[Vision2020] U of I HealthPlan

Thu, 26 Jun 2003 14:26:52 -0700

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Hi folks,

I just received my list of benefits for the new U of I health plan. For
those of you who may be unfamiliar with the situation, U of I is
switching carriers from Blue Shield to Blue Cross. U of I, like most
major employers, is requiring that the employees shoulder an increased
cost of their health care benefits. This is to be expected in severe
financial times.

What I found as objectionable in the new plan is that U of I is
pressuring people to move their prescription business away from the city
of Moscow. They do this by offering up to a 60% discount if you order
your medications from Beaverton Oregon rather than use your local
pharmacy. In addition, they have eliminated the cap on out-of-pocket
prescription expense.

For my family, our yearly prescription expense will increase by over
$1500. That was bad enough, but expected given the present financial
situation that U of I finds itself in. However, for the primary employer
in Moscow to pressure its employees and their families to take their
business away from the local pharmacies shows a disregard for the city
that hosts this University. I will certainly be making my feelings known
to both the University as well as the citizens of Moscow.

Bill Strand

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<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
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font-family:Arial'>Hi folks,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

I just received my list of benefits for the new U of =
I
health plan. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the situation, =
U of I
is switching carriers from Blue Shield to Blue Cross. U of I, like most =
major
employers, is requiring that the employees shoulder an increased cost of =
their
health care benefits. This is to be expected in severe financial =
times.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

What I found as objectionable in the new plan is that =
U of I
is pressuring people to move their prescription business away from the =
city of <st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:pl=
ace></st1:City>. They do
this by offering up to a 60% discount if you order your medications from =
<st1:place><st1:City>Beaverton</st1=
:City> =
<st1:State>Oregon</st1:St=
ate></st1:place> rather than
use your local pharmacy. In addition, they have eliminated the cap on =
out-of-pocket
prescription expense.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

For my family, our yearly prescription expense will =
increase
by over $1500. That was bad enough, but expected given the present =
financial situation
that U of I finds itself in. However, for the primary employer in =
<st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:pl=
ace></st1:City> to pressure
its employees and their families to take their business away from the =
local pharmacies
shows a disregard for the city that hosts =
this
University. I will certainly be making my feelings known to both the =
University
as well as the citizens of <st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:pl=
ace></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></=
p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Bill Strand<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

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