PEA would like to keep all aware of the insurance benefits that staff members are eligible to receive as part of the negotiated package between the PEA and the Paterson Public Schools. You will receive a series of these fliers this year. Please keep them as a reference of information that you may need.
Paterson staff members have enjoyed a prescription plan for about 20 years. At present, our plan is covered by Benerex Prescription Plan utilizing the nationwide pharmacy network sponsored by National Prescription Administrators (NPA).
Each member receives full family coverage at no cost to the employee. (If you and your spouse both work for Paterson Schools, the employee who was hired first receives a card with the other employee listed as a dependent. Each employee has his/her own prescription card.) At present, there is a co-pay of $5 for prescription drugs, and $3 for generic brands.
How the plan works is very simple. When you receive a prescription from your doctor, bring it with your card to a pharmacy that participates in NPA. Ninety -five per cent of all pharmacies nationwide participate in NPA. You do not have to submit any further paperwork.The co-payment is all that is required.
NPA has indicated that up to a 34 day supply or up to 100 units of medication, whichever is greater, is dispensed for each prescription order. Of course, it is understood that the drugs covered must be FDA approved. A listing of medications not covered can be found in the NPA pamphlet or by inquiry to NPA. Medication such as prescription vitamins, oral contraceptives and insulin are covered. Some exclusions consist of drugs for cosmetic purposes, non-oral contraceptives, needles and syringes and male sexual dysfunctional drugs.
It has come to PEA's attention that many members are not aware of the mail order prescription benefit that we enjoy. If you are taking drugs for treatment of a chronic condition ( high blood pressure, diabetes,etc.) on a long term basis you may want to try the C.F.I. Pharmacy Service. Up to a 90 day supply may be obtained on a non-emergency basis through mail order. A co-pay of $3 is required. To use, simply fill out the application/envelope and include your doctor's prescription and the $3 co-pay. You should receive your order delivered by UPS within 7 business days from receipt at CPI. It will be mailed to your home address. One important factor is to send in your order/reorder request in a timely fashion. This would be about 2 weeks before your medication runs out. By the way, the mail order prescription fee of $3 will remain as such next year as well--it will not increase when the co-pay for the regular plan increases.
(As you may remember, the co-pay for the prescription plan will increase to $7 for regular drugs and $5 for generic in the 2002-2003 school year.)
C.F.I. mail order instructions can be obtained from Lucille Mauro, Health Benefits Supervisor or by calling C.F.I. directly at 1-800-233-7139.
If there are any questions about any aspect of the prescription plan, you may call PEA at 790-3311, or Lucille Mauro, Health Benefits at 321-0745.
If you are a new employee who has not received a card,you should be receiving one shortly. If you do not, please call Lucille Mauro.