complication from a mastectomy including lymphedema. The Policy
covers prosthetic devices and reconstructive surgery to restore and achieve symmetry for the patient,
subject to the Policy's deductible and copayment requirements.
37. Medical Foods
Coverage is provided for Formulas and Special Food Products that are part of a diet prescribed by a
Physician and managed by a health care professional in consultation with a Physician who specialized in
the treatment of metabolic disease. The diet must be needed to avert the development of serious physical
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or mental di
sabilities or to promote normal development or function as a consequence of phenylketonuria
(PKU).
"Formula" means an enteral product or enteral products for use at home that are prescribed by a
Physician for the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU).
"Special Food Product" means a food product that is both of the following:
Prescribed by a Physician for the treatment of PKU. It does not include a food that is naturally low
in protein, but may include a food product that is specially formulated to have less than on gram of
protein per serving.
Used in place of normal food products, such as grocery store foods, used by the general public.
38. Mental Health Services - Severe Mental Illness and Serious Emotional
Disturbances
Mental Health Services for the diagnosis and treatment of Severe Mental Illness of a Covered Person of
any age and Serious Emotional Disturbances of an Enrolled Dependent child under the same terms and
conditions that apply to medical conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, Lifetime Maximum Benefit,
Copayments, and Deductibles.
Mental Health Services include the following:
Outpatient services.
Inpatient hospital services.
Partial hospital services.
Outpatient prescription drugs, if the Policy includes an Outpatient Prescription Drug Rider.
Severe Mental Illness includes the following:
Schizophrenia.
Schizoaffective disorder,
Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness).
Major depressive disorder.
Panic disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Pervasive developmental disorder or autism.
Anorexia nervosa.
Bulimia nervosa.
An Enrolled Dependent child suffering from Serious Emotional Disturbances means a child who has one
or more mental disorders as identified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders, other than a primary substance use disorder or developmental disorder, that result in
behavior inappropriate to the child's age according to expected developmental norms. As a result of the
disorder, one or more of the following is true:
The child is at risk of removal from home or has been ill for more than 6 months.
The child displays psychotic features, risk of suicide or risk of violence.
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The child meets special education eligibility requirements under state law.
Mental Health Services for Severe Mental Illness and Serious Emotional Disturbances must be provided
by or under the direction of the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee, who is responsible for
coordinating all of your care. The Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee will determine the
appropriate setting for the treatment. If an Inpatient Stay is required it is covered on a Semi-private Room
basis. Contact the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee regarding Benefits for Mental Health
Services for Severe Mental Illness and Serious Emotional Disturbances.
39. Nicotine Use Benefit
We provide Benefits for Physician's services for the treatment of nicotine use and for prescription drugs
for tobacco dependency.
40. Orthotic Benefit
Benefits for orthotic devices, including original and replacement devices when devices are prescribed by
a Physician or are ordered by a licensed health care provider acting within the scope of his/her license.
41. Osteoporosis Services
Services related to diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate management of osteoporosis. Services include,
but are not limited to, all FDA-approved technologies and bone mass measurement as deemed
necessary.
42. Prosthetic Devices - Laryngectomy
Benefits for prosthetic devices to restore a method of speaking for a Covered Person incident to
laryngectomy. This includes the initial and subsequent prosthetic devices, including installation
accessories, as ordered by a Physician. Electronic voice producing machines are not covered.
43. Specialized Footwear
Special footwear needed as a result of foot disfigurement caused by any of the following:
Cerebral palsy.
Arthritis.
Polio.
Spina bifida.
Diabetes.
Accident.
Developmental disability.
44. Telemedicine Services
Covered Health Services received through telemedicine are covered. No face-to-face contact is required
between a network health care provider and a Covered Person for services appropriately provided
through Telemedicine, subject to all terms and conditions of the Policy.
"Telemedicine" is the practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of
medical data, and education using interactive audio, video, or data communications. Telemedicine is not
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consultation by telephone or facsimile machine between health care providers or between patient and
health care provider.
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.
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 Chiropractic
Treatment and osteopathic care for which Benefits are provided as described in Section 1: Covered
Health Services.
B. Dental
1. Dental care (which includes dental X-rays, supplies and appliances and all associated expenses,
including hospitalizations and anesthesia).
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C.EXC.I.07.CA 25
This ex
clusion does not apply to accident-related dental services for which Benefits are provided as
described under Dental Services - Accident Only 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 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.
This exclusion does not apply to accident-related dental services for which Benefits are provided as
described under Dental Services - Accident Only 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 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.
C. Devices, Appliances and Prosthetics
1. Devices used specifically as safety items or to affect performance in sports-related activities.
2. The following items are excluded, even if prescribed by a Physician:
Blood pressure cuff/monitor.
Enuresis alarm.
Home coagulation testing equipment.
Non-wearable external defibrillator.
Trusses.
Ultrasonic nebulizers.
Ventricular assist devices.
3. Devices and computers to assist in communication and speech except for speech aid prosthetics
and tracheo-esophageal voice prosthetics.
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4.
Oral appliances for snoring.
5. Repairs to prosthetic devices due to misuse, malicious damage or gross neglect.
6. Replacement of prosthetic devices due to misuse, malicious damage or gross neglect or to replace
lost or stolen items.
D. Drugs
1. Prescription drug products for outpatient use that are filled by a prescription order or refill.
2. Self-injectable medications, except those needed to treat diabetes. 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.
E. 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 except Benefits provided for clinical trials for cancer
and for Experimental or Investigational Services and Unproven Services as defined under Section 9:
Defined Terms and except that coverage which is provided for an FDA-approved drug prescribed for a
use that is different from the use for which the FDA approved it, when needed for treatment of a chronic
and seriously debilitating or life-threatening condition. The drug must appear on the Formulary List, if
applicable. The drug must be recognized for treatment of the condition for which the drug is being
prescribed in one of the following established reference compendia: (1) U.S. Pharmacopoeia Dispensing
Information; (2) American Medical Association's Drug Evaluation; or (3) American Hospital Formulary
Service Drug Information, or it is recommended by two clinical studies or review articles in major peer
reviewed professional journals. However, there is no coverage for any drug that the FDA or a major peer
reviewed medical journal has determined to be contraindicated for the specific treatment for which the
drug has been prescribed. The fact that an Experimental or Investigational 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.
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.
F. 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.
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C.EXC.I.07.CA 27
This ex
clusion 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.
G. Medical Supplies
1. Prescribed or non-prescribed medical supplies and disposable supplies. Examples include:
Elastic stockings.
Ace bandages.
Gauze and dressings.
Urinary catheters.
This exclusion does not apply to:
Mastectomy Services.
Prosthetic devices incident to laryngectomy as described in Section 1: Covered Health
Services.
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.
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.
H. Mental Health/Substance Abuse
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 and Substance Abuse Services that extend beyond the period necessary
for short-term evaluation, diagnosis, treatment or crisis intervention.
3. Mental Health Services as treatment for insomnia and other sleep disorders, neurological disorders
and other disorders with a known physical basis.
4. Treatment for conduct and impulse control disorders, personality disorders, paraphilias and other
Mental Illnesses that will not substantially improve beyond the current level of functioning, or that
are not subject to favorable modification or management according to prevailing national standards
of clinical practice, as reasonably determined by the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee.
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C.EXC.I.07.CA 28
5.
Services utilizing methadone treatment as maintenance, L.A.A.M. (1-Alpha-Acetyl-Methadol),
Cyclazocine, or their equivalents.
6. Treatment provided in connection with or to comply with involuntary commitments, police
detentions and other similar arrangements, unless authorized by the Mental Health/Substance
Abuse Designee.
7. Residential treatment services.
8. Services or supplies for the diagnosis or treatment of Mental Illness, alcoholism or substance
abuse disorders that, in the reasonable judgment of the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee,
are any of the following:
Not consistent with prevailing national standards of clinical practice for the treatment of such
conditions.
Not consistent with prevailing professional research demonstrating that the services or
supplies will have a measurable and beneficial health outcome.
Typically do not result in outcomes demonstrably better than other available treatment
alternatives that are less intensive or more cost effective.
Not consistent with the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee's level of care guidelines
or best practices as modified from time to time.
The Mental Health/Substance Abuse Designee may consult with professional clinical consultants,
peer review committees or other appropriate sources for recommendations and information
regarding whether a service or supply meets any of these criteria.
I. 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 and other nutritional and electrolyte supplements, including infant formula and
donor breast milk, except as described under Medical Foods in Section 1: Covered Health
Services.
3. 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).
J. Personal Care, Comfort or Convenience
1. Television.
2. Telephone.
3. Beauty/barber service.
4. Guest service.
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5.
Supplies, equipment and similar incidental services and supplies for personal comfort. Examples
include:
Air conditioners, air purifiers and filters, dehumidifiers.
Batteries and battery chargers.
Breast pumps.
Car seats.
Chairs, bath chairs, feeding chairs, toddler chairs, chair lifts, recliners.
Electric scooters.
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.
Safety equipment.
Speech generating devices.
Treadmills.
Vehicle modifications such as van lifts.
Video players.
Whirlpools.
K. Physical Appearance
1. Cosmetic Procedures. See the definition in Section 9: Defined Terms. Examples include:
Pharmacological regimens, nutritional procedures or treatments.
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C.EXC.I.07.CA 30
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. Breast reduction 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.
5. Physical conditioning programs such as athletic training, body-building, exercise, fitness, flexibility,
and diversion or general motivation.
6. Weight loss programs whether or not they are under medical supervision. Weight loss programs for
medical reasons are also excluded.
L. 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. 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 disorders.
5. Psychosurgery.
6. Sex transformation operations.
7. 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.
8. Biofeedback.
9. Upper and lower jawbone surgery including that for obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment of acute
traumatic Injury, dislocation, tumors or cancer and orthognathic surgery jaw alignment are covered.
10. Surgical and non-surgical treatment of obesity.
11. Stand-alone multi-disciplinary smoking cessation programs.
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C.EXC.I.07.CA 31
M. 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-
based 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.
4. Foreign language and sign language interpreters.
N. 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.
O. 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.
3. Health services while on active military duty.
P. 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.)
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C.EXC.I.07.CA 32
3.
Health services for transplants involving permanent mechanical or animal organs.
Q. 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.
R. Types of Care
1. Multi-disciplinary pain management programs provided on an inpatient basis.
2. Custodial Care.
3. Domiciliary care.
4. Private duty nursing. This means 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.
5. Respite care.
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).
S. Vision and Hearing
1. Purchase cost and fitting charge for eye glasses and contact lenses.
2. Implantable lenses used only to correct a refractive error (such as Intacs corneal implants).
3. Purchase cost and associated fitting and testing charges for hearing aids, Bone Anchor Hearing
Aids (BAHA) and all other hearing assistive devices.
4. Eye exercise therapy.
5. 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.
T. 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.
2. Physical, psychiatric or psychological exams, testing, vaccinations, immunizations or treatments
that are otherwise covered under the Policy when:
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C.EXC.I.07.CA 33
COC.EXC.I.07.CA 34
Required solely for purposes of career, school, sports or camp, travel, employment,
insurance, marriage or adoption.
Related to judicial or administrative proceedings or orders.
Conducted for purposes of medical research.
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.
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.
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. Charges in excess of Eligible Expenses or in excess of any specified limitation.
7. Long term (more than 30 days) storage. Examples include cryopreservation of tissue, blood and
blood products.
8. Autopsy.
Section 3: When Coverage Begins
How to Enroll
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.
If You Are Eligible for Medicare
Your Benefits under the Policy may be reduced if you are eligible for Medicare but do not enroll in and
maintain coverage under both Medicare Part A and Part B.
Your Benefits under the Policy may also be reduced if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage
(Medicare Part C) plan but fail to follow the rules of that plan. Please see Medicare Eligibility in Section 8:
General Legal Provisions for more information about how Medicare may affect your Benefits.
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.
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.
COC.BGN.I.07.CA 35
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.
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.
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.
Registering a Domestic Partner.
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.
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.
COC.BGN.I.07.CA 36
COC.BGN.I.07.CA 37
A special enrollment period applies to an Eligible Person and any Dependents when one of the following
events occurs:
Birth.
Legal adoption.
Placement for adoption.
Marriage.
Registering a Domestic Partner.
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 and/or Dependent had existing health coverage under another plan including
no-share-of-cost Medi-Cal coverage, 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, but not limited to, legal separation, divorce or death).
The employer stopped paying the contributions. This is true even if the Eligible Person
and/or Dependent continues to receive coverage under the prior plan and to pay the
amounts previously paid by the employer.
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.
When an event takes place (for example, a birth or marriage), 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.
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. 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.
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 any of the following happen, we will provide written notice to the Subscriber that coverage has
ended on the date we identify in the notice:
Fraud, Misrepresentation or False Information
COC.END.I.07.CA 38
Frau
d or misrepresentation, or the Subscriber knowingly gave us false material information.
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.
Material Violation
There was a material violation of the terms of the Policy.
Improper Use of ID Card
You permitted an unauthorized person to use your ID card, or you used another person's card.
Failure to Pay
You failed to pay a required Copayment.
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 a two year period following the child's attainment of 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.
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.
COC.END.I.07.CA 39
We a
re 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.
Continuation Coverage under Federal Law (COBRA)
Much of the language in this section comes from the federal law that governs continuation coverage. You
should call your Enrolling Group's plan administrator if you have questions about your right to continue
coverage.
In order to be eligible for continuation coverage under federal law, you must meet the definition of a
"Qualified Beneficiary". A Qualified Beneficiary is any of the following persons who were covered under
the Policy on the day before a qualifying event:
A Subscriber.
A Subscriber's Enrolled Dependent, including with respect to the Subscriber's children, a child born
to or placed for adoption with the Subscriber during a period of continuation coverage under federal
law.
A Subscriber's former spouse.
Qualifying Events for Continuation Coverage under Federal Law (COBRA)
If the coverage of a Qualified Beneficiary would ordinarily terminate due to one of the following qualifying
events, then the Qualified Beneficiary is entitled to continue coverage. The Qualified Beneficiary is
entitled to elect the same coverage that she or he had on the day before the qualifying event.
The qualifying events with respect to an employee who is a Qualified Beneficiary are:
A. Termination of the Subscriber from employment with the Enrolling Group, for any reason other than
gross misconduct.
B. Reduction in the Subscriber's hours of employment.
With respect to a Subscriber's spouse or dependent child who is a Qualified Beneficiary, the qualifying
events are:
A. Termination of the Subscriber from employment with the Enrolling Group, for any reason other than
the Subscriber's gross misconduct.
B. Reduction in the Subscriber's hours of employment.
C. Death of the Subscriber.
D. Divorce or legal separation of the Subscriber.
E. Loss of eligibility by an Enrolled Dependent who is a child.
F. Entitlement of the Subscriber to Medicare benefits.
G. The Enrolling Group filing for bankruptcy, under Title 11, United States Code. This is also a
qualifying event for any retired Subscriber and his or her Enrolled Dependents if there is a
substantial elimination of coverage within one year before or after the date the bankruptcy was
filed.
COC.END.I.07.CA 40
Notification Requirements and Election Period for Continuation Coverage under
Federal Law (COBRA)
Notification Requirements for Qualifying Event
The Subscriber or other Qualified Beneficiary must notify the Enrolling Group's plan administrator within
60 days of the latest of the date of the following events:
The Subscriber's divorce or legal separation, or an Enrolled Dependent's loss of eligibility as an
Enrolled Dependent.
The date the Qualified Beneficiary would lose coverage under the Policy.
The date on which the Qualified Beneficiary is informed of his or her obligation to provide notice
and the procedures for providing such notice.
The Subscriber or other Qualified Beneficiary must also notify the Enrolling Group's plan administrator
when a second qualifying event occurs, which may extend continuation coverage.
If the Subscriber or other Qualified Beneficiary fails to notify the Enrolling Group's plan administrator of
these events within the 60-day period, the plan administrator is not obligated to provide continued
coverage to the affected Qualified Beneficiary. If a Subscriber is continuing coverage under federal law,
the Subscriber must notify the Enrolling Group's plan administrator within 60 days of the birth or adoption
of a child.
Notification Requirements for Disability Determination or Change in Disability Status
The Subscriber or other Qualified Beneficiary must notify the Enrolling Group's plan administrator as
described under "Terminating Events for Continuation Coverage under Federal Law (COBRA)".
The notice requirements will be satisfied by providing written notice to the Enrolling Group's plan
administrator at the address stated in the ERISA Statement. The contents of the notice must be such that
the plan administrator is able to determine the covered employee and qualified beneficiary or
beneficiaries, the qualifying event or disability, and the date on which the qualifying event occurred.
None of the above notice requirements will be enforced if the Subscriber or other Qualified Beneficiary is
not informed of his or her obligations to provide such notice.
After providing notice to the Enrolling Group's plan administrator, the Qualified Beneficiary shall receive
the continuation coverage and election notice. Continuation coverage must be elected by the later of 60
days after the qualifying event occurs; or 60 days after the Qualified Beneficiary receives notice of the
continuation right from the plan administrator.
The Qualified Beneficiary's initial premium due to the plan administrator must be paid on or before the
45th day after electing continuation.
The Trade Act of 2002 amended COBRA to provide for a special second 60-day COBRA election period
for certain employees who have experienced a termination or reduction of hours and who lose group
health plan coverage as a result. The special second COBRA election period is available only to a very
limited group of individuals: generally, those who are receiving trade adjustment assistance (TAA) or
"alternative trade adjustment assistance" under a federal law called the Trade Act of 1974. These
employees are entitled to a second opportunity to elect COBRA coverage for themselves and certain
family members (if they did not already elect COBRA coverage), but only within a limited period of 60
days from the first day of the month when an individual begins receiving TAA (or would be eligible to
receive TAA but for the requirement that unemployment benefits be exhausted) and only during the six
months immediately after their group health plan coverage ended.
If you qualify or may qualify for assistance under the Trade Act of 1974, contact the Enrolling Group for
additional information. You must contact the Enrolling Group promptly after qualifying for assistance
under the Trade Act of 1974 or you will lose your special COBRA rights. COBRA coverage elected during
COC.END.I.07.CA 41
the spe
cial second election period is not retroactive to the date the plan coverage was lost but begins on
the first day of the special second election period.
Terminating Events for Continuation Coverage under Federal Law (COBRA)
Continuation under the Policy will end on the earliest of the following dates:
Eighteen months from the date of the qualifying event, if the Qualified Beneficiary's coverage would
have ended because the Subscriber's employment was terminated or hours were reduced (i.e.,
qualifying events A or B).
If a Qualified Beneficiary is determined to have been disabled under the Social Security Act at
anytime within the first 60 days of continuation coverage for qualifying events A or B, then the
Qualified Beneficiary may elect an additional eleven months of continuation coverage (for a total of
twenty-nine months of continued coverage) subject to the following conditions:
Notice of such disability must be provided within the latest of 60 days after:
The determination of the disability; or
The date of the qualifying event; or
The date the Qualified Beneficiary would lose coverage under the Policy; and
In no event later than the end of the first eighteen months.
The Qualified Beneficiary must agree to pay any increase in the required Premium for the
additional eleven months.
If the Qualified Beneficiary who is entitled to the eleven months of coverage has non-
disabled family members who are also Qualified Beneficiaries, then those non-disabled
Qualified Beneficiaries are also entitled to the additional eleven months of continuation
coverage.
Notice of any final determination that the Qualified Beneficiary is no longer disabled must be
provided within 30 days of such determination. Thereafter, continuation coverage may be
terminated on the first day of the month that begins more than 30 days after the date of that
determination.
Thirty-six months from the date of the qualifying event for an Enrolled Dependent whose coverage
ended because of the death of the Subscriber, divorce or legal separation of the Subscriber, or loss
of eligibility by an Enrolled Dependent who is a child (i.e. qualifying events C, D or E).
With respect to Qualified Beneficiaries, and to the extent that the Subscriber was entitled to
Medicare prior to the qualifying event:
Eighteen months from the date of the Subscriber's Medicare entitlement; or
Thirty-six months from the date of the Subscriber's Medicare entitlement, if a second
qualifying event (that was due to either the Subscriber's termination of employment or the
Subscriber's work hours being reduced) occurs prior to the expiration of the eighteen
months.
With respect to Qualified Beneficiaries, and to the extent that the Subscriber became entitled to
Medicare subsequent to the qualifying event:
Thirty-six months from the date of the Subscriber's termination from employment or work
hours being reduced (first qualifying event) if:
The Subscriber's Medicare entitlement occurs within the eighteen month continuation
period; and
COC.END.I.07.CA 42
Absent the first qualifying event, the Medicare entitlement would have resulted in a
loss of coverage for the Qualified Beneficiary under the group health plan.
The date coverage terminates under the Policy for failure to make timely payment of the Premium.
The date, after electing continuation coverage, that coverage is first obtained under any other
group health plan. If such coverage contains a limitation or exclusion with respect to any
preexisting condition, continuation shall end on the date such limitation or exclusion ends. The
other group health coverage shall be primary for all health services except those health services
that are subject to the preexisting condition limitation or exclusion.
The date, after electing continuation coverage, that the Qualified Beneficiary first becomes entitled
to Medicare, except that this shall not apply in the event that coverage was terminated because the
Enrolling Group filed for bankruptcy, (i.e. qualifying event G). If the Qualified Beneficiary was
entitled to continuation because the Enrolling Group filed for bankruptcy, (i.e. qualifying event G)
and the retired Subscriber dies during the continuation period, then the other Qualified
Beneficiaries shall be entitled to continue coverage for thirty-six months from the date of the
Subscriber's death.
The date the entire Policy ends.
The date coverage would otherwise terminate under the Policy as described earlier in this section
under the heading Events Ending Your Coverage.
Continuation Coverage under State Law
Extension of Continuation under State Law (Cal-COBRA) after
Exhaustion of Federal COBRA Continuation Coverage
A Qualified Beneficiary is an individual who was covered under the Policy and has also exhausted their
continuation coverage under Federal law (COBRA) for which they were entitled to less than 36 months of
coverage. Extended continuation coverage under state law (Cal-COBRA) may be obtained for up to 36
months from the date that the COBRA continuation began.
Qualifying Events for Extended Coverage
The date of your "Qualifying Event" is the date that continuation coverage began under your federal
COBRA continuation.
Notification and Election Rights
Notification of any right to extended coverage under Cal-COBRA will be provided to you by the Enrolling
Group or the Enrolling Group's designated plan administrator within 90 days prior to your termination
under COBRA. Continuation must be elected within 30 days of when COBRA continuation is scheduled to
end.
The Enrolling Group or the Enrolling Group's designated plan administrator will notify us of your election
to extend your continuation coverage under Cal-COBRA.
Termination of Extended Continuation Coverage
Continuation under the Policy will end on the earliest of the following dates:
Thirty-six months from the date of your qualifying event.
COC.END.I.07.CA 43
The date, after electing continuation coverage, that the Qualified Beneficiary first becomes entitled
to Medicare.
The date, after electing continuation coverage that the Qualified Beneficiary has other hospital,
medical or surgical coverage, or is or becomes covered under another group health plan.
The date the Qualified Beneficiary is covered, becomes covered, or is eligible for coverage
pursuant to Chapter 6A of the Public Health Service Act.
The date coverage terminated under the Policy for failure to make timely payment of the Premium.
The date the entire Policy ends.
The date coverage would otherwise terminate under the Policy as described in this section under
the heading Events Ending Your Coverage.
Continuation Coverage for Surviving Dependents of Fire Fighters and
Peace Officers
Eligibility
If a Subscriber is a firefighter or peace officer who dies in the line of duty, the Enrolled Dependent(s) are
eligible for continuation of coverage.
A firefighter or peace officer who dies in the line of duty is defined by California law as a person who:
Is killed in the performance of his or her duty, or
Dies as a result of an accident or injury caused by external violence or physical force incurred in
the performance of his or her duty.
The coverage will be the same benefits that the Dependent spouse and children had while the firefighter
or peace officer was alive. Dependent children will receive benefits under the coverage provided to the
surviving spouse. If there is no surviving spouse, coverage for Dependent children will continue until the
age of 21 years.
Exemption to Continuation Coverage
This provision does not apply if the surviving spouse elects to receive a lump sum survivor's benefit in lieu
of monthly benefits.
Notification Requirements and Election Period
The Enrolling Group shall provide applicable Enrolled Dependents with written notification of the right to
continuation coverage and the Enrolled Dependents must elect continuation coverage within 31 days of
receiving notification. Enrolled Dependents should obtain an election form from the Enrolling Group and,
once election is made, forward all monthly Premiums to the Enrolling Group for payment to us.
Terminating Events
Continuation Coverage under the Policy will end on the earliest of the following dates:
The date an individual is covered under any group health plan not maintained by the Enrolling
Group, regardless of whether that coverage is less valuable; or
The date an individual no longer resides in California; or
COC.END.I.07.CA 44
COC.END.I.07.CA 45
The date coverage terminates because the individual violates a material condition of the Policy; or
The date a Dependent child is no longer eligible.
If a surviving spouse remarries, coverage for the surviving spouse and Dependent children of the
deceased firefighter or peace officer will continue, but the surviving spouse may not add the new spouse
or stepchildren as eligible Dependents under the Policy.
Conversion
If your coverage terminates for one of the reasons described below, you may apply for conversion
coverage without furnishing evidence of insurability. Conversion coverage is not required when the
covered person is terminated under the Policy for any of the following reasons:
You or the Enrolling Group failed to make any required contributions toward the coverage;
You or the Enrolling Group were terminated by us from the Policy for good cause;
You or the Enrolling Group knowingly furnished incorrect information or otherwise improperly
obtained Benefits under the Policy; or
The Policy ends and replacement coverage is provided within 60 days of termination.
Conversion coverage is not required to be provided to you if any of the following facts are present:
You are covered by or are eligible for benefits under title XVIII of the United States Social Security
Act;
You are covered by or are eligible for hospital, medical or surgical benefits under any arrangement
of coverage for individuals in a group, whether insured or self-insured;
You are covered for similar benefits by an individual policy or contract.
You have not been continuously covered under the Policy (or any prior group plan with similar
coverage) during the three month period immediately preceding your termination of coverage.
Notification of your right to conversion coverage will be provided to you by the Enrolling Group within 15
days of the date of termination.
Benefits provided under your conversion coverage will be at least the minimum benefits as required for
major medical conversion coverage as required by the California Insurance Code.
Application and payment of the initial Premium must be made within 63 days after coverage ends under
the Policy. Coverage will be effective on the day following the termination of coverage under the Policy.
Conversion coverage will be provided for you and any Enrolled Dependents. Coverage will be issued in
accordance with the terms and conditions in effect at the time of application.
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 Annual
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.
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 information we
require, as described below.
You must submit a request for payment of Benefits within 90 days after the date of service. Upon request,
we will provide claims forms to you within 15 days of your request. If you do not request such a claim
form, you may submit the required information as provided below. If you don't provide this information to
us within one year 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).
Payment of Benefits
We will pay Benefits within 30 days after we receive your request for payment that includes all required
information.
We will reimburse claims or any portion of any claim, whether instate or out-of-state, for Covered Health
Services, as soon as possible, no later than 30 working days after receipt of the claim.
COC.CLM.I.07.CA 46
COC.CLM.I.07.CA 47
However, a claim or portion of a claim may be contested or denied by us. In that case you will be notified
in writing that the claim is contested or denied within 30 working days of receipt of the claim. The notice
that the claim is being contested or denied will identify the portion of the claim that is contested or denied
and the specific reasons including, for each reason, the factual and legal basis known at the time by us
for contesting or denying the claim. If the reason is based solely on facts or solely on law, we will provide
only the factual or the legal basis for contesting or denying the claim. We will provide a copy of such
notice to each Covered Person who received services pursuant to the claim that was contested or denied
and the health care provider that provided the services at issue.
If an uncontested claim is not reimbursed by delivery to your address of record within 30 working days
after receipt, we will pay interest at the rate of 10% per annum beginning with the first calendar day after
the 30-working-day period.
If a Subscriber provides written authorization to allow this, all or a portion of any Eligible Expenses due to
a provider may be paid directly to the provider instead of being paid to the Subscriber. But we will not
reimburse third parties that have purchased or been assigned benefits by Physicians or other providers.
Benefits will be paid to you unless either of the following is true:
The provider notifies us that your signature is on file, assigning benefits directly to that provider.
You make a written request at the time you submit your claim.
Section 6: Questions, Complaints and Appeals
IMPORTANT NOTICE - CLAIM DISPUTES
Should a dispute concerning a claim arise, contact us first. If the dispute is not resolved contact the
California Department of Insurance.
Call us at the phone number shown on your ID card.
Call the California Department of Insurance at:
1-800-927 HELP (1-800-927-4357) if the Covered Person resides in the State of California.
213-897-8921 if the Covered Person resided outside of the State of California.
A covered Person may write the California Department of Insurance at:
California Department of Insurance
Claims Services Bureau, 11th Floor
300 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
For further information about complaint procedures please read the section below.
To resolve a question, complaint, or appeal, 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 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 representative 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 60 days of receiving it.
How to Appeal a Claim Decision
Post-service Claims
Post-service claims are those claims that are filed for payment of Benefits after medical care has been
received.
COC.CPL.I.07.CA 48
Pre-service Requests for Benefits
Pre-service requests for Benefits are those requests that require notification or benefit confirmation prior
to receiving medical care. If we adjust Eligible Expenses for identified Covered Health Services based on
defined clinical protocols and standard cost-effectiveness analysis, you may appeal that decision
pursuant to this process.
How to Request an Appeal
If you disagree with either a pre-service request for Benefits determination or post-service claim
determination, you can contact us in writing to formally request an appeal.
Your request for an appeal should include:
The patient's name and the identification number from the ID card.
The date(s) of medical service(s).
The provider's name.
The reason you believe the claim should be paid.
Any documentation or other written information to support your request for claim payment.
Your first appeal request must be submitted to us within 180 days after you receive the denial of a pre-
service request for Benefits or the claim denial.
Appeal Process
A qualified individual who was not involved in the decision being appealed will be appointed to decide the
appeal. If your appeal is related to clinical matters, the review will be done in consultation with a health
care professional with appropriate expertise in the field, who was not involved in the prior determination.
We may consult with, or seek the participation of, medical experts as part of the appeal resolution
process. You consent to this referral and the sharing of pertinent medical claim information. Upon request
and free of charge, you have the right to reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, and
other information relevant to your claim for Benefits.
Appeals Determinations
Pre-service Requests for Benefits and Post-service Claim Appeals
For procedures associated with urgent requests for Benefits, see Urgent Appeals That Require
Immediate Action below.
You will be provided written or electronic notification of the decision on your appeal as follows:
For appeals of pre-service requests for Benefits as identified above, the first level appeal will be
conducted and you will be notified of the decision within 15 days from receipt of a request for
appeal of a denied request for Benefits. If you are not satisfied with the first level appeal decision,
you have the right to request a second level appeal. Your second level appeal request must be
submitted to us within 60 days from receipt of the first level appeal decision. The second level
appeal will be conducted and you will be notified of the decision within 15 days from receipt of a
request for review of the first level appeal decision.
For appeals of post-service claims as identified above, the first level appeal will be conducted and
you will be notified of the decision within 30 days from receipt of a request for appeal of a denied
claim. If you are not satisfied with the first level appeal decision, you have the right to request a
COC.CPL.I.07.CA 49
se
cond level appeal. Your second level appeal request must be submitted to us within 60 days
from receipt of the first level appeal decision. The second level appeal will be conducted and you
will be notified of the decision within 30 days from receipt of a request for review of the first level
appeal decision.
Please note that our decision is based only on whether or not Benefits are available under the Policy for
the proposed treatment or procedure. We don't determine whether the pending health service is
necessary or appropriate. That decision is between you and your Physician.
Urgent Appeals that Require Immediate Action
Your appeal may require immediate action if a delay in treatment could significantly increase the risk to
your health, or the ability to regain maximum function, or cause severe pain. In these urgent situations:
The appeal does not need to be submitted in writing. You or your Physician should call us as soon
as possible.
We will provide you with a written or electronic determination within 72 hours following receipt of
your request for review of the determination, taking into account the seriousness of your condition.
If we need more information from your Physician to make a decision, we will notify you of the
decision by the end of the next business day following receipt of the required information.
The appeal process for urgent situations does not apply to prescheduled treatments, therapies or
surgeries.
Denial of Experimental, Investigational, or Unproven Services
If we deny Benefits for a medical procedure or plan of treatment as being Experimental, Investigational or
Unproven, and those services are for a Covered Person with a terminal illness (an incurable or
irreversible condition that has a high probability of causing death within one year or less), we will provide
you with written notification of all of the following:
Written notice within 5 business days describing how you can request an external review of any
decision that denies Experimental, Investigational or Unproven Services.
The specific medical and scientific reasons for the denial and specific references to pertinent Policy
provisions upon which the denial is based.
A description of the alternative medical procedures or treatments covered by the Policy, if any.
A description of the process of external review explaining how you or your representative can
appeal the denial and participate in the review. An external review will be provided to the Covered
Person within 30 calendar days following the receipt of a request for external review. An expedited
review may be held within 5 business days at the request of the treating Physician.
Voluntary External Review Program
After you exhaust the appeal process, if we make a final determination to deny Benefits, you may choose
to participate in our voluntary external review program. This program only applies if our decision is based
on either of the following:
Clinical reasons.
The exclusion for Experimental or Investigational or Unproven Services.
COC.CPL.I.07.CA 50
COC.CPL.I.07.CA 51
The results of an external review requested for Experimental, Investigational or Unproven Services can
be rendered in seven days if you suffer from a terminal illness and your Physician requests an expedited
review.
If you are still not satisfied with our decision, you have the right to take your complaint to the California
Department of Insurance.
The external review program is not available if our coverage determinations are based on Benefit
exclusions or defined Benefit limits.
Contact us at the telephone number shown on your ID card for more information on the voluntary external
review program.
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, blanket, franchise 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; medical benefits under group or
individual automobile contracts; 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
COC.COB.I.07.CA 52
Plan is prim
ary, 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.
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.
COC.COB.I.07.CA 53
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 (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.
COC.COB.I.07.CA 54
(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, 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.
C. This Coverage Plan reduces its benefits as described below for Covered Persons who are eligible
for Medicare when Medicare would be the Primary Coverage Plan.
COC.COB.I.07.CA 55
COC.COB.I.07.CA 56
Medicare benefits are determined as if the full amount that would have been payable under
Medicare was actually paid under Medicare, even if:
The person is entitled but not enrolled in Medicare. Medicare benefits are determined as if
the person were covered under Medicare Parts A and B.
The person is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan and receives non-
covered services because the person did not follow all rules of that plan. Medicare benefits
are determined as if the services were covered under Medicare Parts A and B.
The person receives services from a provider who has elected to opt-out of Medicare.
Medicare benefits are determined as if the services were covered under Medicare Parts A
and B and the provider had agreed to limit charges to the amount of charges allowed under
Medicare rules.
The services are provided in any facility that is not eligible for Medicare reimbursements,
including a Veterans Administration facility, facility of the Uniformed Services, or other facility
of the federal government. Medicare benefits are determined as if the services were
provided by a facility that is eligible for reimbursement under Medicare.
The person is enrolled under a plan with a Medicare Medical Savings Account. Medicare
benefits are determined as if the person were covered under Medicare Parts A and B.
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.
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 do not decide what care you need or will receive. You and your Physician make those
decisions.
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
COC.LGL.I.07.CA 57
que
stions 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.
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 Annual 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
COC.LGL.I.07.CA 58
inclu
des 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.
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 Annual Deductible. We do not pass these rebates on to you, nor are
they applied to any Annual 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.
COC.LGL.I.07.CA 59
No othe
r 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.
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 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.
COC.LGL.I.07.CA 60
Medicare Eligibility
Benefits under the Policy are not intended to supplement any coverage provided by Medicare.
Nevertheless, in some circumstances Covered Persons who are eligible for or enrolled in Medicare may
also be enrolled under the Policy.
If you are eligible for or enrolled in Medicare, please read the following information carefully.
If you are eligible for Medicare on a primary basis (Medicare pays before Benefits under the Policy), you
should enroll in and maintain coverage under both Medicare Part A and Part B. If you don't enroll and
maintain that coverage, and if we are the secondary payer as described in Section 7: Coordination of
Benefits, we will pay Benefits under the Policy as if you were covered under both Medicare Part A and
Part B. As a result, you will be responsible for the costs that Medicare would have paid and you will incur
a larger out-of-pocket cost.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan on a primary basis (Medicare pays
before Benefits under the Policy), you should follow all rules of that plan that require you to seek services
from that plan's participating providers. When we are the secondary payer, we will pay any Benefits
available to you under the Policy as if you had followed all rules of the Medicare Advantage plan. You will
be responsible for any additional costs or reduced Benefits that result from your failure to follow these
rules, and you will incur a larger out-of-pocket cost.
Reimbursement - Right to Recovery
In consideration of the coverage provided by this Certificate, we shall have an independent right to be
reimbursed by you for the reasonable value of any services and Benefits we provide to you, if you make a
recovery 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 right to reimbursement, including, but not limited
to:
providing any relevant information requested by us,
signing and/or delivering such documents as we or our agents reasonably request to secure
the reimbursement claim,
responding to requests for information about any accident or injuries, and
making court appearances
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 sole authority and discretion to resolve all disputes regarding the interpretation of
the language stated herein.
COC.LGL.I.07.CA 61
That no court costs or attorneys' fees may be deducted from our recovery without our express
written consent; and 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 regardless of whether 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 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 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.
That the provisions of this section apply to the parents, guardian, or other representative 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 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.
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.
COC.LGL.I.07.CA 62
COC.LGL.I.07.CA 63
Limitation of Action
You cannot bring any legal action against us to recover reimbursement until 60 days after you have
properly submitted a request for reimbursement as described in Section 5: How to File a Claim.
You cannot bring any legal action against us for any other reason 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.
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 Abuse 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 Policy 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.
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.
Chiropractic Treatment - the therapeutic application of chiropractic 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.
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:
Provided for the purpose of preventing, diagnosing or treating a Sickness, Injury, Mental Illness,
substance abuse, or their symptoms.
Consistent with nationally recognized scientific evidence as available, and prevailing medical
standards and clinical guidelines as described below.
CO
C.DEF.I.07.CA 64
Not provided for the convenience of the Covered Person, Physician, facility or any other person.
Described 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.
In applying the above definition, "scientific evidence" and "prevailing medical standards" shall have the
following meanings:
"Scientific evidence" means the results of controlled clinical trials or other studies published in
peer-reviewed, medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical specialty
community.
"Prevailing medical standards and clinical guidelines" means nationally recognized professional
standards of care including, but not limited to, national consensus statements, nationally
recognized clinical guidelines, and national specialty society guidelines.
We maintain clinical protocols that describe the scientific evidence, prevailing medical standards and
clinical guidelines supporting our determinations regarding specific services. These clinical protocols (as
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.
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).
Health-related services which do not seek to cure, or which are provided during periods when the
medical condition of the patient who requires the service is not changing.
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 an unmarried dependent child of the Subscriber or the
Subscriber's spouse. All references to the spouse of a Subscriber shall include a Domestic Partner. 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.
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 unmarried dependent child under 19 years of age.
CO
C.DEF.I.07.CA 65
A Dependent includes an unmarried dependent child who is 19 years of age or older, but less than
26 years of age only if the following are true:
The child is not regularly employed on a full-time basis and
The child is primarily dependent upon the Subscriber for support and maintenance.
A Dependent includes an unmarried dependent child of any age who is or becomes disabled and
dependent upon the Subscriber.
Enrollment may not be denied based on any of the following facts:
The child does not reside with the Subscriber.
The child is born out of wedlock.
The child is not claimed as a dependent on the Subscriber's federal or state income tax.
The child lives outside the service area.
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.
If the Subscriber is required by a court or administrative order to provide health coverage for the
Subscriber's child, the child will be able to be enrolled regardless of any enrollment season restriction. We
will enroll the child upon application for enrollment by the custodial parent, the non-custodial parent, the
Medi-Cal program, or the local child support agency.
We will not cancel or revoke enrollment of the child, or eliminate coverage, unless one of the following
happens:
The Enrolling Group receives satisfactory written evidence that the order requiring coverage is no
longer in effect.
The Enrolling Group receives confirmation that the child is enrolled in other comparable coverage
that will take effect not later than the effective date of disenrollment under this Policy.
The Enrolling Group has eliminated dependent health coverage for all its Subscribers.
The Subscriber is no longer eligible for coverage.
We will notify both parents and any other person having custody of a child in writing at any time that
health insurance for the child is terminated.
When a child is enrolled in a plan of the non-custodial parent or a parent sharing custody or temporary
control of the child, we will:
Provide the custodial parent with any information necessary to obtain Benefits and services for the
child under this Policy.
Allow the custodial parent or the health care provider with the custodial parent's approval, to submit
claims for Benefits, without the approval of the non-custodial parent.
Make claim payments directly to the person or entity who submitted the claim, that is, the custodial
parent, the health care provider, or the Medi-Cal program.
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C.DEF.I.07.CA 66
The Sub
scriber must reimburse us for any Benefits that we pay for a child at a time when the child did not
satisfy these conditions.
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.
Domestic Partner - a person of the opposite or same sex with whom the Subscriber has established a
Domestic Partnership.
Domestic Partnership - means a relationship between a Subscriber and one other person of the same
sex. This includes a person of the opposite sex if either the Subscriber or other person is over age 62 and
meets the eligibility requirements under the Social Security Act as defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 402(a) for
old-age insurance benefits or Title XVI of the Social Security Act as defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 1381 for
aged individuals. A Domestic Partnership will be established when both persons file a Declaration of
Domestic Partnership with the Secretary of State and all of the following requirements are met:
Both persons have a common residence;
Neither is currently married or a member of another Domestic Partnership;
The two persons are not related by blood in a way that would prevent them from being married to
each other;
Both persons are at least 18 years of age;
Both persons are capable of consenting to the Domestic Partnership;
Neither person has previously filed a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the Secretary of
State that has not been terminated under section 299.
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.
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C.DEF.I.07.CA 67
Eligible Expense
s 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
which is both of the following:
Arises suddenly.
In the judgment of a reasonable person, requires immediate care and treatment, generally received
within 24 hours of onset, to avoid jeopardy to life or health.
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, substance abuse
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 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 se
rvice has significant potential as an
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C.DEF.I.07.CA 68
effective treat
ment for that Sickness or condition, and that the service would be provided under
standards equivalent to those defined by the National Institutes of Health.
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 Hospital (or a special unit of a Hospital that is designated as an
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility) that provides rehabilitation health services (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.
Intermediate Care - Mental Health/Substance Abuse treatment that encompasses the following:
Care at a partial hospital/day treatment program, which is a freestanding or Hospital-based
program that provides services for at least 20 hours per week.
Care through an intensive outpatient program, which is a freestanding or Hospital-based program
that provides services for at least nine hours per week. This encompasses half-day (i.e. less than
four hours per day) partial Hospital programs.
Intermittent Care - skilled nursing care that is provided or needed either:
Fewer than seven days each week; or
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.
Maximum Policy Benefit - for Benefit plans that have a Maximum Policy Benefit, this is the maximum
amount that we will pay for Benefits during the entire period of time that you are enrolled under the Policy
issued to the Enrolling Group. Refer to the Schedule of Benefits to determine whether or not your Benefit
plan is subject to a Maximum Policy Benefit and for details about how the Maximum Policy Benefit
applies.
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.
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C.DEF.I.07.CA 69
Mental Health/Substan
ce Abuse Designee - the organization or individual, designated by us, that
provides or arranges Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse 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.
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.
Pharmaceutical Product(s) - 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.
Physician - any Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy who is properly licensed and qualified by
law.
Please Note: Any acupuncturist, audiologist, certified respiratory care practitioner, chiropractor, clinical
social worker, dentist, dietitian, dispensing optician, marriage, family and child counselor, mental health
clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, obstetrician/gynecologist, occupational
therapist, optometrist, pharmacist, physical therapist, podiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric-mental health
nurse, respiratory care practitioner, speech-language pathologist 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 e
ntire agreement issued to the Enrolling Group that includes all of the following:
The Group Policy.
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C.DEF.I.07.CA 70
This Certificate.
The Sch
edule 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.
Registered Domestic Partner - a person of the same sex with whom the Subscriber has established a
Domestic Partnership. Persons of the opposite sex may be Domestic Partners when one or both are over
age 62 and meet the requirements under Title II of the Social Security Act as defined in 42 U.S.C. Section
402(a) for old-age insurance benefits or Title XVI of the Social Security Act as defined in 42 U.S.C.
Section 1381 for aged individuals. In no event, will a person's legal spouse be considered A Registered
Domestic Partner.
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.
Serious Emotional Disturbances - when a Enrolled Dependent child who has one or more mental
disorders as identified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, other than a primary substance use disorder or developmental disorder, which results in
behavior inappropriate to the child's age according to expected developmental norms. As a result of the
disorder, one or more of the following is true:
The child is at risk of removal from home or has been ill for more than six months.
The child displays psychotic features, risk of suicide or risk of violence.
The child meets special education eligibility requirements under state law.
Severe Mental Illness - any of the following diagnosed Severe Mental Illnesses: schizophrenia or
schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness); major depressive disorders; panic
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C.DEF.I.07.CA 71
diso
rder; obsessive-compulsive disorder; pervasive developmental disorder or autism; anorexia nervosa;
and bulimia nervosa.
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 Annual Deductible.
Sickness - physical illness, disease or Pregnancy. The term Sickness as used in this Certificate does not
include Mental Illness or substance abuse, regardless of the cause or origin of the Mental Illness or
substance abuse.
Skilled Nursing Facility - a Hospital or nursing facility that is licensed and operated as required by law.
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 Abuse Services - Covered Health Services for the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism
and substance abuse 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.
Telemedicine Services - means the practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment,
transfer of medical data and education using interactive audio, video or data communications.
Telemedicine is not consultation by telephone or facsimile machine between health care providers or
between patient and health care provider.
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/Substance Abuse Services that 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, 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 ambulatory treatment when treatment doesn't offer the intensity
and structure needed to assist the Covered Person with recovery.
Unprov
en 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
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C.DEF.I.07.CA 72
COC.DEF.I.07.CA 73
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. (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, and that the service
would be provided under standards equivalent to those defined by the National Institutes of Health.
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.
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 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.
Access Standards Amendment
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified as follows:
Because this Amendment reflects changes in requirements of insurance law of the State of California, to
the extent it may conflict with any Amendment issued to you previously, the provisions of this Amendment
will govern.
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 and
in this Amendment below.
1. The following provision is added to the Certificate under Section 6: Questions, Complaints and
Appeals:
IMPORTANT NOTICE - Network Provider Accessibility Complaints
If you have a complaint regarding your ability to access Covered Health Services from a Network provider
in a timely manner, call Customer Care at the telephone number shown on your ID card. If you would
rather send your complaint to us in writing, the Customer Care representative can provide you with the
appropriate address. If your complaint is not resolved, you may contact the California Department of
Insurance.
Call the California Department of Insurance at:
1-800-927-HELP (1-800-927-4357) if the Covered Person resides in the State of California.
213-897-8921 if the Covered Person resides outside of the State of California.
You may write the California Department of Insurance at:
California Department of Insurance
Consumer Communications Bureau
300 South Spring Street, South Tower
Los Angeles, CA 90013
2. The following provision is added to the Certificate under Section 9: Defined Terms:
Service Area - the State of California or any other geographical area within the state designated in the
Policy within which Network provider services are rendered to Covered Persons for Covered Health
Services.
3. The following provision is added to the Schedule of Benefits:
ACCESSAMD.I.07.CA
1
ACCESSAMD.I.07.CA 2
DIRECTORY OF NETWORK PROVIDERS
The current directory of Network providers is available online at
www.myuhc.com.
NETWORK PROVIDER ACCESSIBILITY COMPLAINTS:
You may contact us or the California Department of Insurance if you have a
complaint regarding your ability to access needed health care in a timely manner
as described in IMPORTANT NOTICE - Network Provider Accessibility Complaints
in the Certificate of Coverage under Section 6: Questions, Complaints and
Appeals.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allen J. Sorbo, President
Continuity of Care Amendment
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified.
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 provision in the Schedule of Benefits for Continuity of Care is replaced with the following:
Continuity of Care
If you are undergoing a course of treatment with a Network provider for one of the medical conditions
below, and the Network provider caring for you is terminated from the Network by us, we can arrange, at
your request and subject to the provider's agreement, for continuation of Covered Health Services
rendered by the terminated provider for the time periods shown below. Copayments, deductibles or other
cost sharing components will be the same as you would have paid for a provider currently contracting
with us.
Medical conditions and time periods for which treatment by a terminated Network provider will be covered
under the Policy are:
An acute condition. An acute condition is a medical condition that involves a sudden onset of
symptoms due to a Sickness, Injury, or other medical problem that requires prompt medical
attention and that has a limited duration. Completion of Covered Health Services will be provided
for the duration of the acute condition.
A serious chronic condition. A serious chronic condition is a medical condition due to a disease,
Sickness, or other medical problem or medical disorder that is serious in nature and that persists
without full cure or worsens over an extended period of time or requires ongoing treatment to
maintain remission or prevent deterioration. Completion of Covered Health Services will be
provided for a period of time necessary to complete a course of treatment and to arrange for a safe
transfer to another Network provider, as determined by us in consultation with the Covered Person
and the terminated Network provider and consistent with good professional practice. Completion of
Covered Health Services under this provision will not exceed 12 months from termination date of
the provider's agreement.
A pregnancy. A pregnancy is the three trimesters of pregnancy and the immediate postpartum
period. Completion of Covered Health Services will be provided for the duration of the pregnancy.
A terminal illness. A terminal illness is an incurable or irreversible condition that has a high
probability of causing death within one year or less. Completion of Covered Health Services will be
provided for the duration of a terminal illness, which may exceed 12 months from the termination
date of the provider's agreement.
The care of a newborn child between birth and age 36 months. Completion of Covered Health
Services will not exceed 12 months from the termination date of the provider's agreement.
Performance of a surgery or other procedure. Performance of a surgery or other procedure that
has been recommended and documented by the Network provider to occur within 180 days of the
termination date of the provider's agreement.
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NTINUITY.AMD.I.07.CA 1
CONTINUITY.AMD.I.07.CA 2
This section does not apply to treatment by a provider or provider group whose contract with us has been
terminated or not renewed for reasons relating to medical disciplinary cause or reason, fraud or other
criminal activity.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allen J. Sorbo, President
Disabled Dependent Child Amendment
United HealthCare Insurance Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified to provide coverage for a disabled Dependent
child.
Because this Amendment 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 the Certificate of Coverage in Section 9: Defined Terms.
1. The provision in the Certificate of Coverage under Section 4: When Coverage Ends, Coverage for a
Disabled Dependent Child is replaced with the following:
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 criteria are true regarding the Enrolled Dependent child:
Is not able to be self-supporting because of a physically or mentally disabling Injury, illness, or
condition.
Depends chiefly 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 notify the Subscriber that the Enrolled Dependent child's coverage will end upon attainment of the
limiting age unless the Subscriber submits proof of the criteria described above to us within 60 days of the
date of receipt of our notification. We will send this notification to the Subscriber at least 90 days prior to
the date the Enrolled Dependent child attains the limiting age. Upon receipt of the request of the
Subscriber for continued coverage of the child and proof of the criteria described above, we will determine
whether the Enrolled Dependent child meets the criteria before the child attains the limiting age. If we fail
to make the determination by that date, coverage of the Enrolled Dependent child will continue pending
our determination.
We may continue to ask you for proof that the child continues to be disabled and dependent. However,
we will not ask for this information more than once a year after a two year period following the child's
attainment of the limiting age.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allen J. Sorbo, President
Disable
dChildAMD.I.07.CA 1
Domestic Partner Definition Amendment
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified as described below.
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 and
in this Amendment below.
1. The definition of Domestic Partner in the Certificate of Coverage under Section 9: Defined Terms is
replaced with the following:
Domestic Partner - a person who meets the eligibility requirements, as defined by the Enrolling Group,
and the following:
Is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Is mentally competent to consent to contract.
Has a common residence with the Subscriber.
Is unmarried or not a member of another domestic partnership.
Is not related by blood to the Subscriber to a degree of closeness that would prohibit marriage in
the state of residence.
2. The definition of Domestic Partnership in the Certificate of Coverage under Section 9: Defined Terms is
deleted.
3. The definition of Registered Domestic Partner in the Certificate of Coverage under Section 9: Defined
Terms is deleted.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allen J. Sorbo, President
DOMPA
RTAMD.I.07.CA 1
Foot Care Exclusion and Limitation Amendment
United HealthCare Insurance Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified.
Because this Amendment 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 the Certificate of Coverage in Section 9: Defined Terms.
1. The exclusion copied below from the Certificate of Coverage for Foot Care under Section 2: Exclusions
and Limitations, is deleted and replaced as follows:
Original exclusion:
F. 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.
New exclusion:
F. 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.
FOOTAM
D.I.07.CA 1
FOOTAMD.I.07.CA 2
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. This exclusion does not apply to shoes for which Benefits are provided as described
under Specialized Footwear in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
7. Shoe orthotics. This exclusion does not apply to shoes for which Benefits are provided as
described under Specialized Footwear in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
8. Shoe inserts. This exclusion does not apply to shoes for which Benefits are provided as
described under Specialized Footwear in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
9. Arch supports. This exclusion does not apply to shoes for which Benefits are provided as
described under Specialized Footwear in Section 1: Covered Health Services.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allen J. Sorbo, President
Orthotic Benefit Amendment
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified.
Because this Amendment 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 the Certificate of Coverage in Section 9: Defined Terms.
1. The Orthotic Benefit in the Certificate of Coverage, Section 1: Covered Health Services is replaced with
the following:
Orthotic Benefit
Benefits for orthotic devices, including original and replacement devices when devices are prescribed by
a Physician or are ordered by a licensed health care provider acting within the scope of his/her license.
2. The Orthotic Benefit in the Schedule of Benefits is replaced with the following:
Covered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Orthotic Benefit
100% No No
3. The exclusion #2 copied below from the Certificate of Coverage for Devices, Appliances, and
Prosthetics under Section 2: Exclusions and Limitations, is deleted:
2. Orthotic appliances that straighten or re-shape a body part. Examples include foot orthotics,
cranial banding and some types of braces, including over-the-counter orthotic braces.
4. The exclusion #3 copied below from the Certificate of Coverage for Medical Supplies under Section 2:
Exclusions and Limitations, is deleted:
3. Orthotic appliances that straighten or re-shape a body part (including some types of braces).
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allen J. Sorbo, President
ORT
HOTICAMD.I.07.CA 1
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Amendment
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
As described in this Amendment, the Policy is modified.
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. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Services in the Schedule of Benefits is replaced with the
following:
Covered Health Service Benefit
(The Amount We
Pay, based on
Eligible Expenses)
Apply to the
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum?
Must You Meet
Annual
Deductible?
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
(TMJ) Services
Pre-service Notification Requirement
You must notify us five business days or as soon as reasonably possible before temporomandibular
joint services are performed during an Inpatient Stay in a Hospital. If you fail to notify us as required,
Benefits will be reduced to 50% of Eligible Expenses.
Covered Health Services are payable
in the same manner as surgery for
other covered medical conditions
except that benefits for treatment of
TMJ are limited to $3,000 per year.
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.
2. The exclusion for upper and lower jawbone surgery in the Certificate under Section 2: Exclusions
and Limitations, Procedures and Treatments is replaced with the following:
Upper and lower jawbone surgery except as required for direct treatment of acute traumatic Injury,
dislocation, tumors or cancer or as described in Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Services
under Section 1: Covered Health Services. Orthognathic surgery and jaw alignment, except as a
treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
3. The following exclusion is added to the Certificate under Section 2: Exclusions and Limitations,
Procedures and Treatments:
The following services for the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ: surface electromyography; Doppler
analysis; vibration analysis; computerized mandibular scan or jaw tracking; craniosacral therapy;
orthodontics; occlusal adjustment; dental restorations.
TMJ
.AMD.I.07.CA 1
UNITE
DHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allen J. Sorbo, President
TMJ
.AMD.I.07.CA 2
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. 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.
You may determine whether a Prescription Drug Product has been assigned a maximum quantity level for
dispensing through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at the telephone number
on your ID card.
Notification Requirements
Before certain Prescription Drug Products are dispensed to you, either your Physician, your pharmacist or
you are required to notify us or our designee. The reason for notifying 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.
Network Pharmacy Notification
When Prescription Drug Products are dispensed at a Network Pharmacy, the prescribing provider,
the pharmacist, or you are responsible for notifying us.
Non-Network Pharmacy Notification
RDR.RXSBN2.PLS.I.07.CA 1
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When Prescription Drug Products are dispensed at a non-Network Pharmacy, you or your
Physician are responsible for notifying us as required.
If we are not notified before the Prescription Drug Product is dispensed, you may pay more for that
Prescription Order or Refill. The Prescription Drug Products requiring notification are subject to our
periodic review and modification. You may determine whether a particular Prescription Drug Product
requires notification through the Internet at www.myuhc.com or by calling Customer Care at the telephone
number on your ID card.
If we are not notified 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 Cost) will not be available to you at a non-Network Pharmacy. You may seek
reimbursement from us as described in the Certificate of Coverage in Section 5: How to File a Claim.
When you submit a claim on this basis, you may pay more because you did not notify us before the
Prescription Drug Product was dispensed. The amount you are reimbursed will be based on the
Prescription Drug Cost (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, 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.
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 of Coverage are subject to
step therapy requirements. This means that in order to receive Benefits for such Prescription Drug
Products 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.
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 of Coverage:
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 Cost) will not be available to you.
Payment Information
Payment Term And Description Amounts
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
Cost.
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 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 regimens. 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.
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 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
For Prescription Drug Products at a retail Network
Pharmacy, you are responsible for paying the lower of:
The applicable Copayment and/or Coinsurance or
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 applicable Copayment and/or Coinsurance or
The Prescription Drug Cost for that Prescription Drug
Product.
See the Copayments and/or Coinsurance stated in the
Benefit Information table for amounts.
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Payment Term And Description Amounts
status.
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, a mail order Network
Pharmacy or a Designated Pharmacy.
Your Copayment and/or Coinsurance is determined by the
tier to which the Prescription Drug List 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 Cost after you pay a Copayment of
$5.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
For a Tier-2 Specialty Prescription Drug Product: 100% of
the Prescription Drug Cost after you pay a Copayment of
$15.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
For a Tier-3 Specialty Prescription Drug Product: 100% of
the Prescription Drug Cost after you pay a Copayment of
$20.00 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 $5.00 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 $15.00 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 $20.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
Prescription Drugs from a Retail
Net
work 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
Your Copayment and/or Coinsurance is determined by the
tier to which the Prescription Drug List 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 Cost after you pay a Copayment of $5.00
RDR.RXSBN2.PLS.I.07.CA 5
Description and Supply Limits Benefit (The Amount We Pay)
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.
per Prescription Order or Refill.
For a Tier-2 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Prescription Drug Cost after you pay a Copayment of
$15.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
For a Tier-3 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Prescription Drug Cost after you pay a Copayment of
$20.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
Prescription Drugs from a Retail Non-
Net
work 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 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 $5.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
For a Tier-2 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Predominant Reimbursement Rate after you pay a
Copayment of $15.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
For a Tier-3 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Predominant Reimbursement Rate after you pay a
Copayment of $20.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
Prescription Drug Products from a
Mail Order Net
work 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
Your Copayment and/or Coinsurance is determined by the
tier to which the Prescription Drug List 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 Cost after you pay a Copayment of
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Description and Supply Limits Benefit (The Amount We Pay)
the supply limits stated above
under the heading Specialty
Prescription Drug Products.
To maximize your Benefit, ask your
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.
$10.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
For a Tier-2 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Prescription Drug Cost after you pay a Copayment of
$30.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
For a Tier-3 Prescription Drug Product: 100% of the
Prescription Drug Cost after you pay a Copayment of
$40.00 per Prescription Order or Refill.
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 the Certificate of Coverage in Section 9: Defined Terms and 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 of Coverage in Section 9: Defined Terms.
NOTE: The Coordination of Benefits provision in the Certificate of Coverage 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 of Coverage.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY
Allen J. Sorbo, President
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R.RX.PLS.I.07.CA 1
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 supply
limits or notification 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.
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 of Coverage 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 Cost, less the required Copayment and/or Coinsurance, and any
deductible that applies.
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 Prescription Drug
Product from a Designated Pharmacy, you will be subject to the non-Network Benefit for that Prescription
Drug Product.
RD
R.RX.PLS.I.07.CA 2
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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 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 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 regimens. 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.
Outpatient Prescription Drug Rider Table of Contents
Section 1: Benefits for Prescription Drug Products...............................5
Section 2: Exclusions................................................................................7
Section 3: Defined Terms..........................................................................9
RD
R.RX.PLS.I.07.CA 4
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 reimbursement with us, as
described in Section 5 of your Certificate of Coverage. 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.
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R.RX.PLS.I.07.CA 5
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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.
Section 2: Exclusions
Exclusions from coverage listed in the Certificate of Coverage apply also to this Rider, except that any
preexisting condition exclusion in the Certificate of Coverage is not applicable to this Rider. In addition,
the following exclusions apply:
1. Coverage for Prescription Drug Products for the amount dispensed (days' supply or quantity limit)
which exceeds the supply limit.
2. Prescription Drug Products dispensed outside the United States, except as required for Emergency
treatment.
3. Drugs which are prescribed, dispensed or intended for use during an Inpatient Stay.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Any product dispensed for the purpose of appetite suppression or weight loss.
8. A Pharmaceutical Product for which Benefits are provided in your Certificate of Coverage. This
exclusion does not apply to Depo Provera and other injectable drugs used for contraception.
9. Durable Medical Equipment. Prescribed and non-prescribed outpatient supplies, other than the
diabetic supplies and inhaler spacers specifically stated as covered.
10. General vitamins, except the following which require a Prescription Order or Refill: prenatal
vitamins, vitamins with fluoride, and single entity vitamins.
11. Unit dose packaging of Prescription Drug Products.
12. Medications used for cosmetic purposes.
13. 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.
14. Prescription Drug Products as a replacement for a previously dispensed Prescription Drug Product
that was lost, stolen, broken or destroyed.
15. Prescription Drug Products when prescribed to treat infertility.
16. Prescription Drug Products for smoking cessation.
17. Compounded drugs that do not contain at least one ingredient that has been approved by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration 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.)
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18. 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.
19. New Prescription Drug Products and/or new dosage forms until the date they are assigned to a tier
by our Prescription Drug List Management Committee.
20. Growth hormone for children with familial short stature (short stature based upon heredity and not
caused by a diagnosed medical condition).
21. 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.
22. A Prescription Drug Product that contains (an) active ingredient(s) available in and Therapeutically
Equivalent to another covered Prescription Drug Product.
23. 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.
Section 3: Defined Terms
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 and ending on the
earlier of the following dates:
The date it is assigned to a tier by our Prescription Drug List Management Committee.
December 31st of the following calendar year.
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 Cost that applies for that particular Prescription Drug Product at most Network Pharmacies.
Prescription Drug Cost - the rate we have agreed to pay our Network Pharmacies, including a
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. 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 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 Management Committee - the committee that we designate for, among other
responsibilities, classifying Prescription Drug Products into specific tiers.
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Prescription Drug Product - a medication, product or device that has been approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration and that can, under federal or state law, be dispensed only pursuant to a
Prescription Order or Refill.
A Prescription Drug Product includes a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which
is prescribed for a use that is different from the use for which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
approved it, when needed for treatment of a chronic and seriously debilitating or life-threatening condition.
The drug must be recognized for the specific treatment for which the drug is being prescribed by one of
the following: (1) U.S. Pharmacopoeia Dispensing Information; (2) American Medical Association's Drug
Evaluations; (3) American Hospital formulary Service Drug Information, or (4) it is recommended by two
articles from major peer reviewed medical journals. However, there is not coverage for any drug that the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration or a major peer reviewed medical journal has determined to be
contraindicated for the specific treatment for which the drug has been prescribed.
A Prescription Drug Product includes a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
prescribed to treat cancer during certain clinical trials as described in the Certificate of Coverage.
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.
Specialty Prescription Drug Product - Prescription Drug Products that are generally high cost, self-
injectable 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.
Therapeutically Equivalent - when Prescription Drug Products can be expected to produce essentially
the same therapeutic outcome and toxicity.
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.
Important Notices under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (PPACA)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you have a dependent child whose coverage ended or who was denied
coverage (or was not eligible for coverage) because dependent coverage of children was not available up
to age 26, you may have the right to enroll that dependent under a special dependent child enrollment
period. This right applies as of the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after September 23, 2010
and your employer (or enrolling group) must provide you with at least a 30 day enrollment period. If you
are adding a dependent child during this special enrollment period and have a choice of coverage options
under the plan, you will be allowed to change options. This child special open enrollment may coincide
with your annual open enrollment, if you have one. Please contact your employer or group plan
administrator for more information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If coverage or benefits for you or a dependent ended due to reaching a lifetime
limit, be advised that a lifetime limit on the dollar value of benefits no longer applies. If you are covered
under the plan, you are once again eligible for benefits. Additionally, if you are not enrolled in the plan, but
are still eligible for coverage, then you will have a 30 day opportunity to request enrollment. This 30 day
enrollment opportunity will begin no later than the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after
September 23, 2010. This 30 day enrollment period may coincide with your annual open enrollment, if
you have one. Please contact your employer or group health plan administrator for more information.
I
Changes in Federal Law that Impact Benefits
There are changes in Federal law which may impact coverage and Benefits stated in the Certificate of
Coverage (Certificate) and Schedule of Benefits. A summary of those changes and the dates the changes
are effective appear below.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
Effective for policies that are new or renewing on or after September 23, 2010, the requirements listed
below apply.
Lifetime limits on the dollar amount of essential benefits available to you under the terms of your
plan are no longer permitted. Essential benefits include the following:
Ambulatory patient services; emergency services, hospitalization; maternity and newborn care,
mental health and substance use disorder services (including behavioral health treatment);
prescription drugs; rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; laboratory services;
preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and pediatric services,
including oral and vision care.
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 enrollment period for those individuals who are still eligible
under the plan's eligibility terms but whose coverage ended by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on
the dollar value of all benefits.
Essential benefits for plan years beginning prior to January 1, 2014 can only be subject to
restricted annual limits. Restricted annual limits for each person covered under the plan may be no
less than the following:
For plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 but before September 23,
2011, $750,000.
For plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2011 but before September 23,
2012, $1,250,000.
For plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2012 but before January 1,
2014, $2,000,000.
Any pre-existing condition exclusions (including denial of benefits or coverage) will not apply to
covered persons under the age of 19.
Coverage for enrolled dependent children is no longer conditioned upon full-time student status or
other dependency requirements and will remain in place until the child's 26th birthday. If you have
a grandfathered plan, the enrolling group is not required to extend coverage to age 26 if the child is
eligible to enroll in an eligible employer-sponsored health plan (as defined by law). Under the
PPACA a plan generally is "grandfathered" if it was in effect on March 23, 2010 and there are no
substantial changes in the benefit design as described in the Interim Final Rule on Grandfathered
Health Plans.
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 age 26.
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.
If your plan includes coverage for enrolled dependent children beyond the age of 26, which is
conditioned upon full-time student status, the following applies:
II
Coverage fo
r enrolled dependent children who are required to maintain full-time student status in
order to continue eligibility under the policy is subject to the statute known as Michelle's Law. This
law amends ERISA, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code and requires
group health plans, which provide coverage for dependent children who are post-secondary school
students, to continue such coverage if the student loses the required student status because he or
she must take a medically necessary leave of absence from studies due to a serious illness or
Injury.
If you do not have a grandfathered plan, benefits for preventive care services described below will
be paid at 100%, and not subject to any deductible, coinsurance or copayment:
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.
With respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings as provided for in
comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Retroactive rescission of coverage under the policy is permitted, with 30 days advance written
notice, only in the following two circumstances:
The individual performs an act, practice or omission that constitutes fraud.
The individual makes an intentional misrepresentation of a material fact.
Other changes provided for under the PPACA do not impact your plan because your plan already
contains these benefits. These include:
Direct access to OB/GYN care without a referral or authorization requirement.
The ability to designate a pediatrician as a primary care physician (PCP) if your plan requires
a PCP designation.
Prior authorization is not required before you receive services in the emergency department
of a hospital.
Some Important Information About Appeal and External Review
Rights Under PPACA
If you are enrolled in a non-grandfathered plan with an effective date or plan year anniversary on or after
September 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA), as amended, sets
forth new and additional internal appeal and external review rights beyond those that some plans may
have previously offered. Also, certain grandfathered plans are complying with the additional internal
appeal and external review rights provisions on a voluntary basis. Please refer to your benefit plan
documents, including amendments and notices, or speak with your employer or UnitedHealthcare for
more information on the appeal rights available to you. (Also, please refer to the Claims and Appeal
Notice section of this document.)
What if I receive a denial, and need help understanding it? Please call UnitedHealthcare at the
number listed on the back of your health plan ID card.
What if I don’t agree with the denial? You have a right to appeal any decision to not pay for an item or
service.
III
Ho
w do I file an appeal? The initial denial letter or Explanation of Benefits that you receive from
UnitedHealthcare will give you the information and the timeframe to file an appeal.
What if my situation is urgent? If your situation is urgent, your review will be conducted as quickly as
possible. If you believe your situation is urgent, you may request an expedited review, and, if applicable,
file an external review at the same time. For help call UnitedHealthcare at the number listed on the back
of your health plan ID card.
Generally, an urgent situation is when your health may be in serious jeopardy. Or when, in the opinion of
your doctor, you may be experiencing severe pain that cannot be adequately controlled while you wait for
a decision on your appeal.
Who may file an appeal? Any member or someone that member names to act as an authorized
representative may file an appeal. For help call UnitedHealthcare at the number listed on the back of your
health plan ID card.
Can I provide additional information about my claim? Yes, you may give us additional information
supporting your claim. Send the information to the address provided in the initial denial letter or
Explanation of Benefits.
Can I request copies of information relating to my claim? Yes. There is no cost to you for these
copies. Send your request to the address provided in the initial denial letter or Explanation of Benefits.
What happens if I don’t agree with the outcome of my appeal? If you appeal, we will review our
decision. We will also send you our written decision within the time allowed. If you do not agree with the
decision, you may be able to request an external review of your claim by an independent third party. They
will review the denial and issue a final decision.
If I need additional help, what should I do? For questions on your appeal rights, you may call
UnitedHealthcare at the number listed on the back of your health plan ID card. You may also contact the
support groups listed below.
Are verbal translation services available to me during an appeal? Yes. Contact UnitedHealthcare at
the number listed on the back of your health plan ID card. Ask for verbal translation services for your
questions.
Is there other help available to me? For questions about appeal rights, an unfavorable benefit decision,
or for help, you may also contact the Employee Benefits Security Administration at 1-866-444-EBSA
(3272). Your state consumer assistance program may also be able to help you.
For information on appeals and other PPACA regulations, visit www.healthcare.gov.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Effective for Policies that are new or renewing on or after October 3, 2009, changes in interpretation of
the Americans with Disabilities Act result in the following additional Benefits:
Benefits are provided for hearing aids required for the correction of a hearing impairment and for
charges for associated fitting and testing.
Benefits for hearing aids are subject to payment requirements (Coinsurance, Annual Deductible
and Out-of-Pocket Maximums) and annual limits that mirror those applicable to Durable Medical
Equipment and Prosthetic Devices as shown in the Schedule of Benefits, however Benefits for
hearing aids will never exceed $5,000 per year.
Benefits for bone anchored hearing aids are a Covered Health Service for which Benefits are
provided under the applicable medical/surgical Benefit categories in the Certificate only for
Covered Persons who have either of the following:
IV
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 for bone anchor hearing aids are limited to one per Covered Person during the entire
period of time the Covered Person is enrolled under the Policy, and include repairs and/or
replacement only if the bone anchor hearing aid malfunctions.
Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Parity
Effective for Policies that are new or renewing on or after July 1, 2010, Benefits are subject to final
regulations supporting the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). Benefits for
mental health conditions and substance use disorder conditions that are Covered Health Services under
the Policy must be treated in the same manner and provided at the same level as Covered Health
Services for the treatment of other Sickness or Injury. Benefits for Mental Health Services and Substance
Use Disorder Services are not subject to any annual maximum benefit limit (including any day, visit or
dollar limit).
MHPAEA requires that the financial requirements for coinsurance and copayments for mental health and
substance use disorder conditions must be no more restrictive than those coinsurance and copayment
requirements for substantially all medical/surgical benefits. MHPAEA requires specific testing to be
applied to classifications of benefits to determine the impact of these financial requirements on mental
health and substance use disorder benefits. Based upon the results of that testing, it is possible that
coinsurance or copayments that apply to mental health conditions and substance use disorder conditions
in your benefit plan may be reduced.
Changes that result from this requirement affect both prior authorization requirements and excluded
services listed in your Certificate as described below.
Exclusions listed in your Certificate for mental health conditions, neurobiological disorders (autism
spectrum disorders) and substance use disorders that were specific to these conditions, but that were not
applicable to other Sickness or medical conditions, no longer apply.
Prior authorization requirements no longer apply to mental health conditions, neurobiological disorders
(autism spectrum disorders) and substance use disorders. Instead, these services will be subject to the
pre-service notification requirements that apply to other Covered Health Services described in the
Schedule of Benefits attached to your Certificate.
When Benefits are provided for any of the following services, you must provide pre-service notification as
described below. If you fail to notify us as required, Benefits will be reduced in the same manner and at
the same level as Covered Health Services for the treatment of other Sickness or Injury.
Mental Health Services - inpatient services (including partial hospitalization/day treatment and
residential treatment); intensive outpatient program treatment; outpatient electro-convulsive
treatment; psychological testing; extended outpatient treatment visits beyond 45 - 50 minutes in
duration, with or without medication management; outpatient treatment provided in your home.
Neurobiological Disorders - Autism Spectrum Disorder services - inpatient services (including
partial hospitalization/day treatment and residential treatment); intensive outpatient program
treatment; psychological testing; extended outpatient treatment visits beyond 45 - 50 minutes in
duration, with or without medication management; outpatient treatment provided in your home. If
Benefits are provided for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), pre-service notification is required.
Substance Use Disorder Services - inpatient services (including partial hospitalization/day
treatment and residential treatment); intensive outpatient program treatment; psychological testing;
outpatient treatment of opioid dependence; extended outpatient treatment visits beyond 45 - 50
V
minutes in d
uration, with or without medication management; outpatient treatment provided in your
home.
For a scheduled admission, you must notify us five business days before admission, or as soon as is
reasonably possible for non-scheduled admissions (including Emergency admissions).
In addition, you must notify us before the following services are received:
Intensive outpatient program treatment.
Outpatient electro-convulsive treatment.
Psychological testing.
Outpatient treatment of opioid dependence.
Extended outpatient treatment visits beyond 45 - 50 minutes in duration, with or without medication
management.
Outpatient treatment provided in your home.
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
(CHIPRA)
Effective April 1, 2009, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA)
expands special enrollment rights under the Policy.
An Eligible Person and/or Dependent may 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.
A special enrollment period 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 and/or Dependent had existing health coverage under Medicaid or Children's
Health Insurance Program (CHIP) 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 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.
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.
VI
VII
Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998
As required by the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, Benefits under the Policy are
provided for mastectomy, including reconstruction and surgery to achieve symmetry between the breasts,
prostheses, and complications resulting from a mastectomy (including lymphedema).
If you are receiving Benefits in connection with a mastectomy, Benefits are also provided for the following
Covered Health Services, as you determine appropriate with your attending Physician:
All stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed;
Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance; and
Prostheses and treatment of physical complications of the mastectomy, including lymphedema.
The amount you must pay for such Covered Health Services (including Copayments, Coinsurance and
any Annual Deductible) are the same as are required for any other Covered Health Service. Limitations
on Benefits are the same as for any other Covered Health Service.
Statement of Rights under the Newborns' and Mothers' Health
Protection Act
Under Federal law, group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group health insurance
coverage generally may not restrict Benefits for any Hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth
for the mother or newborn child to less than 48 hours following a vaginal delivery, or less than 96 hours
following a delivery by cesarean section. However, the plan or issuer may pay for a shorter stay if the
attending provider (e.g. your Physician, nurse midwife, or physician assistant), after consultation with the
mother, discharges the mother or newborn earlier.
Also, under Federal law, plans and issuers may not set the level of Benefits or out-of-pocket costs so that
any later portion of the 48-hour (or 96-hour) stay is treated in a manner less favorable to the mother or
newborn than any earlier portion of the stay.
In addition, a plan or issuer may not, under Federal law, require that a Physician or other health care
provider obtain authorization for prescribing a length of stay of up to 48 hours (or 96 hours). However, to
use certain providers or facilities, or to reduce your out-of- pocket costs, you may be required to obtain
precertification. For information on precertification, contact your issuer.
Claims and Appeal Notice
This Notice is provided to you in order to describe our responsibilities under Federal law for
making benefit determinations and your right to appeal adverse benefit determinations. To the
extent that state law provides you with more generous timelines or opportunities for appeal, those
rights also apply to you. Please refer to your benefit documents for information about your rights
under state law.
Benefit Determinations
Post-service Claims
Post-service claims are those claims that are filed for payment of Benefits after medical care has been
received. If your post-service claim is denied, you will receive a written notice from us within 30 days of
receipt of the claim, as long as all needed information was provided with the claim. We will notify you
within this 30 day period if additional information is needed to process the claim, and may request a one
time extension not longer than 15 days and pend your claim until all information is received.
Once notified of the extension, you then have 45 days to provide this information. If all of the needed
information is received within the 45-day time frame, and the claim is denied, we will notify you of the
denial within 15 days after the information is received. If you don't provide the needed information within
the 45-day period, your claim will be denied.
A denial notice will explain the reason for denial, refer to the part of the plan on which the denial is based,
and provide the claim appeal procedures.
If you have prescription drug Benefits and are asked to pay the full cost of a prescription when you fill it at
a retail or mail-order pharmacy, and if you believe that it should have been paid under the Policy, you
may submit a claim for reimbursement in accordance with the applicable claim filing procedures. If you
pay a Copayment and believe that the amount of the Copayment was incorrect, you also may submit a
claim for reimbursement in accordance with the applicable claim filing procedures. When you have filed a
claim, your claim will be treated under the same procedures for post-service group health plan claims as
described in this section.
Pre-service Requests for Benefits
Pre-service requests for Benefits are those requests that require notification or approval prior to receiving
medical care. If you have a pre-service request for Benefits, and it was submitted properly with all needed
information, you will receive written notice of the decision from us within 15 days of receipt of the request.
If you filed a pre-service request for Benefits improperly, we will notify you of the improper filing and how
to correct it within five days after the pre-service request for Benefits was received. If additional
information is needed to process the pre-service request, we will notify you of the information needed
within 15 days after it was received, and may request a one time extension not longer than 15 days and
pend your request until all information is received. Once notified of the extension you then have 45 days
to provide this information. If all of the needed information is received within the 45-day time frame, we
will notify you of the determination within 15 days after the information is received. If you don't provide the
needed information within the 45-day period, your request for Benefits will be denied. A denial notice will
explain the reason for denial, refer to the part of the plan on which the denial is based, and provide the
appeal procedures.
If you have prescription drug Benefits and a retail or mail order pharmacy fails to fill a prescription that
you have presented, you may file a pre-service health request for Benefits in accordance with the
applicable claim filing procedure. When you have filed a request for Benefits, your request will be treated
under the same procedures for pre-service group health plan requests for Benefits as described in this
section.
VIII
Urgent Requests for Benefits that Require Immediate Attention
Urgent requests for Benefits are those that require notification or a benefit determination prior to receiving
medical care, where a delay in treatment could seriously jeopardize your life or health, or the ability to
regain maximum function or, in the opinion of a Physician with knowledge of your medical condition, could
cause severe pain. In these situations:
You will receive notice of the benefit determination in writing or electronically within 24 hours after
we receive all necessary information, taking into account the seriousness of your condition.
Notice of denial may be oral with a written or electronic confirmation to follow within three days.
If you filed an urgent request for Benefits improperly, we will notify you of the improper filing and how to
correct it within 24 hours after the urgent request was received. If additional information is needed to
process the request, we will notify you of the information needed within 24 hours after the request was
received. You then have 48 hours to provide the requested information.
You will be notified of a benefit determination no later than 48 hours after:
Our receipt of the requested information; or
The end of the 48-hour period within which you were to provide the additional information, if the
information is not received within that time.
A denial notice will explain the reason for denial, refer to the part of the plan on which the denial is based,
and provide the claim appeal procedures.
Concurrent Care Claims
If an on-going course of treatment was previously approved for a specific period of time or number of
treatments, and your request to extend the treatment is an urgent request for Benefits as defined above,
your request will be decided within 24 hours, provided your request is made at least 24 hours prior to the
end of the approved treatment. We will make a determination on your request for the extended treatment
within 24 hours from receipt of your request.
If your request for extended treatment is not made at least 24 hours prior to the end of the approved
treatment, the request will be treated as an urgent request for Benefits and decided according to the
timeframes described above. If an on-going course of treatment was previously approved for a specific
period of time or number of treatments, and you request to extend treatment in a non-urgent
circumstance, your request will be considered a new request and decided according to post-service or
pre-service timeframes, whichever applies.
Questions or Concerns about Benefit Determinations
If you have a question or concern about a benefit determination, you may informally contact our Customer
Care department before requesting a formal appeal. If the Customer Care representative cannot resolve
the issue to your satisfaction over the phone, you may submit your question in writing. However, if you
are not satisfied with a benefit determination as described above, you may appeal it as described below,
without first informally contacting a Customer Care representative. If you first informally contact our
Customer Care department and later wish to request a formal appeal in writing, you should again contact
Customer Care and request an appeal. If you request a formal appeal, a Customer Care representative
will provide you with the appropriate address.
If you are appealing an urgent claim denial, please refer to Urgent Appeals that Require Immediate Action
below and contact our Customer Care department immediately.
IX
How to Appeal a Claim Decision
If you disagree with a pre-service request for Benefits determination or post-service claim determination
or a rescission of coverage determination after following the above steps, you can contact us in writing to
formally request an appeal.
Your request should include:
The patient's name and the identification number from the ID card.
The date(s) of medical service(s).
The provider's name.
The reason you believe the claim should be paid.
Any documentation or other written information to support your request for claim payment.
Your first appeal request must be submitted to us within 180 days after you receive the claim denial.
Appeal Process
A qualified individual who was not involved in the decision being appealed will be appointed to decide the
appeal. If your appeal is related to clinical matters, the review will be done in consultation with a health
care professional with appropriate expertise in the field, who was not involved in the prior determination.
We may consult with, or seek the participation of, medical experts as part of the appeal resolution
process. You consent to this referral and the sharing of pertinent medical claim information. Upon request
and free of charge, you have the right to reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, and
other information relevant to your claim for Benefits. In addition, if any new or additional evidence is relied
upon or generated by us during the determination of the appeal, we will provide it to you free of charge
and sufficiently in advance of the due date of the response to the adverse benefit determination.
Appeals Determinations
Pre-service Requests for Benefits and Post-service Claim Appeals
You will be provided written or electronic notification of the decision on your appeal as follows:
For appeals of pre-service requests for Benefits as identified above, the first level appeal will be
conducted and you will be notified of the decision within 15 days from receipt of a request for
appeal of a denied request for Benefits. The second level appeal will be conducted and you will be
notified of the decision within 15 days from receipt of a request for review of the first level appeal
decision.
For appeals of post-service claims as identified above, the first level appeal will be conducted and
you will be notified of the decision within 30 days from receipt of a request for appeal of a denied
claim. The second level appeal will be conducted and you will be notified of the decision within 30
days from receipt of a request for review of the first level appeal decision.
For procedures associated with urgent requests for Benefits, see Urgent Appeals that Require Immediate
Action below.
If you are not satisfied with the first level appeal decision, you have the right to request a second level
appeal. Your second level appeal request must be submitted to us within 60 days from receipt of the first
level appeal decision.
Please note that our decision is based only on whether or not Benefits are available under the Policy for
the proposed treatment or procedure. We don't determine whether the pending health service is
necessary or appropriate. That decision is between you and your Physician.
X
XI
Urgent Appeals that Require Immediate Action
Your appeal may require immediate action if a delay in treatment could significantly increase the risk to
your health, or the ability to regain maximum function, or cause severe pain. In these urgent situations:
The appeal does not need to be submitted in writing. You or your Physician should call us as soon
as possible.
We will provide you with a written or electronic determination within 72 hours following receipt of
your request for review of the determination, taking into account the seriousness of your condition.
Health Plan Notices of Privacy Practices
Medical Information Privacy Notice
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how
you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
We* are required by law to protect the privacy of your health information. We are also required to send
you this notice, which explains how we may use information about you and when we can give out or
"disclose" that information to others. You also have rights regarding your health information that are
described in this notice. We are required by law to abide by the terms of this notice.
The terms "information" or "health information" in this notice include any information we maintain that
reasonably can be used to identify you and that relates to your physical or mental health condition, the
provision of health care to you, or the payment for such health care.
We have the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this notice. If we make a material
change to our privacy practices, we will provide a revised notice by direct mail to you reflecting that
change within 60 days of the change and we will otherwise post the revised notice on our website
www.myuhc.com. We reserve the right to make any revised or changed notice effective for information we
already have and for information that we receive in the future.
*For purposes of this Notice of Privacy Practices, "we" or "us" refers to the following health plans that are
affiliated with UnitedHealth Group:
ACN Group of California, Inc.; All Savers Insurance Company; All Savers Insurance Company of
California; American Medical Security Life Insurance Company; AmeriChoice of Connecticut, Inc.;
AmeriChoice of Georgia, Inc.; AmeriChoice of New Jersey, Inc.; AmeriChoice of Pennsylvania, Inc.;
Arizona Physicians IPA, Inc.; Arnett HMO, Inc.; Dental Benefit Providers of California, Inc.; Dental Benefit
Providers of Illinois, Inc.; Evercare of Arizona, Inc.; Evercare of New Mexico, Inc.; Evercare of Texas,
LLC; Golden Rule Insurance Company; Great Lakes Health Plan, Inc.; Health Plan of Nevada, Inc.; IBA
Health and Life Assurance Company; MAMSI Life and Health Insurance Company; MD-Individual
Practice Association, Inc.; Midwest Security Life Insurance Company; National Pacific Dental, Inc.;
Neighborhood Health Partnership, Inc.; Nevada Pacific Dental; Optimum Choice, Inc.; Oxford Health
Insurance, Inc.; Oxford Health Plans (CT), Inc.; Oxford Health Plans (NJ), Inc.; Oxford Health Plans (NY),
Inc.; Pacific Union Dental, Inc.; PacifiCare Behavioral Health of California, Inc.; PacifiCare Behavioral
Health, Inc.; PacifiCare Dental; PacifiCare Dental of Colorado, Inc.; PacifiCare Insurance Company;
PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company; PacifiCare Life Assurance Company; PacifiCare of
Arizona, Inc.; PacifiCare of California; PacifiCare of Colorado, Inc.; PacifiCare of Nevada, Inc.; PacifiCare
of Oklahoma, Inc.; PacifiCare of Oregon, Inc.; PacifiCare of Texas, Inc.; PacifiCare of Washington, Inc.;
Sierra Health & Life Insurance Co., Inc.; Spectera, Inc.; U.S. Behavioral Health Plan, California;
Unimerica Insurance Company; Unimerica Life Insurance Company of New York; Unison Family Health
Plan of Pennsylvania, Inc.; Unison Health Plan of Delaware, Inc.; Unison Health Plan of Ohio, Inc.;
Unison Health Plan of Pennsylvania, Inc.; Unison Health Plan of South Carolina, Inc.; Unison Health Plan
of Tennessee, Inc.; Unison Health Plan of the Capital Area, Inc.; United Behavioral Health;
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company; UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of Illinois;
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York; UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of the River
Valley; UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of Ohio; UnitedHealthcare of Alabama, Inc.;
UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Arkansas, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Colorado,
Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc.; United HealthCare of Georgia, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Illinois,
Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Kentucky, Ltd.; United HealthCare of Louisiana, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Mid-
Atlantic, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest, Inc.; United
HealthCare of Mississippi, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of New England, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of New York,
Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Ohio, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of
Tennessee, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare of Texas, Inc.; United HealthCare of Utah; UnitedHealthcare of
Wisconsin, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley, Inc.
XII
How We Use or Disclose Information
We must use and disclose your health information to provide that information:
To you or someone who has the legal right to act for you (your personal representative) in order to
administer your rights as described in this notice; and
To the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, if necessary, to make sure
your privacy is protected.
We have the right to use and disclose health information for your treatment, to pay for your health care
and to operate our business. For example, we may use or disclose your health information:
For Payment of premiums due us, to determine your coverage, and to process claims for health
care services you receive, including for subrogation or coordination of other benefits you may have.
For example, we may tell a doctor whether you are eligible for coverage and what percentage of
the bill may be covered.
For Treatment. We may use or disclose health information to aid in your treatment or the
coordination of your care. For example, we may disclose information to your physicians or hospitals
to help them provide medical care to you.
For Health Care Operations. We may use or disclose health information as necessary to operate
and manage our business activities related to providing and managing your health care coverage.
For example, we might talk to your physician to suggest a disease management or wellness
program that could help improve your health or we may analyze data to determine how we can
improve our services.
To Provide Information on Health Related Programs or Products such as alternative medical
treatments and programs or about health-related products and services, subject to limits imposed
by law as of February 17, 2010.
For Plan Sponsors. If your coverage is through an employer sponsored group health plan, we
may share summary health information and enrollment and disenrollment information with the plan
sponsor. In addition, we may share other health information with the plan sponsor for plan
administration if the plan sponsor agrees to special restrictions on its use and disclosure of the
information in accordance with federal law.
For Reminders. We may use or disclose health information to send you reminders about your
benefits or care, such as appointment reminders with providers who provide medical care to you.
We may use or disclose your health information for the following purposes under limited circumstances:
As Required by Law. We may disclose information when required to do so by law.
To Persons Involved With Your Care. We may use or disclose your health information to a
person involved in your care or who helps pay for your care, such as a family member, when you
are incapacitated or in an emergency, or when you agree or fail to object when given the
opportunity. If you are unavailable or unable to object, we will use our best judgment to decide if
the disclosure is in your best interests.
For Public Health Activities such as reporting or preventing disease outbreaks.
For Reporting Victims of Abuse, Neglect or Domestic Violence to government authorities that
are authorized by law to receive such information, including a social service or protective service
agency.
XIII
For He
alth Oversight Activities to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, such
as licensure, governmental audits and fraud and abuse investigations.
For Judicial or Administrative Proceedings such as in response to a court order, search warrant
or subpoena.
For Law Enforcement Purposes. We may disclose your health information to a law enforcement
official for purposes such as providing limited information to locate a missing person or report a
crime.
To Avoid a Serious Threat to Health or Safety to you, another person, or the public, by, for
example, disclosing information to public health agencies or law enforcement authorities, or in the
event of an emergency or natural disaster.
For Specialized Government Functions such as military and veteran activities, national security
and intelligence activities, and the protective services for the President and others.
For Workers' Compensation as authorized by, or to the extent necessary to comply with, state
workers compensation laws that govern job-related injuries or illness.
For Research Purposes such as research related to the evaluation of certain treatments or the
prevention of disease or disability, if the research study meets privacy law requirements.
To Provide Information Regarding Decedents. We may disclose information to a coroner or
medical examiner to identify a deceased person, determine a cause of death, or as authorized by
law. We may also disclose information to funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.
For Organ Procurement Purposes. We may use or disclose information to entities that handle
procurement, banking or transplantation of organs, eyes or tissue to facilitate donation and
transplantation.
To Correctional Institutions or Law Enforcement Officials if you are an inmate of a correctional
institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, but only if necessary (1) for the
institution to provide you with health care; (2) to protect your health and safety or the health and
safety of others; or (3) for the safety and security of the correctional institution.
To Business Associates that perform functions on our behalf or provide us with services if the
information is necessary for such functions or services. Our business associates are required,
under contract with us, to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or
disclose any information other than as specified in our contract. As of February 17, 2010, our
business associates also will be directly subject to federal privacy laws.
For Data Breach Notification Purposes. We may use your contact information to provide legally-
required notices of unauthorized acquisition, access, or disclosure of your health information. We
may send notice directly to you or provide notice to the sponsor of your plan through which you
receive coverage.
Additional Restrictions on Use and Disclosure
Certain federal and state laws may require special privacy protections that restrict the use and disclosure
of certain health information, including highly confidential information about you. "Highly confidential
information" may include confidential information under Federal laws governing alcohol and drug abuse
information and genetic information as well as state laws that often protect the following types of
information:
HIV/AIDS;
Mental health;
XIV
Geneti
c tests;
Alcohol and drug abuse;
Sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health information; and
Child or adult abuse or neglect, including sexual assault.
If a use or disclosure of health information described above in this notice is prohibited or materially limited
by other laws that apply to us, it is our intent to meet the requirements of the more stringent law. Attached
to this notice is a Summary of Federal and State Laws on Use and Disclosure of Certain Types of Medical
Information.
Except for uses and disclosures described and limited as set forth in this notice, we will use and disclose
your health information only with a written authorization from you. Once you give us authorization to
release your health information, we cannot guarantee that the person to whom the information is provided
will not disclose the information. You may take back or "revoke" your written authorization at anytime in
writing, except if we have already acted based on your authorization. To find out where to mail your
written authorization and how to revoke an authorization, contact the phone number listed on the back of
your ID card.
What Are Your Rights
The following are your rights with respect to your health information:
You have the right to ask to restrict uses or disclosures of your information for treatment,
payment, or health care operations. You also have the right to ask to restrict disclosures to family
members or to others who are involved in your health care or payment for your health care. We
may also have policies on dependent access that authorize your dependents to request certain
restrictions. Please note that while we will try to honor your request and will permit requests
consistent with our policies, we are not required to agree to any restriction.
You have the right to request that a provider not send health information to us in certain
circumstances if the health information concerns a health care item or service for which you have
paid the provider out of pocket in full.
You have the right to ask to receive confidential communications of information in a different
manner or at a different place (for example, by sending information to a P.O. Box instead of your
home address). We will accommodate reasonable requests where a disclosure of all or part of your
health information otherwise could endanger you. We will accept verbal requests to receive
confidential communications, but requests to modify or cancel a previous confidential
communication request must be made in writing. Mail your request to the address listed below.
You have the right to see and obtain a copy of health information that may be used to make
decisions about you such as claims and case or medical management records. You also may in
some cases receive a summary of this health information. You must make a written request to
inspect and copy your health information. Mail your request to the address listed below. In certain
limited circumstances, we may deny your request to inspect and copy your health information. We
may charge a reasonable fee for any copies. If we deny your request, you have the right to have
the denial reviewed. As of February 17, 2010, if we maintain an electronic health record containing
your health information, you have the right to request that we send a copy of your health
information in an electronic format to you or to a third party that you identify. We may charge a
reasonable fee for sending the electronic copy of your health information.
You have the right to ask to amend information we maintain about you if you believe the health
information about you is wrong or incomplete. Your request must be in writing and provide the
reasons for the requested amendment. Mail your request to the address listed below. If we deny
your request, you may have a statement of your disagreement added to your health information.
XV
XVI
You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures of your information made by
us during the six years prior to your request. This accounting will not include disclosures of
information made: (i) prior to April 14, 2003; (ii) for treatment, payment, and health care operations
purposes; (iii) to you or pursuant to your authorization; and (iv) to correctional institutions or law
enforcement officials; and (v) other disclosures for which federal law does not require us to provide
an accounting.
You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask for a copy of this notice at any
time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper
copy of this notice. You may also obtain a copy of this notice at our website, www.myuhc.com.
Exercising Your Rights
Contacting your Health Plan. If you have any questions about this notice or want to exercise any
of your rights, please call the phone number on the back of your ID card or you may contact the
UnitedHealth Group Customer Call Center at 866-633-2446.
Submitting a Written Request. Mail to us your written requests for modifying or cancelling a
confidential communication, for copies of your records, or for amendments to your record, at the
following address:
UnitedHealthcare
Customer Service - Privacy Unit
PO Box 740815
Atlanta, GA 30374-0815
Filing a Complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint
with us at the address listed above.
You may also notify the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of your
complaint. We will not take any action against you for filing a complaint.
Financial Information Privacy Notice
This notice describes how financial information about you may be used and disclosed and how
you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
We* are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of your personal financial information. For the
purposes of this notice, "personal financial information" means information, other than health information,
about an enrollee or an applicant for health care coverage that identifies the individual, is not generally
publicly available and is collected from the individual or is obtained in connection with providing health
care coverage to the individual.
Information We Collect
We collect personal financial information about you from the following sources:
Information we receive from you on applications or other forms, such as name, address, age and
social security number; and
Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates or others, such as premium payment
history.
Disclosure of Information
We do not disclose personal financial information about our enrollees or former enrollees to any third
party, except as required or permitted by law.
In the course of our general business practices, we may disclose personal financial information about you
or others without your permission to our corporate affiliates to provide them with information about your
transactions, such as your premium payment history.
Confidentiality and Security
We restrict access to personal financial information about you to our employees and service providers
who are involved in administering your health care coverage and providing services to you. We maintain
physical, electronic and procedural safeguards in compliance with federal standards to guard your
personal financial information. We conduct regular audits to guarantee appropriate and secure handling
and processing of our enrollees’ information.
For purposes of this Financial Information Privacy Notice, "we" or "us" refers to the entities listed on the
first page of the Health Plan Notices of Privacy Practices, plus the following UnitedHealthcare affiliates:
ACN Group IPA of New York, Inc.; ACN Group, Inc.; Administration Resources Corporation; AmeriChoice
Health Services, Inc.; Behavioral Health Administrators; DBP Services of New York IPA, Inc.; DCG
Resource Options, LLC; Dental Benefit Providers, Inc.; Disability Consulting Group, LLC; HealthAllies,
Inc.; Innoviant, Inc.; MAMSI Insurance Resources, LLC; Managed Physical Network, Inc.; Mid Atlantic
Medical Services, LLC; Midwest Security Care, Inc.; National Benefit Resources, Inc.; OneNet PPO, LLC;
OptumHealth Bank, Inc.; Oxford Benefit Management, Inc.; Oxford Health Plans LLC; PacifiCare Health
Plan Administrators, Inc.; PacificDental Benefits, Inc.; ProcessWorks, Inc.; RxSolutions, Inc.; Spectera of
New York, IPA, Inc.; UMR, Inc.; Unison Administrative Services, LLC; United Behavioral Health of New
York I.P.A., Inc.; United HealthCare Services, Inc.; UnitedHealth Advisors, LLC; United Healthcare
Service LLC; UnitedHealthcare Services Company of the River Valley, Inc.; UnitedHealthOne Agency,
Inc. This Financial Information Privacy Notice only applies where required by law. Specifically, it does not
apply to (1) health care insurance products offered in Nevada by Health Plan of Nevada, Inc. and Sierra
Health and Life Insurance Company, Inc.; or (2) other UnitedHealth Group health plans in states that
provide exceptions for HIPAA covered entities or health insurance products.
XVII
Your Right
to Access and Correct Personal Information
If you reside in certain states (California and Massachusetts), you may have a right to request access to
the personal financial information that we record about you. Your right includes the right to know the
source of the information and the identity of the persons, institutions, or types of institutions to whom we
have disclosed such information within 2 years prior to your request. Your right includes the right to view
such information and copy it in person, or request that a copy of it be sent to you by mail (for which we
may charge you a reasonable fee to cover our costs). Your right also includes the right to request
corrections, amendments or deletions of any information in our possession. The procedures that you
must follow to request access to or an amendment of your information are as follows:
To obtain access to your information: Submit a request in writing that includes your name,
address, social security number, telephone number, and the recorded information to which you
would like access. State in the request whether you would like access in person or a copy of the
information sent to you by mail. Upon receipt of your request, we will contact you within 30
business days to arrange providing you with access in person or the copies that you have
requested.
To correct, amend, or delete any of your information: Submit a request in writing that includes
your name, address, social security number, telephone number, the specific information in dispute,
and the identity of the document or record that contains the disputed information. Upon receipt of
your request, we will contact you within 30 business days to notify you either that we have made
the correction, amendment or deletion, or that we refuse to do so and the reasons for the refusal,
which you will have an opportunity to challenge.
Send written requests to access, correct, amend or delete information to:
UnitedHealthcare
Customer Service - Privacy Unit
PO Box 740815
Atlanta, GA 30374-0815
XVIII
UnitedHealth Group
Health Plan Notice of Privacy Practices: Federal and State
Amendments
The first part of this Notice, which provides our privacy practices for Medical Information, describes how
we may use and disclose your health information under federal privacy rules. There are other laws that
may limit our rights to use and disclose your health information beyond what we are allowed to do under
the federal privacy rules. The purpose of the charts below is to:
Show the categories of health information that are subject to these more restrictive laws.
Give you a general summary of when we can use and disclose your health information without your
consent.
If your written consent is required under the more restrictive laws, the consent must meet the particular
rules of the applicable federal or state law.
Summary of Federal Laws
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
We are allowed to use and disclose alcohol and drug abuse information that is protected by federal
law only (1) in certain limited circumstances, and/or disclose only (2) to specific recipients.
Genetic Information
We are not allowed to use genetic information for underwriting purposes.
Summary of State Laws
General Health Information
We are allowed to disclose general health
information only (1) under certain limited
circumstances, and /or (2) to specific recipients.
CA, NE, RI, VT, WA, WI
HMOs must give enrollees an opportunity to
approve or refuse disclosures, subject to certain
exceptions.
KY
You may be able to restrict certain electronic
disclosures of such health information.
NV
We are not allowed to use health information for
certain purposes.
CA, NH
Prescriptions
We are allowed to disclose prescription-related
information only (1) under certain limited
circumstances, and /or (2) to specific recipients.
ID, NV
Communicable Diseases
We are allowed to disclose communicable
disease information only (1) under certain limited
circumstances, and /or (2) to specific recipients.
AZ, IN, MI, OK
You may be able to restrict certain electronic
disclosures of such health information.
NV
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Reproductive Health
We are allowed to disclose sexually transmitted
disease and/or reproductive health information
only (1) under certain limited circumstances
and/or (2) to specific recipients.
MT, NJ, WA
You may be able to restrict certain electronic NV
XIX
XX
disclosures of such health information.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
We are allowed to use and disclose alcohol and
drug abuse information (1) under certain limited
circumstances, and/or disclose only (2) to specific
recipients.
CT, HI, KY, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MA, NH, NV,
WA, WI
Disclosures of alcohol and drug abuse information
may be restricted by the individual who is the
subject of the information.
WA
Genetic Information
We are not allowed to disclose genetic information
without your written consent.
CA, CO, HI, IL, KY, NY, TN
We are allowed to disclose genetic information
only (1) under certain limited circumstances
and/or (2) to specific recipients.
GA, MD, MA, MO, NV, NH, NM, RI, TX, UT, VT
Restrictions apply to (1) the use, and/or (2) the
retention of genetic information.
FL, GA, LA, MD, OH, SD, UT, VT
HIV / AIDS
We are allowed to disclose HIV/AIDS-related
information only (1) under certain limited
circumstances and/or (2) to specific recipients.
AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, FL, HI, IL, IN, MI, MT, NY,
NC, PA, PR, RI, TX, VT, WV
Certain restrictions apply to oral disclosures of
HIV/AIDS-related information.
CT
You may be able to restrict certain electronic
disclosures of such health information.
NV
Mental Health
We are allowed to disclose mental health
information only (1) under certain limited
circumstances and/or (2) to specific recipients.
CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, PR, WA, WI
Disclosures may be restricted by the individual
who is the subject of the information.
WA
Certain restrictions apply to oral disclosures of
mental health information.
CT
Certain restrictions apply to the use of mental
health information.
ME
Child or Adult Abuse
We are allowed to use and disclose child and/or
adult abuse information only (1) under certain
limited circumstances, and/or disclose only (2) to
specific recipients.
AL, CO, IL, LA, NE, NJ, NM, RI, TN, TX, UT, WI
You may be able to limit restrict certain electronic
disclosures of such health information.
NV
Statement of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(ERISA) Rights
As a participant in the plan, you are entitled to certain rights and protections under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Receive Information about Your Plan and Benefits
You are entitled to examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator's office and at other specified
locations, such as worksites and union halls, all documents governing the plan, including insurance
contracts and collective bargaining agreements, and a copy of the latest annual report (Form 5500
Series) filed by the plan with the U.S. Department of Labor and available at the Public Disclosure Room
of the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
You are entitled to obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of documents governing
the operation of the plan, including insurance contracts and collective bargaining agreements, and copies
of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) and updated Summary Plan Description. The Plan
Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies.
Continue Group Health Plan Coverage
You are entitled to continue health care coverage for yourself, spouse or Dependents if there is a loss of
coverage under the plan as a result of a qualifying event. You or your Dependents may have to pay for
such coverage. The Plan Sponsor is responsible for providing you notice of your COBRA continuation
rights. Review the Summary Plan Description and the documents governing the plan on the rules
governing your COBRA continuation coverage rights.
You are entitled to a reduction or elimination of exclusionary periods of coverage for preexisting
conditions under your group health plan, if you have creditable coverage from another group health plan.
You should be provided a certificate of creditable coverage, in writing, free of charge, from your group
health plan or health insurance issuer when you lose coverage under the plan, when you become entitled
to elect COBRA continuation coverage, when your COBRA continuation coverage ceases, if you request
it before losing coverage, or if you request it up to 24 months after losing coverage. You may request a
certificate of creditable coverage by calling the number on the back of your ID card. Without evidence of
creditable coverage, you may be subject to a preexisting condition exclusion for 12 months (18 months
for late enrollees) after your enrollment date in your coverage.
Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries
In addition to creating rights for plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are
responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate your plan, called
"fiduciaries" of the plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other plan
participants and beneficiaries. No one, including your employer, your union, or any other person may fire
you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a welfare benefit or
exercising your rights under ERISA.
Enforce Your Rights
If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why
this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any
denial, all within certain time schedules. Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above
rights. For instance, if you request a copy of plan documents or the latest annual report from the plan and
do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a Federal court. In such a case, the court may
require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the
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materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan
Administrator. If you have a claim for Benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file
suit in a state or Federal court. In addition, if you disagree with the plan's decision or lack thereof
concerning the qualified status of a domestic relations order or a medical child support order, you may file
suit in Federal court. If it should happen that plan fiduciaries misuse the plan's money, or if you are
discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of
Labor, or you may file suit in a Federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal
fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If
you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is
frivolous.
Assistance with Your Questions
If you have any questions about your plan, you should contact the Plan Administrator. If you have any
questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining
documents from the Plan Administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits
Security Administration, U. S. Department of Labor listed in your telephone directory or the Division of
Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. You may also obtain certain publications
about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publication hotline of the Employee
Benefits Security Administration.
ERISA Statement
If the Enrolling Group is subject to ERISA, the following information applies to you.
Summary Plan Description
Name of Plan: LADWP Welfare Benefit Plan
Name, Address and Telephone Number of Plan Sponsor and Named Fiduciary:
LADWP
111 N. Hope Street
Room 564
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 367-1188
The Plan Sponsor retains all fiduciary responsibilities with respect to the Plan except to the extent the
Plan Sponsor has delegated or allocated to other persons or entities one or more fiduciary responsibility
with respect to the Plan.
Claims Fiduciary:
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
Employer Identification Number (EIN): 95-6000736
IRS Plan Number: 501
Effective Date of Plan: The effective date of the Plan is July 1, 2011
Type of Plan: Health care coverage plan
Name, business address, and business telephone number of Plan Administrator:
LADWP
111 N. Hope Street
Room 564
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 367-1188
Type of Administration of the Plan:
Benefits are paid pursuant to the terms of a group health policy issued and insured by:
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
185 Asylum Street
Hartford, CT 06103-3408
The Plan is administered on behalf of the Plan Administrator by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
pursuant to the terms of the group Policy. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company provides administrative
services for the Plan including claims processing, claims payment, and handling appeals.
Person designated as agent for service of legal process: Plan Administrator:
Source of contributions and funding under the Plan: There are no contributions to the Plan. Any
required employee contributions are used to partially reimburse the Plan Sponsor for Premiums under the
Plan. Benefits under the Plan are funded by the payment of Premium required by the group Policy.
Method of calculating the amount of contribution: Employee-required contributions to the Plan
Sponsor are the employee's share of costs as determined by Plan Sponsor. From time to time, the Plan
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Sponsor
will determine the required employee contributions for reimbursement to the Plan Sponsor and
distribute a schedule of such required contributions to employees.
Date of the end of the year for purposes of maintaining Plan's fiscal records:
Plan year shall be a 12 month period ending July 1.
Determinations of Qualified Medical Child Support Orders: The plan's procedures for handling
qualified medical child support orders are available without charge upon request to the Plan
Administrator.
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