Answering Your Questions From the Benefits Survey

As an initial wave of Benefits Surveys is completed, questions and comments are being made in the survey as well. Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, continues to address some of the questions being submitted in the survey.  

Q/Comment: Clearer understanding why some things are covered and others go toward out of pocket expenses -- for instance, I saw a PT [physical therapist] this year, and I was charged $13 per time and insurance covered the rest. I also saw another PT at the same time, and I had to pay $650 out-of-pocket for 2 appointments. Both were in-network.  
A: Some physical therapists bill as Outpatient while others bill as Office Visit. It is important to ask the provider how he/she bills when considering physical therapy, because while both go towards your deductible, if the provider bills as Outpatient, you are responsible for 100%. But if he/she bills as Office Visit, then it is coinsurance (and if in-network then the coinsurance is 15%). Once you have met your deductible, then it should only be co-insurance towards your out-of-pocket maximum. 

Q/Comment: Contact lens coverage/discount  
A: If you use the EyeMed Vision Discount Program, you can potentially save up to 15% off your contact lens expense. More information is available on the Intranet > Benefits > Eye Med. 

Q/Comment: There are few chiropractors on Wellmark's plan. I would like to see more sports-related chiropractors added.  
A: Wellmark determines the number of chiropractors they allow to be considered Wellmark providers under Wellmark plans. If you have a particular chiropractor whom you would like to be covered, you could ask he/she directly if they would apply to become a Wellmark plan provider chiropractor.