Deadlines looming for 1/1/16 coverage

There is a current lack of clarity as to which hospitals are in network for the Humana PPO being sold in Harris County off exchange in the individual market. It is imperative we all do our own comprehensive due diligence prior to enrolling in any healthcare plan for 2016, such as network status and enrollment deadlines. Additionally, Renee Greene Matthew wrote this eloquent letter to Admiral Mc Raven: Admiral McRaven, Sir, I write to you today, with an urgent request that you bring the power of your position, honor and integrity to bear on a matter involving the health and lives of current patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. I am one of more than 2,300 (according to the Houston Chronicle) patients who will lose access to MD Anderson on January 1, 2016. As I write this letter, there are no individual insurance policies available which has MD Anderson Cancer Center in their network. There are no PPOs, EPOs or HMOs available. Not one in the greater Houston area. As the Chancellor of the UT System, I write to solicit your support to do what is right. There are lives at stake here. Research may also be compromised. I urge you to speak with Dr. DePinho today and the two of you together talk to Humana senior executives and get the pending Humana PPO a done deal. Humana agents and independent brokers are telling people that MDA is in network and yet MDA states they cannot confirm from Humana whether they are in fact in network. People have already signed up with some agents under the assumption that MDA is in fact in network since the network information and the MDA website indicates that MDA accepts Humana Choice Care. Personal health summary: I live in Sugar Land and am a current patient at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and purchase my health insurance on the individual market. My current plan with Humana is a PPO which has been cancelled for business reasons. I am at high-risk for breast cancer and receive my screenings in the high-risk breast center and I am receiving treatment for a pre-cancerous condition in the gynecological clinic. Over the years, I have participated in numerous clinical cancer prevention trials, and as such, I have done my small part to move the ball forward in the mission to treat and cure cancer. Respectfully, Renée Mathew We are grateful to Renee and each of you for your willingness to take the time to not only write, but call our leadership. If you would like to use the copy of this email and also contact Admiral McRaven, please do. His contact information is: Chancellor McRaven 512.499.4201 chancellor@utsystem.edu Again, we thank you for all you are doing to help elevate the urgency of this issue.