Clinical 2.1 Provides comprehensive evidence based nursing care to patients including assessment, intervention and evaluation.
Primary Care Clinic Employees and each of their covered dependents must individually elect a primary care clinic within the network of providers offered by the plan administrator chosen by the employee. Employees and their dependents may elect to change clinics within their clinic’s Benefit Level as often as the plan administrator permits and as outlined above.
Health Care Committee A Health Insurance Committee shall be established and maintained with at least three (3) representatives appointed by the Association and three (3) representatives appointed by the Superintendent. The purpose of the Committee shall be to make recommendations designed to optimize the quality of health care available to District employees and improve cost effectiveness of the health insurance program. Committee members shall review data, work with the District insurance consultant, collaborate on making recommendations for changes in plan design, review bids by insurance companies, and ultimately consider recommending plan changes to their respective constituencies. The Committee is not empowered to unilaterally make changes in health care benefits without ratification by the Association and approval by the Board. The creation of the Committee does not diminish or in any way reduce the Board’s and Association’s rights or responsibilities.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT A. The Board agrees to implement the following:
Tobacco Use Counseling and Intervention This plan covers smoking cessation programs when prescribed by a physician in accordance with R.I. General Law §27-20-53 and ACA guidelines. Smoking cessation programs include, but are not limited to, the following: • Smoking cessation counseling must be provided by a physician or upon his or her referral to a qualified licensed practitioner. • Over-the-counter and FDA approved nicotine replacement therapy and/or smoking cessation prescription drugs, prescribed by a physician, and purchased at a pharmacy. See the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits for details on coverage. Vaccinations/Immunizations This plan covers adult and pediatric preventive vaccinations and immunizations in accordance with current guidelines. Our allowance includes the administration and the vaccine. If a covered immunization is provided as part of an office visit, the office visit copayment and deductible (if any) will apply. Travel immunizations are covered to the extent that such immunizations are recommended for adults and children by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The recommendations are subject to change by the CDC. Preventive Screening/Early Detection Services This plan covers preventive screenings based on the ACA guidelines noted above. Preventive screenings include but are not limited to: • mammograms; • pap smears; • prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests; • flexible sigmoidoscopy; • double contrast barium enema; • fecal occult blood tests, screening for gestational diabetes, and human papillomavirus; and • genetic counseling for breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA). This plan covers colonoscopies in accordance with R.I. General Laws § 27-18-58. Covered healthcare services include an initial colonoscopy or other medical tests or procedures for colorectal cancer screening and a follow-up colonoscopy if the results of the initial test are abnormal. Contraceptive Methods and Sterilization Procedures for Women This plan covers the following contraceptive services: • FDA approved contraceptive drugs and devices requiring a prescription; • barrier method (cervical cap, diaphragm, or implantable) fitted and supplied during an office visit; and • surgical and sterilization services for women with reproductive capacity, including but not limited to tubal ligation. Breastfeeding Counseling and Equipment This plan covers lactation (breastfeeding) support and counseling during the pregnancy or postpartum period when provided by a licensed lactation counselor. This plan covers manual, electric, or battery operated breast pumps for a female member in conjunction with each birth event.
Medical Care Leave An Employee who is unable to make the necessary arrangements for maintenance of personal health care outside of scheduled work time, shall be granted time off with pay. Such time off shall not exceed sixteen (16) working hours per calendar year. Hours in excess of sixteen (16) hours per calendar year shall be deducted from the Employee's sick leave accumulation.
Pharmacy Benefits - Prescription Drugs and Diabetic Equipment or Supplies from a Pharmacy This plan covers prescription drugs listed on our formulary and diabetic equipment or supplies bought from a pharmacy as a pharmacy benefit. These benefits are administered by our Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). Our formulary includes a tiered copayment structure and indicates that certain prescription drugs require preauthorization. If a prescription drug is not on our formulary, it is not covered. For specific coverage information or a copy of the most current formulary, please visit our website or call our Customer Service Department. Prescription drugs and diabetic equipment or supplies are covered when dispensed using the following guidelines: • the prescription must be medically necessary, consistent with the physician’s diagnosis, ordered by a physician whose license allows him or her to order it, filled at a pharmacy whose license allows such a prescription to be filled, and filled according to state and federal laws; • the prescription must consist of legend drugs that require a physician’s prescription under law, or compound medications made up of at least one legend drug requiring a physician’s prescription under law; • the prescription must be dispensed at the proper place of service as determined by our Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. For example, certain prescription drugs may only be covered when obtained from a specialty pharmacy; and • the prescription is limited to the quantities authorized by your physician not to exceed the quantity listed in the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits. Prescription drugs are subject to the benefit limits and the amount you pay shown in the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits.
DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTING 11.1 The parties agree that the maintenance of a drug/alcohol free work place is a goal of both the College and the Union. Employees are prohibited from possession, consumption and/or being under the influence of a controlled substance/alcohol while on the College’s premises or during time paid by the employer. Violations of this prohibition may result in a disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Traditional Medicine Cooperation 1. The aims of Traditional Medicine cooperation will be: (a) to build on existing agreements or arrangements already in place for Traditional Medicine cooperation; and (b) to promote information exchanges on Traditional Medicine between the Parties. 2. In pursuit of the objectives in Article 149 (Objectives), the Parties will encourage and facilitate, as appropriate, the following activities, including, but not limited to: (a) encouraging dialogue on Traditional Medicine policies and promotion of respective Traditional Medicine; (b) raising awareness of active effects of Traditional Medicine; (c) encouraging exchange of experience in conservation and restoration of Traditional Medicine; (d) encouraging exchange of experience on management, research and development for Traditional Medicine; (e) encouraging cooperation in the Traditional Medicine education field, mainly through training programs and means of communication; (f) having a consultation mechanism between the Parties' Traditional Medicine authorities; (g) encouraging cooperation in Traditional Medicine therapeutic services and products manufacturing; and (h) encouraging cooperation in research in the fields of Traditional Medicine in order to contribute in efficacy and safety assessments of natural resources and products used in health care.
How to File an Appeal of a Prescription Drug Denial For denials of a prescription drug claim based on our determination that the service was not medically necessary or appropriate, or that the service was experimental or investigational, you may request an appeal without first submitting a request for reconsideration. You or your physician may file a written or verbal prescription drug appeal with our pharmacy benefits manager (PBM). The prescription drug appeal must be submitted to us within one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the initial determination letter. You will receive written notification of our determination within thirty (30) calendar days from the receipt of your appeal. How to File an Expedited Appeal Your appeal may require immediate action if a delay in treatment could seriously jeopardize your health or your ability to regain maximum function, or would cause you severe pain. To request an expedited appeal of a denial related to services that have not yet been rendered (a preauthorization review) or for on-going services (a concurrent review), you or your healthcare provider should call: • our Grievance and Appeals Unit; or • our pharmacy benefits manager for a prescription drug appeal. Please see Section 9 for contact information. You will be notified of our decision no later than seventy-two (72) hours after our receipt of the request. You may not request an expedited review of covered healthcare services already received.
