[May 29, 2014]

CaliforniaChoice Private Exchange Adds UnitedHealthcare to Give Employers and Employees More Health Choices

CaliforniaChoice announced today the availability of 12 new benefit plans and three new care provider networks from UnitedHealthcare of California ("UnitedHealthcare") for small groups enrolling in health coverage effective August 1, 2014. The addition of UnitedHealthcare to the CaliforniaChoice program expands the coverage options available to local businesses to seven health plans, 17 care provider networks, and more than 55 health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, exclusive provider organization and health savings account-compatible plan designs.

CaliforniaChoice is one of the nation's most successful small group private health insurance exchanges with participating health plans including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Sharp (News - Alert) Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare and Western Health Advantage.

"The marketplace has made it clear hospital and healthcare provider choice is an important consideration for employers and consumers in selecting their health coverage," said Ron Goldstein, president and CEO of CHOICE Administrators, which operates CaliforniaChoice. "By adding UnitedHealthcare to our health plan network, CaliforniaChoice is now able to address more of our members' needs."

Throughout its 18-year history as the nation's pioneer in consumer-choice health insurance exchanges, CaliforniaChoice is offered exclusively through independent health insurance brokers. Goldstein calls these brokers "more important than ever in providing employers and employees with the information and unbiased recommendations necessary to make well-informed healthcare decisions."

"UnitedHealthcare is committed to offering California's small businesses and their employees access to quality, cost-effective healthcare in communities where they live and work," said Brandon Cuevas, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of California. "We look forward to working with CaliforniaChoice to help deliver on that promise by helping Californians live healthier lives through our innovative health benefit plans and wellness programs."

UnitedHealthcare of California and its affiliates serve more than 3.2 million Californians with a wide range of health benefit plans for people of all ages.

CaliforniaChoice is a recognized leader in the health insurance industry, having introduced Defined Contribution and Employee Choice over 18 years ago. CaliforniaChoice also offers a Business Solutions Suite to small businesses which includes a range of value-added products and services at no additional cost and will introduce online enrollment and an "Automated Choice Profiler" later this year that will help consumers quickly and accurately identify the health plan and benefit design that best meets their needs.

CaliforniaChoice currently serves more than 10,000 employers and 150,000 employees. It is a division of CHOICE Administrators, the nation's leading developer and administrator of consumer-choice insurance exchange models. Further information is available at www.calchoice.com.

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