Beware: Quest Diagnostics No Longer in UnitedHealthcare Network Effective January 2007

UnitedHealthcare has announced that effective this January 1 (January 31 for the State of Washington), Quest Diagnostics will no longer be a network provider of laboratory services. This will apply to all participants whose health care benefits are administered by UnitedHealthcare, whether under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (Group Policy GA-23000) or AmPlan.

Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp), plus many other regional and local laboratory service providers, will continue to provide in-network services as usual. However, if your physician sends you or your samples to a lab that does not participate in United’s network–including Quest Diagnostics after December 31, 2006 (January 31, 2007 for the State of Washington)–you may be subject to higher, out-of-network costs as described in your benefit plan.

TCU recommends that you be sure to ask your physician to verify that the lab he or she will be using participates in the UnitedHealthcare network. If you have any questions regarding network providers, please call the customer service telephone number shown on your ID card, or visit United online at www.myuhc.com.