Health Messenger Summer 2006

What do I do if my child is running a high fever?
If possible, you should call your child’s Primary Care Provider (PCP) for advice.Your PCP may be able to handle your child’s needs over the phone or may direct you to seek services at the nearest urgent care or emergency facility. If you are unable to speak with your child’s PCP or if you feel that your child’s condition is an emergency, you should take your child to the nearest emergency facility. Once you return home,
notify your PCP.

What will it cost me if I have to go to the emergency department when I’m out of the area?
A member’s cost to visit an emergency department is the same regardless of where it is located. Check your schedule of medical benefits to determine your plan’s cost. In many benefit plans, the cost for an urgent care visit is less than the emergency department visit. If you are asked to pay for the visit, make sure you get an itemized bill from the facility when you check out. You will need to file this claim to be reimbursed when you return home. Both your human resources department and FirstCarolinaCare have claim forms available and will be happy to assist you in completing them.

If I am out of the area and get sick and a family member’s physician can see me, can I see that physician or should I just go to the
emergency room?
Yes, you can see your family member’s physician. It will be treated the same as an urgent care visit. You must file this claim with FirstCarolinaCare in order for the claim to be paid correctly. Either mail the claim with an explanation to FirstCarolinaCare, 42 Memorial
Drive, Suite 1, Pinehurst, NC, 28374, or bring it by our office located at the same address.

Please be sure to carry your ID cards for all members of your family who are covered by FirstCarolinaCare with you at all times, especially when traveling.

If you have any questions please call Member Services at (800) 811-3298.

Privacy Notice Reminder
Under federal privacy regulations, FirstCarolinaCare (FCC) is required to give every new subscriber a copy of its Notice of Privacy Practices. This document describes how FCC handles its members’ personal health information and members’ rights under the privacy regulations. If you would like another copy of FCC’s Notice of Privacy Practices, please call FirstCarolinaCare at (800) 574-8556 to request one.

Benefit Enhancements for 2006

	Over-the-counter Claritin and Prilosec are now available at the generic co-pay. A prescription from your provider is needed.
	Generic equivalents to Flonase and Zocor are now available. If you are on either of these medications, switch to the generic equivalent for the lower co-pay.
	Walgreens is now a participating pharmacy in our network.
	The new Choice90 Program allows you to receive a 90-day supply of your maintenance medications at one of several local retail pharmacies. Call MedImpact toll-free at (800) 788-2949 or visit www.medimpact.com for an updated list of Choice90 providers.
	The mail-order option is still available. Our new vendor for this option is Walgreens. Call toll-free (866) 304-2846 for more information.
	Co-pays for chiropractic visits are now at the same co-pay level as that for a primary care physician. Precertification is still required.
	The FirstCarolinaCare provider network in Lee County is expanding.

New ID Cards
In January, you were issued a new ID card with our new pharmacy benefit manager, MedImpact, listed on the card. It is important that you give your new ID card to your provider and your pharmacy on your next visit. Your claims will not be processed correctly without your new ID number, and you will not be able to access your benefits. If you did not receive a new card in January, please call Member Services at (800) 811-3298.

Preventive Visits
If you haven’t already scheduled your preventive checkups for 2006, be sure to call your provider
to schedule them as soon as possible.

FirstCarolinaCare believes that routine care and screenings are an important part of your
benefits.We strongly encourage all of our members to take advantage of the preventive and
maintenance benefits offered in your medical benefit plan chosen by your employer.

If you have diabetes, also remember to schedule your annual eye exam.

Don’t forget about the importance of immunization. Next to safe drinking water, immunizations
are considered to be the most important public health intervention in history. Immunizations have
been credited both with preventing millions of cases of disease and with saving lives.

No one wants their children or adolescents to get sick from preventable diseases. Immunizations
can protect them from many very serious, lifethreatening diseases. Be sure to check with your provider
to be certain that your children’s immunizations are up to date.

As an additional resource, FirstCarolinaCare has a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Nurse HelpLine
that members can call with questions about their confidential personal health information or general
health information on various health-related topics.

Members can access the Nurse HelpLine by calling toll-free (800) 336-2121.

New Providers
As of July '06