Dear Member:

Effective Jan. 1, 2005 the Musicians’ Local 802 Health Benefits Plan will be changing its prescription benefit manager from National Medical Health Card (NMHC) to UlliCareRx/Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

On or about Dec. 15, 2004 you should have received in the mail your new prescription benefit card. You will need to present this card to your pharmacy when you utilize your prescription benefit on or after Jan. 1, 2005. After Jan. 1, 2005 you should destroy and discard your prescription card from NMHC.

Enclosed with your new prescription card from UlliCareRX/Medco Health Solutions Inc. will be the following items:

• A brochure explaining your UlliCareRX/Medco Health prescription drug program.
• A health questionnaire to help better service your health and prescription needs
• A form for ordering medications from the home delivery pharmacy
• Return envelope for the questionnaire and order form
• A list of frequently asked questions
• Formulary list of plan-preferred medications

Many of you who are taking what is called “maintenance medication” are using the mail order pharmacy with National Medical Health Card. If you are close to your refill date, you should request a final refill from NMHC prior to the switch to UlliCareRx/Medco Health Jan. 1, 2005. If you do not refill prior to Jan. 1, 2005 you will need to obtain a new prescription from your doctor for any medication that you plan to purchase through the Medco Health Home Delivery Pharmacy Service. You might suggest to your doctor to write two prescriptions, one for the retail pharmacy, just so you don’t run out of medication and another for the mail order (90 days plus refills).

There has been no change in the level of prescription benefit coverage provided by the Musicians’ Local 802 Health Benefits Plan. The plan offers a $5,000 maximum coverage per family member per year. This applies to both retail and mail order for a maximum of $5,000 combined per family member per year. You can get a 30-day supply from a retail pharmacy or a 90-day supply from a home delivery pharmacy.

The co-pays are the same:

• Generic: $0 (retail); $5 (home delivery)
• Preferred brand-name: $15 (retail); $30 (home delivery)
• Nonpreferred brand-name: 20 percent of total cost of script, minimum $30/maximum $60 (retail); $60 (home delivery).

Please watch your mail carefully. I have been advised by UlliCareRx/Medco Health that the new prescription cards were due to arrive on or about Dec. 15, 2004.

Sincerely,

GLORIA McCORMICK
Plan Administrator