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November 11, 2010

Pitt Benefits

FitnessForLifeOffice of Human Resources • November 2010

Flexible Spending Account Deadlines

As another reminder …

For the 2010 benefit plan year, which ran from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010 …

The claim submission deadline for Health Care and Dependent Care expenses is December 31, 2010.

File your claims now to avoid the loss of any funds remaining in your account! The Benefits Department, in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, will not grant extensions for any Plan Year 2010 Health Care and/or Dependent Care claims submitted after December 31, 2010.

You can access your MyFlex Advantage account to view your most up-to-date balances and detailed activity:

1.  Log in to www.upmchealthplan.com

2.  Select the Access MyFlex Advantage (FSA) tab. The MyFlex Advantage tab is located under “Manage Your Health Care Spending.”

You can view your claims history, submit claims online, and obtain claim forms just by accessing your MyFlex Advantage account online. If you have any questions about MyFlex Advantage, contact UPMC Health Plan at 1-888-499-6885.

News About Over-the-Counter Medications and Flexible Spending Accounts

As indicated in the Open Enrollment material mailed to faculty and staff last spring, effective January 1, 2011, in accordance with health care reform, OTC medicines and drugs will be eligible for reimbursement only if they are accompanied by a prescription from your doctor. You will need to file a paper claim if you want to be reimbursed for these items through your MyFlex Advantage® plan.

The Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS), which currently allows participants to use pre-tax dollars to purchase eligible over-the-counter drugs with their debit cards, will be disabled with respect to OTC items on January 1, 2011.

If you wish to be reimbursed for the purchase of OTC medications, they must be prescribed with either a paper or electronic prescription that satisfies the state’s legal requirements. For reimbursement, you must submit the prescription, or a copy of it, along with substantiation (a receipt) from the merchant where you purchased the item. The receipt should identify the merchant, the person who purchased the item, the date and amount of the purchase, and the prescription number.

Examples of OTC medications no longer eligible for reimbursement after January 1, 2011, without a prescription include:

•  Acid controllers, laxatives, and other stomach remedies.

•  Allergy and sinus medications.

•  Anti-itch and insect bite medications.

•  Cough, cold, and flu products.

•  Pain medications.

Certain OTC supplies are not impacted by this change and will remain eligible for purchase with your FSA card without a prescription:

•  Medical equipment, supplies, and devices.

•  Crutches.

•  Bandages.

•  Blood sugar test kits.

•  Insulin.

There is no change to the payment or reimbursement procedure for prescription medications. You will be able to use your FSA card after January 1, 2011, to pay for prescription medications and other eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses.

If you have any questions about MyFlex Advantage, please contact UPMC Health Plan at 1-888-499-6885.

SmokeoutThe Great American Smokeout  November 18

The American Cancer Society is marking the 35th Great American Smokeout on November 18 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life – and possibly reducing their cancer risk. Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done. To have the best chance of quitting successfully, you need to know what you’re up against, what your options are, and where to go for help.

The University of Pittsburgh’s health insurance program includes smoking cessation prescription medication as part of its drug coverage. Counseling also is available in many convenient ways including by telephone. Upon completion of the University-sponsored counseling program, you may receive reimbursement for the co-payments associated with the prescription medication. The time to quit is now! If you are interested in counseling sessions, please call UPMC Health Plan at 1-800-807-0751.

Important Vendor Contact Information

Benefits Department

Office hours 8 am-5 pm EST

200B Craig Hall

412-624-8160 – Main Line • 412-624-3485 – Fax

www.hr.pitt.edu/benefits

Please visit our Web site for more FAQ’s, downloadable forms and other benefits information.

Medical

UPMC Health Plan

1-888-499-6885 • www.upmchealthplan.com

Dental

United Concordia

1-877-215-3616 • www.ucci.com

Vision

Davis Vision

1-800-999-5431 • www.davisvision.com

Retirement/Savings

TIAA-CREF

1-800-842-2776 • www.tiaa-cref.org

Vanguard

1-800-523-1188 • www.vanguard.com

Flexible Spending Accounts

EBDS

1-800-207-9310 • www.hr.pitt.edu/benefits/flexible.htm

LifeSolutions

1-866-647-3432 •www.hr.pitt.edu/benefits/lifesolutions.htm

Payroll

412-624-8070 • www.bc.pitt.edu/payroll/index.html

Faculty Records

412-624-4232


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