|
|
PPO
|
EPO
1
|
EPO
2
|
|
Benefit
|
In
Network
|
Out
of Network
|
In
Network Only
|
In
Network Only
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
TMJ
(non dental) (4)
|
D&C,
$1,000 lifetime maximum benefit
|
D&C,
$1,000 lifetime maximum benefit
|
$25
Copay per visit , $1,000 lifetime maximum benefit
|
$25
Copay per visit , $1,000 lifetime maximum benefit
|
|
Disease
Management Program
Cardiac and non-SMH Diabetes programs
|
$15
copay per class, $500 maximum lifetime benefit per
program
|
$15
copay per class, $500 maximum lifetime benefit per
program
|
$15
copay per class, $500 maximum lifetime benefit per
program
|
$15
copay per class, $500 maximum lifetime benefit per
program
|
Disease
Management Programs
SMH Diabetes Program
|
$60
Copay reimbursed with completion of Part 1 |
$60
Copay reimbursed with completion of Part 1 |
$60
Copay reimbursed with completion of Part 1 |
N/A
to those out of area |
|
Ambulance
|
D&C
|
D&C
|
$25
copay per trip
|
$25
copay per trip
|
|
Durable
Medical Equipment
|
D&C
|
D&C
|
100%
|
100%
|
|
Home
Health (5)
|
D&C,
100 visits per calendar year maximum
|
D&C,
100 visits per calendar year maximum
|
$25
copay per visit ; 100 visits per calendar year maximum
|
$25
copay per visit ; 100 visits per calendar year maximum
|
|
Hospice
(6)
|
100%;
60 day lifetime maximum
|
100%;
60 day lifetime maximum
|
100%;
60 day lifetime maximum
|
100%;
60 day lifetime maximum
|
|
Physical
Therapy/Speech Therapy/Massage Therapy/Occupational
Therapy (7)
|
D&C;
30 visits maximum per calendar year
|
D&C;
30 visits maximum per calendar year
|
$25
copay per visit ; 30 visits maximum per calendar
year
|
$25
copay per visit ; 30 visits maximum per calendar
year
|
|
Behavioral
Health/Substance Abuse
|
All
non-emergency behavioral health and/or substance abuse
treatment must be preauthorized by EAP. Behavioral Health
and Substance Abuse benefits have a combined visit maximum.
Dollar limits (annual and lifetime) are for Substance
Abuse treatment benefits only.
|
(4)
Preauthorization/precertification required
(5) Preauthorization/precertification required
(6) Hospice may be extended up t 180 days with Case
Management approval
(7) Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy/Massage
Therapy/Speech Therapy - limited to combined 30 visits
per
calendar year. Medical necessity must be established and
physician prescription required for all therapies. Precertification
required after first six visits.
|
|
PPO
|
EPO
1
|
EPO
2
|
|
Benefit
|
In
Network
|
Out
of Network
|
In
Network Only
|
In
Network Only
|
|
Mental
Disorder - Inpatient (8)
|
Deductible
and 90% Coinsurance, maximum 30 days per calendar year,
90 days lifetime maximum
|
D&C,
maximum 30 days per calendar year, 90 days lifetime
maximum
|
$250
copay per admission; maximum 30 days per calendar year,
90 days lifetime maximum
|
$250
copay per admission; maximum 30 days per calendar year,
90 days lifetime maximum
|
|
Mental
Disorder - Outpatient (9)
|
Deductible
and 90% Coinsurance; 40 visits per calendar year maximum
|
D&C;
40 visits per calendar year maximum
|
$25
copay per visit ; 40 visits per calendar year maximum
|
$25
copay per visit ; 40 visits per calendar year maximum
|
|
Substance
Abuse - Inpatient (10)
|
100%
per admission; maximum 30 days per calendar year
|
D&C,
maximum 30 days per calendar year, 90 days lifetime
maximum
|
100%
per admission; maximum 30 days per calendar year, 90
days lifetime maximum
|
100%
per admission; maximum 30 days per calendar year, 90
days lifetime maximum
|
|
Substance
Abuse - Outpatient (11)
|
100%;
40 visits per calendar year maximum
|
D&C;
40 visits per calendar year maximum
|
100%;
40 visits per calendar year maximum
|
100%;
40 visits per calendar year maximum
|
(8) All non-emergencies, preauthorization/precertification
by EAP required.
(9) All non-emergencies, preauthorization/precertification
by EAP required.
(10) All
non-emergencies, preauthorization/precertification by EAP
required.
(11) All non-emergencies, preauthorization/precertification
by EAP required.
|
|
|
Retail Pharmacy - Up to 30 day supply
|
|
Generic
drugs
|
$10
Copay
|
Formulary
Brand Name drugs
|
|
Minimum
|
$20
per prescription
|
Maximum
|
$40
per prescription
|
|
Non-Formulaty
Brand Name drugs
|
60%
Coinsurance
|
Minimum
|
$35
per prescription
|
Maximum
|
$70
per prescription
|
| Biotech
Drugs |
$100
per prescription |
|
Mail Order Prescription Drug Option - up to 90 day supply
|
|
Generic
drugs
|
$20
Copay
|
|
Formulary
Brand Name drugs
|
40%
Coinsurance
|
Minimum
|
$40
per prescription
|
Maximum
|
$80
per prescription
|
|
Non-Formulaty
Brand Name drugs
|
60% Coinsurance
|
Minimum
|
$70
per prescription
|
Maximum
|
$140
per prescription
|
| Biotech
Drugs |
$300
per prescription |
| DENTAL
BENEFITS |
|
Calendar
Year deductible
|
$50
|
Calendar
Year deductible per Family Unit
|
$150
|
The
deductible applies to these Classes of Service:
|
Class
B Services - Basic
|
|
Class
C Services - Major
|
|
Class
D Services - Orthodontia
|
| Dental
Percentage Payable |
|
Class
A Services-Preventative
|
80% |
Class
B Services-Basic
|
80% |
Class
C Services-Major
|
50% |
Class
D Services-Orthodontia
|
50% |
| Maximum
Benefit Amount |
|
| For
other than Class D-Orthodontia:
|
Per
person per Calendar Year
|
$1500
|
| For
Class D-Orthodontia: |
|
Lifetime
Maximum per person
|
$1500
|
MEDICAL
BENEFITS
Medical Benefits apply when Covered Charges are incurred by
a Covered Person for care of an Injury or Sickness and while
the person is covered for these benefits under the Plan.
BENEFIT PAYMENT
Each
Calendar Year, benefits will be paid for the Covered Charges
of a Covered Person that are in excess of any copayments.
Payment will be made at the rate shown under reimbursement
rate in the Schedule of Benefits. No benefits will be paid
in excess of the Maximum Benefit Amount or any listed limit of the Plan.
OUT-OF-POCKET
LIMIT
Covered
Charges are payable at the percentages shown each Calendar
Year until the out-of-pocket limit shown in the Schedule of
Benefits is reached. Then, Covered Charges incurred by a Covered
Person will be payable at 100% (except for the charges excluded)
for the rest of the Calendar Year.
When
a Family Unit reaches the out-of-pocket limit , Covered Charges
for that Family Unit will be payable at 100% (except for the
charges excluded) for the rest of the Calendar Year. The Out-of-Pocket
limit does not include any deductibles or prescription drug
copayments.
MAXIMUM
BENEFIT AMOUNT
The
Maximum Benefit Amount is shown in the Schedule of Benefits.
It is the total amount of benefits that will be paid under
the Plan for all Covered Charges incurred by a Covered Person.
COVERED
CHARGES
Covered
charges are the Usual and Reasonable Charges that are incurred
for the following items of service and supply. These charges
are subject to the benefit limits, exclusions and other provisions
of this Plan. A charge is incurred on the date that the service
or supply is performed or furnished.
-
Hospital Care. The medical services and supplies
furnished by a Hospital or Ambulatory Surgical Center or
a Birthing Center. Covered charges for room and board will
be payable as shown in the Schedule of Benefits. After 23
observation hours, a confinement will be considered an inpatient
confinement.
- Coverage
of Pregnancy. The Usual and Reasonable Charges for the
care and treatment of Pregnancy are covered the same as
any other Sickness for a covered Employee or covered Spouse.
Group
health plans generally may not, under Federal law, restrict
benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection
with childbirth for the mother or newborn child to less
than 48 hours following a vaginal delivery, or less than
96 hours following a cesarean section. However, Federal
law generally does not prohibit the mother's or newborn's
attending provider, after consulting with the mother,
from discharging the mother or her newborn earlier than
48 hours (or 96 hours as applicable). In any case, plans
and issuers may not, under Federal law, require that a
provider obtain authorization from the plan or the issuer
for prescribing a length of stay not in excess of 48 hours
(or 96 hours).
There
is no coverage of Pregnancy for a Dependent child.
-
Skilled Nursing Facility Care. The room and board
and nursing care furnished by a Skilled Nursing Facility
will be payable if and when:
- the
patient is confined as a bed patient in the facility;
-
the confinement starts within 14 days of a Hospital confinement
of at least 3 days;
-
the attending Physician certifies that the confinement
is needed for further care of the condition that caused
the Hospital confinement; and
-
the attending Physician completes a treatment plan which
includes a diagnosis, the proposed course of treatment
and the projected date of discharge from the Skilled Nursing
Facility.
- Physician
Care. The professional services of a Physician for surgical
or medical services.
- Charges
for multiple surgical procedures will be a covered
expense subject to the following provisions:
-
If bilateral or multiple surgical procedures are
performed by one (1) surgeon, benefits will be determined
based on the Usual and Reasonable Charge that is
allowed for the primary procedures; 50% of the Usual
and Reasonable Charge will be allowed for each additional
procedure performed through the same incision. Any
procedure that would not be an integral part of
the primary procedure or is unrelated to the diagnosis
will be considered "incidental" and no
benefits will be provided for such procedures;
-
If multiple unrelated surgical procedures are performed
by two (2) or more surgeons on separate operative
fields, benefits will be based on the Usual and
Reasonable Charge for each surgeon's primary procedure.
If two (2) or more surgeons perform a procedure
that is normally performed by one (1) surgeon, benefits
for all surgeons will not exceed the Usual and Reasonable
percentage allowed for that procedure; and
- If
an assistant surgeon is required, the assistant
surgeon's covered charge will not exceed 20%
of
the surgeon's Usual and Reasonable allowance.
- An “Office Visit Copay” is intended
to cover any and all services performed in the
provider’s office by any provider licensed
to perform said services in the provider’s
office. This includes services performed by a nurse
practitioner, physician assistant, injections administered
by a nurse, etc. The copay is applicable even if
an office visit current procedural technology (CPT)
is not reflected on the provider bill. It is intended
to cover services charged for but not usually reflected
in an office visit CPT code, such as allergy shots.
The copay level is set by the type of provider;
primary care physician office visits are subject
to the PCP copay; all visits to a specialist’s
office – even if services are provided by
a practitioner other than the specialist physician – are
subject to the specialist office visit copay
- Office
visits not generally charged for such as post
operative care when post operative care
would not under other circumstances be billed,
are still not subject to copays.
- Inpatient
Nursing Care. Charges are covered only when care
is Medically Necessary or not Custodial in nature and
the Hospital's Intensive Care Unit is filled or the
Hospital has no Intensive Care Unit .
- Home Health Care Services and Supplies. Charges for
home health care services and supplies are covered only
for care and treatment of an Injury or Sickness when Hospital
or Skilled Nursing Facility confinement would otherwise
be required. The diagnosis, care and treatment must be certified
by the attending Physician and be contained in a Home Health
Care Plan.
Benefit payment for nursing, home health aide and therapy services
is subject to the Home Health Care limit shown in the Schedule
of Benefits.
A home health care visit will be considered a periodic visit
by either a nurse or therapy , as the case may be, or four
hours of home health aide services.
-
Hospice Care Services and Supplies. Charges for hospice
care services and supplies are covered only when the attending
Physician has diagnosed the Covered Person's condition as
being terminal, determined that the person is not expected
to live more than six months and placed the person under
a Hospice Care Plan.
Covered charges for Hospice Care Services and Supplies are
payable as described in the Schedule of Benefits.
- Other
Medical Services and Supplies. These services and supplies
not otherwise included in the items above are covered as
follows:
Local Medically Necessary professional land or air ambulance
service. A charge for this item will be a Covered Charge
only if the service is to the nearest Hospital or Skilled
Nursing Facility where necessary treatment can be provided
unless the Plan Administrator finds a longer trip was
Medically Necessary.
-
Anesthetic; oxygen; blood and blood derivatives
that are not donated or replaced; intravenous injections
and solutions. Administration of these items is included.
- Ancillary
Services (Lab, X-Ray, MRI, Etc). In the event that
these services are performed at the
doctor’s office during an office visit, there
will be one copayment for the office visit. In the
event that the participant is sent to an outside facility
for these services, there will be a copayment for
each facility visited. For those participants in the
PPO plan, deductible and coinsurance will apply.
-
Cardiac rehabilitation as deemed Medically Necessary
provided services are rendered (a) under the supervision
of a Physician; (b) in connection with a myocardial
infarction, coronary occlusion or coronary bypass surgery;
(c) initiated within 12 weeks after other treatment
for the medical condition ends; and (d) in a Medical
Care Facility as defined by this Plan.
-
Radiation or chemotherapy and treatment with
radioactive substances. The materials and services of
technicians are included.
-
Initial contact lenses or glasses required following
cataract surgery.
- Disease
Management Programs. There are two types of disease
management plans covered these are cardiac and diabetes
treatment. There are two types of diabetes treatment
covered, the Sarasota Memorial Diabetes Treatment
program and a Plan Sponsor approved Non-SMH program.
The cardiac treatment program must be a Plan Sponsor
approved plan.
-
Rental of durable medical or surgical equipment
if deemed Medically Necessary. These items may be bought
rather than rented, with the cost not to exceed the
fair market value of the equipment at the time of purchase,
but only if agreed to in advance by the Plan Administrator.
-
Laboratory studies.
-
Treatment of Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse.
Covered charges for care, supplies and treatment of
Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse will be limited
as follows:
All
treatment is subject to the benefit payment maximums
shown in the Schedule of Benefits.
Physician's
visits are limited to one treatment per day.
Psychiatrists
(M.D.), psychologists (Ph.D.), counselors (Ph.D.) or
Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.) may bill the Plan directly.
Other licensed mental health practitioners must be under
the direction of and must bill the Plan through these
professionals.
-
Injury to or care of mouth, teeth and gums. Charges
for Injury to or care of the mouth, teeth, gums and
alveolar processes will be Covered Charges under Medical
Benefits only if that care is for the following oral
surgical procedures:
- Excision
of tumors and cysts of the jaws, cheeks, lips, tongue,
roof and floor of the mouth.
- Emergency
repair due to Injury to sound natural teeth.
- Surgery
needed to correct accidental injuries to the jaws, cheeks,
lips, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth.
- Excision
of benign bony growths of the jaw and hard palate.
- External
incision and drainage of cellulitis.
- Incision
of sensory sinuses, salivary glands or ducts.
- Removal
of impacted teeth.
- No
charge will be covered under Medical Benefits for dental
and oral surgical procedures involving orthodontic care
of the teeth, periodontal disease and preparing the
mouth for the fitting of or continued use of dentures.
-
Occupational therapy by a licensed occupational
therapy . Therapy must be ordered by a Physician, result
from an Injury or Sickness and improve a body function.
Covered expenses do not include recreational programs,
maintenance therapy or supplies used in occupational
therapy.
-
Organ transplant limits. Charges otherwise covered
under the Plan that are incurred for the care and treatment
due to an organ or tissue transplant are subject to
these limits:
- The
transplant must be performed to replace an organ or
tissue.
- The
maximum benefit for all transplant procedures performed
during a Covered Person's lifetime is shown in the Schedule
of Benefits.
- Charges
for obtaining donor organs or tissues are Covered
Charges
under the Plan when the recipient is a
Covered Person. When the donor has medical coverage,
his or her plan
will pay first. The benefits under this
Plan will be reduced by those payable under the
donor's plan. Donor
charges include those for:
- evaluating
the organ or tissue;
- removing
the organ or tissue from the donor; and
- transportation
of the organ or tissue from within the United
States
and Canada to the place where
the transplant is to take place.
- Benefit
payments for transplant charges are included
under the Organ Transplant Maximum
Benefit Limit shown
in the Schedule of Benefits.
- Benefit
payments for donor charges are subject to the
separate Donor Maximum Benefit limit
as shown in the Schedule of Benefits.
-
The
initial purchase, fitting and repair of orthotic
appliances such as braces, splints or other
appliances which are required for support for
an injured or deformed
part of the body, excluding shoe inserts, as a
result of a disabling congenital condition or
an Injury
or
Sickness.
- Pain
Management. Treatment of chronic, intractable pain
by pain control center or under a control program
shall be allowed only if due to injury or illness
and shall be allowed only with the prior approval
of Utilization Management and the Medical Director.
Treatment programs will be subject to review annually
or more often at the discretion of the Medical Director.
- Physical
therapy by a licensed physical therapy . The therapy
must be in accord with a Physician's exact orders
as to type, frequency and duration and for conditions
which are subject to significant improvement through
short-term therapy.
- Prescription
Drugs (as defined).
-
Routine Preventive Care. Covered charges under
Medical Benefits are payable for routine Preventive
Care as described in the Schedule of Benefits.
- Charges
for Routine Well Adult Care. Routine well adult
care is care by a Physician that is not for an Injury
or Sickness.
- Charges
for Routine Well Child Care. Routine well child
care is routine care by a Physician that is not for
an Injury or Sickness.
-
The initial purchase, fitting and repair of fitted prosthetic
devices which replace body parts.
-
Reconstructive Surgery. Correction of abnormal
congenital conditions and reconstructive mammoplasties
will be considered Covered Charges.
This
mammoplasty coverage will include reimbursement for:
-
reconstruction of the breast on which a mastectomy
has been performed,
-
surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to
produce a symmetrical appearance, and
-
coverage of prostheses and physical complications
during all stages of mastectomy, including lymphedemas,
- in
a manner determined in consultation with the attending
Physician and the patient.
- Speech
therapy by a licensed speech therapy . Therapy must
be ordered by a Physician and follow either: (i) surgery
for correction of a congenital condition of the oral
cavity, throat or nasal complex (other than a frenectomy)
of a person; (ii) an Injury; or (iii) a Sickness that
is other than a learning or Mental Disorder.
- Spinal
Manipulation/Chiropractic services by a licensed
M.D., D.O. or D.C.
-
Sterilization procedures.
- Surgical
dressings, splints, casts and other devices used
in the reduction of fractures and dislocations.
- Coverage
of Well Newborn Nursery/Physician Care.
- Charges
for Routine Nursery Care. Routine well newborn nursery
care is care while the newborn is Hospital-confined
after birth and includes room, board and other normal
care for which a Hospital makes a charge.
This
coverage is only provided if a parent is a Covered Person
who was covered under the Plan at the time of the birth
and the newborn child is an eligible Dependent and is
neither injured nor ill.
The
benefit is limited to Usual and Reasonable Charges for
nursery care for the newborn child while Hospital confined
as a result of the child's birth.
Charges
for covered routine nursery care will be applied toward
the Plan of the covered parent.
Group
health plans generally may not, under Federal law, restrict
benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection
with childbirth for the mother or newborn child to less
than 48 hours following a vaginal delivery, or less
than 96 hours following a cesarean section. However,
Federal law generally does not prohibit the mother's
or newborn's attending provider, after consulting with
the mother, from discharging the mother or her newborn
earlier than 48 hours (or 96 hours as applicable). In
any case, plans and issuers may not, under Federal law,
require that a provider obtain authorization from the
plan or the issuer for prescribing a length of stay
not in excess of 48 hours (or 96 hours).
- Charges
for Routine Physician Care. The benefit is limited
to the Usual and Reasonable Charges made by a Physician
for the newborn child while Hospital confined as a result
of the child's birth.
Charges
for covered routine Physician care will be applied toward
the Plan of the covered parent.
- Charges
associated with the initial purchase of a wig after
chemotherapy.
- Diagnostic
x-rays.
COST MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Cost Management Services Phone Number
WEBTPA,
Inc.
(877) 697-2299
(800) 697-9757 - for health care providers only!
Please
refer to the Employee ID card for the Cost Management Services
phone number.
The
patient or family member must call this number to receive
certification of certain Cost Management Services. This call
must be made at least 48 Hours in advance of services being
rendered or within 48 Hours after an emergency.
Any
reduced reimbursement due to failure to follow cost management
procedures will not accrue toward the 100% maximum out-of-pocket
payment.
UTILIZATION
REVIEW
Utilization
review is a program designed to help insure that all Covered
Persons receive necessary and appropriate health care while
avoiding unnecessary expenses.
The
program consists of:
-
Precertification of the Medical Necessity for the following
non-emergency services before Medical and/or Surgical
services are provided the exceed a $500 threshold.
Hospitalizations
MRI/CAT scans
Substance Abuse/Mental Disorder treatments
Skilled Nursing Facility stays
Home Health Care
Hospice Care
Durable Medical Equipment
Physical, speech and occupational therapy (after 6 visits)
Cardiac rehabilitation therapy
Outpatient surgical procedures
Allergy Testing, TMJ, Pain Management
-
Retrospective review of the Medical Necessity of the listed
services provided on an emergency basis;
-
Concurrent review, based on the admitting diagnosis, of
the listed services requested by the attending Physician;
and
-
Certification of services and planning for discharge from
a Medical Care Facility or cessation of medical treatment.
The
purpose of the program is to determine what is payable by
the Plan. This program is not designed to be the practice
of medicine or to be a substitute for the medical judgment
of the attending Physician or other health care provider.
If
a particular course of treatment or medical service is not
certified, It means that the Plan will not consider that course
of treatment as appropriate for the maximum reimbursement
under the Plan.
The
attending Physician does not have to obtain precertification
from the Plan for prescribing a maternity length of stay that
is 48 hours or less for a vaginal delivery or 96 hours or
less for a cesarean delivery.
In
order to maximize Plan reimbursements, please read the following
provisions carefully.
Here's
how the program works.
Precertification.
Before a Covered Person enters a Medical Care Facility on
a non-emergency basis or receives other listed medical services,
the utilization review administrator will, in conjunction
with the attending Physician, certify the care as appropriate
for Plan reimbursement. A non-emergency stay in a Medical
Care Facility is one that can be scheduled in advance.
The
utilization review program is set in motion by a telephone
call from the Physician's office. The Physician's office
should contact the utilization review administrator
at (800) 431-2221, which is the telephone
number
on your ID
card, at
least 48 Hours before services are scheduled to be rendered
with
the following information:
-
The name of the patient and relationship to the covered
Employee
- The
name, Social Security number and address of the covered
Employee
- The
name of the Employer
- The
name and telephone number of the attending Physician
- The
name of the Medical Care Facility, proposed date of admission,
and proposed length of stay
- The
diagnosis and/or type of surgery
- The
proposed rendering of listed medical services
If
there is an emergency admission to the Medical Care
Facility, the patient, patient's family member, Medical Care
Facility or attending Physician must contact the utilization
review administrator within 48 Hours of the first business
day after the admission.
The
utilization review administrator will determine the number
of days of Medical Care Facility confinement or use of other
listed medical services authorized for payment. Failure
to follow this procedure may reduce reimbursement received
from the Plan.
If
the Covered Person does not receive authorization as explained
in this section, the benefit payment will be reduced by
50% and the covered person will be responsible for the balance.
Concurrent
review, discharge planning. Concurrent review of a course
of treatment and discharge planning from a Medical Care Facility
are parts of the utilization review program. The utilization
review administrator will monitor the Covered Person's Medical
Care Facility stay or use of other medical services and coordinate
with the attending Physician, Medical Care Facilities and
Covered Person either the scheduled release or an extension
of the Medical Care Facility stay or extension or cessation
of the use of other medical services.
If
the attending Physician feels that it is Medically Necessary
for a Covered Person to receive additional services or to
stay in the Medical Care Facility for a greater length of
time than has been precertified, the attending Physician must
request the additional services or days.
SECOND
AND/OR THIRD OPINION PROGRAM
Certain
surgical procedures are performed either inappropriately or
unnecessarily. In some cases, surgery is only one of several
treatment options. In other cases, surgery will not help the
condition.
In
order to prevent unnecessary or potentially harmful surgical
treatments, the second and/or third opinion program fulfills
the dual purpose of protecting the health of the Plan's Covered
Persons and protecting the financial integrity of the Plan.
Benefits
will be provided for a second (and third, if necessary) opinion
consultation to determine the Medical Necessity of an elective
surgical procedure. An elective surgical procedure is one
that can be scheduled in advance; that is, it is not an emergency
or of a life-threatening nature.
The
patient may choose any board-certified Specialty who is not
an associate of the attending Physician and who is affiliated
in the appropriate specialty, subject to Provider Network
participation.
While
any surgical treatment is allowed a second opinion, the following
procedures are ones for which surgery is often performed when
other treatments are available.
| Appendectomy |
Hernia
surgery |
Spinal
surgery |
| Cataract
surgery |
Hysterectomy |
Surgery
to knee, shoulder, elbow or toe |
Cholecystectomy
(gall bladder removal) |
Mastectomy
surgery |
Tonsillectomy
and adenoidectomy |
Deviated
septum
(nose surgery) |
Prostate
surgery |
Tympanotomy
(inner ear) |
| Hemorrhoidectomy |
Salpingo-oophorectomy
(removal of tubes/ovaries) |
Varicose
vein ligation |
PREADMISSION
TESTING SERVICE
The
Medical Benefits percentage payable will be for diagnostic
lab tests and x-ray exams when:
-
performed on an outpatient basis within seven days before
a Hospital confinement;
-
related to the condition which causes the confinement; and
-
performed in place of tests while Hospital confined.
CASE
MANAGEMENT
Case
Management is a program whereby a case manager monitors patients
and explores, discusses and recommends coordinated and/or
alternate types of appropriate Medically Necessary care. The
case manager consults with the patient, the family and the
attending Physician in order to develop a plan of care for
approval by the patient's attending Physician and the patient.
This plan of care may include some or all of the following:
-
personal support to the patient;
-
contacting the family to offer assistance and support;
-
monitoring Hospital or Skilled Nursing Facility;
-
determining alternative care options; and
-
assisting in obtaining any necessary equipment and services.
Case
Management occurs when this alternate benefit will be beneficial
to both the patient and the Plan.
The
case manager will coordinate and implement the Case Management
program by providing guidance and information on available
resources and suggesting the most appropriate treatment plan.
The Plan Administrator, attending Physician, patient and patient's
family must all agree to the alternate treatment plan.
Once
agreement has been reached, the Plan Administrator will direct
the Plan to reimburse for Medically Necessary expenses as
stated in the treatment plan, even if these expenses normally
would not be paid by the Plan.
Note:
Case Management is a voluntary service. There are no reductions
of benefits or penalties if the patient and family choose
not to participate.
Each
treatment plan is individually tailored to a specific patient
and should not be seen as appropriate or recommended for any
other patient, even one with the same diagnosis.
PREVENTIVE CARE BENEFITS
This
Plan provides coverage for preventive health care expenses.
The annual deductible does not apply to this benefit .
Benefits
are payable up to a calendar year maximum of $400 to cover
100% of the usual, customary and reasonable charges of
such
preventive services as determined desirable by a physician
based on age, sex and risk status of the individual following
guidelines in the latest update to the Guide to Clinical
Preventive
Services, published by the U.S. Preventive Services Task
Force. Preventive care benefits include, but are not limited
to:
Annual
Routine Physical Exam (for employees and dependents)
Maximum
benefits ....................................One exam per
calendar year
Diagnostic
Testing Mammography
Diagnostic
mammograms will be covered subject to the following limitations:
Age
35-39
One baseline mammogram in this five year period
Age
40-49
One mammogram every two years or more frequently based upon
the physician's recommendation
Age
50
One mammogram per year
In
addition to the above benefits, listed below are other examples
of items, which may be covered under the Preventive Care
benefit :
- Prostate
cancer screening
- Blood
tests
- Urinalysis
- Pap
smears
- Hemoglobin
tests
- Cholesterol
and triglyceride tests
- Immunizations
For
additional information regarding coverage for a specific
procedure, contact the claims administrator.
WELL
CHILD CARE
Well
child care is routine pediatric care by a physician, including
coverage for immunizations. Benefits shall be payable for
18 visits, with each visit occurring within 90 days prior
to or after reaching the following ages:
Birth,
2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months,
18 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, 8
years, 10 years, 12 years, 14 years and 16 years.
In
addition to appropriate immunizations, these services of the
physician are included for each visit :
(1) physical exam; (2) lab tests; (3) patient history; (4)
development assessment; and (5) anticipatory guidance.
The
Plan will waive any deductible for well child care charges.
The first $400 in well child charges will be covered at
100%; charges in excess of this allowance will be subject
to
copayment
or coinsurance, depending on the Member's plan selection.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT BENEFIT
EAP is the City of Sarasota's gatekeeper for all behavioral
health and substance abuse treatment benefits. Prior to seeking
non-emergency mental health or substance abuse treatment,
Members must contact EAP for authorization. Failure
to obtain authorization from EAP for behavioral health/substance
abuse treatment will result in denial of payment by the City
of Sarasota and the member will be held responsible for payment.
EAP
1515 South Osprey Avenue
Suite C-12
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-917-1240
800-425-7764
In
the event of an emergency, Members should seek treatment and
must notify EAP within 48 hours of seeking care.
DEFINED TERMS
The following terms have special meanings and when used in
this Plan will be capitalized.
Active
Employee is an Employee who is on the regular payroll/pension
of the Employer and who has begun to perform the duties of
his or her job with the Employer on a full-time basis.
Ambulatory
Surgical Center is a licensed facility that is used mainly
for performing outpatient surgery, has a staff of Physicians,
has continuous Physician and nursing care by registered nurses
(R.N.s) and does not provide for overnight stays.
Birthing
Center means any freestanding health facility, place,
professional office or institution which is not a Hospital
or in a Hospital, where births occur in a home-like atmosphere.
This facility must be licensed and operated in accordance
with the laws pertaining to Birthing Centers in the jurisdiction
where the facility is located.
The
Birthing Center must provide facilities for obstetrical delivery
and short-term recovery after delivery; provide care under
the full-time supervision of a Physician and either a registered
nurse (R.N.) or a licensed nurse-midwife; and have a written
agreement with a Hospital in the same locality for immediate
acceptance of patients who develop complications or require
pre- or post-delivery confinement.
Brand
Name means a trade name medication.
Calendar
Year means January 1st through December 31st of the same
year.
COBRA
means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1985, as amended.
Cosmetic
Dentistry means dentally unnecessary procedures.
Covered
Person is an Employee, Retiree or Dependent who is covered
under this Plan.
Creditable
Coverage includes most health coverage, such as coverage
under a group health plan (including COBRA continuation coverage),
HMO membership, an individual health insurance policy, Medicaid
or Medicare.
Creditable
Coverage does not include coverage consisting solely of dental
or vision benefits.
Custodial
Care is care (including room and board needed to provide
that care) that is given principally for personal hygiene
or for assistance in daily activities and can, according to
generally accepted medical standards, be performed by persons
who have no medical training. Examples of Custodial Care are
help in walking and getting out of bed; assistance in bathing,
dressing, feeding; or supervision over medication which could
normally be self-administered.
Dentist
is
a person who is properly trained and licensed to practice
dentistry and who is practicing within the scope of such license.
Durable
Medical Equipment means equipment which (a) can withstand
repeated use, (b) is primarily and customarily used to serve
a medical purpose, (c) generally is not useful to a person
in the absence of an Illness or Injury and (d) is appropriate
for use in the home.
Employee
means a person who is an Active, regular Employee of the Employer,
regularly scheduled to work for the Employer in an Employee/Employer
relationship.
Employer
is City of Sarasota.
Enrollment
Date is the first day of coverage or, if there is a Waiting
Period, the first day of the Waiting Period.
Experimental
and/or Investigational means services, supplies, care
and treatment which does not constitute accepted medical practice
properly within the range of appropriate medical practice
under the standards of the case and by the standards of a
reasonably substantial, qualified, responsible, relevant segment
of the medical and dental community or government oversight
agencies at the time services were rendered.
The
Plan Administrator must make an independent evaluation
of
the experimental/non experimental standings of specific technologies.
The Plan Administrator shall be guided by a reasonable
interpretation
of Plan provisions. The decisions shall be made in good faith
and rendered following a detailed factual background investigation
of the claim and the proposed treatment. The decision of
the
Plan Administrator will be final and binding on the Plan.
The Plan Administrator will be guided by the following
principles:
-
if the drug or device cannot be lawfully marketed without
approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and approval
for marketing has not been given at the time the drug or
device is furnished; or
-
if the drug, device, medical treatment or procedure, or
the patient informed consent document utilized with the
drug, device, treatment or procedure, was reviewed and approved
by the treating facility's Institutional Review Board or
other body serving a similar function, or if federal law
requires such review or approval; or
-
if Reliable Evidence shows that the drug, device, medical
treatment or procedure is the subject of on-going phase
I or phase II clinical trials, is the research, experimental,
study or Investigational arm of on-going phase III clinical
trials, or is otherwise under study to determine its maximum
tolerated dose, its toxicity, its safety, its efficacy or
its efficacy as compared with a standard means of treatment
or diagnosis; or
-
if Reliable Evidence shows that the prevailing opinion among
experts regarding the drug, device, medical treatment or
procedure is that further studies or clinical trials are
necessary to determine its maximum tolerated dose, its toxicity,
its safety, its efficacy or its efficacy as compared with
a standard means of treatment or diagnosis.
Reliable
Evidence shall mean only published reports and articles in
the authoritative medical and scientific literature; the written
protocol or protocols used by the treating facility or the
protocol(s) of another facility studying substantially the
same drug, service, medical treatment or procedure; or the
written informed consent used by the treating facility or
by another facility studying substantially the same drug,
device, medical treatment or procedure.
Drugs
are considered Experimental if they are not commercially available
for purchase and/or they are not approved by the Food and
Drug Administration for general use.
Family
Unit is the covered Employee or Retiree and the family
members who are covered as Dependents under the Plan.
Formulary
means a list of prescription medications compiled by the third
party payor of safe, effective therapeutic drugs specifically
covered by this Plan.
Foster
Child means an unmarried child under the limiting age
shown in the Dependent Eligibility Section of this Plan for
whom a covered Employee has assumed a legal obligation. All
of the following conditions must be met: the child is being
raised as the covered Employee's; the child depends on the
covered Employee for primary support; the child lives in the
home of the covered Employee; and the covered Employee may
legally claim the child as a federal income tax deduction.
A
covered Foster Child is not a child temporarily living in
the covered Employee's home; one placed in the covered Employee's
home by a social service agency which retains control of the
child; or whose natural parent(s) may exercise or share parental
responsibility and control.
Generic
drug means a Prescription Drug which has the equivalency of
the brand name drug with the same use and metabolic disintegration.
This Plan will consider as a Generic drug any Food and Drug
Administration approved generic pharmaceutical dispensed according
to the professional standards of a licensed pharmacist and
clearly designated by the pharmacist as being generic.
Genetic
Information means information about genes, gene products
and inherited characteristics that may derive from an individual
or a family member. This includes information regarding carrier
status and information derived from laboratory tests that
identify mutations in specific genes or chromosomes, physical
medical examinations, family histories and direct analysis
of genes or chromosomes.
Home
Health Care Agency is an organization that meets all of
these tests: its main function is to provide Home Health Care
Services and Supplies; it is federally certified as a Home
Health Care Agency; and it is licensed by the state in which
it is located, if licensing is required.
Home
Health Care Plan must meet these tests: it must be a formal
written plan made by the patient's attending Physician which
is reviewed at least every 30 days; it must state the diagnosis;
it must certify that the Home Health Care is in place of Hospital
confinement; and it must specify the type and extent of Home
Health Care required for the treatment of the patient.
Home
Health Care Services and Supplies include: part?time or
intermittent nursing care by or under the supervision of a
registered nurse (R.N.); part?time or intermittent home health
aide services provided through a Home Health Care Agency (this
does not include general housekeeping services); physical,
occupational and speech therapy; medical supplies; and laboratory
services by or on behalf of the Hospital.
Hospice
Agency is an organization where its main function is to
provide Hospice Care Services and Supplies and it is licensed
by the state in which it is located, if licensing is required.
Hospice
Care Plan is a plan of terminal patient care that is established
and conducted by a Hospice Agency and supervised by a Physician.
Hospice
Care Services and Supplies are those provided through
a Hospice Agency and under a Hospice Care Plan and include
inpatient care in a Hospice Unit or other licensed facility,
home care, and family counseling during the bereavement period.
Hospice
Unit is a facility or separate Hospital Unit , that provides
treatment under a Hospice Care Plan and admits at least two
unrelated persons who are expected to die within six months.
Hospital
is an institution which is engaged primarily in providing
medical care and treatment of sick and injured persons on
an inpatient basis at the patient's expense and which fully
meets these tests: it is accredited as a Hospital by the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or
the American Osteopathic Association Healthcare Facilities
Accreditation Program; it is approved by Medicare as a Hospital;
it maintains diagnostic and therapeutic facilities on the
premises for surgical and medical diagnosis and treatment
of sick and injured persons by or under the supervision of
a staff of Physicians; it continuously provides on the premises
24?hour?a?day nursing services by or under the supervision
of registered nurses (R.N.s); and it is operated continuously
with organized facilities for operative surgery on the premises.
The
definition of "Hospital" shall be expanded to include
the following:
-
A facility operating legally as a psychiatric Hospital or
residential treatment facility for mental health and licensed
as such by the state in which the facility operates.
-
A facility operating primarily for the treatment of Substance
Abuse if it meets these tests: maintains permanent and full-time
facilities for bed care and full-time confinement of at
least 15 resident patients; has a Physician in regular attendance;
continuously provides 24?hour a day nursing service by a
registered nurse (R.N.); has a full-time psychiatrist or
psychologist on the staff; and is primarily engaged in providing
diagnostic and therapeutic services and facilities for treatment
of Substance Abuse.
Illness
means a bodily disorder, disease, physical sickness or Mental
Disorder. Illness includes Pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage
or complications of Pregnancy.
Injury
means an accidental physical Injury to the body caused by
unexpected external means.
Intensive
Care Unit is defined as a separate, clearly designated
service area which is maintained within a Hospital solely
for the care and treatment of patients who are critically
ill. This also includes what is referred to as a "coronary
care unit " or an "acute care unit ." it has:
facilities for special nursing care not available in regular
rooms and wards of the Hospital; special life saving equipment
which is immediately available at all times; at least two
beds for the accommodation of the critically ill; and at least
one registered nurse (R.N.) in continuous and constant attendance
24 hours a day.
Late
Enrollee means a Plan Participant who enrolls under the
Plan other than during the first 31-day period in which the
individual is eligible to enroll under the Plan or during
a Special Enrollment Period.
Legal
Guardian means a person recognized by a court of law as
having the duty of taking care of the person and managing
the property and rights of a minor child.
Lifetime
is a word that appears in this Plan in reference to benefit maximums and limitations. Lifetime is understood to mean while
covered under this Plan. Under no circumstances does Lifetime
mean during the lifetime of the Covered Person.
Medical
Care Facility means a Hospital, a facility that treats
one or more specific ailments or any type of Skilled Nursing
Facility.
Medical
Emergency means a sudden onset of a condition with acute
symptoms requiring immediate medical care and includes such
conditions as heart attacks, cardiovascular accidents, poisonings,
loss of consciousness or respiration, convulsions or other
such acute medical conditions.
Medically
Necessary care and treatment is recommended or approved
by a Physician or Dentist ; is consistent with the patient's
condition or accepted standards of good medical and dental
practice; is medically proven to be effective treatment of
the condition; is not performed mainly for the convenience
of the patient or provider of medical and dental services;
is not conducted for research purposes; and is the most appropriate
level of services which can be safely provided to the patient.
All
of these criteria must be met; merely because a Physician
recommends or approves certain care does not mean that it is Medically Necessary.
The
Plan Administrator has the discretionary authority to decide
whether care or treatment is Medically Necessary.
Medicare
is the Health Insurance For The Aged and Disabled program
under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, as amended.
Mental
Disorder means any disease or condition, regardless of
whether the cause is organic, that is classified as a Mental
Disorder in the current edition of International Classification
of Diseases, published by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services or is listed in the current edition of
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Morbid
Obesity is a diagnosed condition in which the body weight
exceeds the medically recommended weight by either 100 pounds
or is twice the medically recommended weight for a person
of the same height, age and mobility as the Covered Person.
No-Fault
Auto Insurance is the basic reparations provision of a
law providing for payments without determining fault in connection
with automobile accidents.
Outpatient
Care and/or Services is treatment including services,
supplies and medicines provided and used at a Hospital under
the direction of a Physician to a person not admitted as a
registered bed patient; or services rendered in a Physician's
office, laboratory or X-ray facility, an Ambulatory Surgical
Center, or the patient's home.
Partial
Hospitalization is an outpatient program specifically
designed for the diagnosis or active treatment of a Mental
Disorder or Substance Abuse when there is reasonable expectation
for improvement or when it is necessary to maintain a patient's
functional level and prevent relapse; this program shall be
administered in a psychiatric facility which is accredited
by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
and shall be licensed to provide partial hospitalization services,
if required, by the state in which the facility is providing
these services. Treatment lasts less than 24 hours, but more
than four hours, a day and no charge is made for room and
board.
Pharmacy
means a licensed establishment where covered Prescription
Drugs are filled and dispensed by a pharmacist licensed under
the laws of the state where he or she practices.
Physician
means a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.),
Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Podiatry (D.P.M.),
Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), Audiologist , Certified Nurse
Anesthetist , Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional
Physical Therapy , Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Midwife,
Occupational Therapy , Optometrist (O.D.), Physiotherapist
, Psychiatrist , Psychologist (Ph.D.), Speech Language Pathologist
and any other practitioner of the healing arts who is licensed
and regulated by a state or federal agency and is acting within
the scope of his or her license.
Plan
means CITY OF SARASOTA EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN, which
is a benefits plan for certain employees of City of Sarasota
and is described in this document.
Plan
Participant is any Employee, Retiree or Dependent who
is covered under this Plan.
Plan
Year is the 12-month period beginning on either the effective
date of the Plan or on the day following the end of the first
Plan Year which is a short Plan Year.
A
Preexisting Condition is a condition for which medical
advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received
within six months prior to the person's Enrollment Date under
this Plan. Genetic Information is not a condition. Treatment
includes receiving services and supplies, consultations, diagnostic
tests or prescribed medicines. In order to be taken into account,
the medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment must have
been recommended by, or received from, a Physician.
The
Preexisting Condition does not apply to pregnancy, to a newborn
child who is covered under this Plan within 31 days of birth,
or to a child who is adopted or placed for adoption before
attaining age 18 and who, as of the last day of the 31-day
period beginning on the date of the adoption or placement
for adoption, is covered under this Plan. A Preexisting Condition
exclusion may apply to coverage before the date of the adoption
or placement for adoption.
The
prohibition on Preexisting Condition exclusion for newborn,
adopted, or pre-adopted children does not apply to an individual
after the end of the first 63-day period during all of which
the individual was not covered under any Creditable Coverage.
Pregnancy
is childbirth and conditions associated with Pregnancy, including
complications.
Prescription
Drug means any of the following: a Food and Drug Administration-approved
drug or medicine which, under federal law, is required to
bear the legend: "Caution: federal law prohibits dispensing
without prescription"; injectable insulin; hypodermic
needles or syringes, but only when dispensed upon a written
prescription of a licensed Physician. Such drug must be Medically
Necessary in the treatment of a Sickness or Injury.
Retired
Employee is a former Active Employee of the Employer who
was retired while employed by the Employer under the formal
written plan of the Employer and elects to contribute to the
Plan the contribution required from the Retired Employee.
Sickness
is:
For
a covered Employee and covered Spouse: Illness, disease or
Pregnancy.
For
a covered Dependent other than Spouse: Illness or disease,
not including Pregnancy or its complications.
Skilled
Nursing Facility is a facility that fully meets all of these
tests:
-
It is licensed to provide professional nursing services
on an inpatient basis to persons convalescing from Injury
or Sickness. The service must be rendered by a registered
nurse (R.N.) or by a licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.) under
the direction of a registered nurse. Services to help restore
patients to self-care in essential daily living activities
must be provided.
-
Its services are provided for compensation and under the
full-time supervision of a Physician.
-
It provides 24 hour per day nursing services by licensed
nurses, under the direction of a full-time registered nurse.
-
It maintains a complete medical record on each patient.
-
It has an effective utilization review plan.
-
It is not, other than incidentally, a place for rest, the
aged, drug addicts, alcoholics, mental retardates, Custodial
or educational care or care of Mental Disorders.
-
It is approved and licensed by Medicare.
This
term also applies to charges incurred in a facility referring
to itself as an extended care facility, convalescent nursing
home, rehabilitation hospital or any other similar nomenclature.
Spinal
Manipulation/Chiropractic Care means skeletal adjustments,
manipulation or other treatment in connection with the detection
and correction by manual or mechanical means of structural
imbalance or subluxation in the human body. Such treatment
is done by a Physician to remove nerve interference resulting
from, or related to, distortion, misalignment or subluxation
of, or in, the vertebral column.
Substance
Abuse is regular excessive compulsive drinking of alcohol
and/or physical habitual dependence on drugs. This does not
include dependence on tobacco and ordinary caffeine?containing
drinks.
Total
Disability (Totally Disabled) means: In the case of a
Dependent child, the complete inability as a result of Injury
or Sickness to perform the normal activities of a person of
like age and sex in good health.
Usual
and Reasonable Charge is a charge which is not higher
than the usual charge made by the provider of the care or
supply and does not exceed the usual charge made by most providers
of like service in the same area. This test will consider
the nature and severity of the condition being treated. It will also consider medical complications or unusual circumstances
that require more time, skill or experience.
The
Plan will reimburse the actual charge billed if it is less
than the Usual and Reasonable Charge.
The
Plan Administrator has the discretionary authority to decide
whether a charge is Usual and Reasonable.
PLAN EXCLUSIONS
Note: All exclusions related to Prescription Drugs are
shown in the Prescription Drug Plan.
Note:
All exclusions related to Dental are shown in the Dental Plan.
For
all Medical Benefits shown in the Schedule of Benefits, a
charge for the following is not covered:
-
Abortion. Services, supplies, care or treatment in
connection with an abortion unless the life of the mother
is endangered by the continued Pregnancy or the Pregnancy
is the result of rape or incest.
-
Complications of non-covered treatments. Care, services
or treatment required as a result of complications from
a treatment not covered under the Plan are not covered.
- Cosmetic
Surgery. Care, services or treatment in connection with
Cosmetic Surgery, “Complications arising from
non-covered cosmetic surgery are excluded.”.
-
Custodial care. Services or supplies provided mainly
as a rest cure, maintenance or Custodial Care.
-
Educational or vocational testing. Services for educational
or vocational testing or training.
-
Excess charges. The part of an expense for care and
treatment of an Injury or Sickness that is in excess of
the Usual and Reasonable Charge.
-
Exercise programs. Exercise programs for treatment
of any condition, except for Physician-supervised cardiac
rehabilitation, occupational or physical therapy covered
by this Plan.
-
Experimental or not Medically Necessary. Care and
treatment that is either Experimental/Investigational or
not Medically Necessary.
-
Eye care. Radial keratotomy, lasik or other eye surgery
to correct refractive disorders. Also, routine eye examinations,
including refractions, lenses for the eyes and exams for
their fitting. This exclusion does not apply to aphakic
patients and soft lenses or sclera shells intended for use
as corneal bandages.
-
Foot care. Treatment of weak, strained, flat, unstable
or unbalanced feet, metatarsalgia or bunions (except open
cutting operations), and treatment of corns, calluses or
toenails (unless needed in treatment of a metabolic or
peripheral-vascular
disease).
-
Foreign travel. Care, treatment or supplies out of
the U.S. if travel is for the sole purpose of obtaining
medical services.
-
Government coverage. Care, treatment or supplies
furnished by a program or agency funded by any government.
This does not apply to Medicaid or when otherwise prohibited
by law.
-
Hair loss. Care and treatment for hair loss including
wigs, hair transplants or any drug that promises hair growth,
whether or not prescribed by a Physician, except for wigs
after chemotherapy.
-
Hearing aids and exams. Charges for services or supplies
in connection with hearing aids or exams for their fitting.
-
Hospital employees. Professional services billed
by a Physician or nurse who is an employee of a Hospital
or Skilled Nursing Facility and paid by the Hospital or
facility for the service.
-
Illegal acts. Charges for services received as a
result of Injury or Sickness caused by or contributed to
by engaging in an illegal act or occupation; by committing
or attempting to commit any crime, criminal act, assault
or other felonious behavior; or by participating in a riot
or public disturbance. This exclusion does not apply if
the Injury resulted from an act of domestic violence or
a medical (including both physical and mental health) condition.
-
Infertility. Care, supplies, services and treatment
for infertility, artificial insemination, or in vitro fertilization.
-
No charge. Care and treatment for which there would
not have been a charge if no coverage had been in force.
-
Non-emergency Hospital admissions. Care and treatment
billed by a Hospital for non-Medical Emergency admissions
on a Friday or a Saturday. This does not apply if surgery
is performed within 24 hours of admission.
-
No obligation to pay. Charges incurred for which
the Plan has no legal obligation to pay.
-
No Physician recommendation. Care, treatment, services
or supplies not recommended and approved by a Physician;
or treatment, services or supplies when the Covered Person
is not under the regular care of a Physician. Regular care
means ongoing medical supervision or treatment which is
appropriate care for the Injury or Sickness.
-
Not specified as covered. Nontraditional medical
services, treatments and supplies which are not specified
as covered under this Plan.
-
Obesity. Care and treatment of obesity, weight loss or dietary
control whether or not it is, in any case, a part of the
treatment plan for another Sickness.
-
Occupational. Care and treatment of an Injury or
Sickness that is occupational -- that is, arises from work
for wage or profit including self-employment.
-
Personal comfort items. Personal comfort items or
other equipment, such as, but not limited to, air conditioners,
air-purification units, humidifiers, electric heating units,
orthopedic mattresses, blood pressure instruments, scales,
elastic bandages or stockings, shoe inserts, nonprescription
drugs and medicines, and first-aid supplies and non hospital
adjustable
beds.
-
Plan design excludes. Charges excluded by the Plan
design as mentioned in this document.
-
Pregnancy of daughter. Care and treatment of Pregnancy
and Complications of Pregnancy for a dependent daughter.
-
Relative giving services. Professional services performed
by a person who ordinarily resides in the Covered Person's
home or is related to the Covered Person as a Spouse, parent,
child, brother or sister, whether the relationship is by
blood or exists in law.
-
Replacement braces. Replacement of braces of the leg,
arm, back, neck, or artificial arms or legs, unless there
is sufficient change in the Covered Person's physical condition
to make the original device no longer functional.
-
Routine care. Charges for routine or periodic examinations,
screening examinations, evaluation procedures, preventive
medical care, or treatment or services not directly related
to the diagnosis or treatment of a specific Injury, Sickness
or pregnancy?related condition which is known or reasonably
suspected, unless such care is specifically covered in the
Schedule of Benefits.
-
Self-Inflicted. Any loss due to an intentionally self-inflicted
Injury. This exclusion does not apply if the Injury resulted
from an act of domestic violence or a medical (including
both physical and mental health) condition.
-
Services before or after coverage. Care, treatment or
supplies for which a charge was incurred before a person
was Covered under this Plan or after coverage ceased under
this Plan.
-
Sex changes. Care, services or treatment for non-congenital
transsexualism, gender dysphoria or sexual reassignment
or change. This exclusion includes medications, implants,
hormone therapy, surgery, medical or psychiatric treatment.
-
Sleep disorders. Care and treatment for sleep disorders
unless deemed Medically Necessary.
- Smoking
Cessation. Care and treatment for smoking cessation
programs, including smoking deterrent patches.
-
Surgical sterilization reversal. Care and treatment
for reversal of surgical sterilization.
-
Travel or accommodations. Charges for travel or accommodations,
whether or not recommended by a Physician, except for ambulance
charges as defined as a covered expense.
-
War. Any loss that is due to a declared or undeclared
act of war.
ORGAN
TRANSPLANT SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS
|
Transplant
Procedure
|
InterLink
In-Network Benefits
|
Non-InterLink
Non-Network Benefits
|
| Heart |
100%
of eligible charges
|
90%
of eligible charges, up to an overall maximum of $110,000
including organ acquisition and physician's maximum
of $20,000 |
| Lung |
100%
of eligible charges
|
90%
of eligible charges, up to an overall maximum of $155,000
including organ acquisition and a physician's maximum
of $20,000 |
| Bone
Marrow |
100%
of eligible charges
|
90%
of eligible charges, up to an overall maximum of $130,000
including organ acquisition and a physician's maximum
of $20,000 |
| Liver |
100%
of eligible charges
|
90%
of eligible charges, up to an overall maximum of $130,000
including organ acquisition and a physician's maximum
of $20,000 |
| Heart/Lung |
100%
of eligible charges
|
90%
of eligible charges, up to an overall maximum of $150,000
including organ acquisition and a physician's maximum
of $20,000 |
| Pancreas |
100%
of eligible charges
|
90%
of eligible charges, up to an overall maximum of $70,000
including organ acquisition and a physician's maximum
of $20,000 |
| Kidney |
100%
of eligible charges
|
90%
of eligible charges, up to an overall maximum of $55,000
including organ acquisition and a physician's maximum
of $20,000 |
Pre-Authorization
Requirement for Organ Transplant*
Expenses incurred in connection with any organ or tissue transplant listed
in this provision will be covered subject to referral to and pre-authorization
by the Plan Administrator's authorized review Specialty . Transplant coverage
is offered under this plan through a preferred provider network of specialized
professionals and facilities.
As
soon as reasonably possible, but in no event more than
ten (10) days after a Covered Person's attending physician
has indicated that the Covered Person is a potential candidate
for a transplant, the Covered Person or his physician should
contact the Plan Administrator for referral to the network's
medical review Specialty for evaluation and pre-authorization.
A comprehensive treatment plan much be developed for this
plan's medical review, and must include such information
as diagnosis, the nature of the transplant, the setting
of the procedure, (i.e. name and address of the hospital),
any secondary medical complications, a five year prognosis,
two (2) qualified opinions confirming the need for the
procedure, as well as a description and the estimated cost
of the proposed treatment. (One or both confirming second
opinions may be waived by the plan's medical review Specialty
.) Additional attending physician's statements may also
be required. The Covered Person may provide a comprehensive
treatment plan independent of the preferred provider network,
but this will be subject to medical appropriateness review
and may result in non-network benefit coverage.
All
potential transplant cases will be assessed for their appropriateness
for Large Case Management.
* Failure
to pre-authorize a transplant procedure will result in
the application of a $5,000 deductible to all covered expenses
incurred as a result of the transplant. This deductible
is in addition to any other plan deductible and copayment
requirements which would normally be applicable to the
transplant procedure.
Organ Transplant Network
As a result of the preauthorization review, the Covered Person will be asked
to consider obtaining transplant services at a participating transplant center.
The term "participating transplant center" means "a licensed
healthcare facility which has entered into a participation agreement at fee
arrangements as established with InterLink Health Services to provide health
services to the Plan Sponsor." The transplant network's goal is to perform
necessary transplants in the most appropriate setting for the procedure with
consideration of and enhancement of the quality of patient care.
There
is no obligation for the patient to use network services.
However, benefits for the transplant and its related expenses
may vary depending on whether services are provided in
or out of the transplant network. If a transplant is performed
out of network, but the Covered Person has received approval
for the plan's medical review Specialty for out of network
services, then network benefits will apply to the transplant
and its related expenses. If services are provided out
of network without approval from the medical review Specialty
, then out of network benefits will apply.
Transplant Benefit Period
Covered transplant expenses will accumulate during a Transplant Benefit Period,
and will be charged toward the transplant benefit period maximums, if any,
shown in the Transplant Schedule of Benefits. The term "Transplant Benefit
Period" means the period which begins on the date of the initial evaluation
and ends on the date which is twelve consecutive months following the date
of the transplant. (If the transplant is a bone marrow transplant, the date
the marrow is reinfused is considered the date of the transplant).
Covered Transplant Expenses
The term "covered expenses" with respect to transplants includes
the reasonable and customary expenses for services and supplies which are covered
under this plan (or which are specifically identified as covered only under
this provision) and which are medically necessary and appropriate to the Transplant.
- Charges
incurred in the evaluation, screening, and candidacy
determination process.
- Charges
incurred for organ transplantation.
- Charges
for organ procurement, including donor expenses not covered
under the donor's plan of benefits.
- Coverage
for organ procurement from a non-living donor will
be provided for costs involved in removing, preserving
and transporting the organ.
- Charges
for organ procurement for a living donor will be
provided for the costs involved in screening the
potential donor, transporting the donor to and
from the site of the transplant, as well as for
medical expenses associated with removal of the
donated organ and the medical services provided
to the donor in the interim and for follow up care.
- If
the transplant procedure is a bone marrow transplant,
coverage will be provided for the cost involved
in the removal of the patient's bone marrow (autologous)
or donated marrow (allogeneic). Coverage will also
be provided for search charges to identify an unrelated
match, treatment and storage costs of the marrow,
up to the time of reinfusion. (The harvesting of
the marrow need not be performed within the transplant
benefit period).
- Charges
incurred for follow up care, including immuno-suppressant
therapy.
- Charges
for transportation to and from the site of the covered
organ transplant procedure for the recipient and one
other individual, or in the event that the recipient
or the donor is a minor, two (2) other individuals. In
addition, all reasonable and necessary lodging and meal
expenses incurred during the transplant benefit period
will be covered up to a maximum of $10,000 per transplant
period.
Re-transplantation
Re-transplantation will be covered up to two re-transplants, for a total of
three transplants per person, per lifetime. Each transplant and re-transplant
will have a new benefit period and a new maximum benefit .
Accumulation of Expenses
Expenses incurred during any one transplant period for the recipient and for
the donor will accumulate towards the recipient's benefit and will be included
in the plan's overall per person maximum lifetime benefit .
Donor Expenses
Medical expenses of the donor will be covered under this provision to the extent
that they are not covered elsewhere under this plan or any other benefit plan
covering the donor. In addition, medical expense benefits for a donor who is
not a participant under this plan are limited to a maximum of $10,000 per transplant
benefit period when the transplant services are provided out of network. This
does not include the donor's transportation and lodging expenses.
Preexisting Conditions Limitation
Transplant charges will be subject to this plan's preexisting conditions limitation.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS
Pharmacy
Drug Charge
Participating
pharmacies have contracted with the Plan to charge Covered
Persons reduced fees for covered Prescription Drugs. Caremark
is the administrator of the pharmacy drug plan.
Copayments/Coinsurance
The
copayment is applied to each covered pharmacy drug or mail
order drug charge and is shown in the schedule of benefits.
The copayment amount is not a covered charge under the
medical
Plan. Any one pharmacy prescription is limited to a continuous
30-day supply. Any one mail order prescription is limited
to a continuous 90-day supply. A continuous day supply
is
defined as the amount of medication a person may be anticipated
to require within a contiguous 30 or 90 day period. A medication
prescribed as "as needed" or not specifying a daily
dosage may be dispensed (with physician approval) in a lesser
quantity than daily dosing.
Caremark,
the City's Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) works with the City
and Healthcare Sarasota to ensure that prescription medications
are dispensed in an effective and cost-efficient manner. To
this end, Caremark may:
-
Automatically substitute an FDA approved generic drug for
a brand name or formulary drug, unless the prescribing
physician
has noted "Dispense As Written" AND "Medically
Necessary" on the prescription (the physician may
be contacted to verify). The Plan will now require the
participant to pay the cost difference between the brand
or non-formulary and the generic PLUS the generic copay;
- Contact
the physician for permission to substitute a therapeutically
equivalent (by FDA guidelines) drug;
- Contact
the physician to re-prescribe if prescribed quantities that
do not fall within Plan days' supply guidelines.
If
a drug is purchased from a non-participating pharmacy, or
a participating pharmacy when the Covered Person's ID card
is not used, the amount payable in excess of the amounts shown
in the schedule of benefits will be the ingredient cost and
dispensing fee.
Percentages
Payable
|
Retail Pharmacy - Up to 30 day supply
|
|
Generic
drugs
|
$10
Copay
|
Formulary
Brand Name drugs
|
|
Minimum
|
$20
per prescription
|
Maximum
|
$40
per prescription
|
|
Brand
Name drugs
|
60%
Coinsurance
|
Minimum
|
$35
per prescription
|
Maximum
|
$70
per prescription
|
| Biotech
Drugs |
$100
per prescription |
|
Mail Order Prescription Drug Option - up to 90 day supply
|
|
Generic
drugs
|
$20
Copay
|
|
Formulary
Brand Name drugs
|
40%
Coinsurance
|
Minimum
|
$40
per prescription
|
Maximum
|
$80
per prescription
|
|
Brand
Name drugs
|
60% Coinsurance
|
Minimum
|
$70
per prescription
|
Maximum
|
$140
per prescription
|
| Biotech
Drugs |
$300
per prescription |
All
Non-sedating Antihistamines are covered at the non-formulary
coinsurance or copay tier.
Note: Caremark may add prescription drugs to the formulary
list on a monthly basis and remove prescription drugs from
the formulary list on a quarterly basis.
Mail Order Drug Benefit
The mail order drug benefit is available for maintenance
medications (those that are taken for long periods of time,
such as drugs sometimes prescribed for heart disease, high
blood pressure, asthma, etc.). Use of the mail order program
is mandatory for maintenance medications as shown below.
Mandatory Mail Order Program for Maintenance Drugs
(up to a 90-day supply)
Prescriptions for maintenance medications may be filled
once at a participating CareSelect retail pharmacy with one
refill, then must be filled through the mail order program.
The following are considered maintenance medications:
| ADHD/ADD |
Anti-Neoplastics |
Hormones
Estrogenic agents Progestoroneal agents |
| Anti-Alzheimers |
Anti-Narcolepsy/Anti-Hyperkinesis
Agents |
Immune
Suppressants |
Anti-Arthritics
Anti-inflammatory agents Colchicine agents
Purine
inhibitors
Urlocosuric agents |
Anti-Parkinson |
Muscle
Relaxants |
Anti-Asthmatics
Xanthines |
Anti-Seizure
Barbituates
Anti-convulsants
Anti-anxiety |
Non-Sedating
Antihistamines |
Anti-Coagulants
Oral anti-coagulants coumaria type |
Anti-Tubercular
Agents and antibiotics |
Thiazide
diuretics & related agents
Potassium sparing diuretics
Carbonic anhydrous inhibitors |
| Antidepressants |
Cardiovascular
Adrenergic inhibitors
ldosterone antagonists Hypotensive
agents
Inotropic drugs |
Oral
Contraceptives |
Anti-Glaucomatous Agents Mydriatics
Miotics & other pressure reducers |
Cardiac
Drugs
Coronary vasocilators
Digitalis Glycosides
Anti-Arrhythmic
Beta-adrengic blocking agents
Calcium channel blockers
Peripheral vasodilators |
Potassium
Replacement |
| Anti-Infectives |
Diabetic
Therapy
Misc. covered supplies (syringes, etc.)
Oral
hypoglycemic agents Sulfonylurea type Diuretics |
Thyroid
Supplements Thyroid hormones
Anti-thyroid preparations |
| Anti-Mania |
Gastrointestinal |
Ulcer
Medications
Proton Pump Inhibitors |
Because of volume buying, Caremark, the mail order pharmacy,
is able to offer Covered Persons significant savings on their
prescriptions.
Covered
Prescription Drugs
-
All drugs prescribed by a Physician that require a prescription
either by federal or state law. This includes oral contraceptives,
but excludes any drugs stated as not covered under this
Plan.
-
All compounded prescriptions containing at least one prescription
ingredient in a therapeutic quantity.
-
Insulin and other diabetic supplies when prescribed by a
Physician. Other injectables are not covered.
Mandatory
Generic Drug Program
The
Plan has a mandatory generic drug program which allows
Caremark
to automatically substitute an FDA approved generic
drug for a brand name or nonformulary drug, unless the prescribing
physician has written “Dispense As Written” and “Medically
Necessary” on the prescription (the physician may be
contacted to verify). The Plan will require the Member to
pay the cost difference between the brand or nonformulary
and the generic plus the generic copay.
Limits
To This Benefit
This
benefit applies only when a Covered Person incurs a covered
Prescription Drug charge. The covered drug charge for any
one prescription will be limited to:
-
Refills only up to the number of times specified by a Physician.
-
Refills up to one year from the date of order by a Physician.
- Erectile
Dysfunction medication are limited to 6 pills per month
or 18 pills per 90-day period.
Expenses
Not Covered
This
benefit will not cover a charge for any of the following:
- Administration.
Any charge for the administration of a covered Prescription
Drug.
-
Appetite suppressants.
A charge for appetite suppressants, dietary supplements
or vitamin supplements, except for prenatal vitamins requiring
a prescription or prescription vitamin supplements containing
fluoride.
-
Consumed on premises. Any drug or medicine that is consumed
or administered at the place where it is dispensed.
-
Devices.
Devices of any type, even though such devices may require
a prescription. These include (but are not limited to) therapeutic
devices, artificial appliances, braces, support garments,
or any similar device.
-
Drugs used for cosmetic purposes. Charges for drugs
used for cosmetic purposes, such as anabolic steroids, Retin
A or medications for hair growth or removal.
-
Experimental. Experimental drugs and medicines, even
though a charge is made to the Covered Person.
- FDA.
Any drug not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
-
Growth hormones. Charges for drugs to enhance physical
growth or athletic performance or appearance.
-
Immunization. Immunization agents or biological sera.
- Infertility.
A charge for infertility medication.
-
Injectables. A charge for hypodermic syringes and/or needles,
injectables or any prescription directing administration
by injection (other than insulin).
-
Inpatient medication. A drug or medicine that is to
be taken by the Covered Person, in whole or in part, while
Hospital confined. This includes being confined in any institution
that has a facility for the dispensing of drugs and medicines
on its premises.
- Investigational.
A drug or medicine labeled: "Caution- limited by federal
law to investigational use".
-
Medical exclusions. A charge excluded under Medical
Plan Exclusions.
-
No charge.
A charge for Prescription Drugs which may be properly received
without charge under local, state or federal programs.
-
Non-legend drugs. A charge for FDA?approved drugs that
are prescribed for non-FDA?approved uses.
-
No prescription.
A drug or medicine that can legally be bought without a
written prescription. This does not apply to injectable
insulin.
- Nutritional
or diet supplements. A charge for a nutritional or diet
supplements.
-
Refills. Any refill that is requested more than one
year after the prescription was written or any refill that
is more than the number of refills ordered by the Physician.
-
Smoking cessation.
A charge for Prescription Drugs, such as nicotine gum or
smoking deterrent patches, for smoking cessation.
-
Replacement of lost or stolen prescription drugs.
DENTAL BENEFITS
This benefit applies when covered dental charges are incurred
by a person while covered under this Plan.
| Schedule
of Benefits: |
|
Calendar
Year deductible
|
$50
|
Calendar
Year deductible per Family Unit
|
$150
|
The
deductible applies to these Classes of Service:
|
Class
B Services - Basic
|
|
Class
C Services - Major
|
|
Class
D Services - Orthodontia
|
| Dental
Percentage Payable |
|
Class
A Services-Preventative
|
80%
|
Class
B Services-Basic
|
80%
|
Class
C Services-Major
|
50%
|
Class
D Services-Orthodontia
|
50%
|
| Maximum
Benefit Amount |
|
| For
other than Class D-Orthodontia:
|
Per
person per Calendar Year
|
$1500
|
| For
Class D-Orthodontia: |
|
Lifetime
Maximum per person
|
$1500
|
DEDUCTIBLE
Deductible
Amount. This is an amount of dental charges for which
no benefits will be paid. Before benefits can be paid in a
Calendar Year, a Covered Person must meet the deductible shown
in the Schedule of Benefits.
Family
Unit Limit . When the dollar amount shown in the Schedule
of Benefits has been incurred by members of a Family Unit toward their Calendar Year deductibles, the deductibles of
all members of that Family Unit will be considered satisfied
for that year.
BENEFIT PAYMENT
Each
Calendar Year benefits will be paid to a Covered Person for
the dental charges in excess of the deductible amount. Payment
will be made at the rate shown under Dental Percentage Payable
in the Schedule of Benefits. No benefits will be paid in excess
of the Maximum Benefit Amount.
MAXIMUM
BENEFIT AMOUNT
The
Maximum dental benefit amount is $15000 annually, or the
lifetime maximum of $1500 for orthodontia benefits.
DENTAL
CHARGES
Dental
charges are the Usual and Reasonable Charges made by a Dentist
or other Physician for necessary care, appliances or other
dental material listed as a covered dental service.
A
dental charge is incurred on the date the service or supply
for which it is made is performed or furnished. However, there
are times when one overall charge is made for all or part
of a course of treatment. In this case, the Claims Administrator
will apportion that overall charge to each of the separate
visits or treatments. The pro rata charge will be considered
to be incurred as each visit or treatment is completed.
COVERED
DENTAL SERVICE
Class
A Services:
Preventive and Diagnostic Dental Procedures
Covered at 80%
The
limits on Class A services are for routine services.
-
Routine oral exams. This includes the cleaning and scaling
of teeth. Limit of 2 per Covered Person each Year.
-
One fluoride treatment for covered Dependent children under
age 19 each Calendar Year.
-
Space maintainers for covered Dependent children under age
19 to replace primary teeth.
-
Emergency palliative treatment for pain.
Class
B Services:
Basic Dental Procedures
-
Dental x-rays not included in Class A.
-
Oral surgery. Oral surgery is limited to removal of teeth,
preparation of the mouth for dentures and removal of tooth?generated
cysts of less than 1/4 inch.
-
Periodontics (gum treatments).
-
Endodontics (root canals).
-
Extractions. This service includes local anesthesia and
routine post?operative care.
-
Recementing bridges, crowns or inlays.
-
Fillings, other than gold.
-
General anesthetics, upon demonstration of Medical Necessity.
-
Antibiotic drugs.
Class
C Services:
Major Dental Procedures
- Gold
restorations, including inlays, onlays and foil fillings.
The cost of gold restorations in excess of the cost for
amalgam, synthetic porcelain or plastic materials will be
included only when the teeth must be restored with gold.
-
Installation of crowns.
-
Installing precision attachments for removable dentures.
-
Addition of clasp or rest to existing partial removable
dentures.
-
Initial installation of fixed bridgework to replace one
or more natural teeth.
-
Repair of crowns, bridgework and removable dentures.
-
Rebasing or relining of removable dentures.
-
Replacing an existing removable partial or full denture
or fixed bridgework; adding teeth to an existing removable
partial denture; or adding teeth to existing bridgework
to replace newly extracted natural teeth. However, this
item will apply only if one of these tests is met:
-
The existing denture or bridgework was installed at
least five years prior to its replacement and cannot
currently be made serviceable.
Class
D Services:
Orthodontic Treatment and Appliances
Covered at 50%
This
is treatment to move teeth by means of appliances to correct
a handicapping malocclusion of the mouth.
These
services include preliminary study, including x-rays,
diagnostic casts and treatment plan, active treatments
and
retention appliance.
Payments
for comprehensive full-banded orthodontic treatments are
made in installments.
PREDETERMINATION
OF BENEFITS
Before
starting a dental treatment for which the charge is expected
to be $300 or more, a predetermination of benefits form must
be submitted.
A
regular dental claim form is used for the predetermination
of benefits. The covered Employee fills out the Employee section
of the form and then gives the form to the Dentist .
The
Dentist must itemize all recommended services and costs and
attach all supporting x-rays to the form.
The
Dentist should send the form to the Claims Administrator at
this address:
WEBTPA,
Inc.
P.O. Box 536269
Grand Prairie, TX 75053 (Electronic Payor ID: 75261)
(800) 697-2235
The
Claims Administrator will notify the Dentist of the benefits
payable under the Plan. The Covered Person and the Dentist
can then decide on the course of treatment, knowing in advance
how much the Plan will pay.
If
a description of the procedures to be performed, x-rays and
an estimate of the Dentist 's fees are not submitted in advance,
the Plan reserves the right to make a determination of benefits
payable taking into account alternative procedures, services
or courses of treatment, based on accepted standards of dental
practice. If verification of necessity of dental services
cannot reasonably be made, the benefits may be for a lesser
amount than would otherwise have been payable.
ALTERNATE
TREATMENT
Many
dental conditions can be treated in more than one way. This
Plan has an "alternate treatment" clause which governs
the amount of benefits the Plan will pay for treatments covered
under the Plan. If a patient chooses a more expensive treatment
than is needed to correct a dental problem according to accepted
standards of dental practice, the benefit payment will be
based on the cost of the treatment which provides professionally
satisfactory results at the most cost?effective level.
For
example, if a regular amalgam filling is sufficient to restore
a tooth to health, and the patient and the Dentist decide
to use a gold filling, the Plan will base its reimbursement
on the Usual and Reasonable Charge for an amalgam filling.
The patient will pay the difference in cost.
OPTIONAL
DENTAL NETWORK
Healthcare
Sarasota makes available to City Covered Persons an optional
dental network. Dentists participating in this network have
agreed to bill according to a set fee schedule. When a participating
dental provider is utilized, the Plan will pay according to
the fee schedule rather than Usual and Reasonable charge.
The Covered Person is responsible for all deductibles and
coinsurance. A dental provider list and fee schedule may be
obtained from the Healthcare Sarasota web site www.hcsrq.com
or by calling 941-917-1290.
EXCLUSIONS
A
charge for the following is not covered:
- Administrative
costs. Administrative costs of completing claim forms
or reports or for providing dental records.
- Broken
appointments. Charges for broken or missed dental appointments.
- Crowns.
Crowns for teeth that are restorable by other means or for
the purpose of Periodontal Splinting.
- Excluded
under Medical. Services that are excluded under Medical
Plan Exclusions.
- Hygiene.
Oral hygiene, plaque control programs or dietary instructions.
- Implants.
Implants, including any appliances and/or crowns and the
surgical insertion or removal of implants.
- Medical
services. Services that, to any extent, are payable
under any medical expense benefits of the Plan.
- No
listing. Services which are not included in the list of covered dental services.
- Orthognathic
surgery. Surgery to correct malpositions in the bones
of the jaw.
- Personalization.
Personalization of dentures.
- Replacement.
Replacement of lost or stolen appliances.
- Splinting.
Crowns, fillings or appliances that are used to connect
(splint) teeth, or change or alter the way the teeth meet,
including altering the vertical dimension, restoring the
bite (occlusion) or are cosmetic.
HOW TO SUBMIT A CLAIM
Benefits under this Plan shall be paid only if the Plan
Administrator decides in its discretion that a Covered Person
is entitled to them.
A participating provider will generally file a claim on the
Covered Person's behalf. When a Covered Person has a Claim
to submit for payment that person must:
-
Obtain a Claim form from the Personnel Office or the Plan
Administrator.
-
Complete the Employee portion of the form. ALL QUESTIONS
MUST BE ANSWERED.
-
Have the Physician or Dentist complete the provider's portion
of the form.
-
For Plan reimbursements, attach bills for services rendered.
ALL BILLS MUST SHOW:
-
Name of Plan
- Employee's name
- Name of patient
- Name, address, telephone number of the provider of
care
- Diagnosis
- Type of services rendered, with diagnosis and/or procedure
codes
- Date of services
- Charges
- Send
the above to the Claims Administrator at this address:
WEBTPA,
Inc.
P.O. Box 539508
Grand Prairie, TX 75053
(800) 697-2235
WHEN
CLAIMS SHOULD BE FILED
Claims
should be filed with the Claims Administrator within 90 days
of the date charges for the service were incurred. Benefits
are based on the Plan's provisions at the time the charges
were incurred. Claims filed later than that date may be declined
or reduced unless:
-
It 's not reasonably possible to submit the claim in that
time; and
- the
claim is submitted within one year from the date incurred.
This one year period will not apply when the person is
not legally capable of submitting the claim.
The
Claims Administrator will determine if enough information
has been submitted to enable proper consideration of the claim.
If not, more information may be requested from the claimant.
The Plan reserves the right to have a Plan Participant seek
a second medical opinion.
A
request for Plan benefits will be considered a claim for Plan
benefits, and it will be subject to a full and fair review.
If a claim is wholly or partially denied, the Claims Administrator
will furnish the Plan Participant with a written notice of
this denial. This written notice will be provided within 90
days after receipt of the claim. The written notice will contain
the following information:
-
the specific reason or reasons for the denial;
- specific
reference to those Plan provisions on which the denial
is based;
- a
description of any additional information or material
necessary to correct the claim and an explanation of why
such material or information is necessary; and
- appropriate
information as to the steps to be taken if a Plan Participant
wishes to submit the claim for review.
A
Plan Participant will be notified within 90 days of receipt
of the claim as to the acceptance or denial of a claim and
if not notified within 90 days, the claim shall be deemed
denied.
If
special circumstances require an extension of time for processing
the claim, the Claims Administrator shall send written notice
of the extension to the Plan Participant. The extension notice
will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension
of time and the date by which the Plan expects to render the
final decision on the claim. In no event will the extension
exceed a period of 90 days from the end of the initial 90-day
period.
APPEALS
RIGHTS
When
a claimant receives an adverse benefit determination, the
claimant has 180 days following receipt of the notification
in which to appeal the decision. A claimant may submit written
comments, documents, records, and other information relating
to the Claim. If the claimant so requests, he or she will
be provided, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies
of, all documents, records, and other information relevant
to the Claim.
The
period of time within which a benefit determination on review
is required to be made shall begin at the time an appeal is
filed in accordance with the procedures of the Plan. This
timing is without regard to whether all the necessary information
accompanies the filing.
A
document, record, or other information shall be considered
relevant to a Claim if it :
-
was relied upon in making the benefit determination;
-
was submitted, considered, or generated in the course of
making the benefit determination, without regard to whether
it was relied upon in making the benefit determination;
-
demonstrated compliance with the administrative processes
and safeguards designed to ensure and to verify that benefit determinations are made in accordance with Plan documents
and Plan provisions have been applied consistently with
respect to all claimants; or
-
constituted a statement of policy or guidance with respect
to the Plan concerning the denied treatment option or benefit .
The
review shall take into account all comments, documents, records,
and other information submitted by the claimant relating to
the Claim, without regard to whether such information was
submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.
The review will not afford deference to the initial adverse
benefit determination and will be conducted by a fiduciary
of the Plan who is neither the individual who made the adverse
determination nor a subordinate of that individual.
If
the determination was based on a medical judgment, including
determinations with regard to whether a particular treatment,
drug, or other item is Experimental, Investigational, or not
Medically Necessary or appropriate, the fiduciary shall consult
with a health care professional who was not involved in the
original benefit determination. This health care professional
will have appropriate training and experience in the field
of medicine involved in the medical judgment. Additionally,
medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on
behalf of the Plan in connection with the initial determination
will be identified.
Voluntary
appeals, including voluntary arbitration
During
voluntary dispute resolution, any statute of limitations or
other defense based on timeliness is tolled during the time
any voluntary appeal is pending.
The
Plan waives any right to assert that a claimant has failed
to exhaust administrative remedies because he or she did not
elect to submit a benefit dispute to the voluntary appeal
provided by the Plan. A claimant may elect a voluntary appeal
after exhaustion of appeals of an adverse benefit determination
as explained in the section above, entitled, "Appeals."
The
Plan will provide to the claimant, at no cost and upon request,
sufficient information about the voluntary appeal to enable
the claimant to make an informed judgment about whether to
submit a benefit dispute to the voluntary level of appeal.
This information will include a statement that the decision
will have no effect on the claimant's rights to any other
benefits under the Plan; will list the rules of the appeal;
state the claimant's right to representation; enumerate the
process for selecting the decision maker; and give circumstances,
if any, that may affect the impartiality of the decision maker.
No fees or costs will be imposed on the claimant as part of
the voluntary level of appeal, and the claimant will be told
this.
Claims Appeals should be sent to:
WEB-TPA
P.O. Box 536269
Grand Prairie, TX 75053
Utilization
Review Appeals should be sent to:
WEB-TPA
P.O. Box 536269
Grand Prairie, TX 75053
COORDINATION OF BENEFITS
Coordination
of the benefit plans. Coordination of benefits sets out
rules for the order of payment of Covered Charges when two
or more plans (including Medicare) are paying. When a Covered
Person is covered by this Plan and another plan, or the Covered
Person's Spouse is covered by this Plan and by another plan
or the couple's Covered children are covered under two or
more plans, the plans will coordinate benefits when a claim
is received.
The
plan that pays first according to the rules will pay as if
there were no other plan involved. The secondary and subsequent
plans will pay the balance due up to 100% of the total allowable
expenses.
Benefit plan. This provision will coordinate the medical and dental
benefits of a benefit plan. The term benefit plan means this
Plan or any one of the following plans:
- Group
or group-type plans, including franchise or blanket benefit plans.
-
Blue Cross and Blue Shield group plans.
-
Group practice and other group prepayment plans.
-
Federal government plans or programs. This includes Medicare.
-
Other plans required or provided by law. This does not include
Medicaid or any benefit plan like it that, by its terms,
does not allow coordination.
-
No Fault Auto Insurance, by whatever name it is called,
when not prohibited by law.
Allowable
charge. For a charge to be allowable it must be a Usual
and Reasonable Charge and at least part of it must be covered
under this Plan.
In
the case of HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or other
in-network only plans: This Plan will not consider any charges
in excess of what an HMO or network provider has agreed to
accept as payment in full. Also, when an HMO or network plan
is primary and the Covered Person does not use an HMO or network
provider, this Plan will not consider as an allowable charge
any charge that would have been covered by the HMO or network
plan had the Covered Person used the services of an HMO or
network provider.
In
the case of service type plans where services are provided
as benefits, the reasonable cash value of each service will
be the allowable charge.
Automobile
limitations. When medical payments are available under
vehicle insurance, the Plan shall pay excess benefits only,
without reimbursement for vehicle plan deductibles. This Plan
shall always be considered the secondary carrier regardless
of the individual's election under PIP (personal injury protection)
coverage with the auto carrier.
Benefit plan payment order. When two or more plans provide benefits
for the same allowable charge, benefit payment will follow
these rules.
-
Plans that do not have a coordination provision, or one
like it , will pay first. Plans with such a provision will
be considered after those without one.
-
Plans with a coordination provision will pay their benefits
up to the Allowable Charge:
-
The benefits of the plan which covers the person directly
(that is, as an employee, member or subscriber) ("Plan
A") are determined before those of the plan which
covers the person as a dependent ("Plan B").
-
The benefits of a benefit plan which covers a person
as an Employee who is neither laid off nor retired are
determined before those of a benefit plan which covers
that person as a laid-off or Retired Employee. The benefits
of a benefit plan which covers a person as a Dependent
of an Employee who is neither laid off nor retired are
determined before those of a benefit plan which covers
a person as a Dependent of a laid off or Retired Employee.
If the other benefit plan does not have this rule, and
if, as a result, the plans do not agree on the order
of benefits, this rule does not apply.
-
The benefits of a benefit plan which covers a person
as an Employee who is neither laid off nor retired or
a Dependent of an Employee who is neither laid off nor
retired are determined before those of a plan which
covers the person as a COBRA beneficiary.
-
When a child is covered as a Dependent and the parents
are not separated or divorced, these rules will apply:
-
The benefits of the benefit plan of the parent
whose birthday falls earlier in a year are determined
before those of the benefit plan of the parent
whose birthday falls later in that year;
-
If both parents have the same birthday, the benefits
of the benefit plan which has covered the patient
for the longer time are determined before those
of the benefit plan which covers the other parent.
- When
a child's parents are divorced or legally separated,
these rules will apply:
-
This rule applies when the parent with custody
of the child has not remarried. The benefit plan
of the parent with custody will be considered
before the benefit plan of the parent without
custody.
-
This rule applies when the parent with custody
of the child has remarried. The benefit plan of
the parent with custody will be considered first.
The benefit plan of the stepparent that covers
the child as a Dependent will be considered next.
The benefit plan of the parent without custody
will be considered last.
-
This rule will be in place of items (i) and (ii)
above when it applies. A court decree may state
which parent is financially responsible for medical
and dental benefits of the child. In this case,
the benefit plan of that parent will be considered
before other plans that cover the child as a Dependent.
-
If the specific terms of the court decree state
that the parents shall share joint custody, without
stating that one of the parents is responsible
for the health care expenses of the child, the
plans covering the child shall follow the order
of benefit determination rules outlined above
when a child is covered as a Dependent and the
parents are not separated or divorced.
-
If there is still a conflict after these rules have
been applied, the benefit plan which has covered the
patient for the longer time will be considered first.
When there is a conflict in coordination of benefit rules, the Plan will never pay more than 50% of allowable
charges when paying secondary.
-
Medicare will pay primary, secondary or last to the extent
stated in federal law. When Medicare is to be the primary
payer, this Plan will base its payment upon benefits that
would have been paid by Medicare under Parts A and B, regardless
of whether or not the person was enrolled under both of
these parts. (See "Effect of Medicare")
-
If a Plan Participant is under a disability extension from
a previous benefit plan, that benefit plan will pay first
and this Plan will pay second.
Claims
determination period. Benefits will be coordinated on
a Calendar Year basis. This is called the claims determination
period.
Right
to receive or release necessary information. To make this
provision work, this Plan may give or obtain needed information
from another insurer or any other organization or person.
This information may be given or obtained without the consent
of or notice to any other person. A Covered Person will give
this Plan the information it asks for about other plans and
their payment of allowable charges.
Facility
of payment. This Plan may repay other plans for benefits
paid that the Plan Administrator determines it should have
paid. That repayment will count as a valid payment under this
Plan.
Right
of recovery. This Plan may pay benefits that should be
paid by another benefit plan. In this case this Plan may recover
the amount paid from the other benefit plan or the Covered
Person. That repayment will count as a valid payment under
the other benefit plan.
Further,
this Plan may pay benefits that are later found to be greater
than the allowable charge. In this case, this Plan may recover
the amount of the overpayment from the source to which it was paid.
EFFECT OF MEDICARE
Special
Provisions With Respect to Medicare
Active
General and Civil Service Employees Hired after March 31,
1986:
In
accordance with the Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act of
1982 (TEFRA - P.L. 97-248) and the Deficit Reduction Act (DEFRA
- P. L. 98-369), an active Employee or spouse who has attained
age 65 and is eligible for Medicare, may elect or reject medical
coverage under this Plan. If such person elects medical coverage
under this Plan, the benefits of this Plan will generally
be determined before any benefits provided by Medicare (i.e.,
this Plan will pay its benefits first, and then the claims
may be submitted to Medicare for consideration). Covered Persons
should be certain to enroll in Medicare in a timely manner
to assure maximum coverage.
There
may be an instance when, in accordance with Federal law, This
Plan may assume a secondary position to Medicare (i.e., Medicare
will determine its liability first). If this should occur,
This Plan reserves the right to assume the secondary position,
and benefits will be reduced by amounts paid or payable by
Medicare. In such instance, if the Claimant is eligible for
Medicare, he will be deemed to be covered by Medicare Part
A, whether or not he has actually enrolled for Part A. Also,
he will be deemed to be covered by Medicare as of the earliest
date any Medicare coverage could have been effective had he
applied in a timely manner. Covered Persons should be certain
to enroll in Medicare Part A coverage in a timely manner to
assure maximum coverage.
NOTE:
If a Medicare-eligible Employee rejects coverage under the
Plan, no Plan coverage will be available for any of his Dependents.
Retired
Medicare Eligible Civil Service Employees Hired Prior to March
31, 1986: The Plan shall pay according to the Schedule
of Benefits for charges generally considered to be Medicare
Part "A" expenses. Medicare shall be deemed Primary
for charges generally considered to be Medicare Part "B"
expenses. If the Claimant is eligible for Medicare,
he will be deemed to be covered by Medicare Part "B,"
whether or not he has actually enrolled. Also, he will be
deemed to be covered by Medicare as of the earliest date any
Medicare coverage could have been effective had he applied
in a timely manner. Covered Persons should be certain to
enroll in Medicare Part "B" coverage in a timely
manner to assure maximum coverage.
| Civil
Service Employees |
Hired
Prior to 4/1/86 |
Hired
Between 4/1/86 and 9/30/93 |
Hired
On or After 10/1/93 |
| Active
Employee Under Age 65 |
Plan
Only |
Plan
Only |
Plan
Only |
| Active
Employee Age 65 or Older |
Plan
Only |
Plan
primary, Medicare Part A may be secondary |
Plan
primary, Medicare Part A may be secondary |
| Retired,
Under Age 65 |
Plan
Only |
Plan
only |
Plan
only (if elected) |
| Retired,
Age 65 or older |
Plan
only for expenses ordinarily covered by Medicare Part
A; Medicare B primary for other expenses, Plan secondary |
Medicare
Parts A&B primary, Plan secondary |
Medicare
Parts A&B primary, Plan (if elected) secondary |
| General
Employees |
Hired
Prior to 10/1/93 |
Hired
On or After 10/1/93 |
| Active
Employee, Under Age 65 |
Plan
only |
Plan
only |
| Active
Employee Age 65 or Older |
Plan
primary, Medicare Part A may be secondary |
Plan
primary, Medicare Part A may be secondary |
| Retired,
Under Age 65 |
Plan
only |
Plan
only (if elected) |
| Retired,
Age 65 or older |
Medicare
Parts A&B primary, Plan secondary |
Medicare
Parts A&B primary, Plan (if elected) secondary |
If
a City retiree is actively employed by another employer, the
active employer's coverage will be considered primary and
the City's Plan will be secondary.
Retired
Civil Service employees who pay or have paid into Medicare
Part A as the result of other employment may have Medicare
Part A considered as primary for Medicare Part A expenses.
Special
Note About Medicare Eligibility: If a Retiree is eligible
for Medicare Parts A and/or B (meaning the Retiree has contributed
to Medicare either through employment with the City of Sarasota
or another employer and has reach age 65), s/he will be
deemed to be covered by Medicare, regardless of whether
or not the Retiree has actually enrolled in Medicare. Also,
s/he will be deemed to be covered by Medicare as of the earliest
date any Medicare coverage could have been effective had s/he
applied in a timely manner. This means that the Plan will
pay for services as though Medicare had already paid. Eligible
Retirees not enrolling in Medicare will be financially responsible
for all incurred medical costs that would have been covered
by Medicare. Covered Persons should be certain to enroll
in Medicare in a timely manner to assure maximum coverage.
In
all instances, the Plan will coordinate benefits with Medicare
for all Medicare-eligible Retirees.
THIRD PARTY RECOVERY PROVISION
RIGHT OF SUBROGATION AND REFUND
When
this provision applies. The Covered Person may incur medical
or dental charges due to Injuries which may be caused by the
act or omission of a Third Party or a Third Party may be responsible
for payment. In such circumstances, the Covered Person may
have a claim against that Third Party, or insurer, for payment
of the medical or dental charges. Accepting benefits under
this Plan for those incurred medical or dental expenses automatically
assigns to the Plan any rights the Covered Person may have
to Recover payments from any Third Party or insurer. This
Subrogation right allows the Plan to pursue any claim which
the Covered Person has against any Third Party, or insurer,
whether or not the Covered Person chooses to pursue that claim.
The Plan may make a claim directly against the Third Party
or insurer, but in any event, the Plan has a lien on any amount
Recovered by the Covered Person whether or not designated
as payment for medical expenses. This lien shall remain in
effect until the Plan is repaid in full.
The
Covered Person:
-
automatically assigns to the Plan his or her rights against
any Third Party or insurer when this provision applies;
and
-
must repay to the Plan the benefits paid on his or her behalf
out of the Recovery made from the Third Party or insurer.
Amount
subject to Subrogation or Refund. The Covered Person agrees
to recognize the Plan's right to Subrogation and reimbursement.
These rights provide the Plan with a 100%, first dollar priority
over any and all Recoveries and funds paid by a Third Party
to a Covered Person relative to the Injury or Sickness, including
a priority over any claim for non-medical or dental charges,
attorney fees, or other costs and expenses. Accepting benefits
under this Plan for those incurred medical or dental expenses
automatically assigns to the Plan any and all rights the Covered
Person may have to recover payments from any Responsible Third
Party. Further, accepting benefits under this Plan for those
incurred medical or dental expenses automatically assigns
to the Plan the Covered Person's Third Party Claims.
Notwithstanding
its priority to funds, the Plan's Subrogation and Refund rights,
as well as the rights assigned to it , are limited to the extent
to which the Plan has made, or will make, payments for medical
or dental charges as well as any costs and fees associated
with the enforcement of its rights under the Plan. The Plan
reserves the right to be reimbursed for its court costs and
attorneys' fees if the Plan needs to file suit in order to
Recover payment for medical or dental expenses from the Covered
Person. Also, the Plan's right to Subrogation still applies
if the Recovery received by the Covered Person is less than
the claimed damage, and, as a result, the claimant is not
made whole.
When
a right of Recovery exists, the Covered Person will execute
and deliver all required instruments and papers as well as
doing whatever else is needed to secure the Plan's right of
Subrogation as a condition to having the Plan make payments.
In addition, the Covered Person will do nothing to prejudice
the right of the Plan to Subrogate.
Conditions
Precedent to Coverage. The Plan shall have no obligation
whatsoever to pay medical or dental benefits to a Covered
Person if a Covered Person refuses to cooperate with the Plan's
reimbursement and Subrogation rights or refuses to execute
and deliver such papers as the Plan may require in furtherance
of its reimbursement and Subrogation rights. Further, in the
event the Covered Person is a minor, the Plan shall have no
obligation to pay any medical or dental benefits incurred
on account of Injury or Sickness caused by a Responsible Third
Party until after the Covered Person or his authorized legal
representative obtains valid Court recognition and approval
of the Plan's 100%, first dollar reimbursement and Subrogation
rights on all Recoveries, as well as approval for the execution
of any papers necessary for the enforcement thereof, as described
herein.
Defined
terms: "Covered Person" means anyone covered
under the Plan, including minor dependents.
"Recoveries"
means all monies paid to the Covered Person by way of judgment,
settlement, or otherwise to compensate for all losses caused
by the Injury or Sickness, whether or not said losses reflect
medical or dental charges covered by the Plan. "Recoveries"
further includes, but is not limited to, recoveries for medical
or dental expenses, attorneys' fees, costs and expenses, pain
and suffering, loss of consortium, wrongful death, lost wages
and any other recovery of any form of damages or compensation
whatsoever.
"Refund"
means repayment to the Plan for medical or dental benefits
that it has paid toward care and treatment of the Injury or
Sickness.
"Subrogation"
means the Plan's right to pursue and lien upon the Covered
Person's claims for medical or dental charges against the
other person.
"Third
Party" means any Third Party including another person
or a business entity.
Recovery
from another plan under which the Covered Person is covered.
This right of Refund also applies when a Covered Person recovers
under an uninsured or underinsured motorist plan (which will
be treated as Third Party coverage when reimbursement or Subrogation
is in order), homeowner's plan, renter's plan, medical malpractice
plan or any liability plan.
Rights
of Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator has a right
to request reports on and approve of all settlements.
COBRA CONTINUATION OPTIONS
A
federal law, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1985 (COBRA), requires that most employers sponsoring
a group health plan ("Plan") offer Employees and
their families covered under their health plan the opportunity
for a temporary extension of health coverage (called "COBRA
continuation coverage") in certain instances where coverage
under the Plan would otherwise end. This notice is intended
to inform Plan Participants and beneficiaries, in summary
fashion, of the rights and obligations under the continuation
coverage provisions of COBRA, as amended and reflected in
final and proposed regulations published by the Department
of the Treasury. This notice is intended to reflect the law
and does not grant or take away any rights under the law.
Complete instructions on COBRA, as well as election forms
and other information, will be provided by the Plan Administrator
to Plan Participants who become Qualified Beneficiaries under
COBRA.
What
is COBRA continuation coverage? COBRA continuation coverage
is group health plan coverage that an employer must offer
to certain Plan Participants and their eligible family members
(called "Qualified Beneficiaries") at group rates
for up to a statutory-mandated maximum period of time or until
they become ineligible for COBRA continuation coverage, whichever
occurs first. The right to COBRA continuation coverage is
triggered by the occurrence of one of certain enumerated events
that result in the loss of coverage under the terms of the
employer's Plan (the "Qualifying Event"). The coverage
must be identical to the Plan coverage that the Qualified
Beneficiary had immediately before the Qualifying Event,
or
if the coverage has been changed, the coverage must be identical
to the coverage provided to similarly situated active employees
who have not experienced a Qualifying Event (in other words,
similarly situated non COBRA beneficiaries).
Who
is a Qualified Beneficiary? In general, a Qualified Beneficiary
is:
-
Any individual who, on the day before a Qualifying Event,
is covered under a Plan by virtue of being on that day
either a covered Employee, the Spouse of a covered Employee,
or a Dependent child of a covered Employee. If, however,
an individual is denied or not offered coverage under
the Plan under circumstances in which the denial or failure
to offer constitutes a violation of applicable law, then
the individual will be considered to have had the Plan
coverage and will be considered a Qualified Beneficiary
if that individual experiences a Qualifying Event.
-
Any child who is born to or placed for adoption with a
covered Employee during a period of COBRA continuation
coverage. If, however, an individual is denied or not
offered coverage under the Plan under circumstances in
which the denial or failure to offer constitutes a violation
of applicable law, then the individual will be considered
to have had the Plan coverage and will be considered a
Qualified Beneficiary if that individual experiences a
Qualifying Event.
-
A covered Employee who retired on or before the date of
substantial elimination of Plan coverage which is the
result of a bankruptcy proceeding under Title 11 of the
US Code with respect to the Employer, as is the Spouse,
surviving Spouse or Dependent child of such a covered
Employee if, on the day before the bankruptcy Qualifying
Event, the Spouse, surviving Spouse or Dependent child
was a beneficiary under the Plan.
The
term "covered Employee" includes not only common-law
employees (whether part-time or full-time) but also any individual
who is provided coverage under the Plan due to his or her
performance of services for the employer sponsoring the Plan
(e.g., self-employed individuals, independent contractor,
or corporate director).
An
individual is not a Qualified Beneficiary if the individual's
status as a covered Employee is attributable to a period in
which the individual was a nonresident alien who received
from the individual's Employer no earned income that constituted
income from sources within the United States. If, on account
of the preceding reason, an individual is not a qualified
beneficiary, then a Spouse or Dependent child of the individual
is not considered a Qualified Beneficiary by virtue of the
relationship to the individual. A domestic partner is not
a Qualified Beneficiary.
Each
Qualified Beneficiary (including a child who is born to or
placed for adoption with a covered Employee during a period
of COBRA continuation coverage) must be offered the opportunity
to make an independent election to receive COBRA continuation
coverage.
What
is a Qualifying Event? A Qualifying Event is any of the
following if the Plan provided that the Plan participant would
lose coverage (i.e., cease to be covered under the same terms
and conditions as in effect immediately before the Qualifying
Event) in the absence of COBRA continuation coverage:
-
The death of a covered Employee.
-
The termination (other than by reason of the Employee's
gross misconduct), or reduction of hours, of a covered
Employee's employment.
-
The divorce or legal separation of a covered Employee
from the Employee's Spouse.
-
A covered Employee's enrollment in the Medicare program.
- A
Dependent child's ceasing to satisfy the Plan's requirements
for a Dependent child (e.g., attainment of the maximum
age for dependency under the Plan).
-
proceeding in bankruptcy under Title 11 of the US Code
with respect to an Employer from whose employment a covered
Employee retired at any time.
If
the Qualifying Event causes the covered Employee, or the Spouse
or a Dependent child of the covered Employee, to cease to
be covered under the Plan under the same terms and conditions
as in effect immediately before the Qualifying Event (or in
the case of the bankruptcy of the Employer, any substantial
elimination of coverage under the Plan occurring within 12
months before or after the date the bankruptcy proceeding
commences), the persons losing such coverage become Qualified
Beneficiaries under COBRA if all the other conditions of the
COBRA law are also met. Any increase in contribution that
must be paid by a covered Employee, or the Spouse, or a Dependent
child of the covered Employee, for coverage under the Plan
that results from the occurrence of one of the events listed
above is a loss of coverage.
The
taking of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993 ("FMLA") does not constitute a Qualifying Event.
A Qualifying Event occurs, however, if an Employee does not
return to employment at the end of the FMLA leave and all
other COBRA continuation coverage conditions are present.
If a Qualifying Event occurs, it occurs on the last day of
FMLA leave and the applicable maximum coverage period is measured
from this date (unless coverage is lost at a later date and
the Plan provides for the extension of the required periods,
in which case the maximum coverage date is measured from the
date when the coverage is lost.) Note that the covered Employee
and family members will be entitled to COBRA continuation
coverage even if they failed to pay the employee portion of
premiums for coverage under the Plan during the FMLA leave.
What
is the election period and how long must it last? An election
period is the time period within which the Qualified Beneficiary
can elect COBRA continuation coverage under the Employer's
Plan. A Plan can condition availability of COBRA continuation
coverage upon the timely election of such coverage. An election
of COBRA continuation coverage is a timely election if it is made during the election period. The election period must
begin not later than the date the Qualified Beneficiary would
lose coverage on account of the Qualifying Event and must
not end before the date that is 60 days after the later of
the date the Qualified Beneficiary would lose coverage on
account of the Qualifying Event or the date notice is provided
to the Qualified Beneficiary of her or his right to elect
COBRA continuation coverage.
Is
a covered Employee or Qualified Beneficiary responsible for
informing the Plan Administrator of the occurrence of a Qualifying
Event? In general, the Employer or Plan Administrator
must determine when a Qualifying Event has occurred. However,
each covered Employee or Qualified Beneficiary is responsible
for notifying the Plan Administrator of the occurrence of
a Qualifying Event that is:
-
A Dependent child's ceasing to be a Dependent child under
the generally applicable requirements of the Plan.
-
The divorce or legal separation of the covered Employee.
The
Plan is not required to offer the Qualified Beneficiary
an
opportunity to elect COBRA continuation coverage if the notice
is not provided to the Plan Administrator within 60 days
after
the later of: the date of the Qualifying Event, or the date
the Qualified Beneficiary would lose coverage on account
of
the Qualifying Event. The Plan will not refund any difference
in premium due to the loss of dependent status if timely
notification is not given.
Is
a waiver before the end of the election period effective to
end a Qualified Beneficiary's election rights? If, during
the election period, a Qualified Beneficiary waives COBRA
continuation coverage, the waiver can be revoked at any time
before the end of the election period. Revocation of the waiver
is an election of COBRA continuation coverage. However, if
a waiver is later revoked, coverage need not be provided retroactively
(that is, from the date of the loss of coverage until the
waiver is revoked). Waivers and revocations of waivers are
considered made on the date they are sent to the Employer
or Plan Administrator, as applicable.
When
may a Qualified Beneficiary's COBRA continuation coverage
be terminated? During the election period, a Qualified
Beneficiary may waive COBRA continuation coverage. Except
for an interruption of coverage in connection with a waiver,
COBRA continuation coverage that has been elected for a Qualified
Beneficiary must extend for at least the period beginning
on the date of the Qualifying Event and ending not before
the earliest of the following dates:
-
The last day of the applicable maximum coverage period.
-
The first day for which Timely Payment is not made to
the Plan with respect to the Qualified Beneficiary.
-
The date upon which the Employer ceases to provide any
group health plan (including successor plans) to any Employee.
-
The date, after the date of the election, that the Qualified
Beneficiary first becomes covered under any other Plan
that does not contain any exclusion or limitation with
respect to any preexisting condition, other than such
an exclusion or limitation that does not apply to, or
is satisfied by, the Qualified Beneficiary.
-
The date, after the date of the election, that the Qualified
Beneficiary first enrolls in the Medicare program (either
part A or part B, whichever occurs earlier).
-
In the case of a Qualified Beneficiary entitled to a disability
extension, the later of:
-
(i) 29 months after the date of the Qualifying Event,
or (ii) the first day of the month that is more than
30 days after the date of a final determination under
Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act that the
disabled Qualified Beneficiary whose disability resulted
in the Qualified Beneficiary's entitlement to the
disability extension is no longer disabled, whichever
is earlier; or
-
the end of the maximum coverage period that applies
to the Qualified Beneficiary without regard to the
disability extension.
The
Plan can terminate for cause the coverage of a Qualified Beneficiary
on the same basis that the Plan terminates for cause the coverage
of similarly situated non-COBRA beneficiaries, for example,
for the submission of a fraudulent claim.
In
the case of an individual who is not a Qualified Beneficiary
and who is receiving coverage under the Plan solely because
of the individual's relationship to a Qualified Beneficiary,
if the Plan's obligation to make COBRA continuation coverage
available to the Qualified Beneficiary ceases, the Plan is
not obligated to make coverage available to the individual
who is not a Qualified Beneficiary.
What
are the maximum coverage periods for COBRA continuation coverage?
The maximum coverage periods are based on the type of the
Qualifying Event and the status of the Qualified Beneficiary,
as shown below.
-
In the case of a Qualifying Event that is a termination
of employment or reduction of hours of employment, the
maximum coverage period ends 18 months after the Qualifying
Event if there is not a disability extension and 29 months
after the Qualifying Event if there is a disability extension.
-
In the case of a covered Employee's enrollment in the
Medicare program before experiencing a Qualifying Event
that is a termination of employment or reduction of hours
of employment, the maximum coverage period for Qualified
Beneficiaries other than the covered Employee ends on
the later of:
-
36 months after the date the covered Employee becomes
enrolled in the Medicare program; or
-
18 months (or 29 months, if there is a disability
extension) after the date of the covered Employee's
termination of employment or reduction of hours of
employment.
-
In the case of a bankruptcy Qualifying Event, the maximum
coverage period for a Qualified Beneficiary who is the
retired covered Employee ends on the date of the retired
covered Employee's death. The maximum coverage period
for a Qualified Beneficiary who is the Spouse, surviving
Spouse or Dependent child of the retired covered Employee
ends on the earlier of the date of the Qualified Beneficiary's
death or the date that is 36 months after the death of
the retired covered Employee.
-
In the case of a Qualified Beneficiary who is a child
born to or placed for adoption with a covered Employee
during a period of COBRA continuation coverage, the maximum
coverage period is the maximum coverage period applicable
to the Qualifying Event giving rise to the period of COBRA
continuation coverage during which the child was born
or placed for adoption.
-
In the case of any other Qualifying Event than that described
above, the maximum coverage period ends 36 months after
the Qualifying Event.
Under
what circumstances can the maximum coverage period be expanded?
If a Qualifying Event that gives rise to an 18-month or
29-month maximum coverage period is followed, within that
18- or 29-month period, by a second Qualifying Event that
gives rise to a 36-months maximum coverage period, the original
period is expanded to 36 months, but only for individuals
who are Qualified Beneficiaries at the time of both Qualifying
Events. In no circumstance can the COBRA maximum coverage
period be expanded to more than 36 months after the date of
the first Qualifying Event.
How
does a Qualified Beneficiary become entitled to a disability
extension - A disability extension will be granted if
an individual (whether or not the covered Employee) who is
a Qualified Beneficiary in connection with the Qualifying
Event that is a termination or reduction of hours of a covered
Employee's employment, is determined under Title II or XVI
of the Social Security Act to have been disabled at any time
during the first 60 days of COBRA continuation coverage. To
qualify for the disability extension, the Qualified Beneficiary
must also provide the Plan Administrator with notice of the
disability determination on a date that is both within 60
days after the date of the determination and before the end
of the original 18-month maximum coverage.
Can
a Plan require payment for COBRA continuation coverage? Yes.
For any period of COBRA continuation coverage, a Plan can
require the payment of an amount that does not exceed 102%
of the applicable premium except the Plan may require the
payment of an amount that does not exceed 150% of the applicable
premium for any period of COBRA continuation coverage covering
a disabled qualified beneficiary that would not be required
to be made available in the absence of a disability extension.
A group health plan can terminate a qualified beneficiary's
COBRA continuation coverage as of the first day of any period
for which timely payment is not made to the Plan with respect
to that qualified beneficiary.
Must
the Plan allow payment for COBRA continuation coverage to
be made in monthly installments? Yes. The Plan is also
permitted to allow for payment at other intervals.
What
is Timely Payment for payment for COBRA continuation coverage?
Timely Payment means payment that is made to the Plan by
the date that is 30 days after the first day of that period.
Payment
that is made to the Plan by a later date is also considered
Timely Payment if either under the terms of the Plan, covered
Employees or Qualified Beneficiaries are allowed until that
later date to pay for their coverage for the period or under
the terms of an arrangement between the Employer and the
entity
that provides Plan benefits on the Employer's behalf, the
Employer is allowed until that later date to pay for coverage
of similarly situated non COBRA beneficiaries for the period.
Notwithstanding
the above paragraph, a Plan cannot require payment for any
period of COBRA continuation coverage for a Qualified Beneficiary
earlier than 45 days after the date on which the election
of COBRA continuation coverage is made for that Qualified
Beneficiary. Payment is considered made on the date on which it is sent to the Plan.
If
Timely Payment is made to the Plan in an amount that is not
significantly less than the amount the Plan requires to be
paid for a period of coverage, then the amount paid will be
deemed to satisfy the Plan's requirement for the amount to
be paid, unless the Plan notifies the Qualified Beneficiary
of the amount of the deficiency and grants a reasonable period
of time for payment of the deficiency to be made. A "reasonable
period of time" is 30 days after the notice is provided.
A shortfall in a Timely Payment is not significant if it is
no greater than the lesser of $50 or 10% of the required amount.
Must
a qualified beneficiary be given the right to enroll in a
conversion health plan at the end of the maximum coverage
period for COBRA continuation coverage? If a Qualified
Beneficiary's COBRA continuation coverage under a group health
plan ends as a result of the expiration of the applicable
maximum coverage period, the Plan must, during the 180- day
period that ends on that expiration date, provide the Qualified
Beneficiary with the option of enrolling under a conversion
health plan if such an option is otherwise generally available
to similarly situated non COBRA beneficiaries under the Plan.
If such a conversion option is not otherwise generally available,
it need not be made available to Qualified Beneficiaries.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PLAN ADMINISTRATION
PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR. CITY OF SARASOTA EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN is the benefit plan of City of Sarasota, the Plan Administrator,
also called the Plan Sponsor. An individual may be appointed
by City of Sarasota to be Plan Administrator and serve at
the convenience of the Employer. If the Plan Administrator
resigns, dies or is otherwise removed from the position, City
of Sarasota shall appoint a new Plan Administrator as soon
as reasonably possible.
The
Plan Administrator shall administer this Plan in accordance
with its terms and establish its policies, interpretations,
practices, and procedures. it is the express intent of this
Plan that the Plan Administrator shall have maximum legal
discretionary authority to construe and interpret the terms
and provisions of the Plan, to make determinations regarding
issues which relate to eligibility for benefits, to decide
disputes which may arise relative to a Plan Participant's
rights, and to decide questions of Plan interpretation and
those of fact relating to the Plan. The decisions of the Plan
Administrator will be final and binding on all interested
parties.
DUTIES
OF THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR.
-
To administer the Plan in accordance with its terms.
-
To interpret the Plan, including the right to remedy possible
ambiguities, inconsistencies or omissions.
-
To decide disputes which may arise relative to a Plan Participant's
rights.
-
To prescribe procedures for filing a claim for benefits
and to review claim denials.
-
To keep and maintain the Plan documents and all other records
pertaining to the Plan.
-
To appoint a Claims Administrator to pay claims.
-
To delegate to any person or entity such powers, duties
and responsibilities as it deems appropriate.
PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR COMPENSATION. The Plan Administrator serves
without compensation; however, all expenses for plan administration,
including compensation for hired services, will be paid by
the Plan.
CLAIMS
ADMINISTRATOR IS NOT A FIDUCIARY. A Claims Administrator
is not a fiduciary under the Plan by virtue of paying claims
in accordance with the Plan's rules as established by the
Plan Administrator.
FUNDING
THE PLAN AND PAYMENT OF BENEFITS
The
cost of the Plan is funded as follows:
For
Employee Coverage: Funding is derived solely from the
funds of the Employer.
For
Dependent Coverage: Funding is derived from the funds
of the Employer and contributions made by the covered Employees.
The
level of any Employee contributions will be set by the Plan
Administrator. These Employee contributions will be used in
funding the cost of the Plan as soon as practicable after
they have been received from the Employee or withheld from
the Employee's pay through payroll deduction.
Benefits
are paid directly from the Plan through the Claims Administrator.
PLAN
IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
The
Plan is not to be construed as a contract for or of employment.
CLERICAL
ERROR
Any
clerical error by the Plan Administrator or an agent of the
Plan Administrator in keeping pertinent records or a delay
in making any changes will not invalidate coverage otherwise
validly in force or continue coverage validly terminated.
An equitable adjustment of contributions will be made when
the error or delay is discovered.
If,
due to a clerical error, an overpayment occurs in a Plan reimbursement
amount, the Plan retains a contractual right to the overpayment.
The person or institution receiving the overpayment will be
required to return the incorrect amount of money. In the case
of a Plan Participant, if it is requested, the amount of overpayment
will be deducted from future benefits payable.
Discrepancies
In the event that there may be a discrepancy between the booklet(s)
provided to Employees (the "Summary Plan Description")
and the Plan Document, the Plan Document will prevail.
Entire
Contract
The Plan Document, any amendments, and the individual applications,
if any, of Covered Persons will constitute the entire contract
between the parties. The Plan does not constitute a contract
of employment or in any way affect the rights of an Employer
to discharge any Employee.
Amendment
or Termination of the Plan
The Plan Sponsor expects the Plan to be permanent, but since
future conditions affecting the Plan Sponsor or Employer(s)
cannot be anticipated or foreseen, the Plan Sponsor must necessarily
and does hereby reserve the right to, without the consent
of any participant or beneficiary:
- determine
eligibility for benefits or to construe the terms of the
Plan;
- reduce,
modify, or terminate retiree health care benefits under
the Plan;
- alter
or postpone the method of payment of any benefit ;
- amend
any provision of these administrative provisions; and
- terminate,
suspend, withdraw, amend, or modify the Plan in whole or
in part at any time and on a retroactive basis, if necessary,
provided, however, that no modification or amendment shall
divest an Employee of a right to those benefits to which
he has become entitled under the Plan.
NOTE:
Any modification, amendment, or termination action will
be done in writing, and by resolution of a majority of the
Plan Sponsor's board of directors, or by written amendment
which is signed by at least one Fiduciary of the Plan.
GENERAL PLAN INFORMATION
TYPE OF ADMINISTRATION
The
Plan is a self-funded group health Plan and the administration
is provided through a Third Party Claims Administrator. The
funding for the benefits is derived from the funds of the
Employer and contributions made by covered Employees. The
Plan is not insured.
| PLAN
NAME: |
CITY
OF SARASOTA EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN |
| PLAN
NUMBER: |
151100 |
| TAX
ID NUMBER: |
59-6000426 |
| PLAN
EFFECTIVE DATE: |
01/01/2005 |
| PLAN
YEAR ENDS: |
12/31 |
| EMPLOYER
INFORMATION: |
City
of Sarasota
PO Box 1058
Sarasota, Florida 34230
(941) 951-3631
|
| PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR: |
City
of Sarasota
111 S Orange Ave
Sarasota, Florida 34236
(941) 951-3631
|
| CLAIMS
ADMINISTRATOR: |
WEB-TPA,
Inc.
P.O. Box 539508
Grand Prairie, TX 75053
(800) 697-2235
Customer Service:
In Sarasota area 941-917-7991 or
toll-free 877-697-2299 |
| CLAIMS
APPEALS |
WEB-TPA,
Inc.
P.O. Box 536269
Grand Prairie, TX 75053 |
| UTILIZATION
REVIEW APPEALS: |
WEB-TPA,
Inc.
Appeals Coordinator
P.O. Box 536269
Grand Prairie, TX 75053 |
| HEALTH
CARE COALITION: |
Healthcare
Sarasota
1991 Main Street
Suite 148
Sarasota Florida 34236
(941) 917-1290
|
| ON
THE WORLD WIDE WEB: |
www.hcsrq.com |
BY THIS AGREEMENT, CITY OF SARASOTA EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN is hereby adopted as shown.
|
|
The City of Sarasota is offering
to all its employees, retirees and their respective
dependents (members) a
smoking cessation program which has an 80% success
rate.
The
program is only available through Kirk G. Voelker, M.D.,
whose office is located at 1537 State Street, Sarasota,
Florida 34236, Telephone: 941-330-1696.
Dr. Voelker is board certified in pulmonary medicine,
critical care and internal medicine.
The
cost of the program is $325 and will be paid 100% by
the City of Sarasota. The cost to the member is $0.
The program includes an initial visit/consultation with
Dr. Voelker, a lung function test, a "shot"
to block the nicotine receptors, medications and an
information package which includes a CD and literature.
You may also have a need for anxiety medication. Xanex
(which is generic) will cost $10 if the Caremark benefit
is used. This initial benefit also includes counseling
via telephone for those who need further assistance.
If
the member needs to go back within the year, there is
a cost of $100 ($50 for the medications) of which the
City will pay $50 and the member $50.
If
the member needs a third visit, the cost of $100 is
paid 100% by the member.
|
|
This
Amendment is to be attached to and forms a part of the
CITY OF SARASOTA Employee Health Benefit
Plan's Summary Plan Description.
Effective
October 1, 2008, the Summary Plan Description
is amended to incorporate the following:
The
limiting age for Dependents under the Medical Plan has
changed from 19 to 25 provided:
(a)
The child is dependent upon the policyholder or certificate
holder for support; and,
(b) The child is living in the household of the policyholder
or certificate holder, or the child is a full-time
or part-time student.
Coverage
will end at the end of the Calendar Year that the Dependent
turns 25 and the above conditions are met.
For
Dependents age 26 through 30, coverage (at a separate
premium charge) is available through the end
of the Calendar Year provided:
(a)
The Dependent is unmarried and does not have a dependent
of his or her own;
(b) is a resident of the State of Florida or a full-time
or part-time student; and
(c) is not provided coverage as a named subscriber,
insured, enrollee, or covered person under any other
group, blanket, or franchise health insurance policy
or individual health benefits plan, or is not entitled
to benefits under Title XVIII of the Social Security
Act.
All
other items and conditions of this Plan which are not
affected by this Amendment are unchanged.
THE
EMPLOYER, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, WILL COMMUNICATE THIS
AMENDMENT TO ALL PLAN MEMBERS.
CITY
OF SARASOTA EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN has caused
this Plan to be amended as of October 1, 2008 at Sarasota,
Florida.
PDF
version of Amendment #2
|