Resources are available to help you make the smartest medical plan choice. Here’s what you can do:

• Review the medical plans side-by-side comparison, which describes all of the plans, what they cover and how much they cost.
• Use the Health Plan Comparison Tool on benefits.com to see the types and amounts of care you’ve received in the past.
• Because prescription drug coverage is an important part of your medical plan, you’ll also need to consider how each plan pays prescription benefits before deciding which is right for you. Be sure to review the prescription drugs section of this eGuide to view a side-by-side comparison of the available plans.

The best way to save money is by shopping around for the best deal when you need health care. But there are other things you can do to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Read on!

• Wellness requirements, and how you can achieve the Enhanced Benefit Level
• Tobacco surcharge, what it is, and how you might be able to avoid it
• Spousal surcharge, what it is, and how you might be able to avoid it

A Preferred Provider Organization uses a large network of participating providers to give you greater flexibility to choose where you receive health care services. Generally, when you use in-network providers, your costs are less and you do not have to submit a claim form for services. Unlike an HMO, you have the option of using out-of-network providers if you prefer. Our PPO plans are the BMP-PPO, the FMP-PPO and the CMP-PPO.

A Health Maintenance Organization uses a network of participating providers to deliver health care services. When you enroll in an HMO, you may use only in-network providers for any care you or covered family members need during the year (except for some emergency situations). All care is coordinated through your primary care physician, or PCP. Services from out-of-network providers are not covered except in an emergency.