UNITED HEALTHCARE: Adds Three Counties To Select HMO
United HealthCare of California, Inc., a subsidiary of United HealthCare Corporation, announced yesterday that it obtained approval January 22 from the California Department of Corporations to offer its Select HMO in Santa Barbara, San Benito and San Luis Obispo counties. The approval will allow the HMO to attain a more competitive network in the state and to offer consumers and employer groups in additional counties a full range of managed health care products. United's Select HMO features: Optum(R) NurseLine, which gives participants toll-free telephone access to experienced registered nurses; "Taking Care" newsletter, which teaches self-care skills and promotes healthy lifestyles; access to the United HealthCare of California's Web site; and programs encouraging women's reproductive health checkups and immunizations for children. In addition, the product will allow employers in these counties to add optional benefits including chiropractic, pharmacy management and behavioral health services. George Goldstein, CEO of United HealthCare of California, said, "The expansion of the Select HMO product into Santa Barbara, San Benito and San Luis Obispo counties increases the availability of the health plan for both existing and new clients. We ... will continue our commitment to further expand the Select HMO product within California" (United HealthCare release, 2/3).
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