HR News and Events: 

Eye Health Education

Do you know what Amblyopia is?  It's commongly referred to as Lazy Eye, and this commonly misunderstood eye condition can lead to serious vision damange.  We know that UV rays can cause skin cancer, but did you know that it can also cause damage ranging from corneal sunburn to cataracts and macular degeneration.  Read more about these vision topics in Davis Vision's Eye Health Newsletters to learn more:

• Lazy Eye: It's Not What You Think (.pdf)
• Protecting Summer Fun from Eye-Damaging UV Rays (.pdf)

Also visit Davis Vision's website.  It has been redesigned and enhanced to help you get the information and services you need.

CVS/Caremark ExtraCare Health - Save On Over-the-Counter Medications Too!

Faculty and staff who are enrolled in either of our CVS/Caremark prescription plans can now save even more on their health-related items with a new CVS ExtraCare Health card.  These cards are similar to (and can replace) a standard CVS ExtraCare card, but they offer additional benefits. 

• With this card, you can save 20% on over-the-counter CVS-brand health related, FSA-eligible items.  You can save 20% on the cost of more than 1500 CVS/pharmacy Brand products, from pain relief, allergy relief, and cough and cold remedies to products like glucose meters and blood pressure monitors. 
• You don't need to be enrolled in our Health Care Reimbursement Account to receive this discount, but you can still submit the discounted cost for reimbursement from EBDS to make your FSA dollars stretch even further.
• You'll still receive the standard ExtraCare benefits, like ExtraBucks on prescriptions and services, and automatic savings on advertised items.

The ExtraCare Health cards will be automatically mailed to all current and new CVS/Caremark Prescription Insurance participants.  If you already have a CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare card, you can easily transfer your reward balance to your new ExtraCare Health Card by calling 1-888-543-5938.

HR Connection Adds New Features

You can now do more to manage your benefits online through HR Connection.  On May 8, new features were introduced to the system that will make it easy to process benefits changes due to life events and to continue coverage for children attending college.

• Tuition Benefits Module: As of June 26, you can initiate your tuition benefits request for yourself or your children electronically, as well as track the status of the request and view a summary of your tuition benefits.  Supporting documentation and supervisor approval may be required in addition to the application.  You must apply for tuition benefits for each semester in which you wish to receive the benefit.
• Student Certification Module: each August and December, parents must certify that their child will continue to be a full-time student for the upcoming semester to continue coverage of dependent children ages 19 up to 23. If you apply for FT tuition benefits for your child, your child will automatically be certified.  If you are not applying for tuition benefits for the child, then you can complete the Student Certification process online. 
• Document Upload: In order to process many benefit requests, the Benefits Office needs to receive a copy of supporting documentation. Now you can upload those documents electronically through HR Connection.  When you complete a transaction that requires supporting documentation, you will be prompted to upload it.  Or you can log on at another time to electronically send a document to us.

Highmark Adds Minute Clinic to its Network

Effective April 1, 2009, Minute Clinic, the in-store health clinics located in many CVS pharmacies, is part of the Highmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield network.  Minute Clinic can be an excellent alternative to an emergency room visit for treatment of common illnesses and skin conditions, as well as alternative for wellness and vaccine services.  They are open 7 days a week and no appointment is necessary - there are 8 locations within 20 miles of the university. When using MinuteClinic for care, present your Highmark ID card to receive the In-Network co-pay.