Summer 2008

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      Medicare Members - Notice of Non-Credible Coverage

Wabash drug benefits provided to Schedule G and H participants are not actuarially equivalent to the Medicare Part D prescription drug program as defined in the 2003 Medicare Law. Therefore they do not provide 'credible coverage'. Wabash Schedule G members have the option of keeping their Wabash drug benefit under Schedule G or converting to Schedule H. Schedule H offers a free EHO discount card and access to our Canadian mail order import plan, but has no defined drug benefit. Members who remain under Benefit Schedule G will not be eligible to enroll in a Part D plan. Generally, those with under $8,000 in annual prescriptions will benefit by remaining under Schedule G.
Members in Benefit Schedule H will be eligible to join any commercial Medicare Part D drug plan. They are advised to check Schedule H pricing on specific drugs through EHO or Friends of Wabash by calling Trent or Bob at 1-800-650-1817. Using our Market Basket price comparison, compare the price quoted through any commercial Part D product to see which is best for you. Members enrolled in a Part D program will not be allowed to take advantage of Canadian imports or negotiated discounts and will be locked in to whatever prices that Part D plan chooses to charge for a full year.
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                                       Board Benefit And By-Law Changes

At the May Board Meeting, the following benefit changes were approved (effective July 1, 2008):

1.   For Benefit Schedule A [Active Contract employees, contract employees (with early buy out), Actives on sick leave, Actives with COBRA and Association employees] Durable medical equipment (DME) is now covered in network at 80% (20% copay). Purchases over $500 must be precertified. Hospital bed, wheelchair and scooter purchases are excluded.

2.  For Benefit Schedule F [Plan 8, 60/30 retirees, upgrade plan] Prescription drug benefit has been increased from $750 to $2,000 annually. If you have exhausted your $750 limit for 2008, you will be eligible for an additional $1,250 on prescriptions purchased July 1st through the end of this year.

Association By-Laws have been amended in Section VI to include language making the temporary Finance Committee a permanent standing committee of the Board.

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                       Wabash Policy on Membership Cancellation

Any member wishing to cancel their Wabash medical coverage must notify our Eligibility Department no less than two weeks prior to the date they wish coverage to terminate.  We will no longer make termination of coverage retroactive, which means you will be responsible for the monthly premium for all months billed prior to receipt of notice.  Our coverage period is from the first of the month to the end of the month.  We do need written notification from you asking us to cancel your coverage and stating the effective date.  The policy does not apply if the member is deceased. 

                

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