COST SHARING GUIDELINES

Deductible

Amount general retirees pay out-of-pocket for covered services prior to BCBSM’s payment.  Once deductible is met, co-insurance applies.  Following amounts do not apply toward deductible (single or family):

·        Office Visits

·        Prescription Drugs

·        Emergency Room

·        Durable Medical Equipment

·        Hearing Aids

·        Mental Health/Substance Abuse

·        Vision

Co-Insurance

A policy provision by which both the retired person and BCBSM share in a specified ratio (e.g., 20% - 80%) for covered services after the deductible is met.

Co-Payment

Fixed (flat) dollar amount general retirees pay for specified covered services or supplies in addition to deductibles and coinsurance.  Co-pays are charged for ER visits and or prescription drugs.  Retirees are responsible for co-payments regardless of status of deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums.

Medco will manage your prescription drug benefit for retail and mail-order services as of January 1, 2008.  Long term medication and maintenance drugs are those drugs taken on an ongoing basis (three months or more) such as those used to control high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  These drugs are mail order mandatory and standard shipping is free.  You get up to 90 days supply of covered medication, paying:

$10 Co-pay for generic drugs,

$15 Co-pay for brand name, and

$19 Co-pay for ED drugs

Retail pharmacy coverage for short term medication is:

$5 Co-pay for generic

$10 Co-pay for brand name, and

$15 for ED drugs, with a 34 day supply

Traditional Care In-Network Provider Searches

There are two websites on the back of your ID card.  The most appropriate for traveling and links to websites for respective BCBS states is:

www.bcbsm.com/healthtravel/finder.html

www.HCBO.com links members to www.BCBSM.com

On the drop down menu:

·        Go to “Traditional Care Network/TCN”.

·        Select “Provider Type and Area”. 

·        Go to “Search”.

Due to the dynamic nature of physicians participating, disaffiliating, moving, et cetera, there are warnings to contact the physician’s office to verify participation in-network.

GENERAL RETIREE INFORMATION

Medicare Part B

The premium for 2008 will be $96.40 with a $135 deductible.  PPO and or TCN physicians and facilities will save you out-of-pocket expense.

Christmas Bonuses

Will be late this year and should be received by the end of December.  Retirees and surviving spouses whose benefit started before October 1, 2007, will receive four lump sum payments during the 2007-2011 agreement.

Retiree Basic Benefit Rate Increase

The $2 per month, per year of credited service will also be late.  This will probably received in your February pension payment, but the increase will be retroactive back to October 2007.

Your UAW Local 730 Benefit Reps -

Grant Holst, Jolan Jackson, Lauri Veneman

Alternates Benefit Reps –

Denise DeBoer, Carrie Jackson, and Sylvia Lillard