What will happen to my benefits? What about my participation in a disease management program?
There are no changes to your health benefits at this time and there will be no lapse in coverage for our University community if a sale occurs. If there is a change in the future you will receive enough notice in which to make decisions about your health care.

We are committed to offering an excellent level of benefits, network of providers and service for our employees and their dependents, retirees and survivors, and benefits-eligible graduate students through a benefits program that will continue to be designed by U-M to support our benefits strategy and the health care needs of the University community.

Will my premiums and co-pays be affected?
There are no changes to your health benefits at this time that are related to the sale, though there will be the regular, annual increases to premiums effective Jan. 1, 2007. The rates for 2007 will be printed in the Open Enrollment books that will be delivered in late September and are available now on the Web at: www.umich.edu/~benefits/.

If there is a change in the future you will receive enough notice in which to make decisions about your health care.

What will I need to do during Open Enrollment?
The enrollment process will remain the same. If you are currently enrolled in an M-CARE plan, which includes the HMO, POS, PPO PLUS and GradCare products and wish to remain in the same M-CARE plan for 2007, you will not need to do anything during Open Enrollment and M-CARE will continue as your plan.

In next year’s Open Enrollment for 2008 coverage, the University will offer Blues plans to replace the current M-CARE plan offerings. More information will be provided over the course of the next year, but you will continue to have a choice of high-quality comprehensive health plans.

Will I need to change my doctor?
In almost all cases, the answer is no. For 2007, the M-CARE plans will be offered using the existing network of providers. For 2008, Blues plans will be offered, and almost all of the M-CARE network providers also are in the network of those plans. However, please remember that providers can join and leave networks at any time, so changes do occur even in stable networks such as M-CARE and Blues ones. It’s always wise to confirm your provider’s participation in a network before choosing the plan.

Will all plan costs, covered services and features remain the same for 2007, as published in the Open Enrollment materials in October?
Yes.

Do I need to contact my physicians about billing, PCP designation, or any other issues?
No.

How will this affect retirees, locally as well those out of the local HMO service area or living out of the country?
This potential sale has no effect on the benefit plan offerings for retirees in 2007. The same set of M-CARE plans will be offered during Open Enrollment for 2007. For 2008, M-CARE plans will be replaced by a set of Blues offerings designed to provide the same level of benefits and choice as the University’s current plan offerings.

Does a sale of M-CARE affect coverage for graduate students enrolled in GradCare?
GradCare is an M-CARE plan offered only to the University’s benefits-eligible graduate students. There will not be a lapse in coverage for those graduate students and their dependents who are enrolled in GradCare for the Fall Term. A GradCare plan will continue to be offered by the University, and eligible graduate students can elect to enroll in it in 2007 and beyond. GradCare will be an available selection in this fall’s open enrollment period (Oct.9-20) for coverage in 2007, and will continue to be available to graduate students who are either newly eligible or re-eligible for University-sponsored insurance. You can elect it with confidence in the coverage and its continuity.

I have an appointment or operation scheduled for this summer or fall. Do I have to do anything to make sure there are no problems with the billing and payment?
No.

Does my doctor know about this? Do my other health care providers (e.g., pharmacists, physical therapists) know about this?
We are taking immediate steps to inform all who interact with M-CARE at any level, and will make plans with them for a smooth transition.

Will the M-CARE clinics remain open?
The clinics are owned by U-M and they will remain U-M clinics.

Where can I get more information?
You may call M-CARE Customer Service at 734-913-2211 or 800-658-8878,
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The deaf or hard of hearing may call
800-649-3777 (TTY/TDD). You may also e-mail M-CARE at custserv@mcare.org or visit mcare.org. Our street address is 2301 Commonwealth Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI 48185.

Questions about benefits may be directed to the HR/Payroll Service Center at 734-615-2000 or 866-647-7657. Information also can be found on the Benefits Office Web site at www.umich.edu/~benefits/.