WellPoint Product Makes New Bid For Working Poor

MANAGED CARE September 2000. ©2000 MediMedia USA

WellPoint Health Networks is trying to attract an underinsured, price-sensitive market: the working poor. WellPoint hopes its new low-cost plans will lure small employers and uninsured people who earn under 200 percent of poverty.

The product has a relatively rich catastrophic benefit and moderate limitations on routine care. It relies on high copayments to keep premiums to about 50 percent of the low-end plans on the market.