Univera
You'll probably want to fully evaluate your options long before you ever need to make a health insurance claim. Picking a good insurer requires ample knowledge, not only regarding the programs they offer, but also concerning their operating history and company values. These facts will help you better understand what sets Univera health insurance apart from the alternatives and whether it's right for you.
Based out of Buffalo, NY, Univera health care is one of the major branches of the Lifetime Healthcare Companies non-profit. Lifetime owns numerous smaller companies across the state. Univera health insurance is just one of these, and while their parent firm offers national coverage for businesses and patients, Univera focuses on the residents of a distinct region.
Over 5,700 practitioners in western New York work in conjunction with Univera health care. It serves members across eight counties, Chautauqua, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming.
Even though this range is limited, members enjoy access to over 60,000 national pharmacies, most major chains and many local independent drugstores as a result of the firm's countrywide associations. Every hospital in western New York is open to Univera members, including those within the Kaleida and Catholic Health Systems. Univera's status as part of the Lifetime Healthcare Companies group affords its members access to a broad national network of insurance benefits and care providers.
As a non-profit health care plan, Univera maintains good status with services firms like Standard & Poor's, who awarded them an "A-minus" stable rating for their financial strength. Numerous corporate officers contribute to the inner workings of Univera, with a staff of regional officers backed up by an advisory board that help make decisions, as well as a board of directors.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance awarded Univera an "Excellent" accreditation status for their combined commercial HMO/POS product. The company's Medicare plan, Senior Choice, was also awarded similar accreditation as of 2011, with both of these ratings valid until 2012. In 2010, the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) presented Univera with a GOLD WELCOA Well Workplace Award in recognition of their dedication to taking responsibility for their employees' consumers' health.
Univera health care maintains stringent programs for fraud prevention and is actively involved in quality improvement programs. The firm also engages in community betterment programs that are designed to reinvest capital in local businesses and improve student welfare. These include educational workshops on the heath insurance claim paperwork process and a range of small business scholarships targeting women and at-risk youth. Univera health insurance company brings a number of benefits to members as well as their communities.
