Is it mandatory that employees covered under the County health plan use the Employee Health Center and Employee Pharmacy?
No. The Employee Health Center and Employee Pharmacy are benefits to employees designed to assist with their health care needs and reduce their out-of-pocket medical expenses, but employees can use the medical provider or pharmacy of their choice.
Is there any need for concern as to whether an employee seen at the Employee Health Center might have medical information passed along to their supervisors?
No. All medical records and personal health information fall under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and are confidential.
Is an employee able to use the Employee Health Center and not the Employee Pharmacy, or the Employee Pharmacy and not the Employee Health Center?
Yes. The Pharmacy is located less than a half mile from the Employee Health Center, making it convenient to use both services, but an employee may choose to use one, both, or neither, according to their needs.
Does an employee have to use sick time to visit the Employee Health Center and Employee Pharmacy during a workday? Employees do not have to use sick leave to visit the Employee Health Center during a workday. If approved by their supervisor, employees may see the health provider on a workday by presenting a Visit Authorization/Return to Work Notice, on which the provider documents the employee's arrival and departure time. This excuses the employee's time missed from work. If they visit the Employee Pharmacy immediately following their health center visit, their time at the Pharmacy will be considered part of their visit and added to the Visit Authorization/Return to Work Notice. Visits to the Pharmacy for prescription drop off or pick up that are not associated with a visit to the health center are not excused. For employees sent home by the health center provider because of illness, sick leave starts after departure from the health center. The length of sick leave will vary based on the type of illness and treatment required.
Can employees see providers other than those at the Employee Health Center during the workday without using sick leave?
No. Employees are incentivized to use the Employee Health Center without using sick pay because it is a cost savings for the County.
Are same-day or walk-in appointments available at the Employee Health Center?
The Employee Health Center will accommodate employees who are sick and in need of same-day appointments by seeing them remotely or in person. Employees should call the Employee Health Center at 910-433-3847 for an appointment time rather than walking in.
Is an employee's Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance card needed when visiting the Employee Health Center or Employee Pharmacy?
Yes. Employees should have their BCBS insurance card with them for every visit to the Employee Health Center and Employee Pharmacy.
What can employees be seen at the Employee Health Center for?
The Employee Health Center offers basic episodic care for viruses & infections, minor injuries, and basic procedures; preventive care such as physicals, health coaching, immunizations, and annual health review visits; chronic care such as for diabetes, respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal conditions; care beyond the walls such as coordination, navigation and advocacy; and lab draws.
What type of prescriptions can employees receive from Employee Health Center providers?
Prescription medications, when clinically indicated, are written by Employee Health Center providers in support of the health center's defined medical practice guidelines for the treatment of common acute minor illnesses as well as chronic care conditions.
Does the Employee Pharmacy carry the same medications as other pharmacies?
The Pharmacy carries a wide variety of medications that are commonly prescribed in the community. If a medication is not on hand, the Pharmacy will order it for next-day delivery, if possible.
How much lower are copays at the Employee Pharmacy vs. outside pharmacies?
A $10 copay is reduced to $0 (free), a $55 copay is reduced to $25, and a $70 copay is reduced to $40.
Who can use the Employee Health Center?
All employees, regardless of insurance coverage, may use the Employee Health Center. Retirees who are on the County insurance plan may be seen as well. Dependents age 2 and older who are covered on the County health plan are also eligible to use the health center.
Who can use the Employee Pharmacy?
Employees, retirees, and their dependents who are on the County health plan may use the Pharmacy. Employees who are not insured under the County health plan may use the Pharmacy but must pay the cost of the medication. The Pharmacy cannot file claims with other insurance companies.
Does the Employee Pharmacy accept prescriptions from any prescriber? Yes.
Are generic medications always free at the Employee Pharmacy?
The vast majority of generics are free for employees covered on the County health plan.
Will the pharmacy provide a 90-day supply of a medication if prescribed?
Yes. Employees are encouraged to ask their providers for 90-day supplies of their maintenance medications.
Does an employee need to get a signed form from their supervisor if they want to be seen on their day off?
No, a Visit Authorization/Return to Work Notice is not needed for visits that occur on days off.
If an employee is insured under a different plan than the County health plan, are they able to use the Employee Pharmacy? Yes, the employee can use the Pharmacy and pay out of pocket for their prescriptions, but they cannot use their insurance since the Pharmacy only accepts the County insurance.
What are the ways providers can get prescriptions to the Employee Pharmacy?
Providers may fax, call in, or use e-prescribing to get prescriptions to the Pharmacy.
Does the Employee Pharmacy accept prescription transfers from mail order pharmacies?
Yes.
Does the Employee Pharmacy carry medical supplies? No, the Pharmacy does not carry medical supplies, except for diabetes and blood pressure testing supplies.
Does the Employee Pharmacy carry over-the-counter products? Yes, the Pharmacy carries many over-the-counter products and sells them at greatly reduced prices.