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Any, Any, Any plan sign-ups on hold

Universal halts enrollment into its most popular Medicare plan.

By KRIS HUNDLEY
Published February 16, 2007

Under pressure from Florida insurance regulators, Universal Health Care of St. Petersburg has halted enrollment in its most popular Medicare plan.

Universal, a privately held company headed by Dr. Akshay Desai, said the decision to stop adding new members was voluntary as it works to meet the state's financial reserve requirements. Universal fell out of compliance with solvency guidelines because of its recent rapid growth.

The suspension only applies to enrollment in Universal's private fee for service Medicare plan, known as the Any, Any, Any plan. It does not affect existing members of the plan, whose claims will continue to be processed and paid, the company said.

Nor does the moratorium affect enrollment in Universal's Medicare managed care plans, known as Medicare Masterpiece and Masterpiece Plus. At the end of 2006, Universal's Medicare managed care plans had about 50,000 members in Florida.

"We are taking steps to reinforce our infrastructure to keep pace with our success," said Desai, a geriatric physician who started Universal in 2002. "Nevertheless, Universal Health Care remains a financially secure company and our members will continue to receive the benefits of their plans."

Universal's Any, Any, Any plan was being marketed for the first time this year in Florida and seven other states. The plan had been promoted as allowing members to visit any health care provider that accepts Medicare. But many customers complained that their doctors refused to accept the plan and Universal acknowledged that it was unable to force providers to participate.

Despite such problems, Universal's pitch to seniors proved convincing. The company said it enrolled more than 100,000 new members over the past three months, more than 90 percent in the Any, Any, Any plan. That far exceeded sales projections and caused Universal to run afoul of the state's surplus requirements for insurers.

During a recent investigation by Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation, Universal was warned about continuing to add new members to the Any, Any, Any plan, which is operated under a separate subsidiary from the managed care plans.

"We notified their representative that if they're taking on new members, they're potentially violating the law," said OIR spokesman Bob Lotane.

A Universal spokesman said the company is negotiating with investors but cannot predict how soon it might reopen enrollment. When it does, its sales people won't want to call on Doris Landsman of Clearwater for a testimonial.

Landsman, 74, joined the Any, Any, Any plan in January after being assured by the saleswoman that her three generic drugs would have no co-payment. Since then, she's discovered they cost $25 each. A fourth prescription by her doctor was denied by Universal, forcing her to pay $145 for a one-month supply.

"I got the wrong information from their sales rep," Landsman said. "This plan has been an absolute headache. I'm going to another carrier March 1."

Kris Hundley can be reached at hundley@sptimes.com or 727 892-2996.

[Last modified February 15, 2007, 23:05:03]