1 2 3 4Spring 2015

Goodbye and hello

Annual meetingnotice

New ID cardsfor health members

Free health screenings

pharmacy programs and countless managed care initiatives. Her initiatives are saving GEHA and our members more than $1.5 billion annually. She is a great strategist, a born leader and a wonderful human being. The organization is in very good hands.

In closing, I want to say thank you to our Board of Directors, my co-workers and all of you for the confidence and support that you have shown me during good times and some not-so-good times. It is very rare for someone in this business to have the opportunity to spend virtually their entire career at one organization. I have truly been blessed, and am eternally grateful. I look forward to seeing GEHA continue to prosper and grow during my retirement years.

Best of wishes and many thanks,

Richard G. Miles, President

1 Now, a word from our presidentDear GEHA Members:

We had a successful Open Season, and I want to extend a very heartfelt welcome to our 15,000

new medical plan members and 46,000 new dental plan members. We look forward to providing you and all of our members excellent service and exceptional value for your premium dollars.

During 2014, we completed the conversion to our new claims processing systems, and by midyear our service levels had recovered to normal levels. By the end of the year, our service levels improved far beyond my expectations to record levels. For the year, we paid 14.3 million medical and dental claims, and we answered 3 million phone calls. Our administrative expenses came in on budget, but we noted an increase in costs for medical and pharmacy claims.

In addition to stabilizing and “breaking in” the new claims system, we completed 48 other projects, including a major upgrade to our accounting systems and a mobile website launch. We also successfully converted to a new pharmacy benefit manager (CVS/caremark) and changed provider networks in seven states. Both of these changes will help control the growth in claims costs and make us more competitive. It was a challenging but successful year for GEHA.

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my plans to retire in April. On one hand, it will be difficult for me to leave the many friends I have made over the past 32 years. On the other hand, I am leaving with a great deal of pride, confidence and respect for the organization and the people at GEHA. I am very pleased to announce that Julie Browne has been named as my successor. She has been with GEHA for 24 years and has been a Vice President since 2006. During her tenure, she played a key role in developing our provider networks, FEDVIP dental offerings,

Dear GEHA Members:

I am honored and excited to be stepping into the job of GEHA president. I will do everything

I can to maintain the high standard Rick Miles has set during his more than two decades as GEHA president.

Rick’s legacy is impressive. Throughout his tenure, GEHA has enjoyed a marked growth in membership and a significant expansion of plan options and wellness programs. When he became president in 1993, GEHA had about 300,000 members.

GEHA health and dental plans now include approximately 1.6 million covered lives and produce more than $3 billion in revenues. Under Rick’s leadership, GEHA was one of the first companies to offer supplemental dental benefits to federal employees through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Rick also supported the development of GEHA’s managed care programs, which have resulted in significant cost savings and improvements to members’ health and wellbeing. To keep pace with GEHA’s growth, Rick oversaw the transformation of the company’s use of basic computing to state-of-the-art technologies that are in place today, capped by the conversion to the Facets claims processing system last year.

Rick will be missed by all of us at GEHA. We thank him for making GEHA a great company and a wonderful place to work.

Projects for 2015There is much to be done this year at GEHA. In 2015, GEHA will focus on maintaining our high service levels, preparing for the implementation of ICD-10 (a new coding requirement for providers), and improving the health of the members we serve.

Thank you for your loyalty and support. I look forward to serving you and keeping GEHA moving forward strongly into the future. In good health,

Julie Browne, President-elect

This notice provides a summary of amendments to the bylaws of

Government Employees Health Association, Inc., that will be proposed to the membership for vote at the annual meeting, which will be held on April 1, 2015, in Blue Springs, Missouri (see details at right).

The proposed amendments will include the following:• Updating language to reflect

GEHA’s current benefit plan offerings and practices, and to enable GEHA to make other product offerings that a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association can lawfully offer;

• Updating meeting, notice and other provisions, including allowing electronic and other current methods of communication;

• Adding provisions to address the latest guidance under the Missouri non-profit corporation law;

• Adding provisions for benefits governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; and

• Adding provisions to address guidance governing voluntary employee beneficiary associations.

A detailed description of the proposed bylaw amendments will be posted by March 20 at geha.com/bylaws.

2 Notice of GEHA annual meeting and proposed bylaw amendments

3 At your service: Health plan members should use new ID cards

I just got home from my local pharmacy, where I was unable

to get a prescription filled because my ID card had the wrong Rx info on it. Can you help?

As part of GEHA’s move to the CVS/caremark pharmacy network, all GEHA health members were mailed new ID cards at the end of 2014. It’s important that (1) you dispose of your old ID card (with the Express Scripts logo) and start using your new ID card (with the CVS/caremark logo). When you use your new ID card, you should have no problem filling your prescription at your local pharmacy.

I am a member of your FEDVIP dental plan. I’ve heard that GEHA offers some implant coverage. Can you tell me more about that? Implants are covered at 50% of the allowed amount for the High Option plan and at 35% of the allowed amount for the Standard Option plan. Covered implant procedure codes are subject to the lowest cost alternate benefit. The benefit for a non-implant retained fixed bridge, removable partial denture or removable complete denture will be allowed unless evidence is submitted to explain why the less expensive treatment could not be performed.

Not everyone has the same implant needs, so we recommended that your dentist submit a pretreatment estimate, including a panoramic film and supporting documentation for review. This will ensure that you understand the plan benefits before treatment. If an alternate benefit is applied, but you and your dentist choose to have the implant services completed, GEHA will apply the recommended alternate benefit toward the implant services.

If you need any additional information please refer to your plan brochure (gehadental.com/planbrochure) or call Customer Service (877) 434-2336.

4 Take advantage of free health screeningsKeeping track of your vital health

indicators – including blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol, and blood sugar – helps you spot the early warning signs of serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Even if you are healthy, knowing your numbers can give you a baseline to compare yourself against in the future.

GEHA has partnered with ExamOne, a Quest Diagnostics Company, to offer free biometric screenings to GEHA health plan members. You can schedule your biometric screening to

be completed by a health examiner in the comfort of your home, at work, or at a Quest Diagnostic Patient Service Center. You pick the time and location that is most convenient for you. Your screening will include readings for blood pressure, height, weight, hemoglobin A1C (a screening for diabetes), cholesterol, and blood creatinine (a screening for kidney disease). Call ExamOne at (888) 234-1314 to schedule your screening.

If you participate in GEHA’s free Health Rewards program, and you

have filled out your 2015 Health Assessment, you’ll earn 100 reward points when you complete your biometric screening. Reward points can be redeemed for great health and wellness merchandise like power toothbrushes, juicers and exercise equipment. If you aren’t yet participating in GEHA’s Health Rewards program, visit geha.com/rewards for instructions on how to get started. You do not have to be a member of our Health Rewards program to take part in our free biometric screening program.

Annual MeetingApril 1, 2015

Noon to 3 p.m. (luncheon starts at noon, meeting starts at 1 p.m.)

Adams Pointe Conference Center

Courtyard by Marriott 1400 NE Coronado Drive, Blue Springs, MO 64014

We welcome all GEHA members and covered family members.

Please join us for a buffet luncheon – and your chance to

win a door prize (a TV)!

RSVP by March 31 by calling (816) 434-4480.

Please Recycle

IF THE ADDRESS ABOVE IS INCORRECT, PLEASE PROVIDE US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

PO Box 4665 | Independence, MO 64051-4665

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDGEHA

Network Provider List geha.com gehadental.com (800) 296-0776

Mail Order Pharmacy caremark.com (844) 4-GEHA-RX

Helpful ContactsGEHA Health Plans geha.com (800) 821-6136

GEHA Connection Dental Federal FEDVIP Dental Plan gehadental.com (877) 434-2336 Connection Dental Plus geha.com/cdplus (800) 793-9335

• We’re taking questions for GEHA’s next live online chat, which will be hosted by GEHA’s president on April 21 at noon Eastern time. Send us your question today using the link at geha.com.

• Work toward your weight-loss and wellness goals with VLM (Virtual Lifestyle Management) our free online program that features interactive lessons and personal coaching. You may qualify for the program if you have 30 or more pounds to lose, or if you have a health condition caused – or worsened – by your weight. Learn more or apply at geha.com/active.

• In 2015, GEHA health members and one other member of their household (age 18 or older) can earn gift cards and merchandise up to $250 in value (including a $75 gift card just for filling out an online Health Assessment) when you participate in the Health Rewards program. Learn more at geha.com/rewards.

• Live healthier in 2015! GEHA’s latest e-book, New Year, New You, offers monthly strategies for better living. Download your free copy at geha.com/newyear.

• Did Open Season end before you could enroll in a dental plan? GEHA’s Connection Dental Plus plan is available outside of Open Season, and can include coverage for dependents up to age 26. This is a different plan from our FEDVIP plan. For more, go to geha.com/cdplus.

• Many people use the emergency room when it is not an actual emergency. This contributes to long wait times, high costs and unnecessary medical care. Sometimes, an urgent care clinic might be a better choice. Need help deciding? GEHA health members

Notes

/gehahealth

can call the toll-free GEHA Health Advice Line at (888) 257-4342 and speak with a registered nurse any time, 24 hours a day.

• Daily aspirin may reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by preventing blood clots. However, aspirin is not recommended for everyone. Talk with your doctor to find out if taking aspirin is the right choice for you.

• Vision coverage is included with every GEHA plan – including our FEDVIP dental plan – for no extra premium,* and members pay just a $5 copay for their annual eye exam. Learn more at geha.com/vision or gehadental.com/vision.

• Subscribe to Health e-Report®, our online health and wellness newsletter. Each month, we’ll email you the latest issue – filled with valuable news, updates and expert advice on health and wellness-related topics. Visit geha.com/About-Us/Newsletter-Sign-Up to subscribe.

* GEHA supplemental benefits are neither offered nor guaranteed under contract with the FEHB or FEDVIP programs, but are made available to all enrollees and family members who become members of GEHA.