Welfare Division
Dear United Welfare Fund Health Plan Participant:

In our continuing effort to provide you and your family the best healthcare benefit programs, United Welfare Fund Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that effective October 1, 2022 UnitedHealthcare will be the new preferred medical provider network for the Fund’s medical plan. UnitedHealthcare is replacing the Blue Cross Blue Shield provider network. 

About UnitedHealthcare 
UnitedHealthcare is the nation’s largest health insurance company. The UnitedHealthcare preferred medical provider network is one of the most robust consolidated national networks in the United States. Their network provider coverage and contracted rates are among the very best in the industry. Our goal with moving to UnitedHealthcare is for you and your family to have a more positive healthcare and cost saving experience. 

Leading Edge Administrators to Facilitate Transition – No Changes to 2022 Plan Design 
United Welfare Fund is working with our current claim administrator, Leading Edge Administrators, on helping with this transition to the UnitedHealthcare provider network. Leading Edge will continue to serve as the Fund’s claim administrator and will help facilitate the transition. 

Please note that there will be no plan design changes because of this move to the UnitedHealthcare provider network. You will remain on your current 2022 plan. Any deductibles which have been satisfied and/or out of pocket expenses which have been incurred, will be carried over through the 2022 plan year. 

New United Welfare Fund Vendors Starting October 1, 2022 
In conjunction with this move to the UnitedHealthcare provider network, we will also be making changes effective October 1, 2022 to the following industry leading vendors for the services currently provided to Fund participants. These program changes follow: 
  • Pharmacy Benefits: Magellan Rx to Express Scripts

  • Medical Pre-Authorizations: Med Review to Optum - UnitedHealthcare

  • Tele-Medicine (Medical & Behavioral): LiveHealth Online to Teladoc
These changes will allow for a more integrated and coordinated approach to the plan and your healthcare. More information on these programs will be provided when your ID cards and welcome letter arrive in mid-September from UnitedHealthcare. 
Check Your USPS Mail! – New ID Cards & Welcome Letter Packet to Arrive by Mid-September
New UnitedHealthcare identification cards, welcome letter and other materials will be mailed to in mid September. The UnitedHealthcare identification cards will also be available on your current uCard mobile phone application. The welcome letter will provide you more details on the UnitedHealthcare network providers and new vendors available to you and your family. 

Are My Medical Providers or Pharmacies Affected by this Change? 
With this transition, we have made every attempt to minimize disruption in providers or pharmacies who are currently giving care to you and your family. If you have questions on whether your current medical provider is part of the UnitedHealthcare network or if your pharmacy participates with Express Scripts, please contact your Leading Edge Administrators service team at 877-797-2776.
 
Talk to Your Medical Providers & Pharmacy About These October 1, 2022 Changes 
Once you receive your new ID card, we ask that you provide your new ID card information to your doctors, medical facilities, and pharmacies.  

Leading Edge, UnitedHealthcare and Express Scripts will also be reaching out to top medical providers and pharmacies specific to United Welfare Fund program changes. 

Reminder – What ID Card to Use Before or After October 1, 2022? 
  • If you or your family members have any medical issues prior to October 1, 2022, please continue to use your Blue Cross Blue Shield ID card.

  • Please use the UnitedHealthcare ID card for any actual or planned services scheduled on or after October 1, 2022.
The purpose of this advance notice is to help our participants avoid any potential problems which could develop during the transition.  

As always, the Fund’s primary concern is the health and welfare of our participants. We are confident that this change will assist us in continuing to provide the highest level of service and benefits for you and your family. 


Sincerely, 
Joseph M. Pecora
Fund Administrator
United Welfare Fund
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