BCBS Wellness - Leave of Absence Days:

February 2007 issue

I have the Blue Cross Blue Sheild PPO insurance plan and it has a "wellness care" limit of $200 dollars- this covers basic physical examines, immunizations, routine diagnostic tests, routine mammograms, routine pap smears and prostate screening. I went for my annual GYN appointment had a series of routine tests. Much to my dismay only some of my tests were covered and my GYN appointment, pap smear, and several "routine" test were not covered. So I have to pay about $340 out of pocket for the other annual tests and appointment. When I contacted BCBS they told me this was because all of those things fell under "wellness care" and that DePaul chose such a small limit. Is anyone aware that the average GYN appointment costs $200??? Therefore even if I didn't have the other rountine tests done I still would have to pay for the pap smear! This is ridiculous! I already pay $75 a month so that I am insured. I am low on the pay scale and every dollar counts so these extra expenses are hitting me hard. BCBS told me that there are plans without a wellness care stipulation- why didn't DePaul pick that plan? Would if have really been that much more??? I am so disappointed; I don't feel this falls into Vincentian values.

Response

Response: From the benefits survey in 2006, DePaul faculty and staff listed the following as the most important plan features to address:

The benefits the respondents would like to see offered or enhanced were:

1. increased 403 (b) contribution
2. daycare assistance
3. increased flex-time opportunities

Respondents had the option of typing in possible changes or additions to benefit offerings. The majority of the 157 “other” comments consisted of the following topics:

• domestic partner benefits
• contraceptive coverage
• better fitness facilities or membership fee coverage
• lower age requirement for the 403 (b) university contribution. (It’s currently 26.)

Many of these issues have now been addressed or are currently under review by the University’s Benefits and Compensation Committee (UBCC).

Preventive care benefits came up under the “comment” section of the survey. There were several write-in comments regarding the preventive care benefit maximum being too low. So, faculty and staff have expressed the same concern as you. Even so, the preventive benefits, while important, have not been on the agenda for the UBCC. I recommend that you contact a UBCC representative and make sure they know you would like this issue addressed and placed on the UBCC agenda.

Also note that there are other medical plans offered that have a much higher preventive care benefit including both Cigna plans and HMO Illinois.

The UBCC membership is:

Staff Representatives:

• Lon Batelli
• Donna Del Giudice
• Lauren Schielke

Faculty Representatives:

• Phyllis Griffin
• Thomas Donley
• Barbara Speicher

Other:

• Kelly Johnson - Academic Affairs
• Ortiz, Elizabeth - Diversity
• William Seithel – Chair (Human Resources)
• Bob Kozoman – CFO