GlobalHealth

http://www.globalhealth.cc

2005

A Health Maintenance Organization

Serving: Oklahoma City Metropolitan area

For changes in benefits see page 8

Enrollment in this plan is limited. You must live or work in our Geographic service area to enroll. See page 7 for requirements.

GlobalHealth Incorporated

P.O. Box 1747

Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1747

Enrollment code for this Plan:

IM1 Self Only

IM2 Self and Family

Special notice: This Plan is offered for the first time under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program during the 2005 Open Season.


RI 73-834

 

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.shtml, which complements and broadens healthier lifestyle resources. The site provides extensive information from health care experts and organizations to support your personal interest is 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:

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

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

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:

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 19, 2003.

 


Table of Contents

Introduction

Plain Language

Stop Health Care Fraud!

Preventing medical mistakes

Section 1. Facts about this HMO plan

How we pay providers

Your Rights

Service Area

Section 2. We are a new plan

Section 3. How you get care

Identification cards

Where you get covered care

What you must do to get covered care

Circumstances beyond our control

Services requiring our prior approval

Section 4. Your costs for covered services

Copayments

Deductible

Coinsurance

Your catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum

Section 5. Benefits - OVERVIEW

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

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

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

Section 5(d) Emergency services/accidents

When It's an Emergency

If You're in an Accident

Section 5(e) Mental health and substance abuse benefits

Section 5(f) Prescription drug benefits

Section 5(g) Special features

Section 5(h) Dental benefits

Section 5(i) Non-FEHB benefits available to Plan members

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

Section 7. Filing a claim for covered services

Section 8. The disputed claims process

Section 9. Coordinating benefits with other coverage

When you have other health coverage

What is Medicare?

When you lose benefits

Section 12.Two Federal Programs complement FEHB benefits

The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program - FSAFEDS

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program

Index

Summary of benefits for the GlobalHealth plan - 2005

2005 Rate Information for GlobalHealth

 

 

Introduction

This brochure describes the benefits of GlobalHealth under our contract (CS 2893) with the United States Office of Personnel Management, as authorized by the Federal Employees Health Benefits law. The address for GlobalHealth administrative offices is:

GlobalHealth

P.O. Box 1747

Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1747

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.

OPM negotiates benefits and rates with each plan annually. 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,

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:

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

If the provider does not resolve the matter, call us at 1/877-280-2990 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


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).

 

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.

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

3. Get the results of any test or procedure.

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

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

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?

Want more information on patient safety?

 


 

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, and/or coinsurance 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.

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.

If you want more information about us, call 1-877/280-2990, or write to P.O. Box 1747, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1747. You may also contact us by fax at 405-280-2951 or visit our website at www.globalhealth.cc.

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: Oklahoma County in its entirety and the following counties by specific zip code: Cleveland-73139, 73149, 73159,73160,73065, 73170; Canadian-73036, 73064, 73078, 73099, 73090, 73085, 73099; Lincoln-74881.

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 moves 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 moves, you do not have to wait until Open Season to change plans. Contact your employing or retirement office.


 

Section 2. We are a new plan

This Plan is new to the FEHB Program. We are being offered for the first time during the 2005 open season.

 


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 1/877-280-2990 or write to us at GlobalHealth, P.O Box 1747 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101-1747. You may also request replacement cards through our Web site at http://www.globalhealth.cc

Where you get covered care

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

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. The list is also on our Web site.

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 may choose a primary care doctor by completing the Primary Care Doctor Selection form inside your enrollment packet.

Your primary care physician can be a family practitioner, internist, a pediatrician for members under the age of 18, or a general practitioner.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.

Your primary care physician will refer you to a specialist for needed care. When you receive a referral from your primary care physician, you must return to the primary care physician after the consultation, unless your primary care physician authorized a certain number of visits without additional referrals. The primary care physician must provide or authorize all follow-up care. Do not go to the specialist for return visits unless your primary care physician gives you a referral.

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 coordinate your care with your specialist 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 other than for 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.

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 1/877-280-2990. 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.

Your Primary Care Physician is the person you will see first for your medical care. In most cases, your doctor will be able to take care of your medical problem. But if your Primary Care Physician believes a specialist is needed to treat your medical condition, he or she will make the referral request on your behalf. Sometimes, your Primary Care Physician may consult with other physicians who are members of a patient care team.

This team allows Primary Care Physicians to discuss special medical situations with colleagues. The team shares knowledge and experiences to recommend the course of care appropriate for you.

Your Primary Care Physician decides whether to refer you to a specialist or try other medical therapy. As the coordinator of your personal medical care, your Primary Care Physician will work with you to determine a treatment plan.

With your Primary Care Physician�s referral, you can see a specialist. Most specialty care will be provided within your medical group. After your Primary Care Physician makes the referral, you are responsible for making the actual appointment with the specialist.

The following services require approval; they include but are not limited to:

  • Hospital Stays
  • All Surgery
  • Any non-emergent care
  • Growth Hormone Therapy (GHT)

 


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 $15 per office visit and when you go in the hospital, you pay $250 per day with a maximum of $750 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. We do not have a deductible.

Coinsurance

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

Example: In our Plan, you pay 50% of our allowance for infertility services.

Your catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum

After your copayments and/or coinsurance total $1,500 per person or $3,000 per family enrollment in any calendar year, you do not have to pay any more for covered services. However, copayments and/or coinsurance for the following services do not count toward your catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum, and you must continue to pay copayments and/or coinsurance for these services:

Prescription Drugs

Vision Services

Be sure to keep accurate records of your copayments and/or coinsurance since you are responsible for informing us when you reach the maximum.

 

Section 5. Benefits - OVERVIEW

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 1/877-280-2990 or at our Web site at www.globalhealth.cc .

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

Diagnostic and treatment services

Lab, X-ray and other diagnostic tests

Preventive care, adult

Preventive care, children

Preventive care, children

Maternity care

Family planning

Family planning

Infertility services

Allergy care

Treatment therapies

Physical and occupational therapies

Speech therapy

Hearing services (testing, treatment, and supplies)

Vision services (testing, treatment, and supplies)

Foot care

Orthopedic and prosthetic devices

Durable medical equipment (DME)

Home health services

Chiropractic

Alternative treatments

Educational classes and programs

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

Surgical procedures

Reconstructive surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Organ/tissue transplants

Anesthesia

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

Inpatient hospital

Inpatient hospital

Outpatient hospital or ambulatory surgical center

Extended care benefits/Skilled nursing care facility benefits

Hospice care

Ambulance

Section 5(d) Emergency services/accidents

Emergency within our service area

Emergency outside our service area

Ambulance

Section 5(e) Mental health and substance abuse benefits

Mental health and substance abuse benefits

Mental health and substance abuse benefits

Section 5(f) Prescription drug benefits

Covered medications and supplies

Section 5(g) Special features

Flexible benefits option

Services for deaf and hearing impaired

Accidental injury benefit

Dental benefits

Summary of benefits for the GlobalHealth plan - 2005

 


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

IMPORTANT

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.

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.

IMPORTANT

Benefit Description

You pay 

Diagnostic and treatment services

 

Professional services of physicians

  • In physician's office

$15 per visit to your primary care physician

$25 per visit to a specialist

Professional services of physicians

  • In an urgent care center
  • During a hospital stay
  • In a skilled nursing facility
  • Office medical consultations
  • Second surgical opinion
  • At home

 

 

$15 per PCP visit

$25 per specialist visit

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

 

 

 

Nothing if you receive these services during your office visit; otherwise, $15 per PCP visit or $25 per specialist visit

 

 

 

Preventive care, adult

You pay

Routine screenings, such as:

  • 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

 

 

$15 per PCP visit

$25 per specialist visit

Colonoscopy screening - every ten years starting at age 50

$15 per PCP visit

$25 per specialist visit

NOTE: If services are performed in an outpatient hospital or ambulatory surgical center the applicable facility copay will apply

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

$15 per PCP visit

 

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

$25 per specialist office visit

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 and over, one every calendar year

Nothing

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

You pay nothing for immunizations; PCP or specialist copays will apply to associated office visit if applicable.

  • 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

Preventive care, children (continued)

You pay

  • 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)

$15 per PCP office visit

$25 per specialist office visit

Maternity care

 

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 27 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. Surgical benefits, not maternity benefits apply to circumcision.
  • 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 PCP initial visit only or $25 for specialist initial visit only.

 

NOTE: If your PCP or specialist refers you to another provider or facility for additional services, you will pay the copay applicable for the services rendered.

 

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 PCP office visit

$25 per specialist office visit

Family planning (continued)

You pay

Not covered:

  • Reversal of voluntary surgical sterilization
  • Genetic counseling

All charges.

Infertility services

 

Diagnosis and treatment of infertility such as:

  • Artificial insemination:
    • - intravaginal insemination (IVI)
    • - intracervical insemination (ICI)
    • - intrauterine insemination (IUI)
  • Fertility drug except for injectables

Note: We cover oral fertility drugs under the prescription drug benefit.

 

 

$15 per PCP office visit

$25 per specialist 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
  • Reversal of voluntary, surgically induced sterility
  • Treatment for infertility after a reversal of surgically induced sterility

All charges.

Allergy care

 

  • Testing and treatment
  • Allergy injections

 

$15 per PCP office visit

$25 per specialist office visit

 

NOTE: The applicable copay will be assessed for each visit to a doctor's office including visits to a nurse for an injection.

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 25.

  • 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 will only cover GHT when the treatment is preauthorized. Call your PCP for preauthorization. We will ask you to submit information that establishes that the GHT is medically necessary. Ask your PCP to authorize GHT before you begin treatment; otherwise, we will only cover GHT services from the date your PCP authorizes the treatment. If you do not ask or if we determine GHT is not medically necessary, we will not cover the GHT or related services and supplies. See Services requiring our prior approval in Section 3.

 

$15 per PCP office visit

$25 per specialist office visit

Physical and occupational therapies

 

  • 60 visits per condition per year for the services of 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 for up to 3 visits per weeks for up to 3 weeks.

$25 per office visit

$25 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 year

$25 per office visit

$25 per outpatient visit

Nothing per visit during covered inpatient admission.

Hearing services (testing, treatment, and supplies)

You pay

  • Hearing testing, examinations and necessary hearing aids for children under age 18 (see Preventive care, children)

NOTE: Hearing aids for children under the age of 18 are limited to one (1) hearing aid per ear every forty-eight (48) months, unless medically necessary. For member up to age two, four additional ear molds may be obtained per year.

$25 per office visit

Nothing for hearing aids determined to be covered for children under the age of 18

Not covered:

  • All other hearing testing
  • Hearing aids, testing and examinations for them

All charges.

Vision services (testing, treatment, and supplies)

 

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

$25 per visit

  • Eye exam to determine the need for vision correction for children through age 17 (see Preventive care, children
  • Annual eye refractions

Note: See Preventive care, children for eye exams for children

$25 per office visit

 

Not covered:

  • Eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • 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 per PCP office visit

$25 per specialist office visit

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: 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.

 

Nothing

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)

 

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 wheelchairs and scooters must be preauthorized);
  • crutches;
  • walkers;
  • blood glucose monitors; and
  • insulin pumps.

Note: Call your PCP as soon as your Plan physician prescribes this equipment to receive authorization.

 

 

Nothing

Not covered:

  • Bathroom equipment such as tub seats, benches, rails and lifts
  • Home modifications such as elevators or wheelchair ramps.

All charges.

Home health services

You pay

  • 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 for members that are confined to an institution that is not a hospital or are homebound.
  • Services include oxygen therapy, intravenous therapy and medication.

 

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

 

Chiropractic services limited to 20 visits per member per calendar year

  • Manipulation of the spine and extremities
  • Adjunctive procedures such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, vibratory therapy, and cold pack application

 

$25 per office visit

Not covered: Any services not specifically listed as covered

All charges.

Alternative treatments

 

No benefit

 

All charges

Educational classes and programs

 

Coverage is limited to:

  • Diabetes Nutritional Training for Diabetes
  • Freedom From Smoking Medically managed Smoking Cessation
  • Congestive Heart Program
  • Disease Management Learn skills to help manage Diabetes, Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Pain, and Chronic Respiratory Disease

 

Nothing

 


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

IMPORTANT

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.

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 OF 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.

IMPORTANT

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)
  • 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. These procedures must be approved in advance by the HMO.
  • 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.

 

 

$15 per PCP office visit

$25 per specialist office visit

Nothing for procedures done in a facility setting

Not covered:

  • Reversal of voluntary sterilization
  • Routine treatment of conditions of the foot; see Foot care

All charges.

Reconstructive surgery

You pay

  • 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 per PCP office visit

$25 per specialist office visit

 

Nothing if you receive these services in a facility setting


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

 

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.

 

$15 per PCP office visit

$25 per specialist office visit

 

Nothing if you receive these services in a facility setting

 

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) Non-experimental or non-investigational transplants are a covered benefit. Covered transplants must be ordered by your primary care physician and plan specialist doctor and approved by the Medical Director in advance of the surgery. All transplant procedures must be performed by a GlobalHealth approved transplant facility.

Limited Benefits - Treatment for breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and epithelial ovarian cancer may be provided in an NCI- or NIH-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

 

 

Nothing

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)
  • Hospital outpatient department
  • Skilled nursing facility
  • Ambulatory surgical center
  • Office

 

Nothing

 

Note: When the anesthesiologist is the only provider of services such as for pain management, the specialist copay applies.


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

IMPORTANT

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.

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 PHYSICIAN MUST GET PRECERTIFICATION OF HOSPITAL STAYS. Please refer to Section 3 to be sure which services require precertification.

IMPORTANT

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.

 

$250 per day with a maximum of $750 per admission

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

 

 

 

 

Nothing

Inpatient hospital services continued on next page

Inpatient hospital (continued)

You pay

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

 

  • 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.

 

$200 per visit

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

All charges.

Extended care benefits/Skilled nursing care facility benefits

 

Extended care benefit: Extended care benefit: All necessary services while confined in a skilled nursing facility limited to 100 days per calendar year when the confinement is determined to be medically appropriate by our medical director.

 

Nothing

Not covered: Custodial care

All charges.

Hospice care

 

Supportive and palliative care provided in the home or hospice facility for a terminally ill member is covered when directed by a Plan provider who certifies the patient is in the terminal stages of illness, with a life expectancy of approximately 6 months or less.

 

Nothing

Not covered: Independent nursing, homemaker services

All charges.

Ambulance

You pay

Ambulance service ordered or authorized by a Plan doctor

Nothing

Not covered: Ambulance services for routine transportation to receive outpatient or inpatient services.

All charges.

 


Section 5(d) Emergency services/accidents

IMPORTANT

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.

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.

 

IMPORTANT

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:

When It's an Emergency

If you or someone in your family needs emergency care,

  1. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call 911
  2. Identify yourself as a GlobalHealth member by showing your ID card
  3. Call your Primary Care Physician's office within 48-hours, unless it is not reasonably possible to do so. Let your doctor know you have been treated in an emergency room. Remember, the condition must be an emergency.
  4. If you are admitted to the hospital, your Primary Care Physician may arrange to transfer you to a contracting hospital.
  5. If you need preventive, routine or follow-up care after being treated in an emergency room, the care must be arranged or provided by your Primary Care Physician.

If You're in an Accident

If you are in an accident and are outside the service area or have no control over where you are taken following the accident, you must notify your Primary Care Physician within 48-hours, unless it was not reasonably possible to do so. There is a physician on call 24-hours a day to take your call.

Urgent Care within our service area

Urgent care is defined as medically necessary and immediately required as a result of an unforeseen illness, injury, or condition.

Urgent care is a covered benefit, subject to scheduled co-payments. Use of the emergency room for urgent care services that are not pre-authorized by your Primary Care Physician will not be covered.

  1. If you need urgent medical care, call your Primary Care Physician's officeand inform them that you are a GlobalHealth member.
  1. Inform your Primary Care Physician or office personnel that you have an urgent medical problem and need assistance and describe your condition or symptoms.
  1. During office hours, your call will be given to your Primary Care Physician or a medical staff person who will give you instructions.

After office hours, your Primary Care Physician's answering service will take your name and phone number. Your Primary Care Physician or an on-call physician will call you back. You will be given medical direction at that time.

Urgent Care outside our service area:

Urgent care is a covered benefit, subject to scheduled co-payments. However, use of the emergency room for urgent care services that are not pre-authorized by your Primary Care Physician will not be covered.

If you are traveling and require urgent care that cannot be delayed until you return to the GlobalHealth service area, contact your Primary Care Physician for prior authorization.

All follow-up care must be provided or arranged through your Primary Care Physician.

Benefit Description

You pay

 

Emergency within our service area

 

  • Emergency care at a doctor's office
  • Emergency care at an urgent care center
  • Emergency care as an outpatient or inpatient at a hospital, including doctors' services

$15 per PCP visit

$25 per specialist visit

$100 per visit in an urgent care center or emergency room

NOTE: If admitted, the $100 ER copay is waived

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 an urgent care center
  • Emergency care as an outpatient or inpatient at a hospital, including doctors' services

$25 per visit at a doctor's office

$100 per visit in an urgent care center or emergency room

NOTE: If admitted, the $100 ER copay is waived

Not covered:

  • Elective care or non-emergency care
  • Emergency care provided outside the service area if the need for care could have been foreseen before leaving the service area
  • Medical and hospital costs resulting from a normal full-term delivery of a baby outside the service area

All charges.

Ambulance

 

Professional ambulance service, including air ambulance when medically appropriate. Prior approval is required.

See 5(c) for non-emergency service.

Nothing

Not covered: air ambulance without prior approval

All charges.

 


Section 5(e) Mental health and substance abuse benefits

IMPORTANT

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.

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.

IMPORTANT

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

 

$25 per visit

  • Diagnostic tests

$25 per visit

 

  • Services provided by a hospital or other facility
$25 per outpatient visit
  • Services in approved alternative care settings such as partial hospitalization, half-way house, residential treatment, full-day hospitalization, facility based intensive outpatient treatment.

 

$250 per day up to a maximum of $750 per inpatient admission

 

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.

Mental health and substance abuse continued on next page

Mental health and substance abuse benefits (continued)

You pay

Preauthorization To be eligible to receive these benefits you must obtain a treatment plan and follow all of the following network authorization processes:

Behavioral health care services (e.g., treatment or care for mental disease or illness, alcohol abuse and/or substance abuse) are managed by GlobalHealth. GlobalHealth makes initial coverage determinations and coordinates referrals; any behavioral health care referrals will be made to providers affiliated with GlobalHealth, unless your needs for covered services extend beyond the capability of the affiliated providers. Emergency care is covered (See Section 5(d), Emergency services/accidents). You can receive information regarding the appropriate way to access the behavioral health care services that are covered under your specific plan by calling Member Services at 1-877/280-2990.

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


Section 5(f) Prescription drug benefits

IMPORTANT

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

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.

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.

IMPORTANT

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

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 your prescriptions at certain pharmacies or through our own mail order pharmacy service. There is an exception for medical emergencies and urgently needed care. If it is a medical emergency or urgently needed care, we cover prescriptions you get from doctors who are not plan providers and prescriptions that are filled at non-plan pharmacies.

We use a formulary. Drugs are prescribed by Plan doctors and dispensed in accordance with the Plan's drug formulary. The Plan's formulary does not exclude medications from coverage, but requires a higher copayment for non-formulary drugs. Certain drugs require your doctor to get precertification from the Plan before they can be prescribed under the Plan. Visit our Web site at www.globalhealth.cc to review our Formulary Guide or call 1-877/280-2990.

These are the dispensing limitations. Covered prescriptiondrugs prescribed by a licensed physician obtained at a participatingPlan retail pharmacymay be dispensed for up to a 30-day supply. Members must obtain a 31-day up to a 90-day supply of covered prescription medication through mail order. In no event will the copay exceed the cost of the prescription drug. A generic equivalent will be dispensed if available, unless your physician specifically requires a brand name.

  • Why use generic drugs? Generic drugs are produced and sold under their chemical names, rather than under the names of the companies that manufacture them. A generic drug is a lower cost version of a brand name drug. Some brand-name drugs have a generic equivalent and others do not.

Generic drugs cost less, but generic and brand-name drugs are the same in terms of quality and how they work. The law requires that a generic drug must contain the same amount of the same active drug ingredient as the brand-name drug. However, a generic drug may differ in certain other ways, such as its color or its flavor, the shape of the pill or tablet, and the inactive (non-drug) ingredients it contains.

As we explain below, you pay less for formulary drugs if you get a generic drug rather than a brand-name drug. TheGlobalHealthformulary list includes most generic drugs. When there is a generic drug available, theformulary list usually includes only the generic drug. GlobalHealth'splan pharmacies and mail order service fill prescriptions using generic drugs rather than brand-name drugs whenever possible.

  • When you have to file a claim. Send your itemized bill to GlobalHealth, P.O. Box 1747, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1747.

Prescription drug benefits begin on the next page


 

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

  • Contraceptive drugs and devices

  • Diabetic supplies limited to lancets, alcohol swabs, urine test strips/tablets, and blood glucose test strips

  • Oral fertility drugs

 

 

Retail Pharmacy, for up to a 30-day supply per prescription or refill:

$10 per covered generic formulary drug;

$25 per covered brand name formulary drug; and

$40 per covered non-formulary (generic or brand name) drug.

Mail Order Pharmacy, for a 31-day up to a 90-day supply per prescription or refill:

$20 per covered generic formulary drug;

$50 per covered brand name formulary drug; and

$80 per covered non-formulary (generic or brand name drug).

Not covered:

  • Drugs and supplies for cosmetic purposes
  • Drugs to enhance athletic performance
  • Injectable Fertility drugs
  • Drugs obtained at a non-Plan pharmacy; except for out-of-area emergencies
  • Vitamins, nutrients and food supplements that can be purchased without a prescription
  • Medical supplies such as dressings and antiseptics
  • Smoking-cessation drugs and medication including, but not limited to, nicotine patches and sprays
  • 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 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

TTY/TDD/VOICE

1-800/522-8506

 


Section 5(h) Dental benefits

IMPORTANT

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 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.

IMPORTANT

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.

Covered as any other illness or injury

Dental benefits

We have no other dental benefits.

 


Section 5(i) Non-FEHB benefits available to Plan members

 

The benefits on this page are not part of the FEHB contract or premium, and you cannot file an FEHB disputed claim about them. Fees you pay for these services do not count toward FEHB deductibles or catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximums.

 

 

Medicare Managed Care Plan

If you are Medicare eligible and are interested in enrolling in a Medicare HMO Plan sponsored by this Plan without dropping your enrollment in this Plan's FEHB plan, call 1-877/280-2990 for information.

MedicareAdvantage HMO -As a member of Generations, you benefit from low or no plan copayments, low or no deductibles, and virtually no paperwork. Generations offers peace of mind for Medicare beneficiaries residing in Oklahoma County by offering more services than original Medicare for no additional cost. For more information, call toll free 1-877/280-2990.

 


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:


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 and/or coinsurance.

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, 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. Your facility will file on the UB-92 form. For claims questions and assistance, call us at 1/877-280-2990

When you must file a claim - such as for services you receive outside of 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:

GlobalHealth

P.O. Box 1747

Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1747

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/prior approval:

Step

Description

1

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

  1. Write to us within 6 months from the date of our decision; and
  2. Send your request to us at GlobalHealth, P.O. Box 1747, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1747; and
  3. Include a statement about why you believe our initial decision was wrong, based on specific benefit provisions in this brochure; and
  4. 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:

  1. Pay the claim (or, if applicable, arrange for the health care provider to give you the care); or
  2. Write to you and maintain our denial - go to step 4; or
  3. 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.

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

  1. We haven't responded yet to your initial request for care or preauthorization/prior approval, then call us at 1/877-280-2990 and we will expedite our review; or
  2. We denied your initial request for care or preauthorization/prior approval, then:

 

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.

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 (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. Your care must continue to be authorized by your Plan PCP, or precertified as required.

 

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 1/877-280-2990 or see our Web site at www.globalhealth.cc .

 

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

 

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
 

Checked

  1. Have FEHB coverage on your own as an annuitant or through your spouse who is an annuitant

Checked

 
  1. 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

Checked

 
  1. 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

 

Checked

You have FEHB coverage through your spouse who is an annuitant

Checked

 
  1. 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

Checked

 
  1. Are enrolled in Part B only, regardless of your employment status

Checkedfor Part B services

Checked for other services

  1. 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

Checked*

 

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)
 

Checked

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

Checked

 

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

 

Checkedfor 30-month coordination period

  • Medicare was the primary payer before eligibility due to ESRD

Checked

 

C. When either you or a covered family member are 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
 

Checked

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

Checked

 

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

Checked

 

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

 

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 our Medicare Advantage plan: You may enroll in our Medicare Advantage plan and also remain enrolled in our FEHB plan. In this case, we do not waive cost-sharing for your FEHB coverage. For more information about our Medicare Advantage plan please call 1-877-280-5400.

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 12.

Copayment

A copayment is a fixed amount of money you pay when you receive covered services. See page 12.

Covered services

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

Custodial care

Day to day care that includes daily living assistance that can be provided by non-medical individuals. Custodial Care lasting more than 90 days 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 12.

Experimental or investigational services

Those procedures and/or items determined by GlobalHealth not to be generally accepted by the medical community.

Medical necessity

Medical or hospital services we determine are appropriate for the treatment or diagnosis of an illness or injury.

Plan allowance

Plan allowance is the amount we use to determine our payment for covered services. Plans determine their allowances in different ways. We determine our allowance by our contracted rate with the participating provider. These providers accept the plan allowance as payment in full.

Us/We

Us and We refer to GlobalHealth

You

You refers to the enrollee and each covered family member.

 


Section 11. FEHB Facts

Coverage information

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 2003 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, 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

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.)

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

From 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 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 tax-free 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 that are not covered under the FEHB.

The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program - FSAFEDS

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 than that of a "family member" that 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 can work, or if you are married, so you and your spouse can work, or your spouse can look for work or attend school full-time.
  • Qualifying dependents for this account 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 a Dependent Care 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 number 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 the 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 signed on to participate. Under IRS law, FSAs are not available to annuitants. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service and the Judicial Branch, among others, have their own plans with slightly different rules, but the advantages of having an FSA are the same regardless of the agency for which you work.

Plan carefully when deciding how much to contribute to an FSA. Because of the tax benefits of 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 1 through 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

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 12 and detailed throughout this brochure. Your HCFSA will reimburse you when those costs are for qualified medical care for you and your dependents that is NOT covered or reimbursed by this FEHB Plan or any other coverage that you have.

Under this Plan, typical out-of-pocket expenses include: Office visit copayments, prescription drug copayments, and facility copayments for outpatient or inpatient care.

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, please call a FSAFEDS Benefit Counselor at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337), who will be able to answer your specific questions.

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 thr 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.

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.

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).

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.

- .......... Allogeneic (donor) bone marrow transplant 24

- .......... Ambulance 26, 28, 30

- Anesthesia 5, 21

- Autologous bone marrow transplant 18, 24

- Biopsy 22

- Blood and blood plasma 27

- Casts 26, 27

- Catastrophic protection out-of-pocket maximum 11, 26, 27, 36, 37, 57

- Chemotherapy 18

- Chiropractic 21

- Cholesterol tests 15

- Circumcision 16

- Claims 8, 12, 39, 40, 44, 49, 52

- Coinsurance 6, 8, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 26, 27, 34, 36, 39, 45, 47, 53

- Colorectal cancer screening 15

- Congenital anomalies 22, 23

- Contraceptive drugs and devices 16, 34

- Covered charges 43

- Definitions 14, 22, 26, 29, 31, 33, 36, 47

- Dental care 36, 57

- Diagnostic services 14, 26, 27, 31, 57

- Disputed claims review 35

- Dressings 26, 27

- Durable medical equipment 20

- Effective date of enrollment 9

- Experimental or investigational 38

- Eyeglasses 19

- Family planning 16

- Fecal occult blood test 15

- Fraud 3, 4

- General exclusions 12, 38

- Hospital 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 14, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 36, 39, 42, 45, 46, 57

- Infertility 11, 17

- Inpatient hospital benefits 39

- Mammograms 14

- Maternity benefits 16

- Medicaid 46

- Medically necessary 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 26, 29, 31, 33, 36, 38

- Medicare 31, 42, 44

Medicare + Choice............................ 45

Original........................................ 42, 45

Plan.......................................... 8, 22, 37

- Non-FEHB benefits 37

- Nurse

Nurse Anesthetist (NA).............. 26, 27

- Ocular injury 19

- Office visits 6, 11

- Oral and maxillofacial surgical 23

- Pap test 14, 15

- prescriptiondrugs 33

- Prescription drugs 18, 39, 45, 57

- Preventive care, adult 15

- Preventive care, children 15

- Prior approval 40, 41

- Psychologist 31

- Radiation therapy 18

- Room and board 26

- Second surgical opinion 14

- Social worker 31

- Splints 26, 27

- Subrogation 46

- substance abuse 32

- Substance abuse 57

- Surgery 5, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22

Anesthesia......................................... 27

Oral.................................................... 23

Outpatient......................................... 27

Reconstructive............................. 22, 23

- Transplants 18, 24

- Treatment therapies 18

- Vision services 19

- Workers' Compensation 45

- X-rays 14, 26, 27


 


Summary of benefits for the GlobalHealth plan - 2005

Benefits

You pay

Page

Medical services provided by physicians:

 

 

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

Office visit copay: $15 primary care; $25 specialist

15

Services provided by a hospital:

 

 

  • Inpatient..........................................................................................................

$250 per day with a maximum of $750 per admission copay

27

  • Outpatient.......................................................................................................

$200 per visit

28

Emergency benefits

 

 

  • In area..............................................................................................................

$100 per emergency room or urgent care visit....

31

  • Out-of-area......................................................................................................

$100 per emergency room or urgent care visit....

31

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

Regular cost sharing

32

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

 

$10 covered generic formulary drug;

$25 covered brand name formulary drug; and

$40 covered non-formulary (generic or brand name) drug.

Mail Order Pharmacy, for a 31-day up to a 90-day supply per prescription or refill:

$20 covered generic formulary drug;

$50 covered brand name formulary drug; and

$80 covered non-formulary (generic or generic brand name) drug.

34

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

No benefit.

44

Vision Care...........................................................................................................

1 refraction annually $25 copay

22

Protection against catastrophic costs

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

Nothing after $1,500/Self only or $3,000/Family enrollment per year

Some costs do not count toward this protection

12


NOTES

 


NOTES


2005 Rate Information for GlobalHealth HMO

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.

 

 

Non-Postal Premium

 

Postal Premium

 

 

Biweekly

Monthly

Biweekly

 

Type
of
Enrollment

Code

Gov't Share

Your Share

Gov't Share

Your Share

USPS Share

Your Share

 

Self Only

IM1

$112.51

$37.50

$243.77

$81.25

$133.13

$16.88

Self & Family

IM2

$271.16

$90.39

$587.52

$195.84

320.88

$40.67