This year, National Capital Preferred Provider Organization (NCPPO) is taking its network in an exciting new direction. It is being transformed into a fully integrated UniCare company.

Since 1997, the NCPPO network has been marketed by UniCare Life and Health Insurance Company. Over the years, UniCare business has grown to comprise nearly 70 percent of total NCPPO membership. In addition to fully insured and self-funded insurance administration programs, UniCare also markets network rental programs through HealthLink. The other 30 percent of NCPPO business is network rental and will be transitioned to the HealthLink brand. HealthLink is a PPO rental network serving approximately 1 million members through the MidWest and MidAtlantic regions. We will retain the essence of NCPPO’s local face-to-face community presence, but NCPPO as a separate rental network entity will be eliminated.

Here are some of the features of our new direction:

National/Regional Presence – U.S. employers are looking for regional and national solutions. As part of UniCare, the NCPPO network will be marketed as a fully integrated proprietary component of our nationwide network platform. We will also market the network as a fully integrated component of HealthLink. Being a part of HealthLink makes NCPPO part of a large regional entity for rental network business and being part of UniCare makes NCPPO part of a national insurance company. To you, our providers, this means an increased patient/membership base.

New Provider Contracts – Your current NCPPO contract will provide you with your participation in the UniCare and HealthLink programs, until new Provider contracts are mailed to you with updated provisions related to many different areas of our business. We will contact you soon to begin the contracting effort.

Retirement of Provider Administrative Fee – To remain competitive in the market and consistent with local industry practices, the provider administrative fee (service charge) will be discontinued as of February 28, 2007. Beginning March 1, 2007 no service charge will be applied to claim reimbursements.

Faster Payments – The elimination of the administrative fee means that Payors will pay you directly. This shortens the turnaround time and, therefore, you will receive payments faster.

Retirement of Bank of America Healthcare Payments System – Through May, 2007, the Bank of America website will be available to view payments and to determine the status of adjustments that are made on payments received into NCPPO by February 28, 2007. For claims paid prior to March 1, 2007, we encourage you to resolve any outstanding issues promptly.

Enhanced On-Line Inquiry Features – UniCare offers on-line, real time inquiry access to claim status, eligibility and benefit information through Access Point. Please visit www.accesspoint.com for registration information. HealthLink offers on-line, real time access to your claim pricing information through ProviderInfoSource. Please visit www.providerinfosource.com and contact your Provider Relations Representative to register. Please see the attached Quick Reference Guide for more information.

Continued Superior Customer Service Provided Locally – We remain committed to providing timely, accurate and consistent service levels to our members and provider partners. We believe a strong reputation for service and accountability distinguishes us in the market in this age of consumer and provider satisfaction. Please see the attached Quick Reference Guide for additional information.

Sales Growth/Increased Membership – As a national/regional company, probably the biggest change will be the volume of new business to your practice through the anticipated growth of our new company.

Please watch for further announcements of our “new direction” features as they are implemented in the coming months. You can also visit our web site www.ncppo.com for more information. Thank you for your support during this transition and, as always, we look forward to a continued positive relationship. You may address any additional questions to me or your Provider Relations Representatives at 800-871-7888.