$ave on Rx orders
You may order a 90-day supply of prescription drugs for a two-months copayment. You must complete an initial form that requires you to elect or decline generics if one is or becomes available. If you decline generic substitution for a brand-name drug, you will pay the cost difference between the generic and brand plus the generic copayment. State law allows pharmacists to substitute a less expensive generic equivalent for a brand drug unless you or your physician directs otherwise. The city medical plans contain this mandatory generic drug provision for retail and mail order.
Don’t lose your pretax savings
The 2007 Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan Year ends Dec. 31. Eligible dependent expenses must be incurred in 2007 to be claimed by March 31, 2008. You will forfeit any amount you contributed to your account but do not claim.
If you are a 2007 participant in the Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan, you must re-enroll to be a participant in 2008.
PPO annual deductible
If PPO participants haven’t met their 2007 annual deductible by Dec. 31, expenses that apply to the annual deductible and that are incurred in October, November and December will be applied to their 2008 annual deductible. The annual individual in-network deductible is $200 and $600 for a family. For families, the $600 maximum can be reached by a combination of all covered family members’ eligible expenses.
Lost at C?
You’ve probably read conflicting reports about vitamin C. Does or doesn’t it prevent colds? Studies show 250 mg of vitamin C each day reduced the duration and severity of colds by 50 percent. So, there’s definitely a health-raft floating at C. (Source: The Food and Drug Administration, www.dfa.gov.)
Flu shots
The Houston Department of Health and Human Services offers flu vaccines at its seven health centers to people in high-risk groups. Children 6 months to 5 years, pregnant women, people 50 or older, or those of any age with chronic medical conditions or who live with or care for those at high risk are eligible. HDHHS offers vaccines on a sliding scale basis of $5 or $15. For more information, call 713-794-9276 or visit: www.houstonhealth.org.
Go, go, go generic
Generic drugs are just as safe, effective, and approved by the Food and Drug Administration as the more expensive brand-name medications. If you want to save money, buy the generic versions, which now account for half of all filled prescriptions. For more information, visit the FDA Web site, www.fda.gov.
| Example of generic savings |
| Cost of brand name |
$196.99 |
| Cost of generic |
- $45.00 |
| Difference |
$151.99 |
| Generic copay |
+ $10.00 |
| Your total cost |
$161.99 |
Mayor’s Cup Wellness Challenge
Interested in having fun, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and meeting co-workers who share the same health and wellness goals as you? If so, the Mayor’s Cup Wellness Challenge 2007 provided employees with recreational, wellness, and health promotion programs to hone their health and wellness skills throughout the year. In the popular Healthy Steps program, employees used a pedometer to track their daily steps. It provided an added incentive, which converted into weight loss for many participants. One Public Works employee lost 15 pounds.
The Mayor’s Wellness Challenge 2008 kicks off Jan.2 with organized walks, runs, and triathlons. Department bowling teams competition begins in February. So if you need motivation to shed those extra holiday pounds or would like to gain additional health-management tools, this challenge is for you. To register, e-mail the Wellness Connection at wconnection@cityofhouston.net or call 713-794-9388.
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