PacificSource Health Plans Acquires Clear One Health Plans, Inc.

• Clear One Health Plans, Inc., formerly Clear Choice Health Plans, Inc., was founded in 1995 in Central Oregon.
• Clear One evolved from COIHS, an Oregon Health Plan administrator, and the country’s first provider-owned and operated Medicare Advantage plan, into an independent regional health plan serving the commercial and government sectors.
• Clear One serves 141 clients and 9,000 members in the commercial sector, and 10,000 Medicare Advantage members.
• Clear One is based in Bend, Oregon and is licensed in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Montana, and South Dakota.
• Clear One Health Plans, Inc. is a holding company for the following subsidiaries:
• Clear One Life and Health – offers group life, disability, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits products to employers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington through its marketing agreement with Companion Life Insurance Company.
• Central Oregon Individual Health Solutions (COIHS) – an administrator of the Oregon Health Plan for 28,000 Oregonians.
• Trusteed Plans Service Corporation (TPSC) – a third-party administrator providing services to 55,000 people through self-funded employer groups, associations, Taft-Hartley Trusts, and Chamber of Commerce plans.

Why did PacificSource acquire Clear One?

The acquisition fits well with PacificSource’s growth strategy and will help us bring affordable, quality healthcare to more people in more communities throughout the Northwest. Serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries has been a longtime goal for PacificSource and we have been looking for the right opportunity to expand our health insurance offerings to include these plans. The acquisition of Clear One and their expertise in these areas will allow us to be a true community health plan, providing health coverage to people throughout their lives.

As a not-for-profit health plan, it’s incumbent on PacificSource to help customers get the best value for their healthcare dollars. Adding Clear One’s membership will enable us to more effectively collaborate with healthcare providers to improve the quality of care. This will help PacificSource provide more people with affordable, quality care and personal service at the local level more cost-effectively.

How does the acquisition impact PacificSource’s size?

It gives PacificSource approximately 9,000 additional group and individual plan members, 10,000 Medicare Advantage members, and 28,000 Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan members. It also adds about 55,000 self-insured members and extends our service area to Montana. With the acquisition, PacificSource and its subsidiaries serve 259,000 people and employe 590 people throughout the Northwest. 

Will the Clear One name be replaced with PacificSource Health Plans?

In the long term, we plan to conduct all our business under the PacificSource name. That transition will take several years, however. During the interim, you’ll see the Clear One, COIHS, and TPSC names and logos, often with a mention that they are PacificSource companies.

Since our initial e-mail announcement to employers in May, we have begun the process of integrating Clear One’s commercial insurance operations with PacificSource’s operations. This transition will help us achieve greater administrative efficiencies and provide you with a higher level of personal service.

Oregon Small Employers (50 or fewer employees):

As part of our integration process, Oregon Clear One small employer plans will be discontinued at the end of 2010. Oregon employers were informed of Clear One’s intention to discontinue small employer plans via letter in late June. View letter.

Prior to renewal dates, employers will receive a renewal offer to continue coverage with Clear One through December 31, 2010, along with a proposal to move to a PacificSource plan. As all employers have the option to switch to any carrier during the renewal process, we are committed to making the transition to PacificSource as easy and smooth as possible.

Oregon Large Employers (51 or more employees):

We are working with large employers and their agents to assess their coverage and transition needs. As all employers have the option to switch to any carrier during the renewal process, we are committed to making the transition to PacificSource as easy and smooth as possible.

What changes should I expect?
Until you receive word from your employer that your coverage has changed, you can expect business as usual: claims, customer service, billing, and enrollment functions will continue to be handled by the same Clear One team you’ve worked with. Clear One’s address and phone numbers remain the same at this time. You will continue to have access to online resources and information at www.clearonehp.com.

Will my benefits change?
Your plan benefits with Clear One will not change as a result of the acquisition. As always, your group policy is subject to the regular renewal process on its anniversary date, and your employer may make benefit changes at that time. Your benefits may change earlier if your employer moves to one of PacificSource’s benefit plans prior to the plan’s renewal. 

Are my rates going up?
No, your rates with Clear One will not change as a result of the acquisition. As always, your group policy is subject to the regular renewal process on its anniversary date and premium rates may change at that time, or earlier if your employer chooses to make a change prior to renewal.

Will I need to change doctors?
You will not need to change doctors as a result of the acquisition. As long as you are covered by a Clear One plan, you will continue to access the Clear One provider network. The Clear One Provider Directory is on our Web site at www.clearonehp.com.  

If you move to PacificSource, you will have access to the PacificSource provider network, which is very similar to the Clear One provider network. Visit the PacificSource Provider Directory.  

Will I receive a new ID card?
You will not receive a new ID card as a result of the acquisition. Please continue to use your existing Clear One ID card when visiting your doctor or filling a prescription. If you move to a PacificSource plan, you will receive a new ID card at that time.

Will I call the same numbers for member services?
Clear One member services numbers will not change as a result of the acquisition. Please continue to use the information on your ID card and other plan materials:

Your employer received the following message by e-mail on May 21, 2010: view  e-mail.

What changes should I expect?
You’re not likely to notice any differences due to the transition in ownership. There will be no immediate changes to your benefits, provider network, or premium rates as a result of this transaction. Your existing rates and benefits will continue until your next annual policy renewal, when your policy will be subject to the normal renewal process and regulatory rules. Claims, customer service, billing, and enrollment functions will continue to be handled by the same team you’ve worked with. Our address and phone numbers remain the same at this time. You will continue to have access to online resources and information at www.clearonehp.com. We will keep you well informed about any future changes that may impact you.

Will my benefits change?
Your plan benefits with Clear One will not change as a result of the acquisition. As always, your group policy is subject to the regular renewal process on its anniversary date, and your employer may make benefit changes at that time, or earlier if they move to one of PacificSource’s benefit plans. 

Are my rates going up?
No, your rates with Clear One will not change as a result of the acquisition. As always, your group policy is subject to the regular renewal process on its anniversary date and premium rates may change at that time, or earlier if your employer chooses to make a change prior to renewal.

Will I need to change doctors? 
You will not need to change doctors as a result of the acquisition. As long as you are covered by a Clear One plan, you will continue to access the Clear One provider network.

The Clear One Provider Directory is on our Web site at www.clearonehp.com. 

Will I receive a new ID card?
You will not receive a new ID card as a result of the acquisition. Please continue to use your existing Clear One ID card when visiting your doctor or filling a prescription.

Will I call the same numbers for customer service?
Clear One customer service numbers will not change as a result of the acquisition. Please continue to use the information on your ID card and other plan materials:

In May, we sent the following letter announcing the acquisition: View letter.

Since our initial announcement, we’ve begun our process of integrating Clear One’s commercial insurance operations with PacificSource’s operations. In late June, we mailed more details about the transition and the discontinuation of Clear One individual plans, effective January 1, 2011:

• View discontinuation notice  
• View plan selection guide  
• View short application  
• View PacificSource Elect brochure 
• View PacificSource Elect rates 
• View About PacificSource flier  
• View Operational Results flier 

What changes should I expect?
Our intent is to merge Clear One’s commercial insurance operations with PacificSource’s operations over the next year. This transition will help us achieve greater administrative efficiencies and provide you with a higher level of personal service.

This means we will discontinue plans where PacificSource offers similar coverage, including Clear One individual plans, effective January 1, 2011. You have the opportunity to move to a PacificSource plan with similar benefits with no underwriting or pre-existing condition limitations. If your renewal date is in 2010, you may move at your regular renewal date or earlier. If your renewal date is in 2011, you must secure coverage, either with PacificSource or another carrier, prior to January 1, 2011 when your Clear One individual plan will be discontinued.

Until you transition to a PacificSource or another plan, you can expect business as usual: claims, customer service, billing, and enrollment functions will continue to be handled by the same Clear One team you’ve worked with. Clear One’s address and phone numbers remain the same at this time. You will continue to have access to online resources and information at www.clearonehp.com. We will keep you well informed about any future changes that may impact you.

Will my benefits change?
Your Clear One benefits will not change immediately as a result of the acquisition. Over time, it’s likely your benefits may change due to a variety of factors, including new healthcare reform regulations and market-driven changes. Rest assured, we will keep you well informed about any future changes that may impact you and the choices available to you.  

Are my rates going up?
Your premium rates with Clear One will not change as a result of the acquisition. As always, your policy is subject to the regular renewal process on its anniversary date and premium rates may change at that time. If there are any changes due to the transition of business to PacificSource, we will be sure to provide you with advance notice, as required by state law.

Will I need to change doctors?
You will not need to change doctors as a result of the acquisition. As long as you are covered by a Clear One plan, you will continue to access the Clear One provider network. The Clear One Provider Directory is on our Web site at www.clearonehp.com.  

If you move to PacificSource, you will have access to the PacificSource provider network, which is very similar to the Clear One provider network. Visit the PacificSource Provider Directory.  

Will I receive a new ID card?
You will not receive a new ID card as a result of the acquisition. Please continue to use your existing Clear One ID card when visiting your doctor or filling a prescription. If you move to a PacificSource plan, you will receive a new ID card at that time.

Will I call the same numbers for member services?
Clear One member services numbers will not change as a result of the acquisition. Please continue to use the numbers provided on your ID card and with your policy. 

Who do I contact for billing questions?
For assistance with billing questions, please refer to the contact information provided on your bill. Payments can be sent to Clear One Health Plans, PO Box 5759, Bend, OR 97708-5759. Please be sure to include your remittance stub with payments sent to this address.

Where should I send my premium payment?
Please continue to send your Clear One payment to the payee and address provided on your bill. Payments should be sent to Clear One Health Plan, PO Box 5759, Bend, OR 97708-5759. Please be sure to include your remittance stub with payments sent to this address.

If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a letter by mail with information about the acquisition. View letter. 

What changes should I expect?
You’re not likely to notice any differences due to the transition in ownership. There will be no immediate changes to your benefits, provider network, or premium rates as a result of this transaction. Your existing rates and benefits will continue until your next annual policy renewal, when your policy will be subject to the normal renewal process and regulatory rules. Claims, customer service, billing, and enrollment functions will continue to be handled by the same team you’ve worked with. Our address and phone numbers remain the same at this time. You will continue to have access to online resources and information at www.clearonehp.com. We will keep you well informed about any future changes that may impact you. 

Will my benefits change?
Your Clear One benefits will not change immediately as a result of the acquisition. Over time, it’s likely that your benefits may change due to a variety of factors, including new healthcare reform regulations and market-driven changes. Rest assured, we will keep you well informed about any future changes that may impact you and the choices available to you.

Are my rates going up?
Your premium rates with Clear One will not change as a result of the acquisition. As always, your policy is subject to the regular renewal process on its anniversary date and premium rates may change at that time.

Will I need to change doctors?
You will not need to change doctors as a result of the acquisition. As long as you are covered by a Clear One plan, you will continue to access the Clear One provider network.

The Clear One Provider Directory is on our Web site at www.clearonehp.com.

Will I receive a new ID card?
You will not receive a new ID card as a result of the acquisition. Please continue to use your existing Clear One ID card when visiting your doctor or filling a prescription.

Will I call the same numbers for customer service?
Customer service numbers will not change as a result of the acquisition. Please continue to use the numbers provided on your ID card and with your policy.

Who do I contact for billing questions?
For assistance with billing questions, please refer to the contact information provided on your bill. Payments can be sent to Clear One Health Plans, PO Box 5759, Bend, OR 97708-5759.

Where should I send my premium payment?
Please continue to send your Clear One payment to the payee and address provided on your bill. Payments should be sent to Clear One Health Plan, PO Box 5759, Bend, OR 97708-5759

Information for Clear One Medicare Advantage members is available under the Clear One Now a Part of PacificSource heading at www.clearonehp.com.

If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a letter by mail with information about the acquisition. View letter (en Español).

Will my OHP plan change?
No. Although COIHS is now a part of PacificSource, your OHP coverage and benefits will not change in any way. Please continue to see the doctors you see now, and call the same numbers you use now for service and support.

If you haven’t already, you will soon receive a letter by mail with information about the acquisition. View letter.

Will my plan change?
No. Although Clear One is now owned by PacificSource, and both Clear One and PacificSource offer coverage through the Healthy Kids program, your Health KidsConnect coverage through Clear One will not change in any way. Please continue to see the doctors you see now, and call the same numbers you use now for service and support.

What changes should I expect?
Trusteed Plans Service Corporation (TPSC) will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary, but ownership will move from Clear One Health Plans, Inc. to PacificSource Health Plans. The only change you may see is the mention that TPSC is now a PacificSource company. You will continue to work with the same service and sales people that you do now.