Is it mandatory that I participate?
No. The Employee Health Center, Wellness Program and Pharmacy are benefits to employees designed to assist with their health care needs and reduce their out-of-pocket medical expenses.
I fear medical information gathered at the Employee Health Center could be passed along to my superiors and used in some way against me. What assurances do you have that this will not happen?
All medical records and information fall under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and are be confidential.
Can you just use the pharmacy and not the Employee Health Center?
Yes. The pharmacy is located at the E. Newton Smith Center, 227 Fountainhead Lane.
Is there paperwork such as a “return to work” form showing in and out times at the clinic to be used when the employee returns to the workplace?
Yes. Use the Visit Authorization/Return to Work Notice to document time of arrival to and departure from the clinic.
What are the details about not having to use sick time?
Employees do not use sick leave to visit the Employee Health Center. If they are sent home by the provider because of illness, sick leave starts after departure from the clinic. If a pharmacy visit immediately follows and is part of the Employee Health Center visit, the pharmacy time will be included on the documentation. If the pharmacy visit is a separate drop off or pick up visit, employees are on their own time.
Will there be a set time you have to remain home on sick leave if they send you home from the clinic?
Convalescent time or sick time will depend on the type of illness and treatment required, and will be recommended by the provider.
Why do employees not need to use their sick leave to go to an appointment at the Employee Health Center but they have to use their sick leave to go to a doctor’s appointment?
The benefit of not using sick leave to be seen at the Employee Health Center is an incentive to use the in-house Employee Health Center and to save both the county and the employee money.
Will it be by appointment or walk-in?
Provisions for both scheduled and same-day care will be provided. Employees will need to call the Employee Health Center at 910-433-3847 for an appointment time. The intent is to accommodate employees who are sick and on duty.
Do I need to bring in my BCBS insurance card?
Yes. Employees should always have their BCBS insurance card with them for every visit to the Employee Health Center and pharmacy.
What exactly can you go to the Employee Health Center for?
The Employee Health Center will offer basic episodic care such as viruses & infections, minor injuries, and basic procedures; preventive care such as physicals, health coaching, immunizations, and health reviews; chronic condition care such as diabetes, respiratory, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal; care beyond the walls such as coordination, navigation and advocacy; medications & labs such as prescriptions and lab draws. The Employee Health Center also has a Patient Advocate who humanizes healthcare by providing care for you as a whole person – mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically. No concern is outside the bounds of patient advocacy. If an Advocate can’t personally help, they will connect you to a resource who can – and they will partner with you every step of the way.
Will they be able to prescribe any medication if needed and if so what type?
Prescription medications, when clinically indicated, will be in support of the defined medical practice guidelines for the treatment of common acute minor illnesses. These medications will generally include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, antihistamines, antitussives, expectorants, mucolytics, common eye, ear, nose and throat preparations, inhaled medications, common non- narcotic pain medications, topical medications, immunizations (Td, Tdap, Pneumovax, influenza).
Do we just drop off and then pick-up a prescription we get from our doctor or is the pharmacy only for Employee Health Center prescriptions? Will an employee also not need to use sick leave for this?
No, any prescription can be dropped off. Employees will be on their own time for drop off and pick up of prescriptions just as if they were going to any other commercial pharmacy.
How will the pharmacy know which types of medications to carry?
The pharmacy has been provided a list of the top 100 medications prescribed in the county. If a medication is not on hand, the pharmacy will order it, which may take up to 72 hours.
Will we have a new pricing tier for non-generic medications?
Yes. For example, if you use the county pharmacy, a $70 co-pay will be reduced to a $40 co-pay and a $55 co-pay will be reduced to $25.
Who can participate in the Employee Health Center?
All employees regardless of insurance coverage may use the Employee Health Center. Retirees who are on the county’s insurance plan may be seen as well. Dependents age 2 and older who are covered on the county health plan may also be seen.
Who can use the pharmacy services?
Employees and retirees who are on the county’s Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plan may use the pharmacy and not have a co-payment for generic prescriptions. Employees who do not have insurance may use the pharmacy, but must pay the cost of the medication, as with any other pharmacy. The pharmacy will not file claims with other insurance companies. The county also offers pharmacy services to dependents on the county’s Blue Cross Blue Shield plan.
Are employees at Cooperative Extension included?
Cooperative Extension employees may use the clinic, but not the pharmacy because they are on the state plan. The pharmacy will not file claims with other insurance companies, so Extension employees would have to pay the cost of medication.
Can you bring prescriptions from your regular doctor to the employee pharmacy?
Yes.
Are generic medications free?
Yes, if you are on the county’s insurance plan.
Will the pharmacy provide a 30-day or 90-day supply of medication?
Yes.
It’s my day off and I feel sick. Can I go straight to the Employee Health Center from home or do I have to go to work first?
No, call for an appointment. Same-day sick appointments are only available if scheduling allows.
Do I have to get a signed form from my supervisor if I want to be seen on my day off?
No.
I’m insured by my husband’s federal BCBS. Can I still use the pharmacy?
The pharmacy will not file claims with other insurance companies. However, if you want to pay the cost of the medication, you can use the pharmacy.
If my direct supervisor is not at work, do I have to physically go to see the upper level supervisor at a different location before I am allowed to go to the Employee Health Center?
This will depend on your department’s policy.
Would my primary care physician be able to fax or call in prescriptions to the employee pharmacy?
Yes. Physicians may fax, call in and use e-prescribing.
Can mail-order prescriptions be transferred to the Wellness Clinic pharmacy?
Yes.
I don’t have insurance. Can I get my medication at the Employee Pharmacy and pay for it myself?
Yes, you would pay for the cost of the medication, as with any other pharmacy, and not be eligible for the $0 co-payment for generics like other employees with BCBS.
Will the pharmacy carry non-essential prescription drugs and supplies (colonoscopy bags, diabetes testing supplies, aesthetic aids, scar concealment etc.)?
The pharmacy carries non-essential prescription drugs, diabetic testing supplies, over-the-counter pain management, allergy relief, and cough and cold medications. The intention is to avoid carrying items found at a medical supply store like colonoscopy bags.