Benefits Office: New and Old Program Changes Following are some reminders about new and old programs under the different Iowa State insurance plans. Claim forms are available in the Benefits Office, 16 Beardshear. PRINCIPAL MUTUAL MEDICAL INSURANCE --The Pharmaceutical Card System (PCS) program began July 1. Employees who have not received their identification cards should contact Human Resource Services, Benefits Office, 4- 7680. Several employees have reported that pharmacies are charging more for prescriptions under the PCS plan than they did before. The PCS plan requires pharmacies to charge whichever is less: their usual price or the PCS price. --In order to receive full insurance benefits, certain medical procedures must be reviewed by Principal Mutual before they are performed. Not all of the procedures are surgical. The procedures requiring review are listed on pages 41 and 42 of your policy booklet. PREFERRED BLUE MEDICAL INSURANCE --Visits to a physician other than your Primary Care Physician (PCP) must be authorized by Preferred Blue through the referral system. This includes visits to the emergency room when a physician other than your PCP treats you or a family member. --The only two exceptions to the referral system are routine eye exams and routine gynecological exams. For these, you may "self-refer" to a network physician. BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD MEDICAL INSURANCE (MERIT EMPLOYEES) --Effective Aug. 1, any mental/nervous/drug or alcohol abuse treatment must be pre-approved by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. New identification cards, mailed to all policy holders, outline the requirement, the procedure and the phone number to call. Failure to comply with the pre-approval will result in a reduction of benefits. _____ contact: Ann Molison, Retirement Advising, 88 Scheman, (515) 294-3830