myHR: May 9, 2012

Penn's New Prescription Drug Carrier

As of July 1, Penn's prescription drug carrier will change from CVS/Caremark to Medco. Keep in mind this is a change to the carrier only—your benefit coverage will stay exactly the same.

Medco has a wide network of pharmacies, including CVS, Genuardi's, Giant, HUP pharmacy, Kmart, Pathmark, Rite Aid and Walgreens. You'll also enjoy these added benefits:

• Medco will cover more than 35 drugs which CVS/Caremark recently removed from their preferred drug list. Had we stayed with CVS/Caremark, anyone using those medications would have had to pay 100% of the cost for the prescriptions. This is why Penn decided to make this change. We wanted to continue offering the most comprehensive coverage possible to our faculty and staff.


• If you take a maintenance medication and use the 90-day retail pick-up option, you'll have more choice in where to pick up your prescription. You'll be able to use Rite Aid, Walmart, Kmart, Kroger and CVS pharmacies—an expansion from the current option of CVS pharmacies only.


• To make the transition as easy as possible, if you currently use the mail order option, your open prescriptions will be automatically transferred to Medco.

While we can't guarantee that you'll pay the exact same price for your prescription as you do now, there should be minimal change in your out-of-pocket cost. Our benefit is a co-insurance, which means you pay a percentage of the prescription cost. Since different carriers negotiate different discounts with pharmaceutical companies, you may see some fluctuation (up or down) in the dollar amount you pay. Our benefit isn't changing—Penn will still pay the same percentage of the cost as now—but the base cost of your prescriptions may change slightly.

If you're covered under one of Penn's medical plans, you'll receive your Medco ID card in June. You'll need to start using your new card as of July 1—otherwise, your prescriptions won't be covered. That means it's more important than ever to double-check your mailing address to ensure you receive all correspondence in a timely manner. Click here to view or change your address.

You should continue using your CVS/Caremark card throughout the end of the current plan year (June 30). For more information, contact Medco at 877-621-8798.

Don't Let Mistakes Derail Your Team

Mistakes happen in the workplace. But if you're a supervisor, what's the best way to handle them? Maybe a new employee made an error that cost your department thousands of dollars. Or one of your team members missed an important deadline that threw your project off track.

As a leader, you need to understand why these mistakes happened and how to prevent them in the future. Well we can help!

Join us on May 24 to learn the ins and outs of Coaching for Performance. You'll learn how to help your staff become top performers and be the best they can be. We'll teach you how to evaluate situations and make an action plan that meets your goals. You'll also discover when (and how) to mentor, train, counsel and discipline your staff. By the end of this workshop, you'll have the tools you need to be a first-rate coach for your staff.

Click here for complete details and to register.

Secrets of Stress-Reduction

Stress can creep up when you least expect it—whether it's caused by family problems, challenges at work, or financial issues at home. We know winning the war on stress isn't always easy, but we can help!

Join us on May 30 for a free workshop on Relaxing Ways to Manage Your Stress. You'll learn how to unwind your mind and tackle tension like a pro. We'll show you different relaxation tools and guided imagery practices to help you make stress management a life-long habit. You'll also get hands-on practice using a variety of breathing techniques and muscle relaxation tips to use at work and at home.

Don't miss this final session in our stress management workshop series this spring. For complete details and to register, click here.

Stay on Top of Your Summer Child Care Plans

Summer is quickly approaching—and if you're a parent, you may be struggling with child care arrangements to make sure your kids are in good hands while you're at work.

Even if you've already finalized your child's summer care arrangements, there may still be a gap between the end of your child's school year and the beginning of your summer camp program. Or what if the unexpected happens, like your child gets sick or your daycare program has an emergency closing? Well rest assured, we can help you cover all the bases when it comes to summer care for your kids.

Take advantage of Penn's backup care program to manage your family's needs while you work. Through a partnership with Parents in a Pinch, Inc., you have access to temporary in-home backup care services to help you meet the demands of your job—seven days a week, day or night. Plus, we offset the cost of care (which can be expensive) through a subsidy program based on your annual salary. Just be sure to call Parents in a Pinch in advance—they'll be happy to discuss the cost ahead of time. Fees vary based on a number of factors, and some services require more advance notice.

Click here for complete details on Penn's backup care program or call Parents in a Pinch at 800-688-4697 for more information. You can also take advantage of Penn's Worklife Resources to find a childcare solution that's right for you.