- Name change won’t impact coverage or health needs of state and municipal employees, retirees and their families.
By Henry Brier/El Mundo Boston
The name of the largest health insurance plan serving state and municipal employees, retirees and their families in Massachusetts is changing this summer, an evolution that demonstrates the company’s dedication to its members’ well-being and whole health.
As of July 1, UniCare will become Wellpoint as part of the company’s drive to reflect its mission and proactive health model more accurately.
The new name reflects Wellpoint’s model of health, which supports members’ overall physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, all of which contributes significantly health, as the company continues to grow its whole health strategy.
«We want to flip the model of sick care to whole health,” said David Morales, general manager of UniCare. «The healthier habits you adopt and the more we can support your overall health, the better it is for you and your family and for your pocketbook.»
Other than the company name, nothing else is changing as Wellpoint administration will remain and continue the nearly four-decade-long run of dedicated, top-notch service provided by the health benefits administrator on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission.
An indemnity plan, Wellpoint’s robust access allows members to access care anywhere in the world and remain fully covered for their medical needs.
Members do not need referrals, nor do they need to choose a primary care physician.
Wellpoint counts state and municipal employees among its membership, including police officers, fire fighters, teachers, and employees of the MBTA, Massport and the Universities of Massachusetts, among other state agencies.
Cities and towns that procure their health insurance through the Group Insurance Commission are also among Wellpoint’s membership areas, including Lawrence, Lowell, Springfield, Hingham, Weymouth, Framingham, Swampscott, Brookline and Lowell.
Along with the name change is a deliberate drive to promote efforts and tools that proactively encourage and support members to live an active and healthy lifestyle as much as possible.
‘We are more focused on being healthy than being sick,” Morales said on a recent studio appearance on “La Hora del Café” with El Mundo Boston on March 4.
Headquartered in Woburn, the health plan has supported members of the Group Insurance Commission since 1988 and will continue to provide physical, mental, emotional, and social healthcare support to its members.
The same access to primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals, and other facilities will continue, as will access to prescription drugs and behavioral health services.
Any employee who is insured through the Group Insurance Commission of Massachusetts is eligible for Wellpoint coverage. State retirees also are eligible for Wellpoint coverage.
Intentions to articulate more clearly what the company stands for have been in the works for the past two years, Morales said. “For our members, their whole health is our whole point”, Morales said on the March 4 edition of La Hora del Cafe with El Mundo Boston.
The annual open-enrollment period for Group Insurance Commission members runs April 3, 2024 through May 1, 2024. Three Wellpoint plans are available for active employees and their families: Total Choice, PLUS and Community Choice. Another option is available for Medicare supplemental needs, Medicare Extension.
Wellpoint is also very involved in the community. One of the initiatives it supports is called “Heroes de la Comunidad”, which profiles movers and shakers who are public servants and are making a difference in their communities.
Typically bestowed upon individuals on the front line, these bilingual profiles recognize unsung people who go about their jobs and take extra steps to connect to the communities they serve. They are public servants who also have a connection to their community.
The Human Services Director for the city of Lawrence, Martha Velez, is being recognized this month. Her life experience includes relocating from her native Cuba with her parents in 1969 and starting a new life in Eastern Massachusetts. Her upward progress with the city of Lawrence has left her with a strong love of her work, the city and the people she serves, a sentiment that is matched by those people, her coworkers, volunteers and others.
Thanks to Wellpoint, a firefighter of Puerto Rican heritage was honored as an “Heroe de la comunidad” in 2023, which propelled him to an even more prestigious award. Shortly thereafter Julio “Nito” Pastrana with the Lowell Fire Department was named Fire Fighter of the Year.
Another Wellpoint Latino honoree in 2023 was a well-respected Framingham middle school teacher of Venezuelan heritage. Beloved by students, parents and co-workers, Jose Luis Martinez with the Fuller Middle School was also recognized as a Hero of the Community at the annual El Mundo Boston Hispanic Heritage Breakfast.
Colombian-native Claudia Hoyos, assistant to the Mayor of Lawrence (Brian DePeña), was also featured in the series for her long-standing community work, and was a special guest at the breakfast, courtesy of Wellpoint last year.
This year’s El Mundo Boston Hispanic Heritage Breakfast will be dedicated to Latino Veterans, who have proudly served our nation’s Armed Forces and our region’s Latino Law Enforcement officers. The premiere event, which gathers a celebrity head table and more than 600 thought leaders at the Boston Park Plaza is slated for Friday, September 20th. Wellpoint is the presenting sponsor.
For more information, visit www.wellpointmass.com. Open enrollment begins on April 3.
