Benefits

New diabetes program available

In the near future, the Empire Plan will be introducing a new Diabetes Disease Management Program.

If you or one of your eligible dependents is covered by the Empire Plan and has been treated for diabetes, you may be invited to participate in this new program provided by United HealthCare and administered by Landacorp. Landacorp will send you a letter and a health survey for completion. The health survey can also be completed by phone. Participation is strictly voluntary, free of charge and confidential.

If you choose to participate, you will receive specific feedback regarding your diabetes. Anyone with a diagnosis of diabetes will also receive a Hba1c Home Test Kit, educational materials, smoking cessation materials (if applicable) and an action plan for improving your health. After the initial health survey, anyone identified as being at high risk for complications from diabetes will receive additional follow-up information and be contacted by a disease-management nurse.

The diabetes program will join the two disease-management programs already in existence under the Empire Plan. The Asthma Program, also administered by Landacorp, began Jan. 1, 2002, and the Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program, administered by CorSolutions, began July 1, 2000. These programs are the result of the 1999-2003 UUP/New York State Bargaining Agreement (Article 41.J.10 and the Joint Committee on Health).

The goal of these voluntary disease-management programs is to improve the overall health of participants with serious health conditions and reduce the incidence of complications. Another benefit of better outcomes for these conditions is the reduction in claim costs to the Empire Plan, which helps keep premiums lower. An upcoming Empire Plan Report, which you will receive by mail, will announce the start date of the program.

If you have any questions about any of the disease-management programs or the Empire Plan, call UUP Member Benefits at (800) 342-4206.

— Gail Maloy, UUP Director of Member Benefits and Services