The Annual December Health Care Update
Once again, it was SRO (well, almost) as over 100 retirees and guests attended the December CIRG Coffee to get the skinny on their health care outlook for the coming year. The PowerPoint program summarizing the 2008 health care package was presented by Sharon Miller, who was joined by Bridget Searles and Ann Millhollen, all of the employee health benefits group. The entire PowerPoint program is attached.
The good news they presented to the retirees that not much was new and there will be few changes to the health care program as we move into the New Year.
As in the past, both the employee and the company benefit when health care services are achieved through in-network health care providers.
Pharmaceutical coverage will also remain pretty much the same, with the company recommending that maintenance medications should be obtained through mail order in 90-day supply quantities which cost only as much as 60-day quantities for employee co-pay amounts. Certain medications, however, cannot be filled by mail order and are available only through retail. These are generally short-term medications, Miller said, and rarely require 90-day prescriptions.
Similarly, there will be no change in Medicare supplemental plans and prescription benefits for 2008. Retirees on Medicare need not enroll in Medicare Part D programs, but they can enroll in the Part D program later, if they choose. There is no coordination of prescription benefits between Corning’s plan and Medicare.
There followed the usual Q&A session:
Q – What portion of the health program cost is due to prescription care?
A – Prescription charges account for about 70 per cent of the program costs.
Q – What is the status of “The Cap?”
A – The health care cap was not reached as of 2007 so there is no health care cap impact for 2008. However, Medicare retirees can expect to feel the impact of The Cap in 2009, while non-Medicare retirees will see its impact in 2010. The health benefits mailing sent to all retirees contains estimates and projections of future (employee) contributions (to the program).
Q – Do we have coverage when traveling outside the U.S?
A – While you may not find in-network providers while traveling, you still have coverage and in-network/out-of-network parameters still apply. In such cases, the provider may demand cash or credit card payment at the time service is rendered, and you will have to file a claim with the Corning Benefits Network to get compensated.
Q – Does the CVS-Caremark affiliation impact our Caremark service?
A – This affiliation is only a name change. Caremark still provides mail-order service with no disruption or change in its quality of service. The company tracks Caremark’s service to assure the best service for our employees and retirees. We want our employees and retirees to get the service and products we pay for and that our people should have.
Q – What coverage is provided for prescriptions issued by nurse practitioners in the doctor’s office?
A – Nurse practitioners are considered to be operating under the care of the physician and their prescriptions are treated accordingly.
As always, the program ended with the recommendation that any questions about the health care program should be taken up with the Corning Benefits Network at 1-800-858-3875.
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