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Home / Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits / Ways to Cut Your Medical Costs

Ways to Cut Your Medical Costs

How to save on benefits
Cutting Costs

Wellness Program

Taking an active role in maintaining your health is not only good for you, but also for your wallet. Preventive measures, like annual physicals and biometric screenings, help your doctor find potential health issues before they become major problems. Starting a care regimen early for these potential issues will save you money on your health care expenses in the long run.

To reinforce The University’s commitment to the health of our employees, we’ve expanded the OnLife Wellness Program.

TIP: If you completed the wellness steps by September 30, 2017, you’ll save money on your health care for 2018.

Tobacco Cessation

To qualify for the wellness incentive, current tobacco users must complete the additional step of enrolling in a tobacco cessation program by November 17, 2017. If you failed to complete the wellness steps, including the Tobacco Pledge, or do not enroll in a cessation program, you will not be eligible for the Wellness Incentives for 2018.

In 2019, if you fail to take these actions you’ll pay an additional $50 per month premium, no matter which medical option you choose.

SmartCare

Starting January 1, 2018, participants in all three medical plans may save on health care costs through the SmartCare program, by visiting a provider at a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) facility. If you are in the Classic or Premier Plan, you may save money on certain expenses through lower deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, copays and coinsurance. If you are in the Health Savings Plan, you may save money through lower coinsurance. You don’t have to sign up for UAMS SmartCare. If you come to a UAMS facility for your care and are enrolled in one of the three health plans, UMR will automatically apply these adjustments:

     Classic Plan

  • $15 reduction in copay for office visit
  • $500 reduction to individual deductible, $1,000 reduction to family deductible
  • After deductible is met, 5% reduction in coinsurance
  • $150 reduction in hospital inpatient admission copay
  • Waiver of $150 copay for outpatient surgical services or mental health partial hospitalization/intensive day treatment

     Health Savings Plan

  • $500 reduction to out-of-pocket maximum per individual, $1,000 reduction to family out-of-pocket maximum
  • After deductible is met, 5% reduction in coinsurance

     Premier Plan

  • $15 reduction in copay for office visit
  • $500 reduction to individual deductible, $1000 reduction to family deductible
  • After deductible is met, 5% reduction in coinsurance
  • $150 reduction in hospital inpatient admission copay

UAMS SmartCare doesn’t just mean potential savings in your out-of-pocket medical costs. It also means access to the SmartCare concierge who can assist you in making an appointment or help you with questions about a bill. This service is only for University of Arkansas employees enrolled in The University’s health plan. Call the UAMS SmartCare concierge at this dedicated phone line: (501) 686-8749 or email smartcare@uams.edu.

Visit here for more information on SmartCare.

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Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits

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