myHR Archives
myHR: June 11, 2014
Important Information for All Medical Plan Participants
Independence Blue Cross Updates
On July 1, 2014, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will introduce several improvements to its member services. These changes will affect those who have Penn health insurance plans administered by IBC—PennCare/Personal Choice Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Keystone/AmeriHealth Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)—for the plan year 2014-2015.
New ID Cards, New ID Numbers—All Independence Blue Cross plan members, as well as family members covered under your plans, will receive redesigned ID cards with new member ID numbers. These cards are scheduled to arrive by mail in late June. On and after July 1, be sure to present your new ID card to your healthcare provider at the time of service. After July 1, your old ID will no longer be accepted as proof of insurance coverage, so please destroy your old card.
New Lab Service Provider: LabCorp—Beginning on July 1, Quest Diagnostics will no longer be included in the IBC network; all other current IBC network laboratories will remain in-network. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp) will become the primary provider of outpatient and specialty lab services for IBC plan members. If you’re an IBC member who uses outpatient lab services, visit www.labcorp.com to find a LabCorp Patient Service Center near you. If you’re in Keystone or AmeriHealth, you must get a referral from your primary care physician for lab services; he or she will tell you which labs you can use. If you use Quest Diagnostic or any out-of-network labs on or after July 1, you either will not be covered or will have to pay more out of pocket. Read IBC’s LabCorp frequently asked questions for details on this service change.
New IBC Online Portal—IBC’s updated member portal at www.ibx.com offers new self-service tools that make it easier for you to view your claims, find providers, and print ID cards and referrals. If you’re already a registered portal user, you can continue to use your current log in information.
New Explanation of Benefits—IBC has improved its Explanation of Benefits (EOB) notifications to better inform you about out-of-pocket costs for covered services. The new EOB format quickly shows you how much a provider charged, what IBC paid, and how much you owe. Starting in July, IBC members will be able to view EOBs online at ibxpress.com and choose to receive them by mail or email.
For more information about Independence Blue Cross plans, visit www.ibx.com or call 1-800-ASK-BLUE.
New Cards for Aetna Choice POS II Members
This month, Penn’s Aetna Choice POS II plan members will receive new ID cards in the mail. Your member ID number will remain the same. However, the phone number for Penn Behavioral Health, listed on the back of the card, has changed. The new number for questions about mental health coverage is 1-888-321-5533. For more information, visit www.aetna.com or call Aetna member services at 1-888-302-8742.
Making Real Connections with the People You Serve
At Penn, we strive to provide outstanding services to our students, fellow staff, faculty, and the broader community. No matter your specialty or organizational role, creating a personal connection with your clients is the hallmark of excellence. To make a positive, lasting impression, delivering basic help on time is just the beginning. To build the enthusiasm, trust, and goodwill that keeps people coming back for more—and spreading the word about your contributions—you want to go beyond the call. How can you elevate your service from satisfactory to sensational?
On July 30, from 1pm to 5pm, Beyond Service Excellence: Connecting with the People We Serve shows you how to reach the top level of service and form authentic bonds with your clients. This in-depth course reveals key opportunities to demonstrate your merits to customers and clients, and helps you avoid common performance pitfalls. You’ll discover how your actions and attitudes can strengthen loyalty as you interact with others. You’ll also learn ways to fire up your team so everyone will be ready to offer consistently engaged, high quality service.
Click here to register for Beyond Service Excellence and increase the value and meaning of your work for the people you serve. Your department will be changed a nominal $75 fee for this four-hour course.
For more professional development opportunities, visit the Learning and Education website.
How Do Your Retirement Savings Stack Up?
Take a look at what average Vanguard plan participants have put toward their retirement savings. It may be no surprise that older workers have more money tucked away, but the younger generations are actively investing as well.
Of course, what’s right for an average retirement saver may not be right for you. Whether you’re ahead of the curve or just getting started, be sure your savings level is in line with your particular retirement goals.
Speak with a professional financial advisor to learn about your options. Both Vanguard and TIAA-CREF offer free retirement counseling for Penn faculty and staff. For more information, contact:
TIAA-CREF: www.tiaa-cref.org/letstalk1, 1-800-732-8353
The Vanguard Group: www.meetvanguard.com, 1-800-662-0106 (x14500)
For more retirement planning resources, visit the Savings for Retirement web page or contact the Retirement Call Center at 1-877-PENN-RET (1-877-736-6738).
Did You Know?
You have access to free, one-on-one financial counseling. For personal guidance on money matters such as auto insurance, debt management, and taxes, call Penn’s Employee Assistance Program at 1-888-321-4433 to speak with a counselor.