Summer 2010
Your Key to the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds
New Prescription Drug Changes
Message from the Executive Director To help you provide our 1199SEIU Benefit Fund members with the highest quality care, we strive to keep you “in the loop� by reporting on the information and program changes you need to know about. In this edition of Provider Connections, we give you a brief update on how we expect the Patient Protection and Reconciliation Act of 2010 to affect the Benefit Funds. You will learn about important updates to our prescription drug program, and about the best ways to expedite your claims payments. If you have any questions about the information in this newsletter, please contact your personal Provider Representative or our Provider Services Call Center at (646) 473-7160. Mitra Behroozi
As of July 1, the Benefit Funds will add five new drug classes for commonly prescribed medications to our Preferred Drug List. These include ulcerative colitis agents (new users), nitroglycerin transdermal patches (all users), epileptic anticonvulsants (new users) and Factor VIII blood factor products for hemophilia (new users). The fifth new drug class is antiplatelet agents such as Aggrenox, Effient, Plavix, cilostazol and ticlopidine. Although these drugs are used to reduce secondary cardiovascular events, they are prescribed less often for female patients. Just like the nitroglycerin transdermal patches mentioned above, these drugs are available to be prescribed to all 1199SEIU patients. Our current Preferred Drug List, as well as details on our prescription program, can be found on our website at www.1199SEIUFunds.org.