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Important Change to Our Network of Laboratory Service Providers

Because you are a valued participating physician with UnitedHealthcare, we take this opportunity to update you on some important changes to our network of contracted laboratory service providers that may be of interest to you. As you know, UnitedHealthcare’s network of laboratory service providers consists of a wide range of national, regional and local laboratories. As we continue to optimize this network, we are pleased to announce that, beginning January 1, 2007, LabCorp will become our single national provider of laboratory services. LabCorp’s national breadth and expanding capabilities will complement the wide range of local and regional laboratory service providers available to you and your patients.

Also effective January 1, 2007, Quest Diagnostics will no longer participate in the UnitedHealthcare network except in limited markets. We recognize our obligation to communicate with you and to administer this change in a convenient and non-disruptive manner. This article is the first step in our efforts over the next several months to provide you with the necessary information and mechanisms that we hope will accomplish our goal.

This decision means that, for your patients who are covered by UnitedHealthcare and its affiliates, laboratory services provided by Quest Diagnostics after December 31, 2006, will be out-of-network and, as such, will result in increased health care costs. To avoid this outcome, it is important that you prepare for this transition which is effective January 1, 2007 by becoming familiar with the broad portfolio of UnitedHealthcare participating laboratories.

To facilitate this process we suggest that you:

• View a complete list of participating laboratories after January 1, 2007 on our online directory.
• Go to www.LabCorp.com or call 1-888-LABCORP (522-2677) to determine how to conveniently access their services.

As we have consulted a number of physicians who participate in our network regarding these changes, we have heard that there could be a variety of practice-specific questions you may have, depending on your geographical location, your specialty, or your current relationship with laboratory service providers. Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers that should address some of these issues. Of course, we are also prepared to respond to your information needs via customer service at 1-877-842-3210.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

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