The Benefits Administration Services Office is responsible for many of the benefits available to state employees and their families. To learn more, click on any of the topic areas,
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What's Happening at DAS Benefits Administration Services
The IRS has announced that the parking and transit pre-tax deferral limits for the 2009 calendar year.
The new limits are:
Parking: $230
Commuter and Transit Passes: $230 (increased to match 2009 Parking by the Stimulus package of 2009)
Any questions please refer to the FBMC FAQs at https://www.myfbmc.com/qtb/faq_qtb.aspx
Should a participant elect a deferral amount in excess of the IRS limits, the excess will be deducted on an after-tax basis.
Employees may enroll in the Commuter Choice Program at any time either online www.myfbmc or with FBMC Customer Service Specialists at (800) 342-8017. There is no open enrollment period designated for this program. New enrollments or changes to an existing enrollment must be made by the 5th day of any month to become effective as of the first day of the following month. For example: new enrollments or changes made to an existing enrollment made by Dec. 5 will become effective the first day of the following month. In this example the changes would be effective on Jan. 1.
July Pathways Postcard
July 2009
Benefits Changes Effective July 1, 2009
New Pharmacy Benefits Manager
Take Charge! Live Well! Services
Flexible Spending Account Program
Top Ten Ways to eat healthy on a budget
Question: Why are Pathways publications mailed to employee homes?
Answer: It is important to understand that the Pathways publication is mailed to employee homes in order to reach not just our State of Ohio employees, but spouses and family members whose health concerns impact our workforce. The publication is also mailed to employee homes because many of our employees do not have access to the Internet at work and perhaps not at home. To ensure important information on health and benefits reaches all of our state employees, mailing of this publication has continued.
We appreciate your feedback and understand the importance of wisely managing expenses in this difficult economic time. However, the printing and mailing of Pathways is not funded by DAS. The money used for printing and distribution of the publication are made available through a Communication and Education fund established by the Joint Health Care Committee pursuant to and in conformity with the collective bargaining agreement. Both labor and management believe that consistent communication of employee benefits increases employee satisfaction and retention, improves productivity and helps motivate workers. Benefit communications represent an important resource in changing lifestyle behaviors, improving the general health of our workforce and setting the stage for lowered health care utilization and costs.
The FDA recently issued two precautionary pharmacy recall notices for affected products that may have been manufactured under conditions that did not sufficiently comply with the FDA’s current standards for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
Recalled Medications Including Metoprolol Succinate ER & Prenatal Vitamins Please visit the Pharmacy Benefits Web Page to view a listing of medications that are part of the recall. One of the medications on the list, Metoprolol Succinate ER, is a commonly prescribed generic medication for high blood pressure. The recall of this medication has impacted our plan participants’ ability to get their prescriptions filled.
Plan participants have several options during this recall:
Metoprolol Succinate ER may be found at some pharmacies, including Meijer pharmacies. Given the recall situation, supplies may be exhausted quickly. If you find a pharmacy that has Metoprolol Succinate ER available, you may ask your current pharmacy to transfer your prescription to the new pharmacy.
If you cannot find a retail source for Metoprolol Succinate ER, you should contact your physician and obtain a prescription for an alternative medication. Catalyst Rx has taken no action to cancel refills on valid prescriptions.
There is a brand name alternative to Metoprolol Succinate ER, Toprol XL, available at the brand copay. The brand copay for a 30 day supply at retail is $50. The brand copay for a 90 day supply at mail is $125. Catalyst Rx has removed the copay penalty (which is normally applied to brand name drugs when a generic is available) for the brand name drug during this recall since the generic is not available.
If you currently take any medication subject to the recall, please contact your physician or health care provider if you experience any problems and to discuss other pharmaceutical options to treat your conditions during this recall.
These recalls have been classified by the FDA as Class III recalls. A Class III recall means that patient exposure to affected products is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. This precautionary action is focused on removing products from the wholesale and pharmacy levels and does not extend to the patient level.
These recalls only affect products manufactured by KV Pharmaceutical and distributed under an ETHEX or Ther-Rx label. It does not affect any other generic medications manufactured and distributed by other companies. Patients with concerns about their medication should contact their pharmacy directly.
To learn more about the pharmacy recall please click here. If you have any questions please contact Pharmacy Benefits Manager Mary Anne Baum at (614) 466-5788 or by email at MaryAnne.Baum@das.state.oh.us
