New vision provider, starting in 2007
Effective Jan. 1, Davis Vision will replace Cole Vision, the provider of vision benefits for the Blue Texas HMO plan. Vision benefits will remain the same. 
Members will receive notice of the change and other helpful information. Davis Vision offers discounts on vision services, a mail-order contact lens replacement program, and a network of participating providers offering discounts on laser vision correction.
Davis Vision network has familiar providers that include Wal-Mart and EyeMasters and a large group of independent providers. Pearl Vision, Sears and J C Penny are not part of the Davis Vision network.
To obtain a list of the network nearest you, call (800) 501-1459 or access their Web site at www.davisvision.com. You will need to know your ID number from your BlueCross BlueShield of Texas card. To access the value-added vision program, you will need to enter client code 2295.
For more information, call a BCBSTX representative at (713) 837-9376, (713)837-9377 or (713) 837-9448.
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Want to receive the Pulse at home?
You can sign-up to receive the Benefits Pulse in your e-mail inbox at home.
Just go to www.benefitspulse.org to view the latest edition, and click Join the Mailing List to add your personal e-mail address. You’ll get all the same information conveniently delivered to your virtual doorstep.
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Nurseline: 24/7
The BlueCross BlueShield of Texas Nurseline provides members with 24-hour access to toll-free telephone counseling. Registered nurses will help you decide when self-care is appropriate, when to call a doctor, when to apply emergency first aid, or when to seek immediate emergency care. There’s also an audio health library with information on more than 100 topics.
Retiree Cyndy Sax recently phoned the Nurseline and got excellent advice. She was directed to the St. Luke’s Minor Emergency Center at 5749 San Felipe for care.
“I want to tell you the health care was far better than I expected,” Sax said. “I can’t think of any way the scenario could have been improved.”
See page 7 for a list of urgent care centers and contact information. For emergencies, call 911 immediately. For nonemergency health concerns, try Nurseline at (800) 581-0353.
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Holiday kissing? Beware of cold sores
The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. Cold sores are common, contagious and usually appear on your lips. Occasionally, they occur on your nostrils, chin or fingers. If a sore appears on soft tissues inside your mouth, it’s probably a canker sore, which isn’t contagious.
To prevent spreading cold sores:
- Avoid kissing and skin contact with people while blisters are present.
- Avoid sharing items that come in contact with the blisters.
- Keep your hands clean.
- Try to avoid triggers such as colds or flu, lack of sleep or stress.
- Use sunblock.
There is no known cure for cold sores, but they usually clear up without treatment in seven to 10 days. Use over-the-counter medications such as Abreva to shorten duration and Blistex to decrease pain.
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Downtown Transportation Program
Beginning February 2007, the city’s METRO Transit Program will change from allowing employees’ unlimited use of annual transit passes to a pay-as-you-ride Smart Card Program.
The Smart Card will provide employees with one daily roundtrip from METRO Park & Ride Lots to approved downtown city work facilities. Employees may participate in the program if they work at an approved downtown location, drive to work and park in a downtown parking lot, or relocate to an approved downtown work location.
- Effective Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, current transit passes will be deactivated.
- Starting Monday, Feb. 5, program participants must use the Smart Card. Disabled employees, seniors and employees utilizing Metro Lift will continue to use their current access pass.
- Use of Smart Cards will be evaluated quarterly and the monetary values replenished as appropriate.
- The Smart Card will be debited for each ride.
- After a two-hour interval, the Smart Card will be debited for a transfer.
- If METRO’s transit tracking system demonstrates an employee’s Smart Card use in excess of requirements for commuting to/from work, the value will be replenished only if the employee can demonstrate, through department supervision, the additional use was work-related.
- The guaranteed ride home will continue to be available to transit riders who experience an emergency and require transportation to their vehicle. If METRO does not have midday bus service to the employee’s car, METRO will arrange taxi transportation. Riders must register with METRO for the program.
Approved downtown city locations are: 1200 Travis; 611 Walker; 900 Bagby; 901 Bagby; 1400 Lubbock; 1301 Travis; 61 Reisner; 319 Emanuel; 500 McKinney; 1415 Fannin; 1001 Avenida De Las Americas; 510 Preston Avenue; and 500 Jefferson.
Employees may obtain an application from their transportation coordinator or the Human Resources benefits division at 611 Walker, 4th Floor.
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