The plans will cover certain generic drugs for diabetes, heart disease, asthma and other chronic conditions at no cost. Kaiser will continue to cover generics for a $1 copay. Providence Choice will also fully cover certain brand-name drugs for some of these conditions. View a current list of generic medications available to PEBB members at no copay through Providence and Regence.

 

All the medical plans will cover screenings at no cost for cancer of the breast, cervix, colon and prostate on recommended schedules.

 

All the medical plans will reimburse members for successful participation in a commercial weight management program.

 

Learn how to eat better through covered sessions with a registered dietitian. The Regence and Providence plans will cover up to four sessions per lifetime at your choice and up to four per year for chronic conditions and medical weight management. Kaiser already covers these services when prescribed. View a list of chronic conditions that qualify you for four visits of nutritional counseling per year.

 

All the plans fully cover the Free & Clear^tm tobacco cessation program. The program covers online and phone counseling, free patches or gum, and certain prescription drugs at low cost.

 

Samaritan Select will not be offered for 2009. Current Samaritan members will be automatically enrolled in a comparable Regence plan beginning Jan. 1. If you live or work (at least 50 percent of the time) in the Kaiser Permanente or Providence Choice service area you may enroll in those plans for 2009.

 

 

You get vision benefits more often. VSP vision plan will cover a routine exam every 12 months, no matter your age. Plus, you get a $200 benefit every 12 months to use for lenses and frames or contacts. If you don’t use the whole benefit at once, you can bank the balance to use later during the 12 months.

 

 

In the Kaiser dental plan, you won’t have a deductible before the plan starts paying benefits. Periodontal cleanings will be covered the same as routine dental cleanings.

 

 

Your basic life coverage – the life insurance you get automatically as a state employee – increases to $25,000. You don’t need to enroll or pay a premium. Your agency pays premiums for the first $5,000; PEBB pays for $20,000.

 

If you are not enrolled in optional employee life insurance, here’s your chance for coverage. During this Open Enrollment only, you can buy up to $40,000 in coverage without giving a medical history – even if the company denied you coverage before.

 

If you are enrolled in optional employee life, now is your chance to increase your coverage without having to give a medical history. During this Open Enrollment only, you can increase your current employee coverage by 50 percent (in $20,000 increments).