Arkansas Unitedhealthcare Group Medicare Advantage Plans
UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage plans are only offered to groups such as employers, unions and government sub-entities. These plans provide group retiree Medicare beneficiaries with a variety of health care benefit plan choices, often with more benefits than those provided by Original Medicare. Plan members are still covered under the Medicare program and have federally regulated rights and protections.
Health Maintenance Organization plans have a defined network of contracted local physicians and hospitals to provide member care. Generally, members must use these care providers to receive benefits for covered services, except in emergencies. Some HMO plans do not require referrals for specialty care.
Preferred Provider Organization plans offer members access to a network of contracted local physicians and hospitals, but also allow them the flexibility to seek covered services from outside of the contracted network, usually at a higher cost. Members do not need a referral for specialty care.
We offer a national PPO plan to employers who qualify under a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Employer Group Waiver. PPO plans are available as either local PPO or regional PPO offerings. LPPOs cover certain counties within a state while RPPOs serve a larger geographic area – either a single state or a multi-state area.
Tools and Resources – UnitedHealthcare® Group Medicare Advantage Plans
Change In Marital Status
Always notify APERS in writing immediately if your marital status changes . A change in your marital status could affect your retirement benefits and beneficiary designations. Such a change may allow you to change your beneficiaries. Send us a secure message through the members portal or mail or fax a signed notification. Contact APERS with any questions.
Enrolling Canceling And Making Changes To Your Arbenefits Coverage
Enrolling as a new hire or during Open Enrollment
You can enroll in ARBenefits coverage within 60 days of your hire date or during Open Enrollment To enroll during either of these periods, you will need to log into your ARBenefits Member Portal. Check out our How to Enroll Online Guide to view more information on how to do this through your ARBenefits Member Portal.
Enrolling/canceling/making changes due to a qualifying event
You can enroll, cancel or make changes to your ARBenefits coverage within 60 days of a qualifying event To make changes or cancel coverage due to a qualifying event, you must submit an ARBenefits Change Form along with the supporting documentation below if applicable. To enroll for the first time due to a qualifying event, you must submit an ARBenefits Election Form along with the following documentation if applicable.
Documentation toadd a dependent
- ARBenefits Spousal Affidavit form to add a spouse
- Birth Certificate/adoption paperwork to add a child
- Proof of prior coverage to add yourself, a spouse, or a child due to loss of coverage
Documentation to drop a dependent
- Divorce Decree to drop a spouse due to divorce
- Proof of other coverage to drop coverage on yourself, a child or a spouse due to a gain of other coverage
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What Is Blueprint Portal
Blueprint Portal is a members-only website that will help you understand and manage your health plan so youre able to find quality, patient-focused healthcare at the best possible price.
- Review claims history
- Check deductible and out-of-pocket totals
- View and order replacement ID cards
- Find a doctor or hospital
- Estimate treatment costs
- Review a recent doctor visit
Who can register?
State Panel Oks Employee Benefits Divisions Request For $527m In Federal Funds
A state panel on Friday endorsed the state’s Employee Benefits Division’s request for $52.7 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to reimburse the state’s public school and state employees and retirees’ health insurance plans for covid-19 related costs.
Arkansas’ American Rescue Plan steering committee, appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in May 2021 to recommend the best uses of $1.57 billion in American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery funds, advanced the Employee Benefits Division’s request for the federal funds without any audible dissenting votes.
In March 2021, President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion AmericanRescue Plan Act that is designed to help the United States recover from the economic and health effects of the covid-19 pandemic.
Employee Benefits Division Director Jake Bleed told the steering committee that division officials have identified $52.7 million in expenses of the state’s health insurance plans for public school and state employees that are directly connected to the covid-19 pandemic itself or to the series of federal funding requirements placed on the plans in response to covid-19 pandemic.
“All of these funds that we would not have spent, but for covid-19,” and they meet the criteria of the federal American Rescue funding guidelines, he said.
Obtaining the $52.7 million in the American Rescue Plan funds “would be useful for us to help maintain the longevity of the plan,” Bleed said.
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Arkansas Dental And Vision Plans
Dental and vision insurance plans, underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, have no age limit restrictions.4 They offer coverage for the dental and vision services many medical insurance plans dont include.
From Little Rock to Fayetteville, Jonesboro to Hot Springs, explore these Arkansas health insurance options and more that may be available now.
Hospital & Doctor Insurance
Health ProtectorGuard fixed indemnity insurance,3 underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, can supplement your major medical plan by paying cash for eligible, covered medical services, like a doctor visit, a trip to urgent care or a surgical procedure.
- No deductibles or copays to pay first
- Benefits paid regardless of other insurance
- Money to pay costs not covered by major medical plans, like a deductible
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Health Insurance Coverage For Multiple Years
TriTerm Medical Insurance,2 underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, is short term health insurance that offers coverage for preventive care, doctor office visits, and prescriptions.
- Apply once for insurance coverage terms that equal one day less than 3 years.
- $2 million lifetime maximum benefit per covered person on most plans.
- Eligible expenses for preexisting conditions are covered after 12 months on the plan.
You Have More Insurance Options For Your Health Than You Think Arkansas
If youre self-employed or without insurance from your employer in other words, youre looking for individual or family health insurance in Arkansas you might be looking for Affordable Care Act insurance, what’s often called Obamacare. However, we want to make you aware of the whole range of individual and family insurance products we have available in your state.
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Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
Accidental injuries and critical illness happen when you least expect them. Those unexpected expenses can strain any budget. Accident insurance3 and critical illness insurance3 can help by paying cash benefits for covered injuries or illnesses.
The Accident Pro series of products, underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, combines accident insurance with critical illness, hospitalization, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage all in one. Some plans are guaranteed issue, meaning your application wont be turned down for preexisting conditions.
Telephonic & Virtual Visits
Were here when you cant be
Now its easier to get care see a health care provider on any device or call 24/7 for nurse guidance.
Tell us where it hurts
Unsure where or how to get treatment for a serious or chronic health issue? Let us help.
Youre in good company
Discover all the ways that ARBenefits and UnitedHealthcare work together to offer the benefits you need most.
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Benefits For State Government Employees
From online doctor visits to wellness rewards programs, plans are designed to help state employees stay healthier. UnitedHealthcare works with plan administrators to create plans that make sense for employees and help employers manage costs.
View the plans below for an overview of the coverage to expect from UnitedHealthcare for medical, dental and specialty plans.
Health Care And Wellness
Competitive group health insurance benefits are offered to employees through the TSS Employee Benefits Division. The State ofArkansas also offers Healthcare Flexible Spending and SavingsAccounts. These are pre-tax benefit accounts that employees mayuse to pay for qualified medical, dental, and vision care expenses. Visit ARBenefits for more information.
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Arkansas Board Of Finance Signs Off On Plan To Lower State Insurance Premiums
LITTLE ROCK — Most current employees in state health insurance plans for public school and state workers would pay less than they currently do under a package of proposed changes for calendar year 2023 approved by the state Board of Finance on Monday.
And many retired members who are Medicare-eligible and who participate in the state’s health insurance plans would pay lower premiums next year than they currently do if they opt for Medicare Advantage with prescription drug coverage under the proposed premiums that cleared the finance board.
The state Employee Benefits Division’s proposed premium changes still must be approved by the Legislative Council.
The proposed premiums reflect the finance board’s adoption of a policy last month that is aimed at more fairly and accurately spreading the increased cost of health insurance across members of the state’s health insurance plans for public school and state employees and state government.
Under the policy, the state will adjust the base rates to reflect the total cost that members in each category pose for the state’s health insurance plans, said Jake Bleed, director of the state’s Employee Benefits Division.
The state will aim to pay about 80% of the total cost of providing health insurance for its employees under this policy — up from the current average of about 65% of the total cost — and these changes will be phased in over a five-year period starting in 2023, Bleed told the state Board of Finance.
Arkansas Board Oks Proposed Health Coverage Contract For Retired Public School State Employees
The state Board of Finance on Friday approved a proposed state contract with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. to provide Group Medicare Advantage with prescription drug coverage for eligible retirees in the state’s health insurance plans for public school and state employees.
The state’s Employee Benefits Division will contract with the firm to offer Medicare Advantage services to eligible retirees in calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025, and additional years can be added upon conclusion of the initial three-year term, said Jake Bleed, director of the state’s Employee Benefits Division. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. is one of three companies that submitted bids for the contract.
There are about 16,000 retirees in the state’s health insurance plan for public school employees and about 14,000 retirees in the state’s health insurance plan for state employees, he said.
Retirees, who are 65 or older or who are otherwise eligible for Medicare, will be automatically enrolled in the Medicare Advantage program and will be given the opportunity to opt out of Medicare Advantage and retain existing benefits, Bleed said in a memo to the state Board of Finance.
The benefits offered under Medicare Advantage will mirror existing benefits, but also offer additional services including coverage for vision, dental and hearing and other benefits that are not currently provided to retirees, he said.
“We are not proposing the elimination of the wellness program.”
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Arkansas State Employees Premium Plan
The Premium plan offers the lowest deductible for in-network services. Wellness benefits are available at no charge when obtained by a participating provider. This plan offers out of network coverage at a higher cost share. The plan allows medical and pharmacy copays, coinsurance, and deductible amounts to count towards the True Out-of-Pocket Maximum for cost sharing.
Arkansas State Employees Basic Plan
The Basic plan is a high deductible plan that qualifies for a Health Savings Account . Wellness benefits are available at no charge when obtained by a participating provider. Basic plan members can enroll in a Health Savings Account through Connect Your Care. There is no coverage for out of network providers.
This website is owned and operated by HMO Partners, Inc., d/b/a Health Advantage. Health Advantage is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and is licensed to offer health plans in all 75 counties of Arkansas.
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Arkansas State Employees Classic Plan
The Classic plan is a high deductible plan that qualifies for a Health Savings Account . Classic plan members can enroll in a Health Savings Account through Connect Your Care. Wellness benefits are available at no charge when obtained by an in network provider. This plan offers out of network coverage at a higher cost share.
Arkansas Legislative Panel Backs Proposed Health Insurance Plan Changes For Public School State Workers
Most current employees in state health insurance plans for public school and state workers would pay less than they currently do under proposed changes for calendar year 2023 that a legislative panel endorsed Wednesday.
Many retired members who are Medicare-eligible and who participate in the state’s health insurance plans would pay lower premiums next year than they currently do if they opt for Medicare Advantage with prescription drug coverage under the proposed premiums that the Legislative Council’s Employee Benefits Division Oversight Subcommittee recommended that the council approve today.
Last week, the state Board of Finance approved the state’s Employee Benefits Division’s proposed premium changes for 2023.
In other action Wednesday, Department of Transformation and Shared Services Secretary Mitch Rouse told the legislative panel the state will pull down its request for proposals for a pharmacy benefit manager for the state’s Employee Benefits Division and develop another request for proposals for a pharmacy manager in concert with a consultant for the Bureau of Legislative Research, The Segal Group of Atlanta.
The announcement came after lawmakers and state officials huddled privately for more than 45 minutes during a recess of the subcommittee’s meeting.
Under a new policy adopted by the finance board, the state will adjust the base rates to reflect the amount that a member should pay based on the plan’s experience, Bleed said.
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State Panel Reverses Decision On Retiree Drug Coverage
A board on Tuesday rescinded its Aug. 5 decision to discontinue pharmacy benefit coverage next year for about 13,800 Medicare-member retirees in the state employees’ health insurance plan and force them go through the Medicare Part D market.
Instead, the State and Public Life and Health Insurance Board opted to give those retirees the option of either continuing pharmacy benefit coverage through the state plan or purchasing that coverage through the Medicare Part D market.
If the Medicare-member retirees want to continue their pharmacy benefit coverage through the state plan next year, their health insurance premiums will increase by 5%, the 15-member board decided in a voice vote with no audible dissenters.
If the retirees decide to go through Medicare Part D, their state insurance premiums will be reduced by $25 a month, the board decided.
The Aug. 5 decision drew sharp criticism from some of these retirees as well as some state lawmakers.
The outcry led state officials to review suggestions from retirees and lawmakers to determine whether there were alternatives to discontinuing the pharmacy benefit coverage for Medicare-member retirees.
A working group of several retired state employees last week suggested giving the Medicare-member retirees the option of either continuing with their state coverage or going through Medicare, said Amy Fecher, secretary of the state Department of Transformation and Shared Services.
Arkansas Lawmakers Approve Contract In Attempt To Lower Insurance Costs
Arkansas lawmakers and officials from the Employee Benefits Division are revisiting the states health insurance plan for retired employees and public school employees. A contract negotiated between the Employee Benefits Division and United Healthcare was approved Wednesday by a legislative subcommittee that oversees the division.
Jake Bleed, director of the Employee Benefits Division, said United Healthcare was one of three companies to apply for the bid by the state. He says after winning the bidding process, which has to follow state laws, the division was able to negotiate a contract they were satisfied with.
We really strengthened some of the performance guarantees and some of the other aspects of the contract to make sure the vendor we selected was really held to a high standard, and was going to be responsible to the needs of our members and to the expectations of the General Assembly, Bleed said.
Through United, the state will now be able to offer retired employees Medicare Advantage Plus, instead of only Medicare. Bleed says traditional Medicare pays for the first 80% of claims, while the state pays the remaining 20, in addition to paying for liability for members. With Medicare Advantage Plus, United is responsible for liability, which Bleed says will incentivize the company to keep risk low to lower its cost.
Bleed said having Medicare Advantage Plus through United Healthcare could help the state save money, while keeping the same benefits.
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State Board Of Finance Adopts State Employee And Teacher Health Insurance Rates For 2023
The state Board of Finance met today to consider health insurance premiums for 2023 for state employees and teachers.
Auditor Andrea Lea forwarded to me the boards recommendation, which continues lower rates for state employees than for school employees, though some school districts contribute to health insurance costs. Employee contributions generally declined:
Here are the state employee rates.
A sample:
