The 2010 renewal for the SCDA group medical plan is complete.  This information will be included in your December bill, which those practices on the plan should receive any day now.  We as an association will experience a 7.5% increase effective 1-1-10, which is yet again below the state and national average increase of 10%.  This makes the 6th year in a row that our group plan has come in under the state and national averaged renewals.
 
We will also experience an adjustment to prescription copays on preferred and non-preferred drugs.  Retail drug copays on preferred and non-preferred drugs will be $35 and $55 respectively.  Generic drugs on the retail side will remain at $10.  Mail order prescriptions (3 month supplies) for preferred and non-preferred will be $80 and $140 respectively.  Generic copays on the mail order side will remain at $20.
 
A sixth plan will be added in the new year to the medical plan offerings and it will be our second HSA plan with an individual deductible of $3,000 and a family deductible of $6,000.  This HSA plan will operate similar to the current plan 5 (HSA plan) yet have higher deductible amounts therefore lowering the premium costs by 7.58% of the current plan 5 option.  Should you want to change your current plan to plan 6, or any other plan for that matter, for the 2010 year, click here to print out the change form and fax or mail to the SCDA office anytime during the month of December to become effective January 1st.   This is the time of year to make any changes to plans, office probation periods, adding employees, etc.
 
Other benefit changes such as the compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 will take place in the new year.  Federal insurance law now requires removal of day, visit and dollar limits on mental health and substance abuse disorders.  Our plan will also adopt Michelle's Law which allows eligible college students in treatment for debilitating conditions to continue their dependent coverage for a year without maintaining full-time student status or electing continuation coverage.

The SCDA has worked with Colonial Life for a couple of years now and Colonial Life has a Medical Gap Bridge plan that may help you to save premium dollars in 2010. 
 
Medical Gap Bridge plans help to cover the costs of deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums, etc.  These are costs that you are directly responsible for covering out of your own pocket throughout the year, but Colonial Life can help bridge this gap for you should you have to satisfy these amounts.
 
Open enrollment is right around the corner and this is the time of year to change your deductible plan should you so choose.  By increasing your deductible plan amount, you are lowering your monthly medical premiums and by working with Colonial Life and one of their Medical Gap Bridge plans, you can help to protect yourself from some of those higher out-of-pocket costs that accompany larger deductible plans.
 
Contact Sean Hart at (803) 463-7338 or via email at Sean.Hart@ColonialLife.com and ask him to run the numbers for you to show you how much you can save over the course of the year.

You've put your trust in the SCDA and we have put our trust in Medjet.  That is why many of you have recently received a letter in the mail regarding this comprehensive medical evacuation membership program.  Make sure you leave for your next travel adventure knowing that should an unexpected medical emergency arise during your trip, you have the unsurpassed 24/7 medical evacuation and concierge services of Medjet.  

Don't take chances; take a second look at enrolling in the Medjet membership program and gain the assurance that you have a plan in place should something happen during your travels.  Visit www.medjet.com/scda and see for yourself why Medjet is a must for any savvy traveler and to see what kind of discounts are offered to you for being an SCDA member.  You can also call them at 1-800-527-7478 and mention group #862 to receive your savings.