University of Missouri System

University Communications

Spectrum

Volume 34, Number 4, August 2007

Coventry Health Care to Administer Choice Plus POS Program

The University of Missouri is changing administrators of its selfinsured UM Choice Plus Point of Service program effective Jan. 1, 2008. The switch to Coventry Health Care Inc., from United Health Care is intended to improve customer service while reducing administrative fees. The savings will help control medical costs for the University and its employees.

In addition, the University is discontinuing its Humana HMO option for Kansas City, Mo., employees and retirees due to a decrease in interest from UM faculty, staff and retirees in the area.

Humana was estimating a significant increase in premiums for 2008 leading to the University and Humana deciding to eliminate the option.

A smooth transition is expected in both cases, said University of Missouri Vice President for Human Resources Ken Hutchinson.

In 2006, 98.5 percent of UM claims were in-network with United. Under Coventry's network, 98.2 percent of the same claims would have been in-network. Express Scripts and CuraScripts will continue to administer the prescription drug component of the program.

"Our objective was to find an administrator that would provide a higher quality of overall services without increasing costs to the University or disrupting patient-physician relationships," Hutchinson said.

Current Humana enrollees will be advised of any actions required as the enrollment change period approaches.

A dedicated UM Coventry web site, http://www.ummedcvty.com, is available to provide access to a listing of providers in the Coventry network.

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