On May 1, 2008 HealthPartners will complete the transition of Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) to MedImpact. HealthPartners will continue to manage clinical pharmacy and formulary services, including prescription drug management, while MedImpact will replace Caremark to provide HealthPartners with pharmacy network and claims processing services.

MedImpact is the nation’s largest independent, privately-owned PBM, serving more than 27 million members nationwide and providing a pharmacy network of more than 60,000 pharmacies throughout the nation, including most major pharmacy chains and many smaller pharmacies.

Members will begin receiving a new Member ID card in a specially marked envelope this week. The new Member ID card will be printed entirely in black ink, instead of the standard blue and black ink, so it can be distinguished from the old card. Members will be asked to replace their current card with the card printed entirely in black ink beginning on May 1, 2008.

If a member does not replace their Member ID card there will be a process in place to ensure there is no interruption in service. If a pharmacist attempts to fill a prescription without the new Member ID card, the pharmacist will receive a message on their screen alerting them that the “RxBIN” number on the card is no longer valid and will list the new number to use. In addition, all network pharmacies will be receiving a mailing in April alerting them of the upcoming PBM change. If a pharmacist has questions, they will have 24/7 access to MedImpact’s assistance line.

This change will improve the efficiency, quality and cost effectiveness of HealthPartners programs. Please contact your HealthPartners sales executive or broker with any questions about HealthPartners transition to MedImpact.

Over the past year, we have been working towards a redesign of healthpartners.com. The goal of this redesign is to create a more relevant and user friendly experience for your employees. To ease the transition, we will be implementing a series of changes throughout 2008.

Some changes have already been made to the member portal of healthpartners.com. Recent changes include:

• Redesigned landing page – Anyone who visits healthpartners.com lands on a new page, including an easy to find logon box, direct links to the most frequently used pages and an improved visual design.

• Enhanced Online Patient Services – The four most commonly used patient services are e-mail your doctor, test results, immunization records and online bill pay. These services are now accessible directly from the new landing page, which reduces the number of clicks for patients.

• Improved Registration – With one click, members and patients are able to register.

• New Online Health Plan Application – Prospective members for our Individual Products now have a fast and easy way to learn about and apply for healthcare coverage.

We look forward to delivering an even more user friendly online experience to your employees. Watch for more improvements to healthpartners.com throughout the year!

Vision care is an essential component of any health plan. Routine eye exams are important for all ages because they can detect vision and medical conditions. In order to provide members with the best vision care available, HealthPartners has developed a new partnership to provide members with even greater vision network access.

On April 1, 2008, HealthPartners added 3,700 providers at 2,500 locations throughout the country, including many recognizable chains, such as LensCrafters®, Pearle Vision®, Sears Optical®, Target Optical®, and more!

HealthPartners also contracts with EyeMed Vision Care® to provide members with eyewear discounts. Members can save up to 36 percent on their eyewear purchases at many of the country’s leading eyewear retailers simply by showing their HealthPartners Member ID card. More information about HealthPartners eyewear discounts is available on the Healthy Discounts section of healthpartners.com.

Please contact your HealthPartners sales executive or broker with any questions.

Fighting the battle against cancer is never easy. HealthPartners Cancer Management Program uses a comprehensive approach to make sure your employees have the support they need while battling with cancer. From preventive reminders to a Cancer Care Coordinator who provides personalized support, this program improves health outcomes and care experiences, as well as reduces preventive complications and costs.

Early cancer detection and diagnosis are critical to a positive outcome. HealthPartners provides your employees with preventive reminders by phone and mail for early detection of breast, colorectal and cervical cancer. Because of HealthPartners dedication to prevention, the preventive reminder program is provided at no cost for both fully insured and self-insured groups.

HealthPartners Cancer Management program helps your employees get the necessary and appropriate care they need no matter what their health status. Your employees will benefit from:

• Phone outreach to program participants who are newly diagnosed and in active treatment
• Support from a Cancer Care Coordinator who helps your employees learn about their diagnosis, benefit from shared decision making, learn how to manage side effects and gather information about palliative care and hospice care
• Follow-up care for survivors

The Cancer Management program is included for fully insured groups and available for purchase by self-insured groups. It is also a part of the Healthy Benefits package. If you have any questions, please contact your HealthPartners sales executive or broker.

Effective May 1, 2008, Anytime Fitness and Curves will join HealthPartners Frequent Fitness program. Plus, L.A. Fitness joined the program last month. The addition of these fitness club chains will give members even more choices and chances to save money while achieving a healthy lifestyle.

The Frequent Fitness program offers members up to a $20 reimbursement for each month they work out 12 times. With these recent additions, members who enroll or are enrolled in the Frequent Fitness program will have access to more than 750 locations throughout greater Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and parts of North Dakota.

Learn more about HealthPartners Frequent Fitness program.

HealthPartners is a sponsor of the "Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action" exhibit at the Minnesota Children’s Museum in downtown St. Paul. The exhibit promotes physical activity for children and their families. HealthPartners members can present their Member ID card at the Museum now through September 7, 2008 to receive half-priced admission for up to four people per party. Learn more about this exhibit.