10/14/2004

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT Posted October 7, 2004
An interim tuition reimbursement benefit has been established for PEF members taking classes that are underway or commencing September 14, 2004 through March 31, 2005. Click here for more information.
http://www.pef.org/special_postings/tuition_reimbursement_memo.htm

PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (PEP) ENROLLMENT PERIOD OPEN! Posted October 7, 2004
The 2003-2007 Agreement provides that employees working in positions allocated to SG-17 and below are eligible to participate in PEP which allows them to trade 3 days of annual or personal leave credits for a $400 credit toward the enrollee share of health insurance premiums.  (Details of the PEP program can be found on page 89 of the Communicator Supplement sent to homes in August or on page 165 of the Electronic Adobe version of the contract found here: http://www.pef.org/pst2003/contractinfo/tentative_pst_contract.pdf)

The enrollment period for PEP has begun and it will close on OCTOBER 29, 2004.  Employees interested in this benefit should contact their personnel office for more information.  Details of the program, as well as enrollment forms, are be located here:
http://www.cs.state.ny.us/attendance_leave/PolBull04-03.htm


HEALTH CARE SPENDING ACCOUNT: Save money! Enroll now thru November 10, 2004! - Posted October 7, 2004
The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) is a program PEF and the state negotiated to help members save money on their taxes by using pre-tax dollars to pay for non-reimbursed health care expenses (e.g., co-pays, deductibles, non-covered services). HCSA enrollment for 2005 ends on November 10.  (For more information on HCSA, check here: http://www.pef.org/healthbenefits/newspromos.htm)

 -HCSA: OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS  
A new benefit negotiated in the 2003-07 PS&T contract allows over-the-counter drugs and supplies to be reimbursed through the Health Care Spending Account. Current HCSA enrollees can begin using this new benefit on 11/1/04. Reimbursable expenses include allergy remedies, antacids, cold medicines and pain relievers. Visit the Flex Spending Account web site at www.flexspend.state.ny.us for more information.


EMPIRE PLAN ENROLLEES: Posted October 7, 2004
1) BASIC MEDICAL DISCOUNT PROVIDER PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED EARLY!
Members receive the best discounts and benefits when they use Empire Plan participating providers. However, sometimes a member cannot, or chooses not, to use an Empire Plan par provider. A new program that became available on 10/1/04 gives Empire Plan members discounts from select providers who don’t participate in the Empire Plan.  (This program was not scheduled to become effective until 1/1/05).

The Basic Medical Provider Discount Program is offered through Multiplan. When you use non-par physicians who are affiliated with Multiplan, you will receive discounts on the provider’s usual fees. You still must satisfy the annual deductible and 20 percent coinsurance required by Basic Medical, but you cannot be balance billed for any additional amounts.

 Multiplan has more than 200,000 providers in their network. Please be sure to confirm the provider’s participation before receiving services. You can access an online list of Multiplan providers from the directory in the Civil Service web site at www.cs.state.ny.us or at www.myuhc.com. You can also call the Kingston Service Center at 1-877-7-NYSHIP and speak to a United HealthCare representative.

2) IMPROVED BENEFITS FOR SERVICES PERFORMED BY RADIOLOGISTS, ANESTHESIOLOGISTS, AND PATHOLOGISTS AT NETWORK HOSPITALS
Beginning January 1, 2005, if you receive radiology, anesthesia or pathology (RAP) services in connection with either INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT hospital services at an Empire Plan NETWORK hospital, covered charges billed separately by the anesthesiologist, radiologist or pathologist will be PAID IN FULL.  During negotiations, GOER agreed to provide paid in full benefits for RAP services on an inpatient basis only.  Recently, GOER notified us that paid in full benefits for RAP services would be expanded to include those performed on an outpatient basis as well.

Currently, when a radiologist, anesthesiologist or pathologist bills for services performed at a hospital, benefits are provided under the Par Provider or Basic Medical portion of the Empire Plan depending on the physician’s participation status. Often, hospital-based physicians do not participate in the Empire Plan.  In these instances, the patient would have to pay any amounts applied to the annual Basic Medical deductible, 20% of the covered expenses, and any non-covered expenses such as amounts exceeding the Reasonable and Customary (R&C) charge.  Since these out-of-pocket expenses could be quite substantial, the new benefit for RAP services is a significant enhancement to the Empire Plan. 

3)  EMPIRE PLAN DEDUCTIBLE AND COINSURANCE MAXIMUM FOR 2005
If you’re in the Empire Plan, you know that, with a few exceptions, you must first satisfy an annual deductible before you receive reimbursement for services performed by a non-participating (par) provider. You are also responsible for 20 percent of covered charges until you reach the annual coinsurance maximum. Check here for information on the 2005 rates and more information: http://www.pef.org/healthbenefits/newspromos.htm