| The San Antonio Fire and Police Pensioners’ Association is providing the following message from the Healthcare Fund representatives. Please remember that SAFPPA has no direct relationship with the operation of the Healthcare Fund. We are providing this notice as a courtesy to our members. |
LETTER FROM MIKE DESPRES, Police Retiree Healthcare Trustee
Fellow Members,
Our healthcare can be a little confusing, so I want to take this brief opportunity to promote better understanding of exactly where we currently are with our healthcare. Capital RX is our “Plan Benefits Administrator;” the company that actually manages our healthcare. Our RX drug prescription service was previously subcontracted thru Optum.
As we evaluated the previous service difficulties we were experiencing with Optum as our RX drug prescription provider, it became apparent that our membership was not adequately being served. Upon recognizing this service deficiency, we quickly severed that business relationship and began a search in earnest for a new RX prescription provider. Several criteria were factored into this decision. First, we wanted an RX provider that was well established within our community; a company that was a titan among service providers with the reputation and assets to provide our members with superior products, fair pricing, and the capability to provide expedited and efficient delivery.
I am very proud to announce to our membership that our search for a new RX provider became very clear very quickly; leading us to our new RX Prescription Provider “Costco.” All the boxes have been checked by this magnificent company. Costco is an American multinational corporation, and is the third-largest retailer in the world. They are ranked #11 on the Fortune 500 rankings. Costco is definitely the company that we want to do business with, both now and into the future.
As one might expect, making such a major transition is not always smooth initially, as a lot of data must be entered and organized within Costco’s extensive database. Such was the case on June 06, 2025 when Costco conducted systems maintenance while at the same time incorporating our very large file of membership information. It is important to recognize that this is only an initial complication that Costco is currently working on to resolve. Please stay patient. As mentioned above, Costco is one of the largest companies in the world, and did not achieve their high “Fortune 500” ranking by accident. Our members should have no doubt that we are now with the correct RX Provider. Soon, we will have these minor issues resolved. Thereafter, we can all look forward to a long and mutually beneficial business relationship with Costco; RX prescription drug service that is accurate and expedited and customer service that is both friendly and compassionate towards all of our members. This kind of interpersonal business relationship is important to both our membership and to Costco. They “get” that.
If you are experiencing any issues related to your healthcare, please feel free to contact the Fire and Police Retiree Health Care Fund, at 1-866-652-4237, for assistance.
In closing, I want to humbly remind our members of the wonderful health enhancement benefits that we have provided to our members, just over the past several years.
- We opened several new healthcare clinics
- Now every clinic is staffed with a minimum of two doctors
- Added a Physical Therapist and Assistant at each clinic
- Added Psychological Support Services
- Added a Nutritionist at each clinic
- Successfully managed to pass a legislative package to enhance our member benefits
- Created a proactive strategic plan going forward, to further enhance our benefits at the next legislative session in two years
- Added a dedicated Sports Medicine Doctor
I respectfully request that all of our members check out these wonderful new health care benefits, to enhance the quality of your life.
Thanks for your continued trust. We’re always here for you!
Respectfully,
Mike Despres
Police Retiree Healthcare Trustee
