PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT TRUST (PEBT) BENEFITS REPORT
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 (June, 2004)

YOUR ID CARD: DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

If you fill prescriptions at a participating pharmacy, you must have your medical plan ID card. Failure to present your card could result in your prescription not being covered by your medical plan.

It's easy to get out of the habit of following this procedure. Those members who patronize one particular pharmacy often develop familiarity with the pharmacists and technicians on the staff. Often, pharmacy personnel will recognize that you are a good customer and maintain all of your medical plan information on their computer records. Most customers find that such a policy saves them from having to shuffle through their wallets or handbags for their ID cards. That's a welcome convenience.

In order to have your prescriptions covered by your medical plan, it's essential that you always check to be sure that the information on record with the pharmacy is accurate.

Even if you know that everything on your card is on their computer, carry it with your anyway. Computers have been known to mishandle information from time to time. New or inexperienced pharmacy employees can, on rare occasions, neglect to verify your insurance information during the filling process. Any of these minor errors or oversights can result in you holding the bag - or, in this case, the bill.

When people go to the doctor for a checkup or a specific problem, it's helpful to be prepared with relevant questions.

Never be afraid to ask your doctor questions. It can sometimes be intimidating to be in a doctor's office, so preparation is key to an efficient exam.

With health care costs skyrocketing, it is important to get as much as possible out of every medical visit.

Take an active role in your well being and ask your doctor if you are due for any inoculations or whether a blood, urine or stool analysis is necessary.

In this article, you will find a list of guidelines you can use to prepare questions to discuss with your doctor.

if you have an appointment to evaluate a specific ailment or concern, give some thought to your physical condition before your appointment. Write down your symptoms. Think about how long you have experienced these symptoms and compare them to what is normal. Bring a list of all medications you are taking.

Be aware of your family's medical history and be prepared to discuss with your physician whether or not any of it might be relevant to your health care.

Recognize any changes in your routine or environment that might help the doctor diagnose your condition.

The more information you have, preferably in writing, the more efficient and accurate your exam will be.

Ask Your Doctor . . .

1. Does my family medical history indicate anything that I should be concerned about? If so, what can i do about it?
2. Are there specific changes I an make in my habits immediately to prove my health? Can you help me make those changes?
3. Will you explain the results of my lab tests to me personally? If not, who will talk to me about them?
4. How do you keep up with developments in the medical field? Are there things you have learned this year that could help me?
5. Based on my general health, how often should I return to see you?
6. If I have to go to another doctor next year, what's the most effective way to share what you've learned about me today with the new physician?
7. How will any newly prescribed medications affect me? Are there possible alternatives to this medication?

CHIROPRACTIC BENEFIT AVAILABLE ONLY FOR HMO PARTICIPANTS!

A chiropractic and acupuncture benefit is available only for HMO participants. Call 1-800-638-4557 or log on to www.landmarkhealthcare.com to find a practitioner in your area.