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they pay $100 per month for dependent coverage. The County is <br />paying $2,300 a year for the single employee's coverage and $4,000 <br />a year for the employee who elects dependent coverage, with the <br />employee paying $150 of that sum. We will continue to try to find <br />ways to improve service and produce more employee and dependent <br />satisfaction with the plan. <br />Commissioner Eggert questioned the charge for generic drugs <br />and stated that some people are not able to take generics but must <br />take a brand name. Director 'Price advised that the system is <br />driven towards the generic drugs because they are more cost- <br />effective. If a patient has a problem taking a generic or if the <br />physician simply prefers a brand name drug, all they have to do on <br />the prescription form is state that they require the brand name and <br />the prescription should not be questioned. From the employee's <br />perspective, the brand name will cost $2 more than for the generic, <br />it would be $10 instead of $8. <br />Commissioner Adams questioned the 125 Plan and was advised <br />that this plan permits expenditures for medical care to be taken <br />from employees on a pre-tax basis. The only thing that would be <br />pre-tax now would be some of the premiums for optional programs <br />like dependent health care. At $12.50 per month the 125 Plan <br />savings will not be really significant but they wanted to put the <br />plan in place in case other optional programs are offered in the <br />future. <br />Chairman Macht questioned whether this is a "cafeteria" plan <br />and Director Price responded in the affirmative. He felt this <br />would be a great advantage particularly to younger people as the <br />increased contribution goes up. Director Price also stated that <br />if employees are asked to participate in future years to a greater <br />extent for the cost of their dependent coverage, or even for their <br />own health care program, these costs also could be shielded from <br />taxation. <br />Commissioner Bird questioned whether a deductible would be <br />involved with an accidental injury, and Director Price responded <br />that this coverage has not changed. A $50 deductible for going to <br />a hospital emergency room has been waived to encourage people to go <br />to the PPO provider. At the end of 6 months, they will go back and <br />take a look at how well that decision is working. <br />BOOK prof < 349 <br />FEBRUARY 14, 1995 19 <br />L <br />