Need NEW Health Insurance - Self Employed - Rates Jacked Up

Contact Glenn Bates he is listed on Mammasource as Covenant Health & Life. He has many positive reviews of moms that he has assisted in giving them better or less expensive coverage. He is my agent and does a GREAT job. Here is his number if you want to call ###-###-####. Hope this helps!!

Kathryn

S.,

My name is G. Bates with Covenant Health & Life, which is listed on mamasource.

Below is a recent letter that I received from your current carrier that has decided to withdraw from providing insurance in Texas. The only reason why any carrier would pull out of a State the size of Texas the I can see would be MONEY problems.

Its actually a good thing for you,now you will be able to move to a good policy unless you elect to port your coverage over to BCBS, then you have only jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Both of these carriers offer policies riddled with holes and limits of coverage that will leave your finacially devestated should you ever experience a catastrophic loss.

I have helped many familes on mamasource, many of them have taken the time to review my company and 100% of them have been positive.

I am not trying to solicit you in anyway, just want to encourage to REALLY do your homework before you select your next policy, the reality is you have a 95% chance of getting another lousy policy because thats whats marketed in Texas. Hope this information helps you, please review the Unicare letter below.

Sincerely,
G.

October 28, 2009

Dear Broker:

UniCare has made a difficult strategic decision to exit commercial health insurance markets in Texas. Following a transition period, UniCare will no longer provide health benefits in Texas.

While UniCare continues to be financially secure, competitive pressures have made it increasingly difficult for us to maintain our high standards for excellent customer service and affordable, quality benefits that you expect from us.

UniCare is pleased to collaborate with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX), which will offer guaranteed replacement coverage to UniCare's existing employer groups and individual policyholders. We believe that BCBSTX is best positioned to offer quality products, a high level of benefits and the superior customer service that our customers have come to expect. In addition, like UniCare, BCBSTX is a statewide plan that includes a comprehensive network of physicians and hospitals to choose from.

For UniCare customers who elect to transition their benefits to BCBSTX, UniCare will pay all claims for covered services rendered on or before December 31, 2009. BCBSTX will pay all claims for covered services from the time and date specified in their offer letter. There will be no break in coverage.

For UniCare customers who do not choose to transition their benefits to BCBSTX, UniCare will offer to renew their policy but only for a term ending on June 1, 2010. If the customers' renewal date falls after June 1, 2010, UniCare will terminate coverage effective June 1, 2010 if permitted to do so by the terms of the policy, or otherwise continue to provide coverage up to the renewal date.

BCBSTX will be in contact with you soon to discuss an offer to transition your customers' health benefits. In the meantime, if you have questions regarding UniCare's decision, please use the below contact information:

For questions regarding Large Group, contact your UniCare Account Manager or BCBSTX Sales Representative
For questions regarding Small Group and Individual, contact your UniCare Agent Support team at 877-864-2468
If your customers also have dental, vision, group life or disability coverage through UniCare, the BCBSTX offer will also include that coverage.

Until UniCare has completed its exit from the market, we will continue to process claims as we do today and honor the commission structure that is in place.

We have enjoyed a productive working relationship with you and want to help make this transition as seamless as possible. BCBSTX looks forward to the opportunity to work with you to provide your customers with the same level of quality health care benefits and service that they received with UniCare.

Sincerely,

Lawrence G. Schreiber
Vice President and General Manager
UniCare

that rate doesn't seem too bad for self coverage... my parents pay over $1200 per month for a catastrophic policy.

I have Unicare catastrophic coverage too. And I too never use it! I called them about something else and learned that my rates would probably increase on my anniversary date as well (something to do with my birthday and going into a higher age bracket. :( ). I looked around a bit and Humana offers similar plans that may be a little cheaper than Unicare. It may be worth looking into. Good luck.