Nov. 1, 2004

Response to Week and Vitek letters

It is our understanding that, unfortunately, Aspen Medical Care is closing and has decided to charge $50 to patients to have their medical records transferred. However, neither United Healthcare nor the University of California can influence this decision in any way. It is the physician's prerogative to charge this fee, therefore, please contact your physician directly to discuss this issue.

As it is not a health care expense, UHC will not reimburse the medical provider for this fee and patients cannot extract the money from their iPlan Personal Benefit Account (PBA) to pay for the fee.

Regarding the blood test, some experimental and investigational non-proven services are not covered regardless of who or how they are prescribed.

--Ellen Fox, Benefits and Employment Services (HR-B)