Category: Health Care Fund News

The Fire and Police Retiree Health Care Fund, San Antonio, sent a notice to plan participants on May 19. Here is the letter’s contents:

Dear Health Plan Participant,

The Fire and Police Retiree Healthcare Fund has implemented a temporary benefit change related to Telehealth services due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Telehealth services will be temporarily allowed under the Retiree Health Plan. 

This benefit change will encourage social distancing and allow members to receive care from the comfort of their homes.

The benefit change will apply to Telehealth visits with a date of service of 3/23/2020 – 6/30/2020 and will only be considered for payment if the service is provided by an Aetna Signature Administrators physician to an established patient. There is no coverage for out-of-network Telehealth services or for new patient visits. Normal office visit copays will apply.

If you have already had a Telehealth visit that has been denied for no coverage, your claim is in the process of being reconsidered. You do not need to take any action.

If you should have any questions related to this benefit change, please contact the Fire and Police Retiree Health Care Fund at 1-866-652-4237.

We have important information to share with you regarding COVID-19 and the FAPRHCF Wellnes Clinic. The complete document can be downloaded here.

• No walk-ins will be accepted. Please do not enter the clinic without calling the clinic first.
• All patients will be prescreened by phone before their appointment to determine their risk of exposure to COVID-19. If you have an appointment, expect a call within 24 hours of your appointment date.
• If you have fever, cough, shortness of breath or generally feel sick, please call our office to speak with a nurse rather than coming in for an appointment.
• If patients are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, they will be evaluated over the phone by a physician to determine the best course of care.
• All surfaces in the exam rooms are cleaned in-between each patient.
• Caregivers will wear a mask during all patient interaction as a precaution. You may be asked to wear a mask while in the clinic if necessary.
• If possible, do NOT bring any guests with you to appointments.

Read the entire UPDATE REGARDING CARE by downloading here. 

Our Fire and Police Retiree Healthcare Fund, San Antonio released a letter to Fire and Police Retirees regarding the COVID-19 virus. Please download the letter here but its contents follow:

To Fire and Police Retirees,

As you know there is a worldwide pandemic involving the COVID-19. The U.S. has had relatively few cases to this point, but this may increase, and we may very well see cases in the San Antonio area. Your Health by Design team has been monitoring the situation closely and developing plans to reduce the risk of infection to our patients and our healthcare workers.

At the current time we would make the following recommendations:

1. Educate yourself about  the virus and how to reduce your risk of infection. The CDC website is a good source of information. Click here.
2. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid getting exposed to the virus and taking everyday preventative measures such as good handwashing. Click here for more.
3. If you have travelled to countries where the virus has been spreading rapidly (CDC travel advisory level 3 or above) and you are not ill (fever, cough, shortness of breath) you should follow these CDC guidelines for 14 days after returning from your trip. Take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:

1. 1. 1.  Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
      2. Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
      3. Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing. 
      4. Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public. 
      5. Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

4. If you have travelled to countries where the virus has been spreading rapidly (CDC travel advisory level 3 or above) or have had contact with someone who is suspected of having the virus, and you are ill with symptoms of COVID-19 infection (cough, fever, shortness of breath) you should seek medical care. We do not advise an immediate trip to the doctor’s office or emergency room. Instead, your first step should be to call your health care provider (of the hospital if severely ill) to discuss your symptoms. Your doctor will consult the health department for further instructions and whether testing should be done. At this time, only the health department has access to testing kits for the virus.

5. The flu and other respiratory infections are still very common at this time of year. If you have not travelled to an area with high virus activity and have not had contact with someone with the virus and you have a possible respiratory infection, you would still make an appointment with your health care provider in the usual way if you need medical attention.

6. Contact your Health by Design clinic should you have questions (Paesanos Pkwy 210.492.1333) or City Base 210.465.9592. We will also provide updates on our website at www.healthbydesign.com and would encourage you to check in on this site regularly.

Though this is a serious health threat we should not over-react. While we know that a new type of disease can be scary, we believe that with the proper precautions and safe practices we can stay health and safe.

Signed By James Ogletree, Chief Medical Officer 

QCD of America provides dental insurance benefits to retirees. 

Come meet your QCD representative for information and enrollment packets at the March 10th regular meeting of the San Antonio Fire and Police Pensioners’ Association. 

Bring your questions, treatment plans or dental quotes! This meeting may help you choose a dental plan to meet all your needs and keep more money in your pocket.

• Date:  March 10, 2020
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Location:   Pension Fund HQ, 11603 W. Coker Loop, ste 201, San Antonio