Announcing the PacificSource AlternaCare Savings Program

Beginning January 1, 2008, all PacificSource medical members will have access to a new value-added benefit: the AlternaCare Savings Program. We have partnered with Reliant Behavioral Health to provide this new discount program for alternative care services, which will replace our Healthyroads amenity program. “The AlternaCare Savings Program offers a broader range of useful discounts on products and services that we think will be of value to our members,” says PacificSource Provider Network Account Lead Laurie Ingram.

Our new program complements the other wellness and healthcare options available to both individual and group plan members. Even your clients who already have alternative care or chiropractic benefits through their PacificSource coverage will appreciate AlternaCare’s discounts on products and services.

• Alternative Medicine Providers—Members can use the AlternaCare online directory to search for a provider in their area for acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, massage therapy, and more. Members can receive up to a 30 percent discount just by showing their PacificSource member ID card when they visit their AlternaCare provider.
   
• The Healthy Reading Program offers subscription discounts of up to 80 percent on a variety of health and fitness magazines.
   
• Vitamins and natural supplements are available at a 25 percent discount.
   
• Healthy Kitchen serves up healthful recipes and food remedies for a variety of conditions.
   
• The Reference Library has information on therapies, foods, supplements, and drugs.
   
• News and Perspectives offers members expert opinions and the latest health-related news.

In the coming weeks, members will be able to access the AlternaCare site from the For Members/ Health & Wellness area of our Web site, www.pacificsource.com. We will include information about AlternaCare with our January group billing statements (mailing in December), as well as in the Member Bulletin newsletter which mails at the end of December.

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Early Change Requests Help Expedite Renewals

As you know, plan change requests are a key part of the renewal process. However, you may not realize that these changes impact your groups’ billing statements and rates, premium payments, and continued member eligibility—as well as your commission payment. We ask that you submit changes by the 15th of the month prior to renewal to help expedite the process and ensure that each group’s billing reflects their updated plan. In addition, when you submit changes early, members calling our Customer Service Department will be sure to get their up-to-date benefit information, and no claims will need reprocessing. If you have questions about a group’s renewal, please feel free to contact us.

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IRS Rule Results in Changes to Manley's Benny™ Card

During the first week of December, Manley Services will be mailing a detailed notice to all Benny™ Card participants explaining a change to their Benny™ Card, effective January 1, 2008. They will also mail a similar notice to their agents and clients.

The change will affect the way FSA and HRA participants use their Benny™ Card debit card to purchase pharmacy and over-the-counter products. New IRS rules require that discount stores and supermarkets have the ability to determine IRS-eligible expenses at the register. This includes pharmacies located inside a discount store or supermarket. The technology is similar to what Wal-Mart and Walgreens already have in place.

Since IRS-eligibility is determined at the point of purchase, members are less likely to receive letters from Manley Services requesting follow up documentation on pharmacy and over-the-counter items. Please note, however, that the IRS still requires participants to keep all documentation of any expense that is reimbursed from their plan.

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CE Classes and OAHU Events

PAHU Member Event

Portland Association of Health Underwriters will host a CE seminar on December 19 in Portland, Oregon. Contact PAHU for more information or visit www.pahuonline.org and select Upcoming Events.

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Upcoming Community Events

PacificSource is proud to sponsor Northwest community events that support healthy communities and health-focused organizations. We hope you will join us in supporting these events:

Festival of Trees—Providence Community Health Foundation
November 28 through December 2, Medford, Oregon, Medford Armory

Festival of Trees—Mercy Foundation and Children's Healthcare Fund
November 28 through December 2, Roseburg, Oregon

Festival of Trees
December 1, Pendleton, Oregon

Festival of Trees—Hospice of Redmond-Sisters
December 2, Redmond, Oregon, Deschutes County Fair & Expo

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Eugene
(541) 687-7047 or toll-free (877) 657-9797
fax (541) 485-0915
Troy Kirk, Vice President Sales and Marketing
Doug Sheffer, Eugene Regional Manager

Bend
(541) 330-8896 or toll-free (888) 877-7996
fax (541) 330-8948
John Wright, Bend Regional Manager

Boise
(208) 342-3709 or toll-free (888) 492-2875
fax (208) 342-4508
Dave Ewers, Boise Regional Manager

Medford
(541) 858-0381 or toll-free (800) 899-5866
fax (541) 858-0486
Fred Cornett, Medford Regional Manager

Portland
(503) 699-6561 or toll-free (877) 657-9797
fax (503) 697-1075
Dennis Reed, Portland Regional Manager
Kristin Kennedy, Marketing Sales Representative

Manley Services
(541) 485-7488 or toll-free (800) 422-7038
fax (541) 681-8792
or toll-free (800) 575-1109
Stan Manley, President

Select Benefit Administrators
(503) 598-8908 or toll-free (888) 532-5332
fax (503) 598-0197
Nancy Louris, President