Last week, we alerted you about UniCare's decision to pull its health insurance business out of Texas, and the provision for Blue Cross Blue Shield to pick up those policies, with no underwriting, during a short timeframe. (Medicare supplemental and prescription card plans for seniors won't be affected, although UniCare's individual major medical policies for under-65 will.) There are now a couple of clarifying points.
If you are a UniCare policy holder, you don't have to switch insurance brokers to take advantage of switching over to Blue Cross without being penalized or excluded for pre-existing conditions. But as long as pre-existing conditions aren't an issue and you can go through underwriting, you may also want to consider other options.
Below is a list of Texas Association of REALTORS benefits partners that are insurance brokerages experienced at helping Texas REALTORS and their families with insurance needs; you may already be dealing with one of these companies:
Association Benefits, 888/479-2112
Ins/Mark of America, 800/847-7503
Nicholas Hill Benefit Group, 866/394-5456
Selected Benefits, 866/270-6209