Assurant Health and Patient Care announced that as of July 1, 2009, all Assurant Health permanent policyholders have access to health care advocacy services from Patient Care at no additional cost, to help them navigate through the health care system and become better health care consumers. In July 2008, Assurant Health became the first national carrier to offer Patient Care for new individual and small group medical plans. The contract extension between Assurant Health and Patient Care to all policyholders is the first and only of its kind in the United States.
“Assurant Health has always had a strong belief in clarifying health care for all of our customers” said Debbie Kramer, Senior Vice President, Marketing. “Contracting with Patient Care offers us yet another way to show our commitment to helping them get the information they need to make smart choices for their families,” Kramer continued.
Patient Care President and CEO Jane Cooper agreed, “Assurant Health and Patient Care are very strong partners.’ Cooper continued. “Patient Care Advocates are at the crossroads of consumers, providers and insurers – no one else offers that guidance, perspective and expertise.” Cooper said.
Patient Care’s Health Care Advocates Help Save Money, Time, Stress
Patient Care’s health care advocacy services are especially beneficial for people with high deductible health plans and/or health savings accounts (HSAs), since it lets them compare cost and quality data for up to three network providers. For example, consumers can call Patient Care 15 days before a recommended test or surgery to get quality information along with the estimated cost after network discounts for each provider.
Patient Care is automatically available to customers with qualifying plans and requires no additional paperwork by the agent. Patient Care advocates are experienced health insurance professionals who also can assist customers by:
- Explaining health care bills, claims and benefits
- Answering questions about HSAs and how to use them
- Resolving issues regarding claims or billing
- Identifying lower-cost drug options
- Handling all of the necessary pre-authorization approvals.
For more information on Assurant Health insurance products and services, please visit www.assuranthealth.com. For more information on Patient Care, visit www.patientcare4u.com.
About Assurant Health
Assurant Health has been in business since 1892 and is the brand name for products underwritten and issued by Time Insurance Company, John Alden Life Insurance Company and Union Security Insurance Company. Together, these three underwriting companies provide health insurance coverage to people in 45 states. Each underwriting company is financially responsible for its own insurance products. Primary products include individual medical, small group, short-term and student health insurance products, as well as non-insurance products and consumer-choice products such as Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Arrangements. With almost 3,000 employees, Assurant Health is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with operations offices in Minnesota, Idaho and Florida, as well as sales offices across the country. The Assurant Health Web site is www.assuranthealth.com.
Assurant Health is part of Assurant, a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and selected international markets. Its four key businesses – Assurant Employee Benefits, Assurant Health, Assurant Solutions and Assurant Specialty Property – have partnered with clients who are leaders in their industries and have built leadership positions in a number of specialty insurance market segments worldwide.
Assurant, a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. Assurant has more than $25 billion in assets and $8 billion in annual revenue. Assurant has approximately 15,000 employees worldwide and is headquartered in New York's financial district. The Assurant Web site is www.assurant.com.
About Patient Care
Patient Care is the nation’s leading advocacy company, helping employees navigate the health care system and become better health care consumers. The company serves more than 750,000 members in all 50 states. Other clients include Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Coors Brewing Company, Briggs & Stratton and Midwest Airlines. The company’s Web site is www.patientcare4u.com.