Open Enrollment: April 17 through April 28

Look for Open Enrollment materials to be arriving at your home address during the week of April 10, 2000. Some changes for this year include a new prescription drug vendor, Caremark Prescription Services, and a reimbursement change to 90% for generic drugs and 70% for brand name drugs, including mental health drugs. If you enroll in any of the medical plans offered by the University, you will receive a packet of information in mid-June explaining the details of this new prescription drug program, as well as the items you will need to begin using the program on July 1, 2000. Please be aware that your new Caremark prescription ID cards will be included in this forthcoming packet of information.

The information below is a brief synopsis of your new prescription drug benefits.

This program is easy to use and will save you money.

Prescription Drug Benefits

Retail Mail Service
When For immediate drug needs or short-term medications For maintenance or long-term medications
Where At over 50,000 Caremark participating pharmacies nationwide, including 20,000 independent community pharmacies. For your convenience, HUP pharmacy has been added as a participating pharmacy. After June 1, 2000, simply access the Pharmacy Locator at www.caremark.com--or call Caremark's Customer Service at 1-800-378-0802 to locate a Caremark participating pharmacy in your area. Simply mail your original prescription, along with the Patient Profile/Order Form and your medications will be sent directly to your home.
You Pay *
  • 10% for each generic prescription (and brand name prescription if a generic substitute is not available or not permitted by your physician.)
  • 30% for each brand name prescription
  • 10% for each generic prescription (and brand name prescription if a generic substitute is not available or not permitted by your physician.)
  • 30% for each brand name prescription.
Supply Limit 30-day supply 90-day supply

Questions

Caremark Customer Service

1-800-378-0802

* If you enrolled in an HMO plan, you must meet an annual deductible of $25 for single coverage and $50 for family coverage before Caremark co-payments begin.

The following table presents the 2000-2001 plan year health care rates for full-time University faculty and staff. This information will also be included in the information packets sent to your home during the week of April 10, 2000.

2000-2001 Health Care Rates

Employee Contributions (per pay period)

Weekly Paid Monthly Paid
Options Single Family Single Family
Medical
BC/BS Plan 100 2 $21.58 $56.21 $93.50 $243.58
PennCare 11 12.62 32.79 54.67 142.08
UPHS POS 12 5.75 14.98 24.92 64.92
Aetna US Healthcare -PA 5 2.98 7.77 12.92 33.67
Aetna US Healthcare -DE 10 2.98 7.77 12.92 33.67
Aetna US Healthcare -NJ 6 2.98 7.77 12.92 33.67
Keystone HMO 9 2.98 7.77 12.92 33.67
Dental
Penn Faculty Practice Plan 1 $1.15 $10.96 $5.00 $47.50
MetLife Preferred Dentist Program 4 0.92 8.58 4.00 37.17
Vision
OptiChoice 2 $1.35 $3.63 $5.83 $15.75

Change of Address? Please advise your Business Administrator so that your mailing address will be updated in the system.

--Division of Human Resources

 The Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs

An opportunity to talk with providers and pick up new provider directories

April 18--Sheraton University City Hotel, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 20--New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.


Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 27, April 4, 2000

| FRONT PAGE | CONTENTS | JOB-OPS | CRIMESTATS | COMMENCEMENT 2000: Honorary Degree Recipients | TALK ABOUT TEACHING ARCHIVE | BETWEEN ISSUES | APRIL at PENN |