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UnitedHealth Says One Million Have Enrolled for
Prescription Drug Plan
Early response helped by largest senior insurance
broker, AARP
Nov. 18, 2005 Although no statements have been
issued by Medicare on the rate of senior citizens signing up for the new
prescription drug program since enrollment opened on Tuesday,
UnitedHealth Group says it has signed up more than a million.
UnitedHealth does have somewhat of an advantage,
since their plan is brokered through the largest senior citizen
insurance broker, AARP. The United Health plan is, in fact, named the
AARP Medicare Rx Plan.
The strong early response to the general public,
employer group and auto enrollment programs indicates recognition of the
value of the new drug benefit offerings from UnitedHealth Group,
including the AARP Medicare Rx Plan, the company said in a news
release.
Enrollment in the new Medicare Part D opened on
November 15 and will become effective on January 1, 2006. Enrollment
will remain open until May 15, 2006.
Lois Quam, Chief Executive Officer of Ovations, the
UnitedHealth Group business unit serving older Americans said, "We
appreciate that consumers have put their trust in us and AARP to provide
affordable, high-quality prescription drug coverage. We are pleased by
the overwhelming interest and will continue to use our experience to
help people understand the new drug benefit and make important decisions
about their health and well being."
A combination of competitive pricing, no
deductible, an extensive pharmacy network, access to a broad drug
formulary, and the support of strong partners headed by AARP, is driving
overwhelming public response, the company said
As a result of this response, UnitedHealth Group
has extended its weekday evening and weekend Call Center hours and
significantly expanded its customer service capabilities and will
continue to respond with additional resources necessary to meet the high
public demand for its Part D offerings.
In response to the large number of adult children
of Medicare beneficiaries who have called for information to assist
their parent with Part D, the company has also launched a special Web
site, www.partdcentral.com. The Web site gives caregivers, typically
adult children, the information they need to help their parent or loved
one choose a Part D plan. This Web site is the latest resource developed
by UnitedHealth Group as part of a broad campaign to educate consumers
about the Medicare drug benefit.
Quam continued, "Over the upcoming Thanksgiving
holiday many people will undoubtedly be talking to their parents or
loved ones about the new prescription drug benefit. We will provide them
with the information they need to help their parent or loved one choose
a Part D plan that best meets their needs."
Quam added, "We appreciate the response from more
than a million people who will become members on January 1, 2006 subject
to the final Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enrollment
process."
About
UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (www.unitedhealthgroup.com) is a diversified health
and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad
spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses:
UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, Uniprise, Specialized Care
Services and Ingenix. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth
Group serves more than 55 million individuals nationwide. The company's
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are underwritten by United HealthCare
Insurance Company and its affiliates.
About
Ovations
UnitedHealth Group's Ovations business serves 5 million senior Americans
and participates in the Medicare program on a national basis, as well as
across the full spectrum of Medicare offerings, including pharmaceutical
discount cards, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage plans, Preferred
Provider Organizations (PPOs), private fee-for-service, Special Needs
Plans for the chronically ill and frail elderly, and chronic care
pilots.
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