ConnectiCare

www.connecticare.com

2005



Serving: Connecticut and Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin

Counties in Massachusetts.

Enrollment in this Plan is limited. You must live or work in our

Geographic service area to enroll. See page 7 for requirements.

This Plan has excellent accreditation from the NCQA. See the 2005 Guide for more information on accreditation.


Enrollment codes for this Plan:

TE1 Self Only

TE2 Self and Family

RI 73-599

 

 



 

Dear Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Participant:

Welcome to the 2005 Open Season! By continuing to introduce pro-consumer health care ideas, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) team has given you greater, cost effective choices. This year several national and local health plans are offering new options, strengthening the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and highlighting once again its unique and distinctive market-oriented features. I remain firm in my belief that you, when fully informed as a Federal subscriber, are in the best position to make the decisions that meet your needs and those of your family. Plan brochures provide information to help subscribers make these fully informed decisions. Please take the time to review the plan's benefits, particularly Section 2, which explains plan changes.

Exciting new features this year give you additional opportunities to save and better manage your hard-earned dollars. For 2005, I am very pleased and enthusiastic about the new High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) component. This combination of health plan and savings vehicle provides a new opportunity to save and better manage your money. If an HDHP/HSA is not for you and you are not retired, I encourage you to consider a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for health care. FSAs allow you to reduce your out-of-pocket health care costs by 20 to more than 40 percent by paying for certain health care expenses with tax-free dollars, instead of after-tax dollars.

Since prevention remains a major factor in the cost of health care, last year OPM launched the HealthierFeds campaign. Through this effort we are encouraging Federal team members to take greater responsibility for living a healthier lifestyle. The positive effect of a healthier life style brings dividends for you and reduces the demands and costs within the health care system. This campaign embraces four key "actions" that can lead to a healthy America: be physically active every day, eat a nutritious diet, seek out preventative screenings, and make healthy lifestyle choices. Be sure to visit HealthierFeds at www.healthierfeds.opm.gov for more details on this important initiative. I also encourage you to visit the Department of Health and Human Services website on Wellness and Safety, www.hhs.gov/safety/index.html, which complements and broadens healthier lifestyle resources. The site provides extensive information from health care experts and organizations to support your personal interest in staying healthy.

The FEHB Program offers the Federal team the widest array of cost-effective health care options and the information needed to make the best choice for you and your family. You will find comprehensive health plan information in this brochure, in the 2005 Guide to FEHB Plans, and on the OPM Website at www.opm.gov/insure. I hope you find these resources useful, and thank you once again for your service to the nation.

Sincerely,

 


Kay Coles James
Director


   

Notice of the United States Office of Personnel Management's

Privacy Practices

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

By law, the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which administers the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, is required to protect the privacy of your personal medical information. OPM is also required to give you this notice to tell you how OPM may use and give out ("disclose") your personal medical information held by OPM.

OPM will use and give out your personal medical information:

To you or someone who has the legal right to act for you (your personal representative),

To the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, if necessary, to make sure your privacy is protected,

To law enforcement officials when investigating and/or prosecuting alleged or civil or criminal actions, and

Where required by law.

OPM has the right to use and give out your personal medical information to administer the FEHB Program. For example:

To communicate with your FEHB health plan when you or someone you have authorized to act on your behalf asks for our assistance regarding a benefit or customer service issue.

To review, make a decision, or litigate your disputed claim.

For OPM and the General Accounting Office when conducting audits.

OPM may use or give out your personal medical information for the following purposes under limited circumstances:

For Government health care oversight activities (such as fraud and abuse investigations),

For research studies that meet all privacy law requirements (such as for medical research or education), and

To avoid a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.

By law, OPM must have your written permission (an "authorization") to use or give out your personal medical information for any purpose that is not set out in this notice. You may take back ("revoke") your written permission at any time, except if OPM has already acted based on your permission.

By law, you have the right to:

See and get a copy of your personal medical information held by OPM.

Amend any of your personal medical information created by OPM if you believe that it is wrong or if information is missing, and OPM agrees. If OPM disagrees, you may have a statement of your disagreement added to your personal medical information.

Get a listing of those getting your personal medical information from OPM in the past 6 years. The listing will not cover your personal medical information that was given to you or your personal representative, any information that you authorized OPM to release, or that was given out for law enforcement purposes or to pay for your health care or a disputed claim.

Ask OPM to communicate with you in a different manner or at a different place (for example, by sending materials to a P.O. Box instead of your home address).

Ask OPM to limit how your personal medical information is used or given out. However, OPM may not be able to agree to your request if the information is used to conduct operations in the manner described above.

Get a separate paper copy of this notice.

For more information on exercising your rights set out in this notice, look at www.opm.gov/insure on the Web. You may also call 202-606-0745 and ask for OPM's FEHB Program privacy official for this purpose.

If you believe OPM has violated your privacy rights set out in this notice, you may file a complaint with OPM at the following address:

Privacy Complaints

Unites States Office of Personnel Management

P.O. Box 707

Washington, DC 20004-0707

Filing a complaint will not affect your benefits under the FEHB Program. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

By law, OPM is required to follow the terms in this privacy notice. OPM has the right to change the way your personal medical information is used and given out. If OPM makes any changes, you will get a new notice by mail within 60 days of the change. The privacy practices listed in this notice are effective April 14, 2003.

 


Table of Contents

Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Plain Language........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Stop Health Care Fraud!......................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Preventing medical mistakes................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Section 1. Facts about this HMO plan................................................................................................................................................. 7

How w e pay provi ders........................................................................................................................................................... 7

Your Rights.............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Se rvice Area............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Section 2. How we change for 2005...................................................................................................................................................... 9

Program-wide changes........................................................................................................................................................... 9

Changes to this Plan............................................................................................................................................................... 9

Section 3. How you get care................................................................................................................................................................ 10

Identification cards............................................................................................................................................................... 10

Where you get covered care............................................................................................................................................... 10

Plan providers................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Plan facilities.................................................................................................................................................................... 10

What you must do to get covered care............................................................................................................................. 10

Primary care..................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Specialty care.................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Hospital care.................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Circumstances beyond our control.................................................................................................................................... 12

Services requiring our prior approval................................................................................................................................ 12

Section 4. Your costs for covered services....................................................................................................................................... 13

Copayments........................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Deductible.............................................................................................................................................................................. 13

Coinsurance........................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Your catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum.................................................................................................... 13

Section 5. Benefits - OVERVIEW (See page 9 for how our benefits changed this year and page 61 for a benefits summary.)................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Section 5(a) Medical services and supplies provided by physicians and other health care professionals........... 16

Section 5(b) Surgical and anesthesia services provided by physicians and other health care professionals....... 26

Section 5(c) Services provided by a hospital or other facility, and ambulance services........................................... 31

Section 5(d) Emergency services/accidents..................................................................................................................... 34

Section 5(e) Mental health and substance abuse benefits............................................................................................. 36

Section 5(f) Prescription drug benefits.............................................................................................................................. 38

Section 5(g) Special features............................................................................................................................................... 41

Flexible benefits option........................................................................................................................... 41

Services for deaf and hearing impaired................................................................................................. 41

Section 5(h) Dental benefits ............................................................................................................................................... 42

Section 6. General exclusions - things we don't cover................................................................................................................... 43

Section 7. Filing a claim for covered services................................................................................................................................... 44

Section 8. The disputed claims process............................................................................................................................................ 45

Section 9. Coordinating benefits with other coverage.................................................................................................................... 47

When you have other health coverage............................................................................................................................. 47

What is Medicare?................................................................................................................................................................ 47

Should I enroll in Medicare?......................................................................................................................................... 47

The Original Medicare Plan (Part A or Part B)........................................................................................................... 48

Medicare Advantage..................................................................................................................................................... 50

TRICARE and CHAMPVA.................................................................................................................................................. 50

Workers' Compensation...................................................................................................................................................... 50

Medicaid................................................................................................................................................................................. 51

When other Government agencies are responsible for your care................................................................................. 51

When others are responsible for injuries.......................................................................................................................... 51

Section 10. Definitions of terms we use in this brochure................................................................................................................ 52

Section 11. FEHB Facts........................................................................................................................................................................ 53

Coverage information........................................................................................................................................................... 53

No pre-existing condition limitation............................................................................................................................. 53

Where you can get information about enrolling in the FEHB Program.................................................................. 53

Types of coverage available for you and your family.............................................................................................. 53

Children's Equity Act.................................................................................................................................................... 54

When benefits and premiums start.............................................................................................................................. 54

When you retire.............................................................................................................................................................. 54

When you lose benefits....................................................................................................................................................... 54

When FEHB coverage ends.......................................................................................................................................... 54

Spouse equity coverage................................................................................................................................................ 55

Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC)............................................................................................................. 55

Converting to individual coverage.............................................................................................................................. 55

Getting a Certificate of Group Health Plan Coverage................................................................................................ 55

Section 12.Two Federal Programs complement FEHB benefits..................................................................................................... 56

The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program - FSAFEDS..................................................................................... 56

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program............................................................................................................. 59

Index........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 60

Summary of benefits for ConnectiCare, Inc. - 2005.......................................................................................................................... 61

2005 Rate Information for ConnectiCare, Inc.................................................................................................................................... 64

 

 


Introduction

This brochure describes the benefits of ConnectiCare, Inc. under our contract (CS 2662) with the United States Office of Personnel Management, as authorized by the Federal Employees Health Benefits law. The address for administrative offices is:

ConnectiCare, Inc.

175 Scott Swamp Road

Farmington, CT 06032-3124

 

This brochure is the official statement of benefits. No oral statement can modify or otherwise affect the benefits, limitations, and exclusions of this brochure. It is your responsibility to be informed about your health benefits.

If you are enrolled in this Plan, you are entitled to the benefits described in this brochure. If you are enrolled in Self and Family coverage, each eligible family member is also entitled to these benefits. You do not have a right to benefits that were available before January 1, 2005, unless those benefits are also shown in this brochure.

OPM negotiates benefits and rates with each plan annually. Benefit changes are effective January 1, 2005, and changes are summarized on page 61. Rates are shown at the end of this brochure.

 

Plain Language

All FEHB brochures are written in plain language to make them responsive, accessible, and understandable to the public. For instance,

Except for necessary technical terms, we use common words. For instance, "you" means the enrollee or family member, "we" means ConnectiCare, Inc.

We limit acronyms to ones you know. FEHB is the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. OPM is the United States Office of Personnel Management. If we use others, we tell you what they mean first.

Our brochure and other FEHB plans' brochures have the same format and similar descriptions to help you compare plans.

If you have comments or suggestions about how to improve the structure of this brochure, let OPM know. Visit OPM's "Rate Us" feedback area at www.opm.gov/insure or e-mail OPM at fehbwebcomments@opm.gov. You may also write to OPM at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Insurance Services Programs, Program Planning & Evaluation Group, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-3650.

Stop Health Care Fraud!

Fraud increases the cost of health care for everyone and increases your Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premium.

OPM's Office of the Inspector General investigates all allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in the FEHB Program regardless of the agency that employs you or from which you retired.

Protect Yourself From Fraud - Here are some things that you can do to prevent fraud:

Be wary of giving your plan identification (ID) number over the telephone or to people you do not know, except to your doctor, other provider, or authorized plan or OPM representative.

Let only the appropriate medical professionals review your medical record or recommend services.

Avoid using health care providers who say that an item or service is not usually covered, but they know how to bill us to get it paid.

Carefully review explanations of benefits (EOBs) that you receive from us.

Do not ask your doctor to make false entries on certificates, bills or records in order to get us to pay for an item or service.

If you suspect that a provider has charged you for services you did not receive, billed you twice for the same service, or misrepresented any information, do the following:

Call the provider and ask for an explanation. There may be an error.

If the provider does not resolve the matter, call us at 1-800-251-7722 and explain the situation.

If we do not resolve the issue:

CALL — THE HEALTH CARE FRAUD HOTLINE

202-418-3300

OR WRITE TO:

United States Office of Personnel Management

Office of the Inspector General Fraud Hotline

1900 E Street NW Room 6400

Washington, DC20415-1100



Do not maintain as a family member on your policy:

Your former spouse after a divorce decree or annulment is final (even if a court order stipulates otherwise); or

Your child over age 22 (unless he/she is disabled and incapable of self support).

If you have any questions about the eligibility of a dependent, check with your personnel office if you are employed, with your retirement office (such as OPM) if you are retired, or with the National Finance Center if you are enrolled under Temporary Continuation of Coverage.

You can be prosecuted for fraud and your agency may take action against you if you falsify a claim to obtain FEHB benefits or try to obtain services for someone who is not an eligible family member or who is no longer enrolled in the Plan.

Preventing medical mistakes

An influential report from the Institute of Medicine estimates that up to 98,000 Americans die every year from medical mistakes in hospitals alone. That's about 3,230 preventable deaths in the FEHB Program a year. While death is the most tragic outcome, medical mistakes cause other problems such as permanent disabilities, extended hospital stays, longer recoveries, and even additional treatments. By asking questions, learning more and understanding your risks, you can improve the safety of your own health care, and that of your family members. Take these simple steps:

1. Ask questions if you have doubts or concerns.

Ask questions and make sure you understand the answers.

Choose a doctor with whom you feel comfortable talking.

Take a relative or friend with you to help you ask questions and understand answers.

2. Keep and bring a list of all the medicines you take.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medicines that you take, including non-prescription medicines.

Tell them about any drug allergies you have.

Ask about side effects and what to avoid while taking the medicine.

Read the label when you get your medicine, including all warnings.

Make sure your medicine is what the doctor ordered and know how to use it.

Ask the pharmacist about your medicine if it looks different than you expected.

3. Get the results of any test or procedure.

Ask when and how you will get the results of tests or procedures.

Don't assume the results are fine if you do not get them when expected, be it in person, by phone, or by mail.

Call your doctor and ask for your results.

Ask what the results mean for your care.

4. Talk to your doctor about which hospital is best for your health needs.

Ask your doctor about which hospital has the best care and results for your condition if you have more than one hospital to choose from to get the health care you need.

Be sure you understand the instructions you get about follow-up care when you leave the hospital.

5. Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery.

Make sure you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during the operation.

Ask your doctor, "Who will manage my care when I am in the hospital?"

Ask your surgeon:

Exactly what will you be doing?

About how long will it take?

What will happen after surgery?

How can I expect to feel during recovery?

Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurses about any allergies, bad reaction to anesthesia, and any medications you are taking.

Want more information on patient safety?

www.ahrq.gov/consumer/pathqpack.html. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality makes available a wide-ranging list of topics not only to inform consumers about patient safety but to help choose quality health care providers and improve the quality of care you receive.

www.npsf.org. The National Patient Safety Foundation has information on how to ensure safer health care for you and your family.

www.talkaboutrx.org/consumer.html. The National Council on Patient Information and Education is dedicated to improving communication about the safe, appropriate use of medicines.

www.leapfroggroup.org. The Leapfrog Group is active in promoting safe practices in hospital care.

www.ahqa.org. The American Health Quality Association represents organizations and health care professionals working to improve patient safety.

www.quic.gov/report. Find out what federal agencies are doing to identify threats to patient safety and help prevent mistakes in the nation's health care delivery system.


Section 1. Facts about this HMO plan

This Plan is a health maintenance organization (HMO). We require you to see specific physicians, hospitals, and other providers that contract with us. These Plan providers coordinate your health care services. The Plan is solely responsible for the selection of these providers in your area. Contact the Plan for a copy of their most recent provider directory.

HMOs emphasize preventive care such as routine office visits, physical exams, well-baby care, and immunizations, in addition to treatment for illness and injury. Our providers follow generally accepted medical practice when prescribing any course of treatment.

When you receive services from Plan providers, you will not have to submit claim forms or pay bills. You pay only the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles described in this brochure. When you receive emergency services from non-Plan providers, you may have to submit claim forms.

You should join an HMO because you prefer the plan's benefits, not because a particular provider is available. You cannot change plans because a provider leaves our Plan. We cannot guarantee that any one physician, hospital, or other provider will be available and/or remain under contract with us.

How we pay providers

We contract with individual physicians, medical groups, and hospitals to provide the benefits in this brochure. These Plan providers accept a negotiated payment from us, and you will only be responsible for your copayments or coinsurance.

Who provides my health care

ConnectiCare is an Independent Practice Association (IPA) model Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). It offers you the services of more than 9,000 physicians, including general practitioners and specialists. For Plan records, all members and each family member must select a primary care doctor. However, members are free to choose the services of any participating doctor, including specialists, except as noted below (see What you must do, specialty care). Your personal doctor may already participate in ConnectiCare. If so, you may receive comprehensive coverage with no change in your established doctor/patient relationship. Also, a wide range of hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies participate with ConnectiCare.

Your Rights

OPM requires that all FEHB Plans provide certain information to their FEHB members. You may get information about us, our networks, providers, and facilities. OPM's FEHB Web site (www.opm.gov/insure) lists the specific types of information that we must make available to you. Some of the required information is listed below.

ConnectiCare complies with all State and Federal health care regulations.

Years in existence: 23

Profit status: For-profit

If you want more information about us, call 1-800-251-7722, or write to ConnectiCare, Inc., 175 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032-3124. You may also contact our Member Services Department by fax at 860-674-2232 or visit our Web site at www.connecticare.com

Service Area

To enroll in this Plan, you must live in or work in our Service Area. This is where our providers practice. Our service area is: the state of Connecticut along with Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties in Massachusetts.

Ordinarily, you must get your care from providers who contract with us. If you receive care outside our service area, we will pay only for emergency care benefits. We will not pay for any other health care services out of our service area unless the services have prior plan approval.

If you or a covered family member move outside of our service area, you can enroll in another plan. If your dependents live out of the area (for example, if your child goes to college in another state), you should consider enrolling in a fee-for-service plan or an HMO that has agreements with affiliates in other areas. If you or a family member move, you do not have to wait until Open Season to change plans. Contact your employing or retirement office.


Section 2. How we change for 2005

Do not rely on these change descriptions; this page is not an official statement of benefits. For that, go to Section 5 Benefits. Also, we edited and clarified language throughout the brochure; any language change not shown here is a clarification that does not change benefits.

Program-wide changes

In Section 9, we revised the Medicare Primary Payer Chart and updated the language regarding Medicare Advantage plans (formerly called Medicare + Choice plans).

� In Section 12, we revised the language regarding the Flexible Spending Account Program - FSAFEDS and the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program.

Changes to this Plan

Your share of the non-Postal premium will increase by 10% for Self Only or 5% for Self and Family.

Benefit Description

Current Benefit

2005 Benefit Change

Primary Care Office visit

$10 Copayment per visit

$15 Copayment per visit

Specialist's Office Visit

$10 copayment per visit

$20 copayment per visit

Emergency Urgent Care Center

$20 copayment per visit

$30 copayment per visit

Emergency Room

$40 copayment per visit

$50 copayment per visit

Outpatient Surgical Facility

No charge

$50 copayment per visit

Inpatient Hospital
(including emergency admissions)

No charge

$50 copayment per day up to a maximum of $250 per member per year

Prescription Drugs

 

 

 

 

$10 generic

$20 formulary brand-name

$35 non-formulary brand-name for up to 34 day supply,

 

$15 generic

$25 formulary brand-name

$40 non-formulary brand-name for up to 34 day supply,

 

Mail Order Prescription Drugs

2 times the above copays for up to a 100 day supply through mail order

2 times the above copays for up to a 100 day supply through mail

Section 2


Section 3. How you get care

Identification cards

We will send you an identification (ID) card when you enroll. You should carry your ID card with you at all times. You must show it whenever you receive services from a Plan provider, or fill a prescription at a Plan pharmacy. Until you receive your ID card, use your copy of the Health Benefits Election Form, SF-2809, your health benefits enrollment confirmation (for annuitants), or your Employee Express confirmation letter.

 

If you do not receive your ID card within 30 days after the effective date of your enrollment, or if you need replacement cards, call us at 1-800-251-7722, or write to us at ConnectiCare, Inc., 175 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032-3124. You may also request replacement cards through our Web site at www.connecticare.com.

Where you get covered care

You get care from "Plan providers" and "Plan facilities." You will only pay copayments, deductibles, and/or coinsurance, and you will not have to file claims.

� Plan providers

Plan providers are physicians and other health care professionals in our service area that we contract with to provide covered services to our members. We credential Plan providers according to national standards.

We list Plan providers in the provider directory, which we update periodically. This list is also on our Web site. Since the list changes it is best to contact us to confirm that a provider participates.

� Plan facilities

Plan facilities are hospitals and other facilities in our service area that we contract with to provide covered services to our members. We list these in the provider directory, which we update periodically. The list is also on our Web site.

What you must do to get covered care

It depends on the type of care you need. First, you and each family member must choose a primary care physician. This decision is important since your primary care physician provides or arranges for most of your health care. You can choose a PCP from our provider directory. If you don't provide us with your PCP, we will select one for you, which you can change at any time by calling 1-800-251-7722.

� Primary care

Your primary care physician can be a family practitioner, internist, general practitioner or a pediatrician. Your primary care physician will provide most of your health care, or give you a referral to see a specialist.

If you want to change primary care physicians or if your primary care physician leaves the Plan, call us. We will help you select a new one.

� Specialty care

Members may see any participating doctor for covered services without a referral with the following exceptions.

 

For information on how to obtain specialty care services, contact us at 1-800-251-7722.

Here are some other things you should know about specialty care:

If you need to see a specialist frequently because of a chronic, complex, or serious medical condition, your primary care physician will work with your specialist and the Plan to develop a treatment plan that allows you to see your specialist for a certain number of visits without additional referrals. Your primary care physician will use our criteria when creating your treatment plan (the physician may have to get an authorization or approval beforehand).

If you are seeing a specialist when you enroll in our Plan, talk to your primary care physician. Your primary care physician will decide what treatment you need. If he or she decides to refer you to a specialist, ask if you can see your current specialist. If your current specialist does not participate with us, you must receive treatment from a specialist who does. Generally, we will not pay for you to see a specialist who does not participate with our Plan.

If you are seeing a specialist and your specialist leaves the Plan, call your primary care physician, who will arrange for you to see another specialist. You may receive services from your current specialist until we can make arrangements for you to see someone else.

If you have a chronic and disabling condition and lose access to your specialist because we:

Terminate our contract with your specialist for other than cause; or

Drop out of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and you enroll in another FEHB program Plan; or

Reduce our service area and you enroll in another FEHB Plan,

you may be able to continue seeing your specialist for up to 90 days after you receive notice of the change. Contact us, or if we drop out of the Program, contact your new plan.

If you are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and you lose access to your specialist based on the above circumstances, you can continue to see your specialist until the end of your postpartum care, even if it is beyond the 90 days.

� Hospital care

Your Plan primary care physician or specialist will make necessary hospital arrangements and supervise your care. This includes admission to a skilled nursing or other type of facility.

If you are in the hospital when your enrollment in our Plan begins, call our customer service department immediately at 1-800-251-7722. If you are new to the FEHB Program, we will arrange for you to receive care.

If you changed from another FEHB plan to us, your former plan will pay for the hospital stay until:

You are discharged, not merely moved to an alternative care center; or

The day your benefits from your former plan run out; or

The 92nd day after you become a member of this Plan, whichever happens first.

These provisions apply only to the benefits of the hospitalized person. If your plan terminates participation in the FEHB Program in whole or in part, or if OPM orders an enrollment change, this continuation of coverage provision does not apply. In such case, the hospitalized family member's benefits under the new plan begin on the effective date of enrollment.

Circumstances beyond our control

Under certain extraordinary circumstances, such as natural disasters, we may have to delay your services or we may be unable to provide them. In that case, we will make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the necessary care.

Services requiring our prior approval

Your primary care physician has authority to refer you for most services. For certain services, however, your physician must obtain approval from us. Before giving approval, we consider if the service is covered, medically necessary, and follows generally accepted medical practice.

We call this review and approval process Plan authorization.

Your doctor will get Plan authorization for: hospital admissions (except out-of-service area emergencies), outpatient alcohol and substance abuse treatment, home health care, out-of-Plan services (nonparticipating providers), human organ transplants, and skilled nursing facilities. For a complete listing, call our Member Services Department at 1-800-251-7722.

For information on how to obtain specialty care services, contact us at 1-800-251-7722.


Section 4. Your costs for covered services

You must share the costs of some services. You are responsible for:

Copayments

A copayment is a fixed amount of money you pay to the provider, facility, pharmacy, etc., when you receive services.

Example: When you see your primary care physician you pay a copayment of $10 per office visit and when you go in the hospital, you pay $100 per admission.

Deductible

A deductible is a fixed expense you must incur for certain covered services and supplies before we start paying benefits for them. Copayments do not count toward any deductible. We do not have a deductible on our overall Plan.

Coinsurance

Coinsurance is the percentage of our allowance that you must pay for your care. DME has coinsurance.

Your catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum

Copayments for services are minimal. The plan provides unlimited benefits (except as noted in the plan document) for covered services.

 

 


Section 5. Benefits - OVERVIEW
(See page 9 for how our benefits changed this year and page 61 for a benefits summary.)

Note: This benefits section is divided into subsections. Please read the important things you should keep in mind at the beginning of each subsection. Also read the General Exclusions in Section 6; they apply to the benefits in the following subsections. To obtain claim forms, claims filing advice, or more information about our benefits, contact us at 1-800-251-7722 or at our Web site at www.connecticare.com.

Section 5(a) Medical services and supplies provided by physicians and other health care professionals........................... 16

Diagnostic and treatment services..................................................................................................................................... 16

Lab, X-ray and other diagnostic tests............................................................................................................................... 17

Preventive care, adult........................................................................................................................................................... 17

Preventive care, children...................................................................................................................................................... 18

Maternity care....................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Family planning..................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Infertility services................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Allergy care............................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Treatment therapies.............................................................................................................................................................. 21

Physical and occupational therapies................................................................................................................................. 21

Speech therapy...................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Hearing services (testing, treatment, and supplies)........................................................................................................ 22

Vision services (testing, treatment, and supplies)........................................................................................................... 22

Foot care................................................................................................................................................................................. 22

Orthopedic and prosthetic devices.................................................................................................................................... 23

Durable medical equipment (DME).................................................................................................................................... 24

Home health services........................................................................................................................................................... 24

Chiropractic............................................................................................................................................................................ 24

Alternative treatments.......................................................................................................................................................... 24

Educational classes and programs..................................................................................................................................... 25

Section 5(b) Surgical and anesthesia services provided by physicians and other health care professionals....................... 26

Surgical procedures.............................................................................................................................................................. 26

Reconstructive surgery........................................................................................................................................................ 27

Oral and maxillofacial surgery............................................................................................................................................. 28

Organ/tissue transplants..................................................................................................................................................... 29

Anesthesia............................................................................................................................................................................. 30

Section 5(c) Services provided by a hospital or other facility, and ambulance services........................................................... 31

Inpatient hospital.................................................................................................................................................................. 31

Outpatient hospital or ambulatory surgical center.......................................................................................................... 33

Extended care benefits/Skilled nursing care facility benefits......................................................................................... 33

Hospice care.......................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Ambulance............................................................................................................................................................................. 33

Section 5(d) Emergency services/accidents..................................................................................................................................... 34

Emergency within our service area..................................................................................................................................... 35

Emergency outside our service area.................................................................................................................................. 35

Ambulance............................................................................................................................................................................. 35

Section 5(e) Mental health and substance abuse benefits............................................................................................................. 36

Mental health and substance abuse benefits................................................................................................................... 36

Section 5(f) Prescription drug benefits.............................................................................................................................................. 38

Covered medications and supplies.................................................................................................................................... 39

Section 5(g) Special features............................................................................................................................................................... 41

Flexible benefits option........................................................................................................................................................ 41

Services for deaf and hearing impaired.............................................................................................................................. 41

Section 5(h) Dental benefits................................................................................................................................................................ 42

Accidental injury benefit..................................................................................................................................................... 42

Dental benefits...................................................................................................................................................................... 42

Summary of benefits for ConnectiCare, Inc. - 2005.......................................................................................................................... 61

2005 Rate Information for ConnectiCare, Inc.................................................................................................................................... 64

 


Section 5(a) Medical services and supplies provided by physicians and other health care professionals

 

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Here are some important things you should keep in mind about these benefits:

Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.

Plan physicians must provide or arrange your care.

We have no calendar year deductible, except for DME.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost sharing works. Also read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.

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Benefit Description

You pay

Diagnostic and treatment services

 

Professional services of physicians

In Primary Care Physician's office

In Specialist's office

 

$15 per office visit

$20 per office visit

Professional services of physicians

In an urgent care center

During a hospital stay

In a skilled nursing facility

Office medical consultations

Second surgical opinion

 

$30 per office visit

Nothing.

Nothing for up to 90 days per calendar year.

$15 for PCP, $20 for Specialists, per office visit.

$15 for PCP, $20 for Specialists, per office visit.

At home

$15 for PCP, $20 for Specialists, per visit.

Diagnostic and treatment services - continued on next page

 

Preventive care, adult - continued on next page

Diagnostic and treatment services (continued)

You pay

Vaccines for pediatric and adult immunizations

 

Nothing if you receive these services during your office visit.

Not covered

Nondental treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome

Services for which a member has no responsibility to pay

Services for intentionally inflicted injuries

Services for injuries resulting from hazardous activities

Injuries received in connection with the commission of a felony

All charges

Lab, X-ray and other diagnostic tests

Tests, such as:

Blood tests

Urinalysis

Non-routine pap tests

Pathology

X-rays

Non-routine Mammograms

CAT Scans/MRI

Ultrasound

Electrocardiogram and EEG

$15 in a Primary Care Physician's office,

$20 in a Specialist's office

 

 

 

 

Preventive care, adult

 

Routine screenings, such as periodic check-ups and routine immunizations including those tests as ordered by your doctor.

Total Blood Cholesterol

Colorectal Cancer Screening, including

Fecal occult blood test

Sigmoidoscopy, screening - every five years starting at age 50

Double contrast barium enema - every five years starting at age 50

Colonoscopy screening - every ten years starting at age 50

$15 per office visit

$20 in a Specialist's office

 

 

Preventive care, adult (continued)

You pay

Routine Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test - one annually for men age 40 and older

Routine pap test

Note: The office visit is covered if pap test is received on the same day; see Diagnosis and Treatment, above.

$15 per office visit

$15 per office visit

$20 in a Specialist's office

Routine mammogram - covered for women age 35 and older, as follows:

From age 35 through 39, one during this five year period

From age 40 through 64, one every calendar year

At age 65 and older, one every two consecutive calendar years

$15 per office visit

$20 in a Specialist's office

Routine immunizations, limited to:

Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster - once every 10 years, ages19 and over
(except as provided for under Childhood immunizations)

Influenza vaccine, annually

Pneumococcal vaccine, age 65 and older

Nothing if you receive these services during your office visit; otherwise $15 per office visit.

$20 in a Specialist's office

Not covered: Physical exams required for obtaining or continuing employment or insurance, attending schools or camp, or travel.

All charges.

Preventive care, children

 

Childhood immunizations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics

Nothing if you receive these services during your office visit; otherwise $15 per office visit.

$20 in a Specialist's office

Well-child care charges for routine examinations, immunizations and care (up to age 22)

Examinations, such as:

Eye exams through age 17 to determine the need for vision correction

Ear exams through age 17 to determine the need for hearing correction

Examinations done on the day of immunizations (up to age 22)

Nothing if you receive these services during your office visit; otherwise $15 per office visit.

$20 in a Specialist's office

Maternity care

You pay

Complete maternity (obstetrical) care, such as:

Prenatal care

Delivery

Postnatal care

Note: Here are some things to keep in mind:

You do not need to precertify your normal delivery; see page 12 for other circumstances, such as extended stays for you or your baby.

You may remain in the hospital up to 48 hours after a regular delivery and
96 hours after a cesarean delivery. We will extend your inpatient stay if medically necessary.

We cover routine nursery care of the newborn child during the covered portion of the mother's maternity stay. We will cover other care of an infant who requires non-routine treatment only if we cover the infant under a Self and Family enrollment.

We pay hospitalization and surgeon services (delivery) the same as for illness and injury. See Hospital benefits (Section 5c) and Surgery benefits (Section 5b).

$15 for initial visit, then nothing.

$20 in a Specialist's office

 

Not covered: Routine sonograms to determine fetal age, size or sex.

All charges.

Family planning

 

A range of voluntary family planning services, limited to:

Voluntary sterilization (See Surgical procedures Section 5 (b))

Surgically implanted contraceptives

Injectable contraceptive drugs (such as Depo provera)

Intrauterine devices (IUDs)

Diaphragms

Note: We cover oral contraceptives under the prescription drug benefit.

$15 per office visit

$20 in a Specialist's office

Not covered:

Reversal of voluntary surgical sterilization

Genetic counseling.

All charges.

Infertility services

You pay

Diagnosis and treatment of infertility such as:

Artificial insemination:

intravaginal insemination (IVI)

intracervical insemination (ICI)

intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Fertility drugs

Note: We cover injectable fertility drugs under medical benefits and oral fertility drugs under the prescription drug benefit.

$20 per office visit

Not covered:

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, such as:

in vitro fertilization

embryo transfer, gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT) and zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT)

Services and supplies related to ART procedures

Cost of donor sperm

Cost of donor egg

All charges.


Allergy care

 

Testing and treatment

Allergy injections

$20 per office visit

Allergy serum

Nothing

Not covered: Provocative food testing and sublingual allergy desensitization

All charges.

Treatment therapies

You pay

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Note: High dose chemotherapy in association with autologous bone marrow transplants is limited to those transplants listed under Organ/Tissue Transplants on page 29.

Respiratory and inhalation therapy

Dialysis - hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

Intravenous (IV)/Infusion Therapy - Home IV and antibiotic therapy

Growth hormone therapy (GHT)

Note: Growth hormone is covered under the prescription drug benefit.

Note: We only cover GHT when we preauthorize the treatment. Your doctor would have to submit your case in writing to the Plan. Your case will be reviewed for medical necessity and, if approved, you may then seek treatment.

Nothing.

Not covered:

All charges.

Physical and occupational therapies

 

60 visits per condition per calendar year for the services for each of the following:

qualified physical therapists and

occupational therapists

Note: We only cover therapy to restore bodily function when there has been a total or partial loss of bodily function due to illness or injury.

Cardiac rehabilitation following a heart transplant, bypass surgery or a myocardial infarction is provided as part of your rehabilitation.

$20 per office visit

$20 per outpatient visit

Nothing per visit during covered inpatient admission

Not covered:

Long-term rehabilitative therapy

Exercise programs

All charges.

Speech therapy

 

60 visits per condition per calendar year

$20 per office visit

$20 per outpatient visit

Nothing per visit during covered inpatient admission.

Not covered:

Non-authorized, non-medically necessary treatment

All charges.

Hearing services (testing, treatment, and supplies)

You pay

First hearing aid and testing only when necessitated by accidental injury

Hearing testing for children through age 17 (see Preventive care,
children)

$15 copayment in PCP office;

$20 copayment in specialist's office

Not covered:

All other hearing testing

Hearing aids, testing and examinations for them

All charges.

Vision services (testing, treatment, and supplies)

 

Our vision program includes frames and lenses, prescription contact lenses available only at Plan routine vision providers (offered at various discounts, not a $10 copay). For a full description of the Vision Care Coverage, please see the routine vision information located in the enrollment packet.

25% discount on frames and lenses at or below $250; 30% discount over $250 at plan vision providers

One pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct an impairment directly caused by accidental ocular injury or intraocular surgery (such as for cataracts)

Eye exam to determine the need for vision correction for children through age 17 (see Preventive care, children)

Annual eye refractions once per calendar year, when obtained by Plan providers

25% discount on frames and lenses at or below $250; 30% discount over $250 at plan vision providers.

$15 per office visit

$15 per office visit

Not covered:

Eyeglasses or contact lenses and after age 17, examinations for them

Eye exercises and orthoptics

Radial keratotomy and other refractive surgery

All charges.

Foot care

 

Routine foot care when you are under active treatment for a metabolic or peripheral vascular disease, such as diabetes.

Note: See Orthopedic and prosthetic devices for information on podiatric shoe inserts.

$15 copayment in PCP office;

$20 copayment in a specialist's office

Not covered:

Cutting, trimming or removal of corns, calluses, or the free edge of toenails, and similar routine treatment of conditions of the foot, except as stated above

Treatment of weak, strained or flat feet or bunions or spurs; and of any instability, imbalance or subluxation of the foot (unless the treatment is by open cutting surgery)

All charges.

Orthopedic and prosthetic devices

You pay

Artificial limbs and eyes; stump hose

Externally worn breast prostheses and surgical bras, including necessary replacements following a mastectomy

Internal prosthetic devices, such as artificial joints, pacemakers, cochlear implants, and surgically implanted breast implant following mastectomy. Note: See 5(b) for coverage of the surgery to insert the device.

Internal prosthetic devices, such as artificial joints, pacemakers, cochlear implants, and surgically implanted breast implant following mastectomy. Note: Internal prosthetic devices are paid as hospital benefits; see Section 5(c) for payment information. Insertion of the device is paid as surgery; see Section 5(b) for coverage of the surgery to insert the device.

Corrective orthopedic appliances for non-dental treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain dysfunction syndrome.

$15 copayment in PCP office

$20 copayment in a specialist's office

Not covered:

Orthopedic and corrective shoes

Arch supports

Foot orthotics

Heel pads and heel cups

Lumbosacral supports

Corsets, trusses, elastic stockings, support hose, and other supportive
devices

Prosthetic replacements provided less than 3 years after the last one we covered

All charges.

Durable medical equipment (DME)

You pay

Rental or purchase, at our option, including repair and adjustment, of durable medical equipment prescribed by your Plan physician, such as oxygen and dialysis equipment. Under this benefit, we also cover:

Hospital beds;

Wheelchairs; (Motorized chairs covered only with plan approval of doctor's written request detailing medical necessity);

Crutches;

Walkers;

Blood glucose monitors; and

Insulin pumps.

Note: Call us at 1-800-251-7722 as soon as your Plan physician prescribes this equipment. We will arrange with a health care provider to rent or sell you durable medical equipment at discounted rates and will tell you more about this service when you call

$100 deductible per calendar year and 20% of charges up to a maximum Plan payment of
$1,500 per calendar year.

 

Note: Prior Plan authorization is required and coverage is limited to the initial acquisition.

Home health services

 

Home health care ordered by a Plan physician and provided by a registered nurse (R.N.), licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.), licensed vocational nurse (L.V.N.), or home health aide.

Services include oxygen therapy, intravenous therapy and medications.

Nothing.

Not covered:

Nursing care requested by, or for the convenience of, the patient or the patient's family;

Home care primarily for personal assistance that does not include a medical component and is not diagnostic, therapeutic, or rehabilitative.

All charges.


Chiropractic

 

Manipulation of the spine and extremities; 20 visits per calendar year

Adjunctive procedures such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, vibratory therapy, and cold pack application

$20 per office visit

 

Alternative treatments

 

Alternative treatments - continued on next page

Acupuncture - by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy for: anesthesia, pain relief

 

All charges.

Not covered:

Naturopathic services

Hypnotherapy

Biofeedback

All charges.

Educational classes and programs

You pay

Diabetes, Heart, Asthma and Smoking Cessation programs are available. Information can be obtained by calling Member Services at 1-800-251-7722.

Nothing.


Section 5(b) Surgical and anesthesia services provided by physicians and other health care professionals

 

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Here are some important things you should keep in mind about these benefits:

Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.

Plan physicians must provide or arrange your care.

We have no calendar year deductible except for DME.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost sharing works. Also read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.

The amounts listed below are for the charges billed by a physician or other health care professional for your surgical care. Look in Section 5(c) for charges associated with the facility (i.e. hospital, surgical center, etc.).

YOUR PHYSICIAN MUST GET PRECERTIFICATION FOR SOME SURGICAL PROCEDURES. Please refer to the precertification information shown in Section 3 to be sure which services require precertification and identify which surgeries require precertification.

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Benefit Description

You pay

Surgical procedures

 

A comprehensive range of services, such as:

Operative procedures

Treatment of fractures, including casting

Normal pre- and post-operative care by the surgeon

Correction of amblyopia and strabismus

Endoscopy procedures

Biopsy procedures

Removal of tumors and cysts

Correction of congenital anomalies (see Reconstructive surgery)

$15 copayment in PCP office

$20 per office visit

 

Surgical procedures - continued on next page

Surgical procedures(continued)

You pay

Surgical treatment of morbid obesity - a condition in which an individual weighs 100 pounds or 100% over his or her normal weight according to current underwriting standards; eligible members must be age 18 or over

Insertion of internal prosthetic devices. See 5(a) - Orthopedic and prosthetic devices for device coverage information

Voluntary sterilization (e.g., Tubal ligation, Vasectomy)

Treatment of burns

Note: Generally, we pay for internal prostheses (devices) according to where the procedure is done. For example, we pay Hospital benefits for a pacemaker and Surgery benefits for insertion of the pacemaker.


Nothing (when approved in advance by Plan.)

 

 

 

Nothing.

 

$15 copayment in PCP office

$20 per office visit

 

Not covered:

Reversal of voluntary sterilization

Routine treatment of conditions of the foot; see Foot care

All charges.

Reconstructive surgery

 

Surgery to correct a functional defect

Surgery to correct a condition caused by injury or illness if:

the condition produced a major effect on the member's appearance and

the condition can reasonably be expected to be corrected by such surgery

Surgery to correct a condition that existed at or from birth and is a significant deviation from the common form or norm. Examples of congenital anomalies are: protruding ear deformities; cleft lip; cleft palate; birth marks; webbed fingers; and webbed toes.

All stages of breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy, such as:

surgery to produce a symmetrical appearance of breasts;

treatment of any physical complications, such as lymphedemas;

breast prostheses and surgical bras and replacements (see Prosthetic devices)

Note: If you need a mastectomy, you may choose to have the procedure performed on an inpatient basis and remain in the hospital up to 48 hours after the procedure.

$15 copayment in PCP office

$20 per office visit


Not covered:

Cosmetic surgery - any surgical procedure (or any portion of a procedure) performed primarily to improve physical appearance through change in bodily form, except repair of accidental injury

Surgeries related to sex transformation

All charges.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

You pay

Oral surgical procedures, limited to:

Reduction of fractures of the jaws or facial bones;

Surgical correction of cleft lip, cleft palate or severe functional malocclusion;

Removal of stones from salivary ducts;

Excision of leukoplakia or malignancies;

Excision of cysts and incision of abscesses when done as independent procedures; and

Other surgical procedures that do not involve the teeth or their supporting structures.

� Oral surgery services: Medically necessary oral surgical services for
the treatment of tumors, cysts (of non-dental origin), injuries of the facial bones and for the treatment of fractures and dislocations involving the face and jaw, including temporamandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction surgery (for demonstrable joint disease only) provided by a Participating Physician are covered. Certain oral surgery requires Pre-Authorization.

$15 copayment in PCP office

$20 per office visit

 

Not covered:

Oral implants and transplants

Procedures that involve the teeth or their supporting structures (such as the periodontal membrane, gingiva, and alveolar bone)

All charges.


Organ/tissue transplants

You pay

Limited to:

Cornea

Heart

Heart/lung

Kidney

Kidney/Pancreas

Liver

Lung: Single - Double

Pancreas

Allogeneic (donor) bone marrow transplants

Autologous bone marrow transplants (autologous stem cell and peripheral stem cell support) for the following conditions: acute lymphocytic or non-lymphocytic leukemia; advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma; advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; advanced neuroblastoma; breast cancer; multiple myeloma; epithelial ovarian cancer; and testicular, mediastinal, retroperitoneal and ovarian germ cell tumors

Intestinal transplants (small intestine) and the small intestine with the liver or small intestine with multiple organs such as the liver, stomach, and pancreas

National Transplant Program (NTP)

Limited Benefits - Treatment for breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and epithelial ovarian cancer may be provided in a National Cancer Institute - or National Institutes of Health-approved clinical trial at a Plan-designated center of excellence and if approved by the Plan's medical director in accordance with the Plan's protocols.

Note: We cover related medical and hospital expenses of the donor when we cover the recipient.

$50 per day up to a maximum of $250 per member per year for inpatient hospital procedures

 

Note: Plan authorization is required at the time of diagnosis, prior to any evaluative services and will only be authorized at Plan facilities, contracted Centers of Excellence.

Not covered:

Donor screening tests and donor search expenses, except those performed for the actual donor

Implants of artificial organs

Transplants not listed as covered

All charges.

Anesthesia

You pay

Professional services provided in -

Hospital (inpatient)

Nothing

Professional services provided in -

Hospital outpatient department

Skilled nursing facility

Ambulatory surgical center

Office

$20 per visit


Section 5(c) Services provided by a hospital or other facility, and ambulance services

 

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Here are some important things you should keep in mind about these benefits:

Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.

Plan physicians must provide or arrange your care and you must be hospitalized in a Plan facility.

We have no calendar year deductible, except for DME.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services for valuable information about how cost sharing works. Also read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.

The amounts listed below are for the charges billed by the facility (i.e., hospital or surgical center) or ambulance service for your surgery or care. Any costs associated with the professional charge (i.e., physicians, etc.) are in Sections 5(a) or (b).

YOUR PHYSICIANMUSTGETPRECERTIFICATIONFORHOSPITAL STAYS. Please refer to Section 3 to be sure which services require precertification.

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Benefit Description

You pay

Inpatient hospital

 

Room and board, such as

Ward, semiprivate, or intensive care accommodations;

General nursing care; and

Meals and special diets.

Note: If you want a private room when it is not medically necessary, you pay the additional charge above the semiprivate room rate.

$50 per day up to a maximum of $250 per member per year

 

 

Inpatient hospital - continued on next page.

Inpatient hospital (continued)

You pay

Other hospital services and supplies, such as:

Operating, recovery, maternity, and other treatment rooms

Prescribed drugs and medicines

Diagnostic laboratory tests and X-rays

Blood or blood plasma, if not donated or replaced

Dressings, splints, casts, and sterile tray services

Medical supplies and equipment, including oxygen

Anesthetics, including nurse anesthetist services

Take-home items

Medical supplies, appliances, medical equipment, and any covered items billed by a hospital for use at home (Note: calendar year deductible applies.)

Nothing

Not covered:

Custodial care

Non-covered facilities, such as nursing homes, schools

Personal comfort items, such as telephone, television, barber services, guest meals and beds

Private nursing care

All charges.

Outpatient hospital or ambulatory surgical center

You pay

Operating, recovery, and other treatment rooms

Prescribed drugs and medicines

Diagnostic laboratory tests, X-rays, and pathology services

Administration of blood, blood plasma, and other biologicals

Blood and blood plasma, if not donated or replaced

Pre-surgical testing

Dressings, casts, and sterile tray services

Medical supplies, including oxygen

Anesthetics and anesthesia service

Note: We cover hospital services and supplies related to dental procedures when necessitated by a non-dental physical impairment. We do not cover the dental procedures.

$50 per visit.

Not covered: Blood and blood derivatives not replaced by the member

All charges.

Extended care benefits/Skilled nursing care facility benefits

 

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF): The Plan provides a comprehensive range of benefits for up to 90 days when full-time skilled nursing care is necessary and confinement in a skilled nursing facility is medically appropriate as determined by a Plan doctor and approved by the Plan. All necessary services are covered, including:

Bed, board and general nursing care;

Drugs biologicals, supplies and equipment ordinarily provided or arranged
by the skilled nursing facility when prescribed by a Plan doctor.

Nothing for up to 90 days per calendar year.
Prior authorization required.

Not covered: Custodial care

All charges.

Hospice care

 

Hospice Care: Supportive and palliative care for a terminally ill member is covered in the home or hospice facility. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, and family counseling; these services are provided under the direction of a Plan doctor who certifies that the patient is in the terminal stages of illness, with a life expectancy of approximately six months or less.

Nothing

Not covered: Independent nursing, homemaker services

All charges.

Ambulance

 

Local professional ambulance service when medically appropriate

Nothing


Section 5(d) Emergency services/accidents

 

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Here are some important things to keep in mind about these benefits:

Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.

We have no calendar year deductible, except for DME.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost sharing works. Also read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.

 

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What is a medical emergency?

A medical emergency is the sudden and unexpected onset of a condition or an injury that you believe endangers your life or could result in serious injury or disability, and requires immediate medical or surgical care. Some problems are emergencies because, if not treated promptly, they might become more serious; examples include deep cuts and broken bones. Others are emergencies because they are potentially life-threatening, such as heart attacks, strokes, poisonings, gunshot wounds, or sudden inability to breathe. There are many other acute conditions that we may determine are medical emergencies - what they all have in common is the need for quick action.

What to do in case of emergency:

Emergencies within our service area: If you are in an urgent care situation within our service area, please call your primary care doctor (available 24 hours a day through their answering service). In extreme emergencies, contact the local emergency system (e.g., the 911 telephone system) or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Be sure to tell the emergency room personnel that you are a Plan member so they can notify the Plan. You or a family member should notify the Plan within 24 hours of an admission to the hospital unless it was not reasonably possible to do so. It is your responsibility to ensure that the Plan has been timely notified.

If you need to be hospitalized in a non-Plan facility, the Plan must be notified within 24 hours or on the first working day following your admission, unless it was not reasonably possible to notify the Plan within that time. If you are hospitalized in non-Plan facilities and Plan doctors believe care can be better provided in a Plan hospital, you will be transferred when medically feasible with any ambulance charges covered in full.

Benefits are available for care from non-Plan providers in a medical emergency only if delay in reaching a Plan provider would result in death, disability or significant jeopardy to your condition.

To be covered by this Plan, any follow-up care recommended by non-Plan providers must be approved by the Plan or provided by Plan providers.

The Plan pays reasonable charges for emergency services to the extent the services would have been covered if received from Plan providers.

Emergencies outside our service area: Benefits are available for any medically necessary health service that is immediately required because of injury or unforeseen illness.

If you need to be hospitalized, the Plan must be notified within 24 hours of an admission or on the first working day following your admission, unless it was not reasonably possible to notify the Plan within that time. If a Plan doctor believes care can be better provided in a Plan hospital, you will be transferred when medically feasible with any ambulance charges covered in full.

To be covered by this Plan, any follow-up care recommended by non-Plan providers must be approved by the Plan or provided by Plan providers.

Benefit Description

You pay

Emergency within our service area

 

Emergency care at a doctor's office

Emergency care at a specialist's office

Emergency care at an urgent care center

 

Emergency care as an outpatient or at a hospital,
including doctors' services

$15 per office visit

$20 per office visit

$30 for covered emergency services

Copayment waived if emergency results in hospital admission.

$50 for covered emergency services

Copayment waived if emergency results in hospital admission.

Not covered: Elective care or non-emergency care

All charges.

Emergency outside our service area

 

Emergency care at a doctor's office

Emergency care at a specialist's office

Emergency care at an urgent care center

 

Emergency care as an outpatient or at a hospital,
including doctors' services

$15 per office visit

$20 per office visit

$30 for covered emergency services

Copayment waived if emergency results in hospital admission.

$50 for covered emergency services

Copayment waived if emergency results in hospital admission.

Ambulance

 

Professional ambulance service when medically appropriate.

Air ambulance

Note: See 5(c) for non-emergency service.

Nothing.


Section 5(e) Mental health and substance abuse benefits

 

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When you get our approval for services and follow a treatment plan we approve, cost-sharing and limitations for Plan mental health and substance abuse benefits will be no greater than for similar benefits for other illnesses and conditions.

Here are some important things to keep in mind about these benefits:

Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.

We have no calendar year deductible, except for DME.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost sharing works. Also read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.

YOU MUST GET PREAUTHORIZATION OF THESE SERVICES. See the instructions after the benefits description below.

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Benefit Description

You pay

Mental health and substance abuse benefits

 

All diagnostic and treatment services recommended by a Plan provider and contained in a treatment plan that we approve. The treatment plan may include services, drugs, and supplies described elsewhere in this brochure.

Note: Plan benefits are payable only when we determine the care is clinically appropriate to treat your condition and only when you receive the care as part of a treatment plan that we approve.

Your cost sharing responsibilities are no greater than for other illnesses or conditions.

Professional services, including individual or group therapy by providers such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or clinical social workers

Medication management

 

$20 per office visit

Diagnostic tests

Nothing.

Services provided by a hospital or other facility

Services in approved alternative care settings such as partial hospitalization, half-way house, residential treatment, full-day hospitalization, facility based intensive outpatient treatment

Copayment of $50 per day to a maximum
of $250 per member per year.

Copayment according to type of services.`

Not covered: Services we have not approved.

Note: OPM will base its review of disputes about treatment plans on the treatment plan's clinical appropriateness. OPM will generally not order us to pay or provide one clinically appropriate treatment plan in favor of another.

All charges.

Preauthorization To be eligible to receive these benefits you must obtain a treatment plan and follow all of the following network authorization processes: Please call 1-800-424-5669 for all mental health requests. This number is printed on the back of your ConnectiCare, Inc. member ID card as well.

Limitation We may limit your benefits if you do not obtain a treatment plan.


Section 5(f) Prescription drug benefits

 

 

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We cover prescribed drugs and medications, as described in the chart beginning on the next page.

All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary.

We have no calendar year deductible, except for DME.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost sharing works. Also read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.

We have an open formulary. If your physician believes a brand-name product is necessary or there is no generic available, your physician may prescribe a brand-name drug from a formulary list. The list of brand-name drugs is a preferred list of drugs that we've selected to meet patient's needs at a lower cost. We have the right to change the drugs or supplies in each tier, in our discretion, even in the middle of the year. You should call Member Services or visit the Web site to find out which tier (if any) a prescription drug or supply is in To order a formulary listing, go to our Web site www.connecticare.com.

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There are important features you should be aware of. These include:

Who can write your prescription. A licensed physician must write the prescription.

Where you can obtain them. You must fill the prescription at a Express Scripts pharmacy, or by mail for a maintenance medication. The only exception is for out-of-area emergencies.

Pharmacy: You may obtain your prescriptions at any Express Scripts, Inc. pharmacy (in 98% of US Pharmacies.)

Mail order: Maintenance medication, those medications needed for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy and heart conditions, can be obtained either via mail order or at the pharmacy in a
100-day supply. If you choose mail order at 2 times the copay, call Member Services at 1-800-251-7722 to request and order form. If you choose to go to your pharmacy, the co-pay will be 3 times the co-pay. All rules that apply to the regular Prescription Plan apply to the Mail Order Program as well. Note: Not all drugs are available via mail order and your doctor must write a maintenance prescription.

We use a formulary. We work with our network physicians and our pharmacy network, Express Scripts, Inc., to build a Formulary Drug List. This Formulary Drug List includes over 80% of the drugs currently available in the market, including all generic and some name brand drugs. Formulary and Non-Formulary drugs are available at a cost difference when a generic is available. Our Formulary is available by calling Member Services at 1-800-251-7722 or on the Web at www.connecticare.com

All members receive educational information describing the Formulary drug program. Members using non-Formulary drugs are sent a series of letters recommending that they speak to their physician about preferred alternatives.

We have an open formulary. If your physician believes a name brand product is necessary or there is no generic available, your physician may prescribe a name brand drug from a formulary list. This list of name brand drugs is a preferred list of drugs that we selected to meet patient needs at a lower cost. To order a prescription drug brochure, call 1-800-251-7722.

These are the dispensing limitations. Prescription drugs prescribed by a Plan or referral doctor and obtained at a Plan pharmacy will be dispensed for up to a 34-day supply; 240 milliliters of liquid (8oz.); 60 grams of ointment, creams or topical preparation; or one commercially prepared unit (i.e., one inhaler, one vial ophthalmic medication or Insulin) of medication per prescription or refill. You pay a $15 copay per prescription unit or refill for generic drugs or a $25 copay for name brand Formulary drugs when generic substitution is not permissible. When generic substitution is permissible and, you or your doctor request the Formulary name brand drug, you pay the price difference between the generic and name brand drug as well as the $15 copay per prescription unit or refill. Drugs are prescribed by Plan doctors and dispensed in accordance with the Plan's drug Formulary. Non-Formulary drugs will be covered when prescribed by a Plan doctor, but at a higher copay. If you are in the military and called to active duty due to an emergency, please contact us if you need assistance in filling a prescription before your departure.

A generic equivalent will be dispensed if it is available, unless your physician specifically requires a name brand. If you receive a name brand drug when a Federally-approved generic drug is available, and your physician has not specified Dispense as Written for the name brand drug, you have to pay the difference in cost between the name brand drug and the generic.

Why use generic drugs? Per the FDA (Federal Drug Administration), generic drugs and name brand drugs share identical basic ingredients. The color and shape may differ but the result should be the same. Many generic patents are owned by the name brand drug companies. Generic drugs are an affordable alternative. You can always get the brand-name, you just pay more.

NOTE: Not all prescriptions are available through the Maintenance Mail Order Program depending on the type of drug, etc. We follow FDA dispensing guidelines. If you send in your order too soon, it can't be filled. Maintenance Mail Order refills should be requested after 75% of the prescription is used. Over the counter when you have 5 days left. If your prescription is for more than 34 days (1 month) prescription, you will be charged two and sometime three copays depending on how much was dispensed.

If you choose a non-Formulary drug when a generic or Formulary name brand drug is available, you pay a $15 copayment in addition to the cost difference between the Formulary and non-Formulary drug, up to 50% of the cost of the drug. If the cost is less than the copayment, you pay the lesser amount.

When you have to file a claim. There are no claims to file for prescription services received at Express Scripts, Inc. drug stores. If you are new to the plan and don't have your card when you first join and need a prescription, you must pay for it and call Member Services at 1-800-251-7722 for a prescription reimbursement form. Refunds take up to 8 weeks so always use your card when you get it.

 

Benefit Description

You pay

 

Covered medications and supplies

 

 

We cover the following medications and supplies prescribed by a Plan physician and obtained from a Plan pharmacy or through our mail order program:

Drugs and medicines that by Federal law of the United States require a physician's prescription for their purchase, except those listed as Not covered.

Insulin

Disposable needles and syringes for the administration of covered medications

Drugs for sexual dysfunction (contact the plan for dose limits)

Contraceptive drugs and devices (oral and injectable plus diaphragms)

Fertility drugs are subject to $1,500 per calendar year

Intravenous fluids and medicine for home use (covered implantable drugs and covered injectable drugs are covered under medical and surgical benefits).

$15 copay per prescription unit or refill for generic drugs,

$25 copay for name brand Formulary drugs

$40 copay for non-Formulary drugs.

When a generic drug is available, but you or your doctor request the name brand drug, or non-Formulary brand drug, you pay the formulary price difference between the generic and name brand drug as well as the $15 copay per prescription unit or refill. Drugs are prescribed by Plan doctors and dispensed in accordance with the Plan's drug Formulary.

Our Formulary is open and available by calling Member Services at 1-800-251-7722 or by going to our Web site www.connecticare.com. Mail Order forms are also available by calling Member Services. Mail Order follows the same rules (cost sharing) and provides a 100 day supply for 2 times the copay.

Not covered:

Drugs and supplies for cosmetic purposes

Drugs to enhance athletic performance

Fertility drugs {Plan specific}

Drugs obtained at a non-Plan pharmacy; except for out-of-area emergencies

Vitamins, nutrients and food supplements even if a physician prescribes or administers them

Nonprescription medicines

All charges.


Section 5(g) Special features

Feature

Description

Flexible benefits option

Under the flexible benefits option, we determine the most effective way to provide services.

We may identify medically appropriate alternatives to traditional care and coordinate other benefits as a less costly alternative benefit.

Alternative benefits are subject to our ongoing review.

By approving an alternative benefit, we cannot guarantee you will get it in the future.

The decision to offer an alternative benefit is solely ours, and we may withdraw it at any time and resume regular contract benefits.

Our decision to offer or withdraw alternative benefits is not subject to OPM review
under the disputed claims process.

Services for deaf and hearing impaired

Call the TDD/TTY number for the hearing impaired: 1-800-251-7722.

Our Web site
www.connecticare.com

You can change or add your PCP, look up a doctor or check our drug formulary at our Web site.

High risk pregnancies

ConnectiCare's Birth Expectations program was created to provide information to help you take precautions against giving birth too early. We'll send you a survey and follow up with a phone call if you're in a high-risk category for premature delivery. You'll learn about the signs of premature labor. We can then be in touch as needed and arrange for extra services that could help bring your pregnancy to full term. For instance, you may be eligible for home uterine monitoring, which ConnectiCare can coordinate with your doctor. By taking necessary precautions you can give your baby the healthiest possible start.

Centers of excellence

ConnectiCare's members will have access to more than 235 elite transplant programs and more than 170 clinical experts across the country. These programs have been carefully selected using strict evaluation criteria that were developed in conjunction with transplant physicians and surgeons. United Resource Network's (U.R.N.'s) Transplant Centers of Excellence network was developed through a process of quality measurement credentialing that is unique in the health care industry. Through this network ConnectiCare can assist the health care team and the member in determining the best transplant program for their specific need.

Travel benefits/services overseas

Severe chest pain. Trouble breathing. Severe bleeding. Poisoning. Seizures. These are all emergencies. And if an emergency ever happens to you, don't wait. Get to the closest emergency room right away - anywhere in the world. Call 911 if you need help getting there. Please notify us at 1-860-674-5870 within 24 hours of being admitted to the hospital. A friend or family member can call for you. If you can't act that quickly, notify us as soon as you or someone else is able to.

Alternative treatments

Discounts on homeopathic treatments, massage therapy, etc. See flyer enclosed in your enrollment kit or, call Member Services at 1-800-251-7722 and ask for a "Healthy Alternatives" brochure.


Section 5(h) Dental benefits

 

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Please remember that all benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure and are payable only when we determine they are medically necessary

Plan dentists must provide or arrange your care.

We have no calendar year deductible, except for DME.

We cover hospitalization for dental procedures only when a non-dental physical impairment exists which makes hospitalization necessary to safeguard the health of the patient. See Section 5(c) for inpatient hospital benefits. We do not cover the dental procedure unless it is described below.

Be sure to read Section 4, Your costs for covered services, for valuable information about how cost sharing works. Also read Section 9 about coordinating benefits with other coverage, including with Medicare.

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Accidental injury benefit

You pay

We cover restorative services and supplies necessary to promptly repair (but not replace) sound natural teeth. The need for these services must result from an accidental injury.

$15 in doctor's office
$20 in specialist's office
$30 in urgent care center
$50 in emergency room

 

Dental benefits

No benefit (Voluntary dental benefits offered separate from the FEHB Program)


Section 6. General exclusions - things we don't cover

The exclusions in this section apply to all benefits. Although we may list a specific service as a benefit, we will not cover it unless your Plan doctor determines it is medically necessary to prevent, diagnose, or treat your illness, disease, injury, or condition.

We do not cover the following:

Care by non-plan providers except for authorized referrals or emergencies (see Emergency Benefits);

Services, drugs, or supplies you receive while you are not enrolled in this Plan;

Services, drugs, or supplies not medically necessary;

Services, drugs, or supplies not required according to accepted standards of medical, dental, or psychiatric practice;

Experimental or investigational procedures, treatments, drugs or devices;

Services, drugs, or supplies related to abortions, except when the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or when the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest;

Services, drugs, or supplies related to sex transformations;

Services, drugs, or supplies you receive from a provider or facility barred from the FEHB Program;

Services, drugs, or supplies you receive without charge while in active military service; or

Expenses you incurred while you were not enrolled in this Plan.

 


Section 7. Filing a claim for covered services

When you see Plan physicians, receive services at Plan hospitals and facilities, or obtain your prescription drugs at Plan pharmacies, you will not have to file claims. Just present your identification card and pay your copayment, coinsurance, or deductible.

You will only need to file a claim when you receive emergency services from non-plan providers. Sometimes these providers bill us directly. Check with the provider. If you need to file the claim, call Member Services at 1-800-251-7722 to obtain an out-of-area claim form. Then, here is the process:

Medical, hospital and
drug benefits

In most cases, providers and facilities file claims for you. Physicians must file on the form HCFA-1500, Health Insurance Claim Form. Facilities will file on the UB-92 form. For claims questions and assistance, call us at 1-800-251-7722.

When you must file a claim - such as for services you receive outside the Plan's service area - submit it on the HCFA-1500 or a claim form that includes the information shown below. Bills and receipts should be itemized and show:

Covered member's name and ID number;

Name and address of the physician or facility that provided the service or supply;

Dates you received the services or supplies;

Diagnosis;

Type of each service or supply;

The charge for each service or supply;

A copy of the explanation of benefits, payments, or denial from any primary payer - such as the Medicare Summary Notice (MSN); and

Receipts, if you paid for your services.

Submit your claims to:
Member Services
ConnectiCare, Inc.
175 Scott Swamp Road
Farmington, CT 06032-3124

Deadline for filing your claim

Send us all of the documents for your claim as soon as possible. You must submit the claim by December 31 of the year after the year you received the service, unless timely filing was prevented by administrative operations of Government or legal incapacity, provided the claim was submitted as soon as reasonably possible.

When we need more information

Please reply promptly when we ask for additional information. We may delay processing or deny your claim if you do not respond.


Section 8. The disputed claims process

Follow this Federal Employees Health Benefits Program disputed claims process if you disagree with our decision on your claim or request for services, drugs, or supplies - including a request for preauthorization:

Step

Description

1

Ask us in writing to reconsider our initial decision. You must:

a) Write to us within 6 months from the date of our decision; and

b) Send your request to us at: Member Services, 175 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032-3124; and

c) Include a statement about why you believe our initial decision was wrong, based on specific benefit provisions in this brochure; and

d) Include copies of documents that support your claim, such as physicians' letters, operative reports, bills, medical records, and explanation of benefits (EOB) forms.

2

We have 30 days from the date we receive your request to:

a) Pay the claim (or, if applicable, arrange for the health care provider to give you the care); or

b) Write to you and maintain our denial - go to step 4; or

c) Ask you or your provider for more information. If we ask your provider, we will send you a copy of our request �go to step 3.

3

You or your provider must send the information so that we receive it within 60 days of our request. We will then decide within 30 more days.

If we do not receive the information within 60 days, we will decide within 30 days of the date the information was due. We will base our decision on the information we already have.

We will write to you with our decision.

4

If you do not agree with our decision, you may ask OPM to review it.

 

You must write to OPM within:

90 days after the date of our letter upholding our initial decision; or

120 days after you first wrote to us - if we did not answer that request in some way within 30 days; or

120 days after we asked for additional information.

 

Write to OPM at: United States Office of Personnel Management, Insurance Services Programs, Health Insurance Group 3, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-3630.

The disputed claims process (continued)

 

Send OPM the following information:

A statement about why you believe our decision was wrong, based on specific benefit provisions in this brochure;

Copies of documents that support your claim, such as physicians' letters, operative reports, bills, medical records, and explanation of benefits (EOB) forms;

Copies of all letters you sent to us about the claim;

Copies of all letters we sent to you about the claim; and

Your daytime phone number and the best time to call.

Note: If you want OPM to review more than one claim, you must clearly identify which documents apply to which claim.

 

Note: You are the only person who has a right to file a disputed claim with OPM. Parties acting as your representative, such as medical providers, must include a copy of your specific written consent with the review request.

Note: The above deadlines may be extended if you show that you were unable to meet the deadline because of reasons beyond your control.

5

OPM will review your disputed claim request and will use the information it collects from you and us to decide whether our decision is correct. OPM will send you a final decision within 60 days. There are no other administrative appeals.

 

If you do not agree with OPM's decision, your only recourse is to sue. If you decide to sue, you must file the suit against OPM in Federal court by December 31 of the third year after the year in which you received the disputed services, drugs, or supplies or from the year in which you were denied precertification or prior approval. This is the only deadline that may not be extended.

OPM may disclose the information it collects during the review process to support their disputed claim decision. This information will become part of the court record.

 

You may not sue until you have completed the disputed claims process. Further, Federal law governs your lawsuit, benefits, and payment of benefits. The Federal court will base its review on the record that was before OPM when OPM decided to uphold or overturn our decision. You may recover only the amount of benefits in dispute.

Note: If you have a serious or life threatening condition (one that may cause permanent loss of bodily functions or death if not treated as soon as possible), and

a) We haven't responded yet to your initial request for care or preauthorization/prior approval, then call us at 1-800-251-7722 and we will expedite our review; or

b) We denied your initial request for care or preauthorization/prior approval, then:

If we expedite our review and maintain our denial, we will inform OPM so that they can give your claim expedited treatment too, or

You may call OPM's Health Insurance Group 3 at 1-202-606-0745 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time.

 


Section 9. Coordinating benefits with other coverage

When you have other health coverage

You must tell us if you or a covered family member have coverage under another group health plan or have automobile insurance that pays health care expenses without regard to fault. This is called "double coverage".

When you have double coverage, one plan normally pays its benefits in full as the primary payer and the other plan pays a reduced benefit as the secondary payer. We, like other insurers, determine which coverage is primary according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' guidelines.

When we are the primary payer, we will pay the benefits described in this brochure.

When we are the secondary payer, we will determine our allowance. After the primary plan pays, we will pay what is left of our allowance, up to our regular benefit. We will not pay more than our allowance.

What is Medicare?

 

Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for:

People 65 years of age or older.

Some people with disabilities under 65 years of age.

People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant).

Medicare has two parts:

Part A (Hospital Insurance). Most people do not have to pay for Part A. If you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, you should be able to qualify for premium-free Part A insurance. (Someone who was a Federal employee on January 1, 1983 or since automatically qualifies.) Otherwise, if you are age 65 or older, you may be able to buy it. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE for more information.

Part B (Medical Insurance). Most people pay monthly for Part B. Generally, Part B premiums are withheld from your monthly Social Security check or your retirement check.

� Should I enroll in Medicare?

The decision to enroll in Medicare is yours. We encourage you to apply for Medicare benefits 3 months before you turn age 65. It's easy. Just call the Social Security Administration toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment to apply. If you do not apply for one or both Parts of Medicare, you can still be covered under the FEHB Program.

If you can get premium-free Part A coverage, we advise you to enroll in it. Most Federal employees and annuitants are entitled to Medicare Part A at age 65 without cost. When you don't have to pay premiums for Medicare Part A, it makes good sense to obtain the coverage. It can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses as well as costs to the FEHB, which can help keep FEHB premiums down.

Everyone is charged a premium for Medicare Part B coverage. The Social Security Administration can provide you with premium and benefit information. Review the information and decide if it makes sense for you to buy the Medicare Part B coverage.

If you are eligible for Medicare, you may have choices in how you get your health care. Medicare Advantage is the term used to describe the various private health plan choices available to Medicare beneficiaries. The information in the next few pages shows how we coordinate benefits with Medicare, depending on whether you are in the Original Medicare Plan or a private Medicare Advantage plan.

� The Original Medicare Plan (Part A or Part B)

The Original Medicare Plan (Original Medicare) is available everywhere in the United States. It is the way everyone used to get Medicare benefits and is the way most people get their Medicare Part A and Part B benefits now. You may go to any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare. The Original Medicare Plan pays its share and you pay your share. Some things are not covered under Original Medicare, such as most prescription drugs (but coverage through private prescription drug plans will be available starting in 2006).

When you are enrolled in Original Medicare along with this Plan, you still need to follow the rules in this brochure for us to cover your care.

When Medicare is primary, we will cover what they don't assuming all other rules have been followed.

In most cases, if you inform your provider that you have two coverages, they will send the claims to the carriers. But, this is something they do as a convenience. You are always ultimately responsible to submit your claims to the carriers you deal with.

 

Claims process when you have the Original Medicare Plan - You probably will never have to file a claim form when you have both our Plan and the Original Medicare Plan.

When we are the primary payer, we process the claim first.

When Original Medicare is the primary payer, Medicare processes your claim first. In most cases, your claim will be coordinated automatically and we will then provide secondary benefits for covered charges. You will not need to do anything. To find out if you need to do something to file your claim, call us at 1-800-251-7722.

We do not waive any costs if the Original Medicare Plan is your primary payer.

Primary payer chart begins on next page.


Medicare always makes the final determination as to whether they are the primary payer. The following chart illustrates whether Medicare or this Plan should be the primary payer for you according to your employment status and other factors determined by Medicare. It is critical that you tell us if you or a covered family member has Medicare coverage so we can administer these requirements correctly.


Primary Payer Chart

A. When you - or your covered spouse - are age 65 or over and have Medicare and you...

The primary payer for the individual with Medicare is...

Medicare

This Plan

1) Have FEHB coverage on your own as an active employee or through your spouse who is an active employee

 

2) Have FEHB coverage on your own as an annuitant or through your spouse who is an annuitant

 

3) Are a reemployed annuitant with the Federal government and your position is excluded from the FEHB (your employing office will know if this is the case) and you are not covered under FEHB through your spouse under #1 above

 

4) Are a reemployed annuitant with the Federal government and your position is not excluded from the FEHB (your employing office will know if this is the case) and ...

You have FEHB coverage on your own or through your spouse who is also an active employee

 

You have FEHB coverage through your spouse who is an annuitant

 

5) Are a Federal judge who retired under title 28, U.S.C., or a Tax Court judge who retired under Section 7447 of title 26, U.S.C. (or if your covered spouse is this type of judge) and you are not covered under FEHB through your spouse under #1 above

 

6) Are enrolled in Part B only, regardless of your employment status

for Part B services

for other services

7) Are a former Federal employee receiving Workers' Compensation and the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs has determined that you are unable to return to duty

*

 

B. When you or a covered family member...

 

1) Have Medicare solely based on end stage renal disease (ESRD) and...

� It is within the first 30 months of eligibility for or entitlement to Medicare due to ESRD (30-month coordination period)

 

� It is beyond the 30-month coordination period and you or a family member are still entitled to Medicare due to ESRD

 

2) Become eligible for Medicare due to ESRD while already a Medicare beneficiary and...

� This Plan was the primary payer before eligibility due to ESRD

 

for 30-month coordination period

� Medicare was the primary payer before eligibility due to ESRD

 

C. When either you or a covered family memberare eligible for Medicare solely due to disability and you...

 

1) Have FEHB coverage on your own as an active employee or through a family member who is an active employee

 

2) Have FEHB coverage on your own as an annuitant or through a family member who is an annuitant

 

D. When you are covered under the FEHB Spouse Equity provision as a former spouse

 

*Workers' Compensation is primary for claims related to your condition under Workers' Compensation


 

� Medicare Advantage

If you are eligible for Medicare, you may choose to enroll in and get your Medicare benefits from a Medicare Advantage plan. These are private health care choices (like HMOs) in some areas of the country. In most Medicare Advantage plans, you can only go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals that are part of the plan. Medicare Advantage plans provide all the benefits that Original Medicare covers. Some cover extras, like prescription drugs. To learn more about enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or at www.medicare.gov.

If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, the following options are available to you:

This Plan and another plan's Medicare Advantage plan: You may enroll in another plan's Medicare Advantage plan and also remain enrolled in our FEHB plan. We will still provide benefits when your Medicare Advantage plan is primary, even out of the Medicare Advantage plan's network and/or service area (if you use our Plan providers), but we will not waive any of our copayments or coinsurance. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, tell us. We will need to know whether you are in the Original Medicare Plan or in a Medicare Advantage plan so we can correctly coordinate benefits with Medicare.

Suspended FEHB coverage to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan: If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, eliminating your FEHB premium. (OPM does not contribute to your Medicare Advantage plan premium.) For information on suspending your FEHB enrollment, contact your retirement office. If you later want to re-enroll in the FEHB Program, generally you may do so only at the next Open Season unless you involuntarily lose coverage or move out of the Medicare Advantage plan's service area.

TRICARE and CHAMPVA

TRICARE is the health care program for eligible dependents of military persons, and retirees of the military. TRICARE includes the CHAMPUS program. CHAMPVA provides health coverage to disabled Veterans and their eligible dependents. IF TRICARE or CHAMPVA and this Plan cover you, we pay first. See your TRICARE or CHAMPVA Health Benefits Advisor if you have questions about these programs.

Suspended FEHB coverage to enroll in TRICARE or CHAMPVA: If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in one of these programs, eliminating your FEHB premium. (OPM does not contribute to any applicable plan premiums.) For information on suspending your FEHB enrollment, contact your retirement office. If you later want to re-enroll in the FEHB Program, generally you may do so only at the next Open Season unless you involuntarily lose coverage under the program.

Workers' Compensation

We do not cover services that:

You need because of a workplace-related illness or injury that the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) or a similar Federal or State agency determines they must provide; or

OWCP or a similar agency pays for through a third-party injury settlement or other similar proceeding that is based on a claim you filed under OWCP or similar laws.

Once OWCP or similar agency pays its maximum benefits for your treatment, we will cover your care.

Medicaid

When you have this Plan and Medicaid, we pay first.

Suspended FEHB coverage to enroll in Medicaid or a similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance: If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in one of these State programs, eliminating your FEHB premium. For information on suspending your FEHB enrollment, contact your retirement office. If you later want to re-enroll in the FEHB Program, generally you may do so only at the next Open Season unless you involuntarily lose coverage under the State program.

When other Government agencies are responsible for your care

We do not cover services and supplies when a local, State, or Federal government agency directly or indirectly pays for them.

When others are responsible for injuries

When you receive money to compensate you for medical or hospital care for injuries or illness caused by another person, you must reimburse us for any expenses we paid. However, we will cover the cost of treatment that exceeds the amount you received in the settlement.

If you do not seek damages you must agree to let us try. This is called subrogation. If you need more information, contact us for our subrogation procedures.


Section 10. Definitions of terms we use in this brochure

Calendar year

January 1 through December 31 of the same year. For new enrollees, the calendar year begins on the effective date of their enrollment and ends on December 31 of the same year.

Coinsurance

Coinsurance is the percentage of our allowance that you must pay for your care. You may also be responsible for additional amounts. See page 13.

Copayment

A copayment is a fixed amount of money you pay when you receive covered services. See
page 13.

Covered services

Care we provide benefits for, as described in this brochure.

Custodial care

Home Health Care, light duty services at your home. Custodial care that lasts 90 days or more is sometimes known as long-term care.

Deductible

A deductible is a fixed amount of covered expenses you must incur for certain covered services and supplies before we start paying benefits for those services. See page 13.

Experimental or investigational services

How do you decide if a service is experimental or investigational? ConnectiCare uses

outside medical experts and scientific literature reviews for determining whether a medical service is considered investigational and/or experimental.

Group health coverage

Health insurance sold only to group employers.

Medical necessity

Medical care provided for illness or injury that is determined by national standards to be Medically Necessary. Like a Mammogram, etc.

Us/We

Us and We refer to ConnectiCare, Inc.

You

You refers to the enrollee and each covered family member.


Section 11. FEHB Facts

Coverage information

� No pre-existing condition limitation

We will not refuse to cover the treatment of a condition you had before you enrolled in this Plan solely because you had the condition before you enrolled.

� Where you can get information about enrolling in the FEHB Program

See www.opm.gov/insure. Also, your employing or retirement office can answer your questions, and give you a Guide to Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans, brochures for other plans, and other materials you need to make an informed decision about your FEHB coverage. These materials tell you:

When you may change your enrollment;

How you can cover your family members;

What happens when you transfer to another Federal agency, go on leave without pay, enter military service, or retire;

When your enrollment ends; and

When the next open season for enrollment begins.

We don't determine who is eligible for coverage and, in most cases, cannot change your enrollment status without information from your employing or retirement office.

Section 11

Types of coverage available for you and your family

Self Only coverage is for you alone. Self and Family coverage is for you, your spouse, and your unmarried dependent children under age 22, including any foster children or stepchildren your employing or retirement office authorizes coverage for. Under certain circumstances, you may also continue coverage for a disabled child 22 years of age or older who is incapable of self-support.

If you have a Self Only enrollment, you may change to a Self and Family enrollment if you marry, give birth, or add a child to your family. You may change your enrollment 31 days before to 60 days after that event. The Self and Family enrollment begins on the first day of the pay period in which the child is born or becomes an eligible family member. When you change to Self and Family because you marry, the change is effective on the first day of the pay period that begins after your employing office receives your enrollment form; benefits will not be available to your spouse until you marry.

Your employing or retirement office will not notify you when a family member is no longer eligible to receive benefits, nor will we. Please tell us immediately when you add or remove family members from your coverage for any reason, including divorce, or when your child under age 22 marries or turns 22.

If you or one of your family members is enrolled in one FEHB plan, that person may not be enrolled in or covered as a family member by another FEHB plan.

Section 11

Children's Equity Act

OPM has implemented the Federal Employees Health Benefits Children's Equity Act of 2000. This law mandates that you be enrolled for Self and Family coverage in the FEHB Program, if you are an employee subject to a court or administrative order requiring you to provide health benefits for your child(ren).

If this law applies to you, you must enroll for Self and Family coverage in a health plan that provides full benefits in the area where your children live or provide documentation to your employing office that you have obtained other health benefits coverage for your children. If you do not do so, your employing office will enroll you involuntarily as follows:

If you have no FEHB coverage, your employing office will enroll you for Self and Family coverage in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan's Basic Option;

If you have a Self Only enrollment in a fee-for-service plan or in an HMO that serves the area where your children live, your employing office will change your enrollment to Self and Family in the same option of the same plan; or

If you are enrolled in an HMO that does not serve the area where the children live, your employing office will change your enrollment to Self and Family in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan's Basic Option.

As long as the court/administrative order is in effect, and you have at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, you cannot cancel your enrollment, change to Self Only, or change to a plan that doesn't serve the area in which your children live, unless you provide documentation that you have other coverage for the children. If the court/administrative order is still in effect when you retire, and you have at least one child still eligible for FEHB coverage, you must continue your FEHB coverage into retirement (if eligible) and cannot cancel your coverage, change to Self Only, or change to a plan that doesn't serve the area in which your children live as long as the court/administrative order is in effect. Contact your employing office for further information.

� When benefits and premiums start

The benefits in this brochure are effective January 1. If you joined this Plan during Open Season, your coverage begins on the first day of your first pay period that starts on or after January 1. If you changed plans or plan options during Open Season and you receive care between January 1 and the effective date of coverage under your new plan or option, your claims will be paid according to the 2005 benefits of your old plan or option. However, if your old plan left the FEHB Program at the end of the year, you are covered under that plan's 2004 benefits until the effective date of your coverage with your new plan. Annuitants' coverage and premiums begin on January 1. If you joined at any other time during the year, your employing office will tell you the effective date of coverage.

� When you retire

When you retire, you can usually stay in the FEHB Program. Generally, you must have been enrolled in the FEHB Program for the last five years of your Federal service. If you do not meet this requirement, you may be eligible for other forms of coverage, such as Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC).

When you lose benefits

� When FEHB coverage ends

You will receive an additional 31 days of coverage, for no additional premium, when:

Your enrollment ends, unless you cancel your enrollment, or

You are a family member no longer eligible for coverage.

You may be eligible for spouse equity coverage or Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC), or a conversion policy (a non-FEHB individual policy.)

� Spouse equity coverage

If you are divorced from a Federal employee or annuitant, you may not continue to get benefits under your former spouse's enrollment. This is the case even when the court has ordered your former spouse to provide health coverage to you. But, you may be eligible for your own FEHB coverage under the spouse equity law or Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC). If you are recently divorced or are anticipating a divorce, contact your ex-spouse's employing or retirement office to get RI 70-5, the Guide To Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans for Temporary Continuation of Coverage and Former Spouse Enrollees, or other information about your coverage choices. You can also download the guide from OPM's Web site, www.opm.gov/insure.

� Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC)

If you leave Federal service, or if you lose coverage because you no longer qualify as a family member, you may be eligible for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC). For example, you can receive TCC if you are not able to continue your FEHB enrollment after you retire, if you lose your Federal job, if you are a covered dependent child and you turn 22 or marry, etc.

You may not elect TCC if you are fired from your Federal job due to gross misconduct.

Enrolling in TCC. Get the RI 79-27, which describes TCC, and the RI 70-5, the Guide to Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans for Temporary Continuation of Coverage and Former Spouse Enrollees, from your employing or retirement office or from www.opm.gov/insure. It explains what you have to do to enroll.

� Converting to individual coverage

You may convert to a non-FEHB individual policy if:

Your coverage under TCC or the spouse equity law ends (If you canceled your coverage or did not pay your premium, you cannot convert);

You decided not to receive coverage under TCC or the spouse equity law; or

You are not eligible for coverage under TCC or the spouse equity law.

If you leave Federal service, your employing office will notify you of your right to convert. You must apply in writing to us within 31 days after you receive this notice. However, if you are a family member who is losing coverage, the employing or retirement office will not notify you. You must apply in writing to us within 31 days after you are no longer eligible for coverage.

Your benefits and rates will differ from those under the FEHB Program; however, you will not have to answer questions about your health, and we will not impose a waiting period or limit your coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

� Getting a Certificate of Group Health Plan Coverage

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a Federal law that offers limited Federal protections for health coverage availability and continuity to people who lose employer group coverage. If you leave the FEHB Program, we will give you a Certificate of Group Health Plan Coverage that indicates how long you have been enrolled with us. You can use this certificate when getting health insurance or other health care coverage. Your new plan must reduce or eliminate waiting periods, limitations, or exclusions for health related conditions based on the information in the certificate, as long as you enroll within 63 days of losing coverage under this Plan. If you have been enrolled with us for less than 12 months, but were previously enrolled in other FEHB plans, you may also request a certificate from those plans.

For more information, get OPM pamphlet RI 79-27, Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) under the FEHB Program. See also the FEHB Web site at www.opm.gov/insure/archive/health; refer to the "TCC and HIPAA" frequently asked questions. These highlight HIPAA rules, such as the requirement that Federal employees must exhaust any TCC eligibility as one condition for guaranteed access to individual health coverage under HIPAA, and information about Federal and State agencies you can contact for more information.

Section 11

Section 12.Two Federal Programs complement FEHB benefits

Important information

OPM wants to make sure you are aware of two Federal programs that complement the FEHB Program. First, the Federal Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program, also known as FSAFEDS, lets you set aside pre-tax money to pay for health and dependent care expenses. The result can be a discount of 20% to more than 40% on services you routinely pay for out-of-pocket. Second, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) helps cover long term care costs, which are not covered under the FEHB.

The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program - FSAFEDS

What is an FSA?

It is a tax-favored benefit that allows you to set aside pre-tax money from your paychecks to pay for a variety of eligible expenses. By using an FSA, you can reduce your taxes while paying for services you would have to pay for anyway, producing a discount that can be over 40%.

There are two types of FSAs offered by FSAFEDS:

Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA)

Covers eligible health care expenses not reimbursed by this Plan, or any other medical, dental, or vision care plan you or your dependents may have.

Eligible dependents for this account include anyone you claim on your Federal Income Tax return as a qualified dependent under the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definition and/or with whom you jointly file your Federal Income Tax return, even if you don't have self and family health benefits coverage. Note: The IRS has a broader definition of a "family member" than is used under the FEHB Program to provide benefits by your FEHB Plan.

The maximum annual amount that can be allotted for the HCFSA is $4,000. Note: The Federal workforce includes a number of employees married to each other. If each spouse/employee is eligible for FEHB coverage, both may enroll for a HCFSA up to the maximum of $4,000 each ($8,000 total). Both are covered under each other's HCFSA. The minimum annual amount is $250.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)

Covers eligible dependent care expenses incurred so you, and your spouse, if married, can work, look for work, or attend school full-time.

Qualifying dependents for this account include your dependent children under age 13, or any person of any age whom you claim as a dependent on your Federal Income Tax return (and who is mentally or physically incapable of self care).

The maximum annual amount that can be allotted for the DCFSA is $5,000. The minimum annual amount is $250. Note: The IRS limits contributions to DCFSA. For single taxpayers and taxpayers filing a joint return, the maximum is $5,000 per year. For taxpayers who file their taxes separately with a spouse, the maximum is $2,500 per year. The limit includes any child care subsidy you may receive.

Enroll during Open Season

You must make an election to enroll in an FSA during the 2005 FEHB Open Season. Even if you enrolled during 2004, you must make a new election to continue participating in 2005. Enrollment is easy!

Online: visit www.FSAFEDS.com and click on Enroll.

Telephone: call an FSAFEDS Benefits Counselor toll-free at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337), Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., Eastern Time. TTY: 1-800-952-0450.

What is SHPS?

SHPS is a third-party administrator hired by OPM to manage the FSAFEDS Program. SHPS is the largest FSA administrator in the nation and is responsible for enrollment, claims processing, customer service, and day-to-day operations of FSAFEDS.

Who is eligible to enroll?

If you are a Federal employee eligible for FEHB - even if you're not enrolled in FEHB - you can choose to participate in either, or both, of the FSAs. However, if you enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA), you are not eligible to participate in an HCFSA.

Almost all Federal employees are eligible to enroll for a DCFSA. The only exception is intermittent (also called "when actually employed" [WAE]) employees expected to work fewer than 180 days during the year.

Note: FSAFEDS is the FSA Program established for all Executive Branch employees and Legislative Branch employees whose employers have signed on to participate. Under IRS law, FSAs are not available to annuitants. Also, the U.S. Postal Service and the Judicial Branch, among others, have their own plans with slightly different rules. However, the advantages of having an FSA are the same regardless of the agency for which you work.

How much should I contribute to my FSA?

Plan carefully when deciding how much to contribute to an FSA. Because of the tax benefits an FSA provides, the IRS places strict guidelines on how the money can be used. Under current IRS tax rules, you are required to forfeit any money for which you did not incur an eligible expense under your FSA account(s) during the Plan Year. This is known as the "use-it-or-lose-it" rule. You will have until April 30, following the end of the Plan Year to submit claims for your eligible expenses incurred from January 1through December 31. For example if you enroll in FSAFEDS for the 2005 Plan Year, you will have until April 30, 2006 to submit claims for eligible expenses.

The FSAFEDS Calculator at www.FSAFEDS.com will help you plan your FSA allocations and provide an estimate of your tax savings based on your individual situation.

What can my HCFSA pay for?

Every FEHB plan includes cost sharing features, such as deductibles you must meet before the Plan provides benefits, coinsurance or copayments that you pay when you and the Plan share costs, and medical services and supplies that are not covered by the Plan and for which you must pay. These out-of-pocket costs are summarized on page 61 and detailed throughout this brochure. Your HCFSA will reimburse you when those costs are for qualified medical care that you, your spouse and/or your dependents receive that is NOT covered or reimbursed by this FEHB Plan or any other coverage that you have.

The IRS governs expenses reimbursable by a HCFSA. See Publication 502 for a comprehensive list of tax-deductible medical expenses. Note: While you will see insurance premiums listed in Publication 502, they are NOT a reimbursable expense for FSA purposes. Publication 502 can be found on the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf. The FSAFEDS Web site also has a comprehensive list of eligible expenses at www.FSAFEDS.com/fsafeds/eligibleexpenses.asp. If you do not see your service or expense listed, please call an FSAFEDS Benefits Counselor at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337), who will be able to answer your specific questions.

Tax savings with an FSA

An FSA lets you allot money for eligible expenses before your agency deducts taxes from your paycheck. This means the amount of income that your taxes are based on will be lower, so your tax liability will be less. Without an FSA, you would still pay for these expenses, but you would do so using money remaining in your paycheck after Federal (and often state and local) taxes are deducted. The following chart illustrates a typical tax savings example:

 

Annual Tax Savings Example

With FSA

Without
FSA

If your taxable income is:

$50,000

$50,000

And you deposit this amount into an FSA:

$2,000

-$0-

Your taxable income is now:

$48,000

$50,000

Subtract Federal & Social Security taxes:

$13,807

$14,383

If you spend after-tax dollars for expenses:

-$0-

$2,000

Your real spendable income is:

$34,193

$33,617

Your tax savings:

$576

-$0-

 

Note: This example is intended to demonstrate a typical tax savings based on 27% Federal and 7.65% FICA taxes. Actual savings will vary based upon the retirement system in which you are enrolled (CSRS or FERS), your state of residence, and your individual tax situation. In this example, the individual received $2,000 in services for $1,424 - a discount of almost 36%! You may also wish to consult a tax professional for more information on the tax implications of an FSA.

Tax credits and deductions

You cannot claim expenses on your Federal Income Tax return if you receive reimbursement for them from your HCFSA or DCFSA. Below are some guidelines that may help you decide whether to participate in FSAFEDS.

Health care expenses

The HCFSA is Federal Income Tax-free from the first dollar. In addition, you may be reimbursed from your HCFSA at any time during the year for expenses up to the annual amount you've elected to contribute.

Only health care expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income are eligible to be deducted on your Federal Income Tax return. Using the example shown above, only health care expenses exceeding $3,750 (7.5% of $50,000) would be eligible to be deducted on your Federal Income Tax return. In addition, money set aside through an HCFSA is also exempt from FICA taxes. This exemption is not available on your Federal Income Tax return.

Dependent care expenses

The DCFSA generally allows many families to save more than they would with the Federal tax credit for dependent care expenses. Note that you may only be reimbursed from the DCFSA up to your current account balance. If you file a claim for more than your current balance, it will be held until additional payroll allotments have been added to your account.

Visit www.FSAFEDS.com and download the Dependent Care Tax Credit Worksheet from the Forms and Literature page to help you determine what is best for your situation. You may also wish to consult a tax professional for more details.

Does it cost me anything to participate in FSAFEDS?

No. Section 1127 of the National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 108-136) requires agencies that offer FSAFEDS to employees to cover the administrative fee(s) on behalf of their employees. However, remember that participating in FSAFEDS can cost you money if you don't spend your entire account balance by the end of the Plan Year, resulting in the forfeiture of funds remaining in your account (the IRS "use-it-or-lose-it" rule).

Contact us

To learn more or to enroll, please visit the FSAFEDS Web site at www.FSAFEDS.com, or contact SHPS directly via email or by phone. FSAFEDS Benefits Counselors are available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

E-mail: FSAFEDS@shps.net

Telephone: 1-877-FSAFEDS (1-877-372-3337)

TTY: 1-800-952-0450

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program

It's important protection

Why should you consider applying for coverage under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)?

FEHB plans do not cover the cost of long term care. Also called "custodial care," long term care is help you receive to perform activities of daily living - such as bathing or dressing yourself - or supervision you receive because of a severe cognitive impairment. The need for long term care can strike anyone at any age and the cost of care can be substantial.

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program can help protect you from the potentially high cost of long term care. This coverage gives you options regarding the type of care you receive and where you receive it. With FLTCIP coverage, you won't have to worry about relying on your loved ones to provide or pay for your care.

It's to your advantage to apply sooner rather than later. In order to qualify for coverage under the FLTCIP, you must apply and pass a medical screening (called underwriting). Certain medical conditions, or combinations of conditions, will prevent some people from being approved for coverage. By applying while you're in good health, you could avoid the risk of having a future change in your health disqualify you from obtaining coverage. Also, the younger you are when you apply, the lower your premiums.

You don't have to wait for an open season to apply. The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program accepts applications from eligible persons at any time. You will have to complete a full underwriting application, which asks a number of questions about your health. However, if you are a new or newly eligible employee, you (and your spouse, if applicable) have a limited opportunity to apply using the abbreviated underwriting application, which asks fewer questions. Newly married spouses of employees also have a limited opportunity to apply using abbreviated underwriting.

Qualified relatives are also eligible to apply. Qualified relatives include spouses and adult children of employees and annuitants, and parents, parents-in-law, and stepparents of employees.

To find out more and to request an application

Call 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) (TTY 1-800-843-3557) or visit www.ltcfeds.com.




Index

Do not rely on this page; it is for your convenience and may not show all pages where the terms appear.

 


- Accidental injury 42

- Allergy care 20

- Allogeneic (donor) bone marrow transplant 29

- Alternative treatments 24

- Ambulance 33, 35

- Anesthesia 5, 30 32

- Autologous bone marrow transplant 29

- Biopsy 26

- Blood and blood plasma 32

- Casts 26, 32, 33

- Catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum 13, 61

- Changes for 2005 9

- Chemotherapy 21

- Chiropractic 24

- Cholesterol tests 17

- Claims 39, 44, 45, 48, 54, 58

- Coinsurance 6, 7, 13, 50, 52, 57, 61

- Colorectal cancer screening 17

- Congenital anomalies 26, 27

- Contraceptive drugs and devices 19, 39

- Covered charges 53

- Crutches 24

- Deductible 10, 13, 16, 24, 26, 31, 34, 36, 38, 42, 52, 57

- Definitions................................... 52

- Dental care 42, 61

- Diagnostic services 14, 16, 32, 36, 61

- Disputed claims review 45

- Donor expenses 29

- Dressings 32

- Durable medical equipment 24

- Educational classes and programs 25

- Effective date of enrollment 10

- Emergency ...................9, 34, 35, 43, 61

- Experimental or investigational 43

- Eyeglasses 22

- Family planning 19

- Fecal occult blood test 17

- Fraud 3, 4

- General Exclusions 43

- Hearing services 22

- Home health services 24

- Hospice care 33

- Hospital 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 47, 50, 61

- Immunizations 17

- Infertility 20

- Inpatient hospital benefits 31, 32

- Insulin 39

- Magnetic Resonance Imagings (MRIs) 17

- Mammograms 17

- Maternity benefits 19

- Medicaid 51

- Medically necessary 12, 16, 27, 29, 32, 36, 38, 40, 45, 46, 55

- Medicare 9, 16,, 27, 32, 36, 38, 40, 45, 50, 52, 53

- Medicare Advantage 9, 50, 53

Original........................................ 51, 53

- Members

Associate........................................... 66

Family 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 36, 43e, 50, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59

Plan.............................................. 10, 28

- Mental Health/Substance Abuse Benefits 38

- Newborn care 19

- Non-FEHB benefits 57,58

- Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)........ 25

Nurse Anesthetist (NA).................... 33

Registered Nurse............................... 25

- Occupational therapy 21

- Ocular injury 22

- Office visits 13

- Oral and maxillofacial surgical 29

- Out-of-pocket expenses 50, 60

- Oxygen 25, 33, 34

- Pap test 17, 18

- Physician ............10, 13, 16, 25, 27, 32

- Precertification 27, 32, 49

- Prescription drugs 9,19, 40, 47, 53, 61

- Preventive care, adult 17

- Preventive care, children 18

- Preventive services 7

- Prior approval 12, 48, 49

- Prosthetic devices 23, 24, 28

- Psychologist 39

- Radiation therapy 21

- Room and board 32

- Second surgical opinion 16

- Skilled nursing facility care 11, 16, 31, 34

- Smoking cessation 26

- Social worker 39

- Speech therapy 22

- Splints 33

- Subrogation 55

- Substance abuse 12, 38, 61

- Surgery 5, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28

- Anesthesia 34

Oral.................................................... 28

Outpatient..................................... 9, 34

Reconstructive............................. 27, 28

Syringes............................................. 42

- Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) 4, 57, 58

- Transplants 12, 21, 29, 30

- Treatment therapies 21

- Vision care 22, 59, 61

- Vision services 22

- Wheelchairs 25

- Workers Compensation 53

- X-rays 17, 33, 34


 

 

 


Summary of benefits for ConnectiCare, Inc. - 2005

Do not rely on this chart alone. All benefits are provided in full unless indicated and are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions in this brochure. On this page we summarize specific expenses we cover; for more detail, look inside.

If you want to enroll or change your enrollment in this Plan, be sure to put the correct enrollment code from the cover on your enrollment form.

We only cover services provided or arranged by Plan physicians, except in emergencies.

Benefits

You pay

Page

Medical services provided by physicians:

Diagnostic and treatment services provided in the office....................

Office visit copay: $15 primary care physician; $20 specialist

16

Services provided by a hospital:

Inpatient.......................................................................................................

Outpatient....................................................................................................

$50 copayment per day to a maximum of $250 per member per year

$50 copayment

31

31

 

Emergency benefits

In-area emergency care hospital outpatient...........................................

Out-of-area emergency care hospital outpatient...................................

 

$50 per visit

$50 per visit

 

34

34

Mental health and substance abuse treatment..............................................

Regular cost sharing

36

Prescription drugs..............................................................................................

$15 generic
$25 Brand-name Formulary
$40 Brand-name non-formulary
Cost-sharing applies when generic is available

38-40

Dental care......................................................................................................... ..

No benefit

Vision care.......................................................................................................... .

$10 routine exam, discounts available on eyewear and contacts.

22

Special features: Flexible benefits, services for the deaf and hearing impaired, ConnectiCare Web site, alternative treatments

41

Protection against catastrophic costs

(your catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum)...............................

You must share the cost of some services. This is called either a copayment (a set dollar amount) or coinsurance (a set percentage of charges). Please remember you must pay this amount when you rece4ive services. All "catastrophic" costs are paid by the Plan.

13


 

 



2005 Rate Information for ConnectiCare, Inc.

Non-Postal rates apply to most non-Postal employees. If you are in a special enrollment category, refer to the FEHB Guide for that category or contact the agency that maintains your health benefits enrollment.

Postal rates apply to career Postal Service employees. Most employees should refer to the FEHB Guide for United States Postal Service Employees, RI 70-2. Different postal rates apply and a special FEHB guide is published for Postal Service Inspectors and Office of Inspector General (OIG) employees (see RI 70-2IN).

Postal rates do not apply to non-career postal employees, postal retirees, or associate members of any postal employee organization who are not career postal employees. Refer to the applicable FEHB Guide.

 

Type

of

Enrollment

Code

Non-Postal Premium

Biweekly Monthly

Gov't Your Gov't Your

Share Share Share Share

Postal Premium

Biweekly

USPS Your

Share Share

All of Connecticut

High Option

Self Only

High Option

Self & Family

TE1

TE2

$126.22 $42.07 $273.47 $91.16

$298.23 $127.56 $646.17 $276.38

$149.36 $18.93

$352.08 $73.71