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UNICARE Life & Health Insurance CompanyTravelGap VoyagerShort Term Medical Plan Certificate of Coverage This Plan provides medical benefits while a person is temporarily away from Home. This Plan provides short-term, limited duration coverage. It is not subject to the guaranteed renewability and portability provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The Insured Person may not purchase insurance under this Plan for a Period of Insurance longer than 6 months. The Insured may request coverage for additional Periods of Insurance of up to 6 months. If the Insurer agrees to coverage for an additional Period of Insurance, it will issue a successor certificate to the Insured Person as evidence of coverage. Excess Coverage The Insurer will reduce the amount payable under the Policy to the extent expenses are covered under any Other Plan. The Insurer will determine the amount of benefits provided by Other Plans without reference to any coordination of benefits, non-duplication of benefits, or other similar provisions. The amount from Other Plans includes any amount to which the Covered Person is entitled, whether or not a claim is made for the benefits. This Policy is secondary coverage to all other policies. The Insurance Coverage Area is any place that is outside the United States. I. IntroductionAbout This Plan This Certificate of Coverage is issued by UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company ("the Insurer"). In this Plan, the "Insurer" means UniCare. The "Eligible Participant" is the person who meets the eligibility criteria of this Certificate. The term "Insured Person," means the Eligible Participant and any Insured Dependents. The benefits of this Plan are provided only for those services that the Insurer determines are Medically Necessary and for which the Insured Person has benefits. The fact that a Physician prescribes or orders a service does not, by itself, mean that the service is Medically Necessary or that the service is a Covered Expense. The Eligible Participant may consult this Certificate of Coverage or telephone the Insurer at the number shown on his/her identification card if he/she has any questions about whether services are covered. This Certificate of Coverage contains many important terms (such as "Medically Necessary" and "Covered Expense") that are defined in Part III and capitalized throughout the Certificate of Coverage. Before reading through this Certificate of Coverage, consult Part III for the meanings of these words as they pertain to this Certificate of Coverage. The Insurer has issued a Policy to the Group or Trust identified on the Eligible Participant's identification card. The benefits and services listed in this Certificate of Coverage will be provided for Insured Persons for a covered Illness, Injury, or condition, subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Group's Policy. Choice of Hospital and Physician: Nothing contained in this Plan restricts or interferes with the Eligible Participant's right to select the Hospital or Physician of the Eligible Participant's choice. Also, nothing in this Plan restricts the Eligible Participant's right to receive, at his/her expense, any treatment not covered in this Plan. Use of Administrator: The Insurer may use a third party administrator to perform certain of the Insurer's duties on the Insurer's behalf. The Group or Trust and the Insured Participant will be notified of the use of an administrator. Benefit Overview Matrix Following is a very brief description of the benefit schedule of the Plan. This should be used only as a quick reference tool. The entire Certificate of Coverage sets forth, in detail, the rights and obligations of both the Insured Person and the Insurer. It is, therefore, important that THE ENTIRE CERTIFICATE OF COVERAGE BE READ CAREFULLY! The benefits outlined in the following table show the payment percentages for Covered Expenses AFTER the Insured Person has satisfied any Deductibles and prior to satisfaction of his/her Out-of-Pocket. Covered Expenses are based on Reasonable Charges which may be less than actual billed charges. Providers can bill the Insured Person for amounts exceeding Covered Expenses. Deductible: The Insured Person's Deductible is stated in the Declaration of Coverage per Insured Person per Period of Insurance. After the Deductible is satisfied, benefits are paid for Covered Expenses as follows: BENEFIT OVERVIEW MATRIX
II. Who is eligible for coverage? Eligible Participants and their Eligible Dependents are the only people qualified to be covered by the Group or Trust's Policy. The following section describes who qualifies as an Eligible Participant or Eligible Dependent, as well as information on when and who to enroll and when coverage begins and ends. Who is Eligible to Enroll Under This Plan? An Eligible Participant:
An Eligible Dependent means a person who is the Eligible Participant's:
The term "primary care" means that the Insured Participant provides food, clothing and shelter on a regular and continuous basis during the time that the District of Columbia public schools are in regular session. A person may not be an Insured Dependent for more than one Insured Participant. Additional Requirements for an Eligible Participant and Eligible Dependents: An Eligible Participant or an Eligible Dependent must meet all of the following requirements:
Application and Effective Dates The Coverage for an Eligible Participant and his or her Eligible Dependents will become effective if the Eligible Participant submits a properly completed application to the Insurer, is approved for coverage by the Insurer, and the Group or Trust and/or the Eligible Participant pays the Insurer the premium. The Effective Date of the Coverage under the Plan is indicated as follows: Period of Insurance: Each Eligible Participant's and his/her Eligible Dependent's Period of Insurance starts on the latest of the following:
Trip Coverage Start Date: The Insured Person's coverage under the Policy for a trip during the Period of Insurance starts as stated below:
An Insured Person is eligible for benefits during his/her Period of Insurance ONLY during the Trip Coverage Period. All applications, if applicable, must be approved by the Insurer for coverage to go into effect. In no event will an Eligible Dependent's coverage become effective prior to the Insured Participant's Effective Date of Coverage. How Period of Insurance Coverage Ends Insured Persons The Insured Person's coverage ends without notice from the Insurer on the earlier of:
Trip Coverage End Date: The Insured Person's coverage under the Plan for a trip during the Period of Insurance ends as stated below:
In no event will coverage for a trip extend past the Maximum Trip Coverage Period stated below, subject to 3 immediately above and as stated in the benefit provisions. Maximum Trip Coverage Period: Coverage for any one trip may not exceed 180 days. Group and Insurer The coverage of all Insured Persons shall terminate if the Policy is terminated. If the Insurer terminates the Policy then the Insurer will notify the Group of cancellation. In addition, the Policy may be terminated by the Group on any premium due date. It is the Group's responsibility to notify all Insured Participants in either situation. The Policy may be terminated by the Insurer:
Extension of Benefits No benefits are payable for medical treatment benefits after the Insured Person's insurance terminates. However, if the Insured Person is in a Hospital on the date the insurance terminates, the Insurer will continue to pay the medical treatment benefits until the earlier of the date the confinement ends or 31 days after the date the insurance terminates. The following definitions contain the meanings of key terms used in this Plan. Throughout this Plan, the terms defined appear with the first letter of each word in capital letters. Accidental Injury means an accidental bodily Injury sustained by an Insured Person which is the direct cause of a loss independent of disease, bodily infirmity, or any other cause. Age means the Insured Person's attained age. Ambulatory Surgical Center is a freestanding outpatient surgical facility. It must be licensed as an outpatient clinic according to state and local laws and must meet all requirements of an outpatient clinic providing surgical services. It also must meet accreditation standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations or the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care. Certificate of Coverage is the document issued to each Eligible Participant outlining the benefits under the group Policy. Coinsurance is the percentage of Covered Expenses the Insured Person is responsible for paying (after the applicable Deductible is satisfied). Coinsurance does not include charges for services that are not Covered Services or charges in excess of Covered Expenses. These charges are the Insured Person's responsibility and are not included in the Coinsurance calculation. Complications of Pregnancy are conditions, requiring hospital confinement (when the pregnancy is not terminated), whose diagnoses are distinct from the pregnancy, but are adversely affected by the pregnancy, including, but not limited to acute nephritis, nephrosis, cardiac decompression, missed abortion, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine fetal growth retardation, and similar medical and surgical conditions of comparable severity. Complications of Pregnancy also include termination of ectopic pregnancy, and spontaneous termination of pregnancy, occurring during a period of gestation in which a viable birth is not possible. Complications of Pregnancy do not include elective abortion, elective cesarean section, false labor, occasional spotting, morning sickness, physician prescribed rest during the period of pregnancy, hyperemesis gravidarium, and similar conditions associated with the management of a difficult pregnancy not constituting a distinct complication of pregnancy. A Continuing Hospital Confinement means consecutive days of in-hospital service received as an inpatient, or successive confinements for the same diagnosis, when discharge from and readmission to the Hospital occurs within 24 hours. Copayment is the dollar amount of Covered Expenses the Insured Person is responsible for paying. Copayment does not include charges for services that are not Covered Services or charges in excess of Covered Expenses. Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery. Cosmetic Surgery is performed to change the appearance of otherwise normal looking characteristics or features of the patient's body. A physical feature or characteristic is normal looking when the average person would consider that feature or characteristic to be within the range of usual variations of normal human appearance. Reconstructive Surgery is surgery to correct the appearance of abnormal looking features or characteristics of the body caused by birth defects, Injury, tumors, or infection. A feature or characteristic of the body is abnormal looking when an average person would consider it to be outside the range of general variations of normal human appearance. Note: Cosmetic Surgery does not become Reconstructive Surgery because of psychological or psychiatric reasons. The CoveragePeriod Maximum Benefit is the maximum amount of benefits available to each Insured Person during the person's Coverage Period (Period of Insurance and/or Trip Coverage Period). All benefits furnished are subject to these maximum amounts. Covered Expenses are the expenses incurred for Covered Services. Covered Expenses for Covered Services will not exceed Reasonable Charges. In addition, Covered Expenses may be limited by other specific maximums described in this Plan under section IV, How the Plan Works and section V, Benefits: What the Plan Pays. Covered Expenses are subject to applicable Deductibles, penalties and other benefit limits. An expense is incurred on the date the Insured Person receives the service or supply. Covered Services are Medically Necessary services or supplies that are listed in the benefit sections of this Plan, and for which the Insured Person is entitled to receive benefits. Custodial Care is care provided primarily to meet the Insured Person's personal needs. This includes help in walking, bathing, or dressing. It also includes preparing food or special diets, feeding, administration of medicine that is usually self-administered, or any other care that does not require continuing services of a medical professional. Deductible means the amount of Covered Expenses the Insured Person must pay for Covered Services before benefits are available to him/her under this Plan. The Period of Insurance Deductible is the amount of Covered Expenses the Eligible Participant must pay for each Insured Person before any benefits are available regardless of provider type. Dental Prostheses are dentures, crowns, caps, bridges, clasps, habit appliances, and partials. The Effective Date of the Policy is the date that the Group's or Trust's Policy became active with the Insurer. The Effective Date of Coverage is the date on which coverage under this Plan begins for the Eligible Participant and any other Insured Person. Eligible Dependent (See 'Eligibility Rules' in Section II of this Plan). Eligible Participant (See 'Eligibility Rules' in Section II of this Plan). Emergency (See Medical Emergency). Experimental / Investigational Procedures. Any medical, surgical, and/or other procedures, services, products, drugs or devices, (including implants) are considered experimental or investigational if;
Reliable evidence means only: the published reports and articles in authoritative medical and scientific literature; written protocol or protocols by the treating facility or other facilities studying substantially the same drug, device or medical treatment or procedure; or the medical informed consent used by the treating facility or other facilities studying substantially the same drug, device or medical treatment or procedure. Foreign Country is a country other than the Insured Person's Home Country. Foreign Country Provider is any institutional or professional provider of medical or psychiatric treatment or care who practices in a country outside the United States of America. A Foreign Country Provider may also be a supplier of medical equipment, drugs, or medications. HTH provides Insured Persons with access to a database of Foreign Country Providers. A Full Time Student is a student enrolled at an accredited college, university, or trade school participating in the Federally Guaranteed Student Loan Program. The student must be currently attending classes, carrying at least 12 units per term. Group or Trust refers to the business entity to which the Insurer has issued the Policy. Home Country means the Insured Person's country of domicile named on the enrollment form or the roster, as applicable. However, the Home Country of an Eligible Dependent who is a child is the same as that of the Eligible Participant. A Hospital is a facility which provides diagnosis, treatment and care of persons who need acute inpatient hospital care under the supervision of Physicians. It must:
This definition excludes convalescent homes, convalescent facilities, rest facilities, nursing facilities, or homes or facilities primarily for the aged, those primarily affording custodial care or educational care. HTH means Highway to Health (d/b/a HTH Worldwide). This is the entity that provides the Insured Person with access to online databases of travel, health, and security information and online information about physicians and other medical providers. HTH International Healthcare Community consists of physicians, dentists, mental health professionals, other allied health professionals, hospitals, health systems and medical practices countries throughout the world, all dedicated to providing high quality medical care to international travelers, employees and students. The providers are accessed through the HTH online database or through the HTH customer services. An Illness is a sickness, disease, or condition of an Insured Person which first manifests itself after the Insured Person's Effective Date. Injury (See Accidental Injury). Insurance Coverage Area is the primary geographical region in which coverage is provided to the Insured Person. Insured Dependents are members of the Eligible Participant's family who are eligible and have been accepted by the Insurer under this Plan. Insured Participant is the Eligible Participant whose application has been accepted by the Insurer for coverage under this Plan. Insured Person means both the Insured Participant and all Insured Dependents who are covered under this Plan. The Insurer means the UNICARE Life & Health Insurance Company. UNICARE is a nationally licensed and regulated insurance company. Insurer also includes a third party administrator with which the Insurer has contracted to perform certain of its duties on the its behalf. The Group or Trust and the Insured Participant will be notified of the use of an administrator. Investigative Procedures (See Experimental/Investigational). A Medical Emergency means a sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity including without limitation sudden and unexpected severe pain for which the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably result in:
Previously diagnosed chronic conditions in which subacute symptoms have existed over a period of time shall not be included in this definition of a medical emergency, unless symptoms suddenly become so severe that immediate medical aid is required. Medically Necessary services or supplies are those that the Insurer determines to be all of the following:
A Newborn is a recently born infant within 31 days of birth. Office Visit means a visit by the Insured Person, who is the patient, to the office of a Physician during which one or more of only the following three specific services are provided:
This does not include other services (e.g. X-rays or lab services) even if performed on the same day. Other Plan is an insurance plan other than this plan that provides medical, repatriation of remains, and/or medical evacuation benefits for the Insured Person. Out-of-Pocket Maximum is the amount of Coinsurance each Insured Person incurs for Covered Expenses in a Period of Insurance. The Out-of-Pocket does not include any amounts in excess of Covered Expenses, the Deductible, any penalties, or any amounts in excess of other benefit limits of this Plan. The Period of Insurance Maximum Benefit is the maximum amount of benefits available to each Insured Person during the person's Period of Coverage. All benefits furnished are subject to this maximum amount. Physical and/or Occupational Therapy/Medicine is the therapeutic use of physical agents other than drugs. It comprises the use of physical, chemical and other properties of heat, light, water, electricity, massage, exercise, spinal manipulation and radiation. A Physician means a physician licensed to practice medicine or any other practitioner who is licensed and recognized as a provider of health care services in the state and/or country the Insured Person resides or is treated; and provides services covered by the Plan that are within the scope of his/her licensure. Plan is the set of benefits described in the Certificate of Coverage booklet and in the amendments to this booklet (if any). This Plan is subject to the terms and conditions of the Policy the Insurer has issued to the Group or Trust. If changes are made to the Policy or Plan, an amendment or revised booklet will be issued to the Group or Trust for distribution to each Insured Participant affected by the change. Policy is the Group Policy the Insurer has issued to the Group or Trust. Pre-existing Condition means a medical condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received during the 6 months immediately preceding the Insured Person's Effective Date of Coverage. A Primary Plan is a Group Health Benefit Plan, an individual health benefit plan, or a governmental health plan designed to be the first payor of claims (such as Medicare) for an Insured Person prior to the responsibility of this Plan. A Reasonable Charge, as determined by the Insurer, is the amount the Insurer will consider a Covered Expense with respect to charges made by a Physician, facility or other supplier for Covered Services. In determining whether a charge is Reasonable, the Insurer will consider all of the following factors:
Reconstructive Surgery(See Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery). Special Care Units are special areas of a Hospital that have highly skilled personnel and special equipment for acute conditions that require constant treatment and observation. Totally Disabled or Total Disabilitymeans:
The patient must be under the care of a Physician. The Trip Coverage Period Maximum Benefit is the maximum amount of benefits available to each Insured Person during the person's Trip Coverage Period. All benefits furnished are subject to this maximum amount. U.S. means the United States of America. The Insured Person's Plan pays a portion of his/her Covered Expenses after he/she meets his/her Deductible for each Period of Insurance. This section describes the Deductible and discusses steps to take to ensure that he/she receives the highest level of benefits available under this Plan. See Definitions (Section III) for a definition of Covered Expenses and Covered Services. The benefits described in the following sections are provided for Covered Expenses incurred by the Insured Person while covered under this Plan. An expense is incurred on the date the Insured Person receives the service or supply for which the charge is made. These benefits are subject to all provisions of this Plan, which may limit benefits or result in benefits not being payable. Either the Insured Person or the provider of service must claim benefits by sending the Insurer properly completed claim forms itemizing the services or supplies received and the charges. Benefits This Benefits section shows the maximum Covered Expense for each type of provider. No benefits are payable unless the Insured Person's coverage is in force at the time services are rendered, and the payment of benefits is subject to all the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of this Plan. Hospitals, Physicians, and Other Providers. The amount that will be treated as a Covered Expense for services provided by a Provider will not exceed the lesser of actual billed charges or a Reasonable Charge as determined by the Insurer. Exception: If Medicare is the primary payer, Covered Expense does not include any charge:
The Insured Person will always be responsible for any expense incurred which is not covered under this Plan. DeductiblesDeductibles are prescribed amounts of Covered Expenses the Insured Person must pay before benefits are available. The Period of Insurance Deductible applies to all Covered Expenses. Only Covered Expenses are applied to the Deductible. Any expenses the Insured Person incurs in addition to Covered Expenses are never applied to any Deductible. Deductibles will be credited on the Insurer's files in the order in which the Insured Person's claims are processed, not necessarily in the order in which he/she receives the service or supply. If the Insured Person submits a claim for services which have a maximum payment limit and his/her Period of Insurance Deductible is not satisfied, the Insurer will only apply the allowed per visit, per day, or per event amount (whichever applies) toward any applicable Deductible. Period of Insurance Deductible The Insured Person's Period of Insurance Deductible is the amount as stated in the Declaration Page for each Insured Person per Period of Insurance. This Deductible is the amount of Covered Expenses the Insured Participant and other Insured Persons must pay for any Covered Services incurred for services received. Plan Payment After the Insured Participant satisfies any required Deductible, payment of Covered Expenses is provided as defined below: Limited Benefits Regardless of the Insured Person's Out-of-Pocket Maximum, the Insurer pays:
For all other Covered Expenses First Level Payment. Until an Insured Person satisfies his/her Out-of-Pocket Maximum for the Period of Insurance, the Insurer pays:
Period of Insurance Maximum Benefits The combined total of all medical benefits paid to the Eligible Participant or any Insured Dependent is limited to a maximum amount as stated in the Declaration of Coverage during each Insured Person's Period of Insurance, so long as the Insured Participant or the Insured Dependent remains insured under this Plan. Please note any additional limits on the maximum amount of Covered Expenses in the discussions of each specific benefit. V. Benefits: What the Plan Pays Before this Plan pays for any benefits, the Insured Person must satisfy his/her Period of Insurance Deductible. After the Insured Person satisfies the Deductible, the Insurer will begin paying for Covered Services as described in this section. The benefits described in this section will be paid for Covered Expenses incurred on the date the Insured Person receives the service or supply for which the charge is made. These benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations of this Plan. All services are paid at percentages and amounts indicated below or in the Benefit Overview Matrix, and subject to limits outlined in Section IV, How the Plan Works. Following is a general description of the supplies and services for which the Insured Person's Plan will pay benefits, if such supplies and services are Medically Necessary: Services and Supplies Provided by a Hospital For any eligible condition other than for Mental, Emotional or Functional Nervous Conditions or Disorders, Alcoholism or Drug Abuse, the Insurer will pay indicated benefits on Covered Expenses for:
Payment of Inpatient Covered Expenses are subject to these conditions:
Note: No benefits will be provided for personal items, such as TV, radio, guest trays, etc. Professional and Other Services The Insurer will pay Covered Expenses for:
Note:Medical equipment and supplies must meet all of the above guidelines in order to be eligible for benefits under this Plan. The fact that a Physician prescribes or orders equipment or supplies does not necessarily qualify the equipment or supply for payment. The Insurer determines whether the item meets these conditions. Rental charges that exceed the reasonable purchase price of the equipment are not covered. Ambulance Services The following ambulance services are covered under this Plan:
Dental Care for an Accidental Injury Benefits are payable for dental care for an Accidental Injury to natural teeth that occurs while the Insured Person is covered under this Plan, subject to the following:
In addition, the Plan provides benefits for up to three days of Inpatient Hospital services when a Hospital stay is ordered by a Physician and a Dentist for dental treatment required due to an unrelated medical condition. The Insurer determines whether the dental treatment could have been safely provided in another setting. Hospital stays for the purpose of administering general anesthesia are not considered Medically Necessary. Dental Care for Relief of Pain Benefits are payable for dental care for Relief of Pain to the teeth that occurs while the Insured Person is covered under this Plan. Services must be received while covered during the Trip Coverage Period. The Insurer pays the amount specified in the Benefit Overview Matrix. Complications of Pregnancy Complications of Pregnancy are covered under this Plan as any other medical condition. Benefits for complications of pregnancy shall be provided for all Insured Persons. Benefits for Claims resulting from downhill skiing and scuba diving The Insurer will pay Covered Expenses for claims resulting from downhill (alpine) skiing. It will also pay Covered Expenses resulting from scuba diving provided that the diver is certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or the National Association of a Underwater Instructors (NAUI), or provided that he/she is diving under the supervision of a certified instructor. These Covered Expenses are Limited to Period of Insurance Maximum or $10,000 whichever is less. Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit The Insurer will pay the benefit stated below if a Insured Person sustains an Injury resulting in any of the losses stated below within 365 days after the date the Injury is sustained: Loss Benefit Loss of life 100% of the Principal Sum Loss of one hand 50% of the Principal Sum Loss of one foot 50% of the Principal Sum Loss of sight in one eye 50% of the Principal Sum Loss of one hand or loss of one foot means the actual severance through or above the wrist or ankle joints. Loss of the sight of one eye means the entire and irrecoverable loss of sight in that eye. If more than one of the losses stated above is due to the same Accident, the Insurer will pay 100% of the Principal Sum. In no event will the Insurer pay more than the Principal Sum for loss to the Insured Person due to any one Accident. The Principal Sum is stated in Benefit Overview Matrix. There is no coverage for loss of life or dismemberment for or arising from an Accident in the Insured Person's Home Country. Repatriation of Remains Benefit If an Injury or a Sickness results in the Insured Person's loss of life outside the U.S, the Insurer will pay the Reasonable Expense incurred for cremation or for preparation of the body for burial in, and for transportation of the body to, the Home Area up to the maximum stated for this benefit in the Benefit Overview Matrix. Payment of this benefit is subject to the Limitations and Conditions on Eligibility for Benefits. No benefit is payable if the death occurs after the Period of Insurance Termination Date. However, if the Insured Person is Hospital Confined on the Termination Date, eligibility for this benefit continues until the earlier of the date the Insured Person's Confinement ends or 31 days after the Termination Date. The Insurer will not pay any claims under this provision unless the expense has been approved by either the Insurer before the body is prepared for transportation. Medical Evacuation Benefit If a Insured Person sustains an Injury or suffers a sudden Sickness while traveling outside the U.S., the Insurer will pay the Medically Necessary expenses incurred, up to the lifetime Maximum Limit for all medical evacuations shown in the Benefit Overview Matrix, for a medical evacuation to the nearest Hospital, appropriate medical facility or back to the Insured Person's Home Area. Transportation must be by the most direct and economical route. However, before the Insurer makes any payment, it requires written certification by the attending Physician that the evacuation is Medically Necessary. No benefits are payable under any other provision of the Policy for expense incurred by the Insured Person on and after the date of the evacuation. Evacuation of the Insured Person terminates further insurance under the Policy for the trip. The Insurer will pay Reasonable Charges for escort services if the Insured Person is a minor or if the Insured Person is disabled during a trip an escort is recommended in writing by the attending Physician and approved by the Insurer. Any expenses for medical evacuation require the Insurer's prior approval. With respect to this provision only, the following is in lieu of the Policy's Extension of Benefits provision: No benefits are payable for Covered Expenses incurred after the date the Insured Persons insurance under the Policy terminates. However, if on the date of termination the Insured Person is Hospital Confined, then coverage under this benefit provision continues until the earlier of the date the Hospital Confinement ends or the end of the 31st day after the date of termination. Bedside Visit Benefit If the Insured Person is Hospital Confined due to an Injury or Sickness for more than 7 days while traveling outside the U.S., the Insurer will pay up to a maximum benefit of $1,500 for the cost of one economy round‑trip air fare ticket to, and the hotel accommodations in, the place of the Hospital Confinement for one person designated by the Insured Person. With respect to any one trip, this benefit is payable only once for that trip, regardless of the number of Insured Persons on that trip. No more than one (1) visit may be made during any 12 month period. No benefits are payable under this provision prior to the end of the 7 day Hospital Confinement. No benefits are payable unless the trip is approved in advance by the Insurer. VI. Exclusions and Limitations: What the Plan does not pay for Excluded Services The Plan does not provide benefits for:
Pre-existing Conditions Benefits are not available for any services received on or within 6 months after the Eligibility Date of an Insured Person, if those services are related to a Pre-existing Condition as defined in the Definitions section. This exclusion does not apply to a Newborn that is enrolled within 31 days of birth or a newly adopted child that is enrolled within 31 days from either the date of placement of the child in the home, or the date of the final decree of adoption. NOTE: Creditable Coverage does not apply to this short term policy. This limitation does not apply to the Medical Evacuation Benefit, the Repatriation of Remains Benefit and to the Bedside Visit Benefit. Third Party Liability No benefits are payable for any Illness, Injury, or other condition for which a third party may be liable or legally responsible by reason of negligence, an intentional act, or breach of any legal obligation on the part of such third party. Nevertheless, the Insurer will advance the benefits of this Plan to the Insured Person subject to the following:
Benefits for Medicare Eligible Insured PersonsInsured Persons eligible for Medicare receive the full benefits of this Plan, except for those Insured Persons listed below:
In cases where exceptions 1, 2 or 3 apply, the Insurer will determine the Insurer's payment and then subtract the amount of benefits available from Medicare. The Insurer will pay the amount that remains after subtracting Medicare's payment. Please note, the Insurer will not pay any benefit when Medicare's payment is equal to or more than the amount which we would have paid in the absence of Medicare. For example: Assume exception 1, 2 or 3 applies to the Insured Person, and he/she is billed for $100 of Covered Expense. And assume in the absence of Medicare, the Insurer would have paid $80. If Medicare pays $50, the Insurer would subtract that amount from the $80 and pay $30. However, if in this example, Medicare's payment is $80 or more, the Insurer will not pay a benefit. Alternate Cost Containment ProvisionIf it will result in less expensive treatment, the Insurer may approve services under an alternate treatment plan. An alternate treatment plan may include services or supplies otherwise limited or excluded by the Plan. It must be mutually agreed to by the Insurer, the Insured Person, and the Insured Person's Physician, Provider, or other healthcare practitioner. The Insurer's offering an alternate treatment plan in a particular case in no way commits the Insurer to do so in another case, nor does it prevent the Insurer from strictly applying the express benefits, limitations, and exclusions of the Plan at any other time or for any other Insured Person. Terms of the Insured Participant's Plan
The above does not apply to fraudulent misstatements. The Insurer is not responsible for any claim for damages or injuries suffered by the Insured Person while receiving care in any Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, skilled nursing facility, or from any Provider. Such facilities are providers act as independent contractors and not as employees, agents or representatives of the Insurer. The Insurer is entitled to receive from any provider of service information about the Insured Person which is necessary to administer claims on the Insured Person's behalf. This right is subject to all applicable confidentiality requirements. By submitting an application for coverage, the Insured Participant has authorized every provider furnishing care to disclose all facts pertaining to the Insured Participant's and his/her Insured Dependent's care, treatment, and physical condition, upon the Insurer's request. The Insured Participant agrees to assist in obtaining this information if needed. Payments of benefits under this Plan neither regulate the amounts charged by providers of medical care nor attempt to evaluate those services. Grievance Procedures: If the Insured Person's claim is denied in whole or in part, he/she will receive written notification of the denial. The notification will explain the reason for the denial. The Insured Person has the right to appeal any denial of a claim for benefits by submitting a written request for reconsideration with the Insurer. Requests for reconsideration must be filed within 60 days after receipt of the written notification of denial. When the Insurer receives the Insured Person's written request, the Insurer will review the claim and arrive at a determination. If the matter is still not resolved to the Insured Person's satisfaction, he/she may request a second review of the claim by sending the Insurer a written request for a second reconsideration. This written request must be filed within 60 days of the Eligible Participant's receipt of the Insurer's written notification of the result of the first review. If the issue involves a dispute over the coverage of medical services, or the extent of that coverage, the second review will be completed by physician consultants who did not take part in the initial reconsideration. The Insured Person will be informed, in writing, of the Insurer's final decision. The Insurer shall not take any retaliatory action, such as refusing to renew or canceling coverage, against the Eligible Participant or the Group because the Eligible Participant, the Group, or any person acting on the Eligible Participant's or the Group's behalf, has filed a complaint against the Insurer or has appealed a decision made by the Insurer. The Insurer will meet any Notice requirements by mailing the Notice to the Group at the billing address listed on our records. The Group will meet any Notice requirements by mailing the Notice to: UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3900 Chicago, Illinois 60606 Dispute Resolution All complaints or disputes relating to coverage under this Plan must be resolved in accordance with the Insurer's grievance procedures. Grievances may be reported by telephone or in writing. All grievances received by the Insurer that cannot be resolved by telephone conversation (when appropriate) to the mutual satisfaction of both the Insured Person and the Insurer will be acknowledged in writing, along with a description of how the Insurer proposes to resolve the grievance. The Insurer shall not take any retaliatory action, such as refusing to renew or canceling coverage, against the Insured Participant and his/her Insured Dependents or the Group because the Insured Participant's, the Group's, or any person's action on the Insured Person's or the Group's behalf, has filed a complaint against the Insurer or has appealed a decision made by the Insurer. In accordance with state insurance law, this certificate is composed of the following forms on file with the State Insurance Department. CERTIFICATE: BCR 101 04/03 INTRODUCTION/BENEFIT OVERVIEW: BCR 134 04/03 ELIGIBILITY: BCR 121 04/03 DEFINITIONS: BCR 111 04/03 HOW THE PLAN WORKS: BCR 362 04/03 UTILIZATION REVIEW PROGRAM: BCR 363 04/03 BENEFITS: BCR 364 04/03 EXCLUSIONS/LIMITATIONS: BCR 365 04/03 PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: BCR 300 04/03 GENERAL PROVISIONS: BCR 173 04/03 |