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PPO/EPO 1/EPO 2 Summary Plan Description

 


PPO/EPO 1/EPO 2 Medical Benefits
Effective January 1, 2005


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEDICAL BENEFITS
SECOND OR THIRD OPINION
PLAN EXCLUSIONS
ORGAN TRANSPLANT BENEFITS
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PLAN ADMINISTRATION
FUNDING THE PLAN AND PAYMENT OF BENEFITS
GENERAL PLAN INFORMATION
AMENDMENT #1 TO PLAN -- Smoking Cessation Program
AMENDMENT #2 TO PLAN -- Dependent Age Coverage


INTRODUCTION

This document is a description of CITY OF SARASOTA EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN (the Plan). No oral interpretations can change this Plan. The Plan described is designed to protect Plan Participants against certain catastrophic health expenses.

Coverage under the Plan will take effect for an eligible Employee and designated Dependents when the Employee and such Dependents satisfy the Waiting Period and all the eligibility requirements of the Plan.

The Employer fully intends to maintain this Plan indefinitely. However, it reserves the right to terminate, suspend, discontinue or amend the Plan at any time and for any reason.

Changes in the Plan may occur in any or all parts of the Plan including benefit coverage, deductibles, maximums, copayments, exclusions, limitations, definitions, eligibility and the like.

Failure to follow the eligibility or enrollment requirements of this Plan may result in delay of coverage or no coverage at all. Reimbursement from the Plan can be reduced or denied because of certain provisions in the Plan, such as coordination of benefits, subrogation, exclusions, timeliness of COBRA elections, utilization review or other cost management requirements, lack of Medical Necessity, lack of timely filing of claims or lack of coverage. These provisions are explained in summary fashion in this document; additional information is available from the Plan Administrator at no extra cost.

The Plan will pay benefits only for the expenses incurred while this coverage is in force. No benefits are payable for expenses incurred before coverage began or after coverage terminated, even if the expenses were incurred as a result of an accident, injury or disease that occurred, began, or existed while coverage was in force. An expense for a service or supply is incurred on the date the service or supply is furnished.

If the Plan is terminated, amended, or benefits are eliminated, the rights of Covered Persons are limited to Covered Charges incurred before termination, amendment or elimination.

This document summarizes the Plan rights and benefits for covered Employees and their Dependents and is divided into the following parts:

Eligibility, Funding, Effective Date and Termination. Explains eligibility for coverage under the Plan, funding of the Plan and when the coverage takes effect and terminates.

Schedule of Benefits. Provides an outline of the Plan reimbursement formulas as well as payment limits on certain services.

Benefit Descriptions. Explains when the benefit applies and the types of charges covered.

Cost Management Services. Explains the methods used to curb unnecessary and excessive charges. This part should be read carefully since each Participant is required to take action to assure that the maximum payment levels under the Plan are paid.

Defined Terms. Defines those Plan terms that have a specific meaning.

Plan Exclusions. Shows what charges are not covered.

Claim Provisions. Explains the rules for filing claims.

Coordination of Benefits. Shows the Plan payment order when a person is covered under more than one plan.

Third Party Recovery Provision. Explains the Plan's rights to recover payment of charges when a Covered Person has a claim against another person because of injuries sustained.

COBRA Continuation Options. Explains when a person's coverage under the Plan ceases and the continuation options which are available.



NOTICE OF HEALTH PLANS PRIVACY POLICY

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released final rules on the protection of the privacy of non-public personally identifiable health information August 14, 2002. This Privacy Notice is to help you understand how the City of Sarasota protects your nonpublic personal financial and group health plan information.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Regulations:

Effective April 14, 2003, all covered entities, which includes the City's self funded group health plans, the City's affiliates and vendors, must be compliant with the HIPAA Privacy Regulations. This law refers to the nonpublic information of the employee and their dependents (if applicable), with regard to your group health plan benefits, and can only be disclosed by the City and their vendors, and your health care provider/s, for payment of claims, treatment of your illness, and for health care operations - administration of your health benefits, as permitted by law and defined in the HIPAA regulations. Any other disclosure must have the individual's authorization.

At the City of Sarasota we are committed in protecting the confidentiality and security of the information we collect about you, including your health information (Protected Health Information, PHI). Because we respect the individual's right to privacy, we have always placed high priority on the personal information you provide us. The City ensures you that the protection of your nonpublic information is of paramount importance to us. Any violation of the provisions in this notice by any City employee will result in immediate disciplinary action, and any deliberate violation will result in termination of employment and possible referral for criminal prosecution. This notice describes our privacy policy and how your personally identifiable health information may be used and disclosed, and your rights with regard to protection and access to this information as defined by federal regulations. This policy remains in full effect until superseded. Please review carefully.

The HIPAA Privacy Rules requires employers who offer group health plans to employees and theirs dependents to provide adequate notice of the uses and disclosures of protected health information. Additional authorization / documentation is required for any disclosure outside the use of payment, treatment and health care operations.

We maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to maintain the confidentiality and security of your PHI contained in our records. We restrict access to your PHI only to those on "a need to know basis" to provided products or services to you and for reinsurance purposes. Only the minimum necessary information is disclosed to accomplish the required service. Personally identifying information about you will be confidentially maintained during and after your employment with us for the required time thereafter that such records are required to be maintained by federal and state securities laws, the Internal Revenue Service, any applicable state department of insurance and consistent with sound business practices.

Minimum Necessary disclosure of your PHI.
It is the City's policy is to limit the use or disclosure of, and requests for, the individuals PHI by defined City personnel on a "need to know basis". Only the minimum necessary information is disclosed to accomplish the intended purpose of the use, or request. It is the City's responsibility in our policy and procedures to identify the classes of persons who need access to your information to carry out their job duties.

Categories of Information that we collect:
We collect nonpublic information about you from the following sources:

  • Primarily, we collect information directly from you.
  • Information that we receive from you on applications and other forms.
  • Information about your transactions with affiliates, others, or us.
  • Information about your health benefits from our claims administrators and pharmacy benefits manager, which helps us manage your benefits, provide appropriate education, and allows us to direct wellness and preventions programs.
  • Information you provide us when questioning your transaction with other entities.

The minimum necessary information is only used for each function as required by law.

Categories or parties to whom we may disclose information:

  • We may disclose information, in addition to the categories below, that has been provided by the employee with their authorization.
  • We may disclose nonpublic personal financial information about you to our affiliates.
  • We may also disclose nonpublic personal information about you to non affiliated third parties, such as our benefits administrators, pharmacy benefits manager, and for reinsurance purposes, as permitted by law.
  • We may also disclose nonpublic personal information about you to national, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as requested and permitted by law.

Accounting for non PTO disclosures:
It is the policy of the City that an accounting of all disclosures of protected health information, other than information with regard to payment of claims, treatment, and health care operations, is provided whenever such an accounting is requested.

Accuracy and access of your nonpublic personal information that we process:
We strive to maintain the accuracy of youR information. In order to help us maintain accuracy, you have the right to reasonable access to your information. If you believe any of your information in our possession is inaccurate the individual may request in writing that we amend, correct or delete the information that you believe to be erroneous. If we concur with your conclusion, we will amend, correct or delete the information in question. If not, you may submit a short statement of dispute, which will be included in any future disclosure of your information. Only the person or legal guardian of the nonpublic information in question may request access and change to their PHI. Any corrected information will be given to any organization with which the corrected information has been shared.

Access to Protected Health Information (PHI) by the subject individual:
It is the policy of the City that access to PHI must be granted only to the person who is the subject of such information when such access is requested.

Changes to our notice of privacy and insurance information practices:
We reserve the right to change our privacy policies and insurance information practices. If we make any changes to our policies or practices, we will provide you with a copy of a revised notice as required by applicable law.

Restriction Requests:
You have the right to request a restriction on the uses and disclosures of your PHI. It is the policy of the City that serious consideration be given to all such requests. It is also our policy that once a particular restriction is agreed to, that the City is bound by that restriction.

Vendors and the sharing of information:
The transfer of PHI and other personally identifiable information between us and our health plan vendors, who are called "Business Associates", is allowed in order to provide services. Therefore, the release of this information from you to our claims administrator is allowed as well as to the vendors we use on your behalf. Some examples are: prescription distribution vendors, reinsurance carriers, utilization management vendors, and mental health vendors. Business Associates, such as Healthcare Sarasota, our Claims Administrator, Pharmacy Benefits Manager, and EAP services, are held to the same HIPAA Privacy rules as the employer, and they must continue to respect the privacy of your PHI even if our formal relationship ends. They must only allow your PHI to be seen "on a need to know basis" and then only the minimum necessary information for them to complete their job duties.

Vendor Security:
Our vendors diligently maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards and strive to comply with applicable federal standards that guard your private personal information. They use manual and electronic security procedures to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of personally identifiable information in their possession and guard against its unauthorized access. Vendors limit employee and third-party access to information only to those who have a business or professional reason for access. For example, they may share the minimum necessary information with insurance carriers and other third-parties in order to obtain proposals on our behalf and to administrate your health benefits. The categories of nonpublic personal information that Healthcare Sarasota and the claims administrator collect from a third-party depend upon the scope of the third-party engagement. It will include information about your health to the extent that it is needed for the underwriting process, information about your transactions between you and healthcare providers and other third parties, and information from consumer reporting agencies.

Verification of Identity:
It is the policy of the City that the identity of all persons who request access to protected health information be certified before such access is granted.

Privacy Officer:
It is the policy of the City that the responsibility for designing and implementing procedures to implement this policy lies with the Chief Privacy Officer. Any complaint with regard to the protection of your information should be in writing and sent to the Privacy Officer. All complaints will be resolved in a timely manner.

Oversight Organizations:
It is the policy of the City that oversight agencies such as the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services be given full support and cooperation in their efforts to ensure the protection of health information within this organization. It is also our policy that all personnel cooperate fully with all privacy compliance reviews and investigations.

Federal, State and other laws:
Federal and state regulations may also review our records as permitted under law. Please note that you may have other additional rights under applicable laws, such as State privacy regulations, ADA, FMLA, and Workers' Compensation. If you would like to discuss the confidentiality and privacy of your nonpublic personal information in detail, the dispute of benefit claims, or if ever you have any concerns, please feel free to contact our Privacy Officer at:

City of Sarasota
111 S. Orange Ave., Room #204
Sarasota FL 34236
941-951-3639

Please rest assured that your personal nonpublic information will be kept in the strictest confidence. Your information will also be kept in the strictest confidence if you are no longer employed with the City of Sarasota.

Again, please notify the City's Privacy Officer if you have any questions or need further information regarding this notice.


ELIGIBILITY, FUNDING, EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION PROVISIONS

A Plan Participant should contact the Plan Administrator to obtain additional information, free of charge, about Plan coverage of a specific benefit , particular drug, treatment, test or any other aspect of Plan benefits or requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Classes of Employees. All Active and Retired Employees of the Employer.

Eligibility Requirements for Employee Coverage. A person is eligible for Employee coverage from the first day that he or she:

1. is a Full-time, Active Employee of the Employer. An Employee is considered to be Full-time if he or she normally works at least 30 hours per week and is on the regular payroll of the Employer for that work.

2. is a Retired Employee of the Employer.

3. is in a class eligible for coverage.

4. completes the employment Waiting Period of Date Full-time Employment Commences as an Active Employee. A "Waiting Period" is the time between the first day of employment and the first day of coverage under the Plan. The Waiting Period is counted in the Preexisting Conditions exclusion time.

Eligible Classes of Dependents. A Dependent is any one of the following persons:

  1. A covered Employee's Spouse and unmarried children from birth to the limiting age of 19 years. The Dependent children must be primarily dependent upon the covered Employee for support and maintenance. However, a Dependent child will continue to be covered after age 19, provided the child is a full-time student at an accredited school, primarily dependent upon the covered Employee for support and maintenance, is unmarried and under the limiting age of 25. When the child reaches either limiting age, coverage will end on the child's birthday. If the child does not maintain full-time status or graduates, coverage closes independent of limiting age.

    Full-time student coverage continues only between semester/quarters if the student is enrolled as a full-time student in the next regular semester/quarter. If the student is not enrolled as a full-time student, coverage will be terminated retroactively to the last day of the attended school term.

    The term "Spouse" shall mean the person recognized as the covered Employee's husband or wife under the laws of the state where the covered Employee lives. The Plan Administrator may require documentation proving a legal marital relationship.

    The term "children" shall include natural children or adopted children or Foster Children. Step-children who reside in the Employee's household may also be included as long as a natural parent remains married to the Employee and also resides in the Employee's household.

In order to comply with COBRA 1993: Public Law 103-66, a "child" will include an adopted child as defined by the law, whether or not the adoption has become final, and a child for whom the Employee is required to provide coverage due to a Medical Child Support Order (MCSO) which is determined by the Plan Sponsor in accordance with its written procedures (which are incorporated herein by reference) to be a Qualified Medical Child Support Order. Upon receipt of an MCSO, the Plan Administrator will promptly inform the Employee, and each child who is the subject of the MCSO of its receipt of the order and will explain (in writing) the Plan's procedures for determining if the order is a MCSO. Within a reasonable time, the Plan Administrator will decide whether the MCSO is qualified and will notify the Employee and the child(ren) of its determination. Coverage cannot be discontinued for any child who is enrolled to comply with a MCSO unless the Employee submits written evidence that the child support order is no longer in effect.


If a covered Employee is the Legal Guardian of an unmarried child or children, these children may be enrolled in this Plan as covered Dependents.

The phrase "primarily dependent upon" shall mean dependent upon the covered Employee for support and maintenance as defined by the Internal Revenue Code and the covered Employee must declare the child as an income tax deduction. The Plan Administrator may require documentation proving dependency, including birth certificates, tax records or initiation of legal proceedings severing parental rights.

  1. A covered Dependent child who reaches the limiting age and is Totally Disabled, incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of mental or physical handicap, primarily dependent upon the covered Employee for support and maintenance and unmarried. The Plan Administrator may require, at reasonable intervals during the two years following the Dependent's reaching the limiting age, subsequent proof of the child's Total Disability and dependency.

    After such two-year period, the Plan Administrator may require subsequent proof not more than once each year. The Plan Administrator reserves the right to have such Dependent examined by a Physician of the Plan Administrator's choice, at the Plan's expense, to determine the existence of such incapacity.

These persons are excluded as Dependents: other individuals living in the covered Employee's home, but who are not eligible as defined; the legally separated or divorced former Spouse of the Employee; any person who is on active duty in any military service of any country; or any person who is covered under the Plan as an Employee.

If a person covered under this Plan changes status from Employee to Dependent or Dependent to Employee, and the person is covered continuously under this Plan before, during and after the change in status, credit will be given for all amounts applied to maximums.

If both mother and father are Employees, their children will be covered as Dependents of the mother or father, but not of both.

Eligibility Requirements for Dependent Coverage. A family member of an Employee will become eligible for Dependent coverage on the first day that the Employee is eligible for Employee coverage and the family member satisfies the requirements for Dependent coverage.

At any time, the Plan may require proof that a Spouse or a child qualifies or continues to qualify as a Dependent as defined by this Plan.

FUNDING

Cost of the Plan. City of Sarasota shares the cost of Employee and dependent coverage under this Plan. If an employee carries their spouse on his/her medical coverage and the spouse is employed with access to insurance coverage through their employer AND declines that coverage, there will be a spousal surcharge to carry that dependent. The enrollment application for coverage will include a payroll deduction authorization. This authorization must be filled out, signed and returned with the enrollment application.

The level of any Employee contributions is set by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator reserves the right to change the level of Employee contributions.

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

NOTE: The length of the Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation may be reduced or eliminated if an eligible person has Creditable Coverage from another health plan.

An eligible person may request a certificate of Creditable Coverage from his or her prior plan within 24 months after losing coverage and the Employer will assist any eligible person in obtaining a certificate of Creditable Coverage from a prior plan.

A Covered Person will be provided a certificate of Creditable Coverage if he or she requests one either before losing coverage or within 24 months of coverage ceasing.

If, after Creditable Coverage has been taken into account, there will still be a Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation imposed on an individual, that individual will be so notified.

Covered charges incurred under Medical Benefits for Pre-Existing Conditions are not payable unless incurred 12 consecutive months, or 18 months if a Late Enrollee after the person's Enrollment Date. This time may be offset if the person has Creditable Coverage from his or her previous plan.

A Pre-Existing 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 Pre-Existing 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 Pre-Existing 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.

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment Requirements. An Employee must enroll for coverage by filling out and signing an enrollment application along with the appropriate payroll deduction authorization. If the covered Employee already has Dependent coverage, a newborn child will be automatically enrolled for 31 days from birth; otherwise, separate enrollment for a newborn child is required.

Enrollment Requirements for Newborn Children.

A newborn child of a covered Employee who has Dependent coverage is automatically enrolled in this Plan for 31 days. Charges for covered nursery care will be applied toward the Plan of the covered parent. If the newborn child is not enrolled in this Plan on a timely basis, as defined in the section "Timely Enrollments" following this section, there will be no payment from the Plan and the covered parent will be responsible for all costs.

Charges for covered routine Physician care will be applied toward the Plan of the covered parent. If the newborn child is not enrolled in this Plan on a timely basis, there will be no payment from the Plan and the covered parent will be responsible for all costs.

If the child is not enrolled within 31 days of birth, the enrollment will be considered a Late Enrollment.

TIMELY OR LATE ENROLLMENT

  1. Timely Enrollment -The enrollment will be "timely" if the completed form is received by the Plan Administrator no later than 31 days after the person becomes eligible for the coverage, either initially or under a Special Enrollment Period.

    If two Employees (husband and wife) are covered under the Plan and the Employee who is covering the Dependent children terminates coverage, the Dependent coverage may be continued by the other covered Employee with no Waiting Period as long as coverage has been continuous.

  2. Late Enrollment -An enrollment is "late" if it is not made on a "timely basis" or during a Special Enrollment Period.

    Employees are required to sign a waiver, if they do not elect coverage during the initial enrollment. The employee may not enroll until the next open enrollment unless a qualifying event occurs (see special enrollment periods).

SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS

The enrollment date for anyone who enrolls under a Special Enrollment Period is the first date of coverage. Thus, the time between the date a special enrollee first becomes eligible for enrollment under the Plan and the first day of coverage is not treated as a Waiting Period.

  1. Individuals losing other coverage. An Employee or Dependent who is eligible, but not enrolled in this Plan, may enroll if each of the following conditions is met:
    1. The Employee or Dependent was covered under a group health plan or had health insurance coverage at the time coverage under this Plan was previously offered to the individual.
    2. If required by the Plan Administrator, the Employee stated in writing at the time that coverage was offered that the other health coverage was the reason for declining enrollment.
    3. The coverage of the Employee or Dependent who had lost the coverage was under COBRA and the COBRA coverage was exhausted, or was not under COBRA and either the coverage was terminated as a result of loss of eligibility for the coverage (including as a result of legal separation, divorce, death, termination of employment or reduction in the number of hours of employment) or employer contributions towards the coverage were terminated.
    4. The Employee or Dependent requests enrollment in this Plan not later than 31 days after the date of exhaustion of COBRA coverage or the termination of coverage or employer contributions, described above. Coverage will begin no later than the first day of the first calendar month following the date the completed enrollment form is received.

If the Employee or Dependent lost the other coverage as a result of the individual's failure to pay premiums or required contributions or for cause (such as making a fraudulent claim), that individual does not have a Special Enrollment right.

  1. Dependent beneficiaries. If:
    1. The Employee is a participant under this Plan (or has met the Waiting Period applicable to becoming a participant under this Plan and is eligible to be enrolled under this Plan but for a failure to enroll during a previous enrollment period), and
    2. A person becomes a Dependent of the Employee through marriage, birth, adoption or placement for adoption,

    then the Dependent (and if not otherwise enrolled, the Employee) may be enrolled under this Plan as a covered Dependent of the covered Employee. In the case of the birth or adoption of a child, the Spouse of the covered Employee may be enrolled as a Dependent of the covered Employee if the Spouse is otherwise eligible for coverage.

    The Dependent Special Enrollment Period is a period of 31 days and begins on the date of the marriage, birth, adoption or placement for adoption.

    The coverage of the Dependent enrolled in the Special Enrollment Period will be effective:

    1. in the case of marriage, the first day of the first month beginning after the date of the completed request for enrollment is received;
    2. in the case of a Dependent's birth, as of the date of birth; or
    3. in the case of a Dependent's adoption or placement for adoption, the date of the adoption or placement for adoption.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Effective Date of Employee Coverage. An Employee will be covered under this Plan as of the first day of the calendar month following the date that the Employee satisfies all of the following:

1. The Eligibility Requirement.
2. The Active Employee Requirement.
3. The Enrollment Requirements of the Plan.

Active Employee Requirement.

An Employee must be an Active Employee (as defined by this Plan) for this coverage to take effect.

Effective Date of Dependent Coverage. A Dependent's coverage will take effect on the day that the Eligibility Requirements are met; the Employee is covered under the Plan; and all Enrollment Requirements are met.

TERMINATION OF COVERAGE

When coverage under this Plan stops, Plan Participants will receive a certificate that will show the period of coverage under this Plan. Please contact the Plan Administrator for further details.

When Employee Coverage Terminates. Employee coverage will terminate on the earliest of these dates (except in certain circumstances, a covered Employee may be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage. For a complete explanation of when COBRA continuation coverage is available, what conditions apply and how to select it , see the section entitled COBRA Continuation Options):

  1. The date the Plan is terminated.
  2. The day the covered Employee ceases to be in one of the Eligible Classes. This includes death or termination of Active Employment of the covered Employee. (See the COBRA Continuation Options.)

Continuation During Periods of Employer-Certified Disability, Leave of Absence or Layoff. A person may remain eligible for a limited time if Active, full-time work ceases due to disability, leave of absence or layoff. This continuance will end as follows:

For disability leave only: the end of the One (1) calendar month period that next follows the month in which the person last worked as an Active Employee.

For leave of absence or layoff only: the end of the One (1) calendar month period that next follows the month in which the person last worked as an Active Employee.

While continued, coverage will be that which was in force on the last day worked as an Active Employee. However, if benefits reduce for others in the class, they will also reduce for the continued person.

Continuation During Family and Medical Leave. Regardless of the established leave policies mentioned above, this Plan shall at all times comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 as promulgated in regulations issued by the Department of Labor.

During any leave taken under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Employer will maintain coverage under this Plan on the same conditions as coverage would have been provided if the covered Employee had been continuously employed during the entire leave period.

If Plan coverage terminates during the FMLA leave, coverage will be reinstated for the Employee and his or her covered Dependents if the Employee returns to work in accordance with the terms of the FMLA leave. Coverage will be reinstated only if the person(s) had coverage under this Plan when the FMLA leave started, and will be reinstated to the same extent that it was in force when that coverage terminated. For example, Pre-Existing Conditions limitations and other Waiting Periods will not be imposed unless they were in effect for the Employee and/or his or her Dependents when Plan coverage terminated.

Rehiring a Terminated Employee. A terminated Employee who is rehired will be treated as a new hire and be required to satisfy all Eligibility and Enrollment requirements, with the exception of an Employee returning to work directly from COBRA coverage. This Employee does not have to satisfy the employment Waiting Period or Preexisting Conditions provision.

Employees on Military Leave. Employees going into or returning from military service may elect to continue Plan coverage as mandated by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act under the following circumstances. These rights apply only to Employees and their Dependents covered under the Plan before leaving for military service.

  1. The maximum period of coverage of a person under such an election shall be the lesser of:
    1. The 18 month period beginning on the date on which the person's absence begins; or
    2. The day after the date on which the person was required to apply for or return to a position or employment and fails to do so.
  2. A person who elects to continue health plan coverage may be required to pay up to 102% of the full contribution under the Plan, except a person on active duty for 30 days or less cannot be required to pay more than the Employee's share, if any, for the coverage.
  3. An exclusion or Waiting Period may not be imposed in connection with the reinstatement of coverage upon reemployment if one would not have been imposed had coverage not been terminated because of service. However, an exclusion or Waiting Period may be imposed for coverage of any Illness or Injury determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to have been incurred in, or aggravated during, the performance of uniformed service.

When Dependent Coverage Terminates. A Dependent's coverage will terminate on the earliest of these dates (except in certain circumstances, a covered Dependent may be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage. For a complete explanation of when COBRA continuation coverage is available, what conditions apply and how to select it , see the section entitled COBRA Continuation Options):

  1. The date the Plan or Dependent coverage under the Plan is terminated.
  2. The date that the Employee's coverage under the Plan terminates for any reason including death. (See the COBRA Continuation Options.)
  3. The date a covered Spouse loses coverage due to loss of dependency status. (See the COBRA Continuation Options.)
  4. On the first date that a Dependent child ceases to be a Dependent as defined by the Plan. (See the COBRA Continuation Options.)
  5. The end of the period for which the required contribution has been paid if the charge for the next period is not paid when due.


OPEN ENROLLMENT

Every October, the annual open enrollment period, covered Employees and their covered Dependents will be able to change some of their benefit decisions based on which benefits and coverages are right for them.

Benefit choices made during the open enrollment period will become effective January 1 and remain in effect until the next January 1 unless there is a change in family status during the year (birth, death, marriage, divorce, adoption) or loss of coverage due to loss of a Spouse's employment. To the extent previously satisfied, coverage Waiting Periods and Preexisting Conditions Limits will be considered satisfied when changing from one plan to another plan.

A Plan Participant who fails to make an election during open enrollment will automatically retain his or her present coverages.

Plan Participants will receive detailed information regarding open enrollment from their Employer.


SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS


Verification of Eligibility by Providers (877) 697-2299 or 941-927-7991.

Call these numbers to verify eligibility for Plan benefits before the charge is incurred.

MEDICAL BENEFITS

All benefits described in this Schedule are subject to the exclusions and limitations described more fully herein including, but not limited to, the Plan Administrator's determination that: care and treatment is Medically Necessary; that charges are Usual and Reasonable; that services, supplies and care are not Experimental and/or Investigational. The meanings of these capitalized terms are in the Defined Terms section of this document.

Only a general description of health benefits covered by this Plan is included in this document. A more detailed schedule of coverage is available to any Plan Participant, at no cost, who requests one from the Plan Administrator.

Note: The following services must be precertified or reimbursement from the Plan may be reduced or denied. The Member is responsible for payment of services reduced or denied by the Plan for non-precertification. The provider must call 1-800-697-9757 for precertification (providers only). The member may callcustomer service at 1-877-697-2299 to verify that the precertification has been done.

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.

Hospitalizations
MRI/CAT scans
Substance Abuse/Mental Disorder treatments (EAP)
Skilled Nursing Facility stays
Home Health Care
Hospice Care
Durable Medical Equipment
Physical, speech and/or occupational therapy (More than 6)
Cardiac rehabilitation therapy
Outpatient surgical procedures
Allergy Testing, TMJ, Pain Management

Please see the Cost Management section in this booklet for details.

The Plan is a plan which contains an Exclusive Provider .

Two EPO plans shall be offered:

EPO1 - Members shall have access only to the Gulf Coast Provider network for Sarasota and Manatee Counties and access only to Beech Street network for Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties. EPO1 Members have open access to any chiropractor or acupuncturist with a maximum annual benefit of $600. EPO1 members also have open access to ambulance services.

EPO2 - Members must use the Gulf Coast Provider network in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The Beech Street network providers must be utilitized for medical facilities and services accessed outside the Gulf Coast Provider network area for members residing outside Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Benefits for both EPO plans are identical, with provider network(s) being the only difference.

One PPO plan is offered. To obtain in-network benefits, members must utilize the Gulf Coast Provider network in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Outside the Gulf Coast Provider network area, Beech Street is the in-network provider.

The EPO2 plan is available only to employees or employees with dependents residing outside the Gulf Coast Provider network area (Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco Counties). It is not available to those who reside in areas with noBeech Street network providers. It is the member's responsibility to verify the availability of network providers.

Under the following circumstances, the higher in-Network payment may be made for certain non-Network services subject to approval from Utilization Management:

If a Covered Person has no choice of Network Providers in the specialty that the Covered Person is seeking within the EPO/PPO service area.

If a Covered Person is out of the EPO/PPO service area and has a Medical Emergency requiring immediate care.

If a Covered Person receives Physician or anesthesia services by a non-Network Provider at an in-Network facility.

Each Covered Person will be given (upon request), at no cost, a list of Network Providers. Maximum reimbursement is received from the Plan when these medical care providers are used. However, the most accurate and up to date provider listings may be found on the Gulf Coast Provider web site www.gulfcoastprovider.net or by calling the Gulf Coast Provider Hotline at 917-4004 (in the Sarasota calling area) or toll-free at 866-917-4004.

If a Covered Person has a Medical Emergency and needs immediate medical care, this care will be covered at the rate shown in the Schedule of Benefits following.



SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES
Effective January 1, 2005

D&C - Deductible and Coinsurance

N/A - Not Applicable
PPO
EPO 1
EPO 2
Benefit
In Network Only
Out of Network
In Network Only
In Network Only
Deductibles, etc.
Lifetime Maximum
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
Deductible - Individual

2-Member Family

3+ Member Family
$300

$600

$900
$600

$1200

$1800
N/A
N/A
Coinsurance
Plan pays 80%

Insured 20%

Plan pays 60%

Insured pays 40
%

N/A
N/A
Maximum Out of Pocket/MOOP-Individual

2-Member Family

3+ Member Family

MOOP does not include deductible

Prescription Drugs are not included in the MOOP
$1500

$3000

$4500




$3000

$6000

$9000




$500

$1000

$1500




$500

$1000

$1500




Provider Office Visits
Primary Care Physicians include Family Practitioners, Non-Specialist Internal Medicine Physicians, General Practitioners and Non-Specialist Pediatricians. All other providers, including chiropractors and therapists shall be considered as Specialists and will be subject to the Specialist copayment.
Routine Office Visit
D&C
D&C
$15 PCP Copay

$25 Specialist Copay
$15 PCP Copay

$25 Specialist Copay
Chiropractic
D&C - $600 per calendar year maximum benefit
D&C; maximum benefit $24.50 per visit ; $600 per calendar year maximum benefit
$25 copay; $600 per calendar year maximum benefit
$25 copay; $600 per calendar year maximum benefit
Acupuncture
D&C; $600 maximum benefit per calendar year
D&C; $600 maximum benefit per calendar year
$25 copay per visit ; $600 maximum benefit per calendar year
$25 copay per visit ; $600 maximum benefit per calendar year
 
 
PPO
EPO 1
EPO 2
Benefit
In Network
Out of Network
In Network Only
In Network Only
Maternity
Pre/post natal care

D&C

D&C

$15 copay per visit
$15 copay per visit
Birthing Center
D&C
D&C
$250 copay
$250 copay
Pregnancy of dependent child covered?
No
No
No
No
Hospital
D&C
D&C +$500 deductible
$250 copay
$250 copay
Facilities & Services
Urgent Care Facility
D&C
D&C
$25 copay
$25 copay
Emergency Room
D&C
D&C
$75 copay
$75 copay
Hospital - Inpatient - Facility Charges (1)
D&C
D&C +$500 deductible
$250 copay
$250 copay
Hospital - Inpatient - Physician Charges
D&C
D&C
Outpatient Surgery - Facility Charges
D&C
D&C
$100 copay
$100 copay
Outpatient Surgery - Physician Charges
D&C
D&C
100%
100%
Skilled Nursing Facility
D&C; maximum 90 days
D&C; maximum 90 days
$250 copay; maximum 90 days per year
$250 copay; maximum 90 days per year
Preadmission Testing
D&C
D&C
100%
100%
2nd Opinion (2)
D&C
D&C
$25 copay
$25 copay
Contraception/Family Planning
Birth Control Pills
Covered
Covered
Covered
Covered
Norplant, IUD, Diaphragm
Not covered
No covered
Not covered
Not covered
Tubal Ligation/Vasectomy
Covered, D&C
Covered, D&C
Covered, subject to in or outpatient surgery copay as performed
Covered, subject to in or outpatient surgery copay as performed
Tubal Ligation/Vasectomy Reversal
Not covered
Not covered
Not covered
Not covered
Infertility Treatment, Artificial Insemination, Surrogate Mother, In-Vitro Fertilization, etc.
Not covered
Not covered
Not covered
Not covered

(1) Based on semi-private room rates
(2)
Must be ordered or arranged by Utilization Management

PPO
EPO 1
EPO 2
Benefit
In Network
Out of Network
In Network Only
In Network Only
Preventive Care
Well Child Care - 18 examinations at specified intervals
100% up to $400 annually, then coinsurance only
100% up to $400 annually, then coinsurance only
100% up to $400 annually, then $15 copay per visit
100% up to $400 annually, then $15 copay per visit
Well Care - Adult
Annual Adult Well Care Maximum Benefit $400
100% up to $400 maximum annual benefit
100% up to $400 maximum annual benefit
100% up to $400 maximum annual benefit
100% up to $400 maximum annual benefit
Independent Diagnostic Labs and Outpatient
X-Rays - Facility Charges
D&C
D&C
$15 Copay
$15 Copay
CT Scans/MRIs - Facility Charges (3)
D&C
D&C
$15 Copay
$15 Copay
Vision/Hearing
Routine Vision
Not covered
Not covered
Not covered
Not covered
Hearing
Screening only
Screening Only
Screening Only
Screening Only
Hearing Aids/Fitting
Not Covered
Not Covered
Not Covered
Not Covered

(3) CT scans, PET and MRIs must be precertified.

PPO
EPO 1
EPO 2
Benefit
In Network
Out of Network
In Network Only
In Network Only
Prescription Drugs
Caremark Prescription Services Only
See Current Benefit Effective 1/1/2004

Retail:

Up to 30 day supply
Caremark Only
Generic
$10 Copay
N/A
$10 Copay
$10 Copay
Formulary Brand
Minimum/Maximum
40% coins.
$20/$40
N/A
40% coins.
$20/$40
40% coins.
$20/$40
NonFormulary Brand
Minimum/Maximum
60% coins.
$35/$70
N/A
60% coins.
$35/$70
60% coins.
$35/$70
Biotech Drugs
$100 Copay
N/A
$100 Copay
$100 Copay
Mail Order:
Up to 90 Day Supply
Caremark Only
Generic
$20 Copay
N/A
$20 Copay
$20 Copay
Formulary Brand
Minimum/Maximum
40% coins.
$40/$80
N/A
40% coins.
$40/$80
40% coins.
$40/$80
NonFormulary Brand
Minimum/Maximum
60% coins.
$70/$140
N/A
60% coins.
$70/$140
60% coins.
$70/$140
Biotech Drugs
$300 Copay
N/A
$300 Copay
$300 Copay
Mandatory Generic Substitution-
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mandatory Mail Order of Maintenance Drugs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Brand cost if no generic or formulary, for any reason
As per schedule
As per schedule
As per schedule
As per schedule
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

40% Coinsurance

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

  1. Skilled Nursing Facility Care. The room and board and nursing care furnished by a Skilled Nursing Facility will be payable if and when:
    1. the patient is confined as a bed patient in the facility;
    2. the confinement starts within 14 days of a Hospital confinement of at least 3 days;
    3. the attending Physician certifies that the confinement is needed for further care of the condition that caused the Hospital confinement; and
    4. 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.
  1. Physician Care. The professional services of a Physician for surgical or medical services.
    1. Charges for multiple surgical procedures will be a covered expense subject to the following provisions:
      1. 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;
      2. 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
      3. If an assistant surgeon is required, the assistant surgeon's covered charge will not exceed 20% of the surgeon's Usual and Reasonable allowance.
      4. 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
      5. 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.
    2. 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 .
  2. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.

    1. Anesthetic; oxygen; blood and blood derivatives that are not donated or replaced; intravenous injections and solutions. Administration of these items is included.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Radiation or chemotherapy and treatment with radioactive substances. The materials and services of technicians are included.
    5. Initial contact lenses or glasses required following cataract surgery.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. Laboratory studies.
    9. 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.
    10. 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:
      1. Excision of tumors and cysts of the jaws, cheeks, lips, tongue, roof and floor of the mouth.
      2. Emergency repair due to Injury to sound natural teeth.
      3. Surgery needed to correct accidental injuries to the jaws, cheeks, lips, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth.
      4. Excision of benign bony growths of the jaw and hard palate.
      5. External incision and drainage of cellulitis.
      6. Incision of sensory sinuses, salivary glands or ducts.
      7. Removal of impacted teeth.
      8. 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.
    11. 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.
    12. 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:
      1. The transplant must be performed to replace an organ or tissue.
      2. The maximum benefit for all transplant procedures performed during a Covered Person's lifetime is shown in the Schedule of Benefits.
      3. 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:
        1. evaluating the organ or tissue;
        2. removing the organ or tissue from the donor; and
        3. transportation of the organ or tissue from within the United States and Canada to the place where the transplant is to take place.
      4. Benefit payments for transplant charges are included under the Organ Transplant Maximum Benefit Limit shown in the Schedule of Benefits.
      5. Benefit payments for donor charges are subject to the separate Donor Maximum Benefit limit as shown in the Schedule of Benefits.
    13. 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.

    14. 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.
    15. 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.
    16. Prescription Drugs (as defined).
    17. Routine Preventive Care. Covered charges under Medical Benefits are payable for routine Preventive Care as described in the Schedule of Benefits.
      1. Charges for Routine Well Adult Care. Routine well adult care is care by a Physician that is not for an Injury or Sickness.
      2. Charges for Routine Well Child Care. Routine well child care is routine care by a Physician that is not for an Injury or Sickness.
    18. The initial purchase, fitting and repair of fitted prosthetic devices which replace body parts.
    19. Reconstructive Surgery. Correction of abnormal congenital conditions and reconstructive mammoplasties will be considered Covered Charges.

      This mammoplasty coverage will include reimbursement for:
      1. reconstruction of the breast on which a mastectomy has been performed,
      2. surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance, and
      3. coverage of prostheses and physical complications during all stages of mastectomy, including lymphedemas,
      4. in a manner determined in consultation with the attending Physician and the patient.
    20. 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.
    21. Spinal Manipulation/Chiropractic services by a licensed M.D., D.O. or D.C.
    22. Sterilization procedures.
    23. Surgical dressings, splints, casts and other devices used in the reduction of fractures and dislocations.
    24. Coverage of Well Newborn Nursery/Physician Care.
      1. 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).
      2. 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.
    25. Charges associated with the initial purchase of a wig after chemotherapy.
    26. 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:

  1. 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
  2. Retrospective review of the Medical Necessity of the listed services provided on an emergency basis;
  3. Concurrent review, based on the admitting diagnosis, of the listed services requested by the attending Physician; and
  4. 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:

  1. performed on an outpatient basis within seven days before a Hospital confinement;
  2. related to the condition which causes the confinement; and
  3. 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:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Its services are provided for compensation and under the full-time supervision of a Physician.
  3. It provides 24 hour per day nursing services by licensed nurses, under the direction of a full-time registered nurse.
  4. It maintains a complete medical record on each patient.
  5. It has an effective utilization review plan.
  6. 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.
  7. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Cosmetic Surgery. Care, services or treatment in connection with Cosmetic Surgery, “Complications arising from non-covered cosmetic surgery are excluded.”.
  4. Custodial care. Services or supplies provided mainly as a rest cure, maintenance or Custodial Care.
  5. Educational or vocational testing. Services for educational or vocational testing or training.
  6. 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.
  7. Exercise programs. Exercise programs for treatment of any condition, except for Physician-supervised cardiac rehabilitation, occupational or physical therapy covered by this Plan.
  8. Experimental or not Medically Necessary. Care and treatment that is either Experimental/Investigational or not Medically Necessary.
  9. 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.
  10. 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).
  11. Foreign travel. Care, treatment or supplies out of the U.S. if travel is for the sole purpose of obtaining medical services.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Hearing aids and exams. Charges for services or supplies in connection with hearing aids or exams for their fitting.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Infertility. Care, supplies, services and treatment for infertility, artificial insemination, or in vitro fertilization.
  18. No charge. Care and treatment for which there would not have been a charge if no coverage had been in force.
  19. 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.
  20. No obligation to pay. Charges incurred for which the Plan has no legal obligation to pay.
  21. 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.
  22. Not specified as covered. Nontraditional medical services, treatments and supplies which are not specified as covered under this Plan.
  23. 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.
  24. Occupational. Care and treatment of an Injury or Sickness that is occupational -- that is, arises from work for wage or profit including self-employment.
  25. 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.
  26. Plan design excludes. Charges excluded by the Plan design as mentioned in this document.
  27. Pregnancy of daughter. Care and treatment of Pregnancy and Complications of Pregnancy for a dependent daughter.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. Sleep disorders. Care and treatment for sleep disorders unless deemed Medically Necessary.
  35. Smoking Cessation. Care and treatment for smoking cessation programs, including smoking deterrent patches.
  36. Surgical sterilization reversal. Care and treatment for reversal of surgical sterilization.
  37. 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.
  38. 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.

  1. Charges incurred in the evaluation, screening, and candidacy determination process.
  2. Charges incurred for organ transplantation.
  3. Charges for organ procurement, including donor expenses not covered under the donor's plan of benefits.
    1. Coverage for organ procurement from a non-living donor will be provided for costs involved in removing, preserving and transporting the organ.
    2. 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.
    3. 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).
  4. Charges incurred for follow up care, including immuno-suppressant therapy.
  5. 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

40% Coinsurance

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

  1. 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.
  2. All compounded prescriptions containing at least one prescription ingredient in a therapeutic quantity.
  3. 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:

  1. Refills only up to the number of times specified by a Physician.
  2. Refills up to one year from the date of order by a Physician.
  3. 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:

  1. Administration. Any charge for the administration of a covered Prescription Drug.
  2. 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.
  3. Consumed on premises. Any drug or medicine that is consumed or administered at the place where it is dispensed.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Experimental. Experimental drugs and medicines, even though a charge is made to the Covered Person.
  7. FDA. Any drug not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
  8. Growth hormones. Charges for drugs to enhance physical growth or athletic performance or appearance.
  9. Immunization. Immunization agents or biological sera.
  10. Infertility. A charge for infertility medication.
  11. Injectables. A charge for hypodermic syringes and/or needles, injectables or any prescription directing administration by injection (other than insulin).
  12. 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.
  13. Investigational. A drug or medicine labeled: "Caution- limited by federal law to investigational use".
  14. Medical exclusions. A charge excluded under Medical Plan Exclusions.
  15. No charge. A charge for Prescription Drugs which may be properly received without charge under local, state or federal programs.
  16. Non-legend drugs. A charge for FDA?approved drugs that are prescribed for non-FDA?approved uses.
  17. No prescription. A drug or medicine that can legally be bought without a written prescription. This does not apply to injectable insulin.
  18. Nutritional or diet supplements. A charge for a nutritional or diet supplements.
  19. 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.
  20. Smoking cessation. A charge for Prescription Drugs, such as nicotine gum or smoking deterrent patches, for smoking cessation.
  21. 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.

  1. Routine oral exams. This includes the cleaning and scaling of teeth. Limit of 2 per Covered Person each Year.
  2. One fluoride treatment for covered Dependent children under age 19 each Calendar Year.
  3. Space maintainers for covered Dependent children under age 19 to replace primary teeth.
  4. Emergency palliative treatment for pain.

Class B Services:
Basic Dental Procedures

  1. Dental x-rays not included in Class A.
  2. 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.
  3. Periodontics (gum treatments).
  4. Endodontics (root canals).
  5. Extractions. This service includes local anesthesia and routine post?operative care.
  6. Recementing bridges, crowns or inlays.
  7. Fillings, other than gold.
  8. General anesthetics, upon demonstration of Medical Necessity.
  9. Antibiotic drugs.

Class C Services:
Major Dental Procedures

  1. 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.
  2. Installation of crowns.
  3. Installing precision attachments for removable dentures.
  4. Addition of clasp or rest to existing partial removable dentures.
  5. Initial installation of fixed bridgework to replace one or more natural teeth.
  6. Repair of crowns, bridgework and removable dentures.
  7. Rebasing or relining of removable dentures.
  8. 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:
    1. 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:

  1. Administrative costs. Administrative costs of completing claim forms or reports or for providing dental records.
  2. Broken appointments. Charges for broken or missed dental appointments.
  3. Crowns. Crowns for teeth that are restorable by other means or for the purpose of Periodontal Splinting.
  4. Excluded under Medical. Services that are excluded under Medical Plan Exclusions.
  5. Hygiene. Oral hygiene, plaque control programs or dietary instructions.
  6. Implants. Implants, including any appliances and/or crowns and the surgical insertion or removal of implants.
  7. Medical services. Services that, to any extent, are payable under any medical expense benefits of the Plan.
  8. No listing. Services which are not included in the list of covered dental services.
  9. Orthognathic surgery. Surgery to correct malpositions in the bones of the jaw.
  10. Personalization. Personalization of dentures.
  11. Replacement. Replacement of lost or stolen appliances.
  12. 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:

  1. Obtain a Claim form from the Personnel Office or the Plan Administrator.
  2. Complete the Employee portion of the form. ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED.
  3. Have the Physician or Dentist complete the provider's portion of the form.
  4. 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

  5. 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:

    1. It 's not reasonably possible to submit the claim in that time; and
    2. 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:

    1. the specific reason or reasons for the denial;
    2. specific reference to those Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
    3. 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
    4. 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 :

  1. was relied upon in making the benefit determination;
  2. 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;
  3. 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
  4. 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:

  1. Group or group-type plans, including franchise or blanket benefit plans.
  2. Blue Cross and Blue Shield group plans.
  3. Group practice and other group prepayment plans.
  4. Federal government plans or programs. This includes Medicare.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. Plans with a coordination provision will pay their benefits up to the Allowable Charge:
    1. 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").
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. When a child is covered as a Dependent and the parents are not separated or divorced, these rules will apply:
        1. 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;
        2. 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.
    5. When a child's parents are divorced or legally separated, these rules will apply:
        1. 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.
        2. 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.
        3. 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.
        4. 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.
    6. 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.
  3. 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")
  4. 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:

  1. automatically assigns to the Plan his or her rights against any Third Party or insurer when this provision applies; and
  2. 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:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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:

    1. The death of a covered Employee.
    2. The termination (other than by reason of the Employee's gross misconduct), or reduction of hours, of a covered Employee's employment.
    3. The divorce or legal separation of a covered Employee from the Employee's Spouse.
    4. A covered Employee's enrollment in the Medicare program.
    5. 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).
    6. 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:

    1. A Dependent child's ceasing to be a Dependent child under the generally applicable requirements of the Plan.
    2. 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:

    1. The last day of the applicable maximum coverage period.
    2. The first day for which Timely Payment is not made to the Plan with respect to the Qualified Beneficiary.
    3. The date upon which the Employer ceases to provide any group health plan (including successor plans) to any Employee.
    4. 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.
    5. 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).
    6. In the case of a Qualified Beneficiary entitled to a disability extension, the later of:
      1. (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
      2. 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.

    1. 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.
    2. 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:
      1. 36 months after the date the covered Employee becomes enrolled in the Medicare program; or
      2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.

  1. To administer the Plan in accordance with its terms.
  2. To interpret the Plan, including the right to remedy possible ambiguities, inconsistencies or omissions.
  3. To decide disputes which may arise relative to a Plan Participant's rights.
  4. To prescribe procedures for filing a claim for benefits and to review claim denials.
  5. To keep and maintain the Plan documents and all other records pertaining to the Plan.
  6. To appoint a Claims Administrator to pay claims.
  7. 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.

Amendment #1
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.

Amendment #2

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


   
   
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City of Sarasota address: 1565 1st Street, Sarasota, FL, 34236, www.sarsotagov.com
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