Waive the $200 hospital deductible for completion of the "Baby Yourself" prenatal program

Studies have shown that prenatal care can contribute to healthier babies. In order to help promote better health for our participants and their babies, our plan will waive the $200 inpatient deductible for the maternity hospital stay, if a participant in UA's Blue Cross medical plan enrolls in the Blue Cross "Baby Yourself" program during the first trimester of her pregnancy, and completes all program requirements.

Allow a routine bone density screening test every two years starting at age 40 with a $25 co-pay

Our plan already covers bone density scans, if there is a diagnosis of such a disorder. In order to further encourage wellness for our plan members, our plan will cover one routine bone mineral density scan or DexaScan starting at age 40. Then the plan will cover one routine scan every two years with a $25 co-pay per scan. So, a member will be able to have a scan without a medical diagnosis every two years by paying the $25 co-pay.

Establish $75 co-pays for certain diagnostic test procedures

Our plan currently includes a list of diagnostic testing procedures, like CAT scans, MRI's and endoscopies, which require a $75 co-pay when performed at outpatient facilities. In order to ensure that appropriate co-pays are applied to all similar diagnostic procedures, several procedures have been added to that list, including: arteriograms, angiograms, PET scans, Thallium scans & MUGA scans.

Increase the co-pays for recognized high-cost specialty drugs to $100 per month

Our plan has been structured to consistently require increased co-pays for more expensive prescription drugs. Starting in 2008, the plan will add a new, higher level of co-pays for the most costly prescription drugs. This co-pay will be $100 per one month supply. A list of these "specialty drugs" is available on the Blue Cross website. https://www.bcbsal.org/pdfs/specialty.pdf

Increase some co-pays for the mail order prescription drug plan

Our plan requires co-pays for prescription drug purchases. Our co-pays for prescription drugs are lower for drugs purchased through the mail order drug program than for drugs purchased at retail pharmacies. While the co-pays for retail purchases will remain the same in 2008, some co-pays for mail order purchases are increasing. These new, increased co-pays more accurately reflect the actual cost of the drugs to the medical plan. The mail order program remains an economical and convenient method to obtain prescription drugs. The mail order co-pays for generic drugs are not changing. The mail order co-pays for a 1-31 day supply of drugs are not increasing.

The following mail order co-pays for prescription drugs will be increased for 2008. Please note that Caremark is the new mail order pharmacy as of 10/1/2007 replacing PharmaCare. If you have a new prescription to be filled via mail order or wish to enroll as a mail order user, then you need to complete the Caremark prescription drug enrollment form. http://hr.ua.edu/benefits/Documents/Order%20Form.pdf

1. The co-pay for a 60-day supply of a Preferred Brand drug will increase from $30 to $40
2. The co-pay for a 90-day supply of a Preferred Brand drug will increase from $40 to $60
3. The co-pay for a 60-day supply of a Non-Preferred Brand drug will increase from $40 to $50
4. The co-pay for a 90-day supply of a Non-Preferred Brand drug will increase from $55 to $75
5. The co-pay for a 60-day supply of a Brand-name drug with a Generic alternative will increase from $60 to $80 and the patient pays cost difference between brand name and its generic alternative.
6. The co-pay for a 90-day supply of a Brand-name drug with a Generic alternative will increase from $80 to $100 and the patient pays cost difference between brand name and its generic alternative.

Allow coverage for certified nurse midwife services in the State of Alabama

Starting in 2008, our plan will cover the services of certified nurse midwives in the State of Alabama with a $20 co-pay per office visit. The nurse midwife must work under the supervision of a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama PPO doctor for services to be covered. Members should be aware that the delivery of a baby by a certified nurse midwife will be covered only if the delivery takes place in a hospital in Alabama.