Important information regarding ConnectiCare's group product portfolio

Effective July 1, 2007, ConnectiCare will be updating its product portfolio for both Small- and Large-Group clients. Changes will provide members with a greater level of freedom by eliminating referrals, and ConnectiCare will offer a range of Open Access Plans. These changes affect Groups that are new and renew on and after July 1, 2007.

For the new and renewing groups on or after July 1, 2007, ConnectiCare’s “Gatekeeper Plans”, also known as “Personal Care Plans”, will no longer be available.

Once this conversion from Gatekeeper Plans to Open Access Plans begins, brokers and employers will see that there will no longer be a difference in rates based on the PCP referral requirement. 

For the new and renewing Large Group fully insured groups on or after July 1, 2007, ConnectiCare anticipates that the majority of these groups will renew into our Open Access products as a result of no financial savings by choosing the Gatekeeper Plans.

All plans will transition into Open Access Plans during their renewal. These plans do not require members to obtain a referral from a Primary Care Provider when seeking care from a Specialist. We feel that our members will benefit from a new level of freedom and ease of use. Members will still be asked to choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) who will assist them and coordinate their care outside of the PCP office. The only difference is that the referral is not necessary.

Small Group
The open access product portfolio will also be updated to provide greater simplicity of choice, requiring that ConnectiCare retires some Open Access Plans along with the Gatekeeper Plans. The new suite of products is cost effective and contains standardized benefits across all new Small-Group Plans.

The Small Groups that renew on and after July 1, 2007, from one of the retiring plans, will be required to choose a product from our new Open Access suite. This change also applies to Small-Group Plans associated with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) and the Chamber Insurance Trust (CIT).

We will be notifying all groups 90 days prior to their renewal with a letter detailing these changes.

Large Group
As you work with your Account Executive and/or Account Manager, you will be offered an Open Access Plan type. Since there will no longer be a rate differential between the Gatekeeper and Open Access Products, ConnectiCare will work with you to design a plan that best fits the needs of your Large-Group Employer.

For more information on these changes contact your ConnectiCare Sales Representative at 1-800-289-8376. 

Note: High-Deductible Health Plans and FlexPOS Plans will not be part of the above mentioned plan conversion because the products are part of the category of Open Access Plans that will not be changing.