Frequently Asked Questions: M-CARE Members (Health System and U-M Employees)

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What will happen to my benefits? What about my participation in a disease management program?
M-CARE members will experience no interruption in their health coverage, and will receive coverage under the M-CARE name for the duration of their employer’s or group’s contract with M-CARE throughout 2007. After that, they will be able to select coverage from a variety of plans. M-CAID members will continue to receive coverage under the current Medicaid contract that M-CAID has with the state of Michigan.

U-M employees, graduate students, retirees, dependents and survivors who elected M-CARE during the recent open enrollment period will have M-CARE coverage through 2007. For 2008, the University will develop replacement health plans designed and funded by U-M and administered by the Blues.

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

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?
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?
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.

How will this affect retirees, locally as well those out of the local HMO service area or living out of the country?
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 2008 and beyond. You can elect it with confidence in the coverage and its continuity.

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 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.