FLEXIBLE BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS

(EFFECTIVE JULY 1)

HEALTH CARE

• A Prescription Drug Card Program will replace the current prescription programs offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware and Principal Health Care of Delaware. ValueRx will administer this program, which includes a mail order option; for mainten ance drugs. You will receive a separate prescription card for use at participating pharmacies. Employees with Comprehensive coverage will have a 20 percent co-pay when using their card and such expenses will no longer be subject to an annual deductible. E mployees with BlueCARE and Principal Health Care plans will continue to pay a $5 co-pay or 25 percent, whichever is greater, when using their prescription card.

• The Independent Practice Association (IPA) and Staff Model HMO plans will be combined under a new name, BlueCARE. Former HMO participants may continue using the Health Care Center at Christiana and may also utilize many other BlueCARE providers.

• The cumulative lifetime maximum of $2,000,000/individual for covered health-care expenses has been eliminated.

• Basic and Comprehensive plan participants are no longer required to obtain Intracorp pre-approval for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedures.

COSTS/CONTRIBUTIONS

The University will increase its contributions for your health, dental and disability insurances. Employee costs for the BCBSD Comprehensive and Principal Health Care plans remain stable, within $1 per month of current contributions. Employee costs for BlueCARE (formerly HMO and IPA) will decrease substantially, with reductions ranging from $15.48/month for the "employee only" plan to $40.78 per month for the "family" plan. Employee costs for high option disability will increase an average of 9.92 percent.

SOCIAL SECURITY WAGE BASE

1998 Social Security FICA tax rate is 7.65 percent for wages up to the base of $68,400 and 1.45 percent for wages above $68,400.

Reminder

To enroll/make changes for the new plan year, call FLEX BY PHONE at 831-3331.