Flu Vaccines Now Covered Under Rx Benefit, In Addition to Medical

Audience:
Labor Relations:  All Regions

Purpose:
To provide notification of a change to coverage for flu vaccines under the AT&T prescription benefit.

Why/Rationale:
To improve convenience when obtaining a flu vaccine at an in-network retail pharmacy.

Details:
Effective August 16, 2018, all employees with prescription drug coverage administered by CVS/caremark are able to obtain, as part of their prescription drug benefit, a flu vaccine at no charge to the employee from any in-network retail pharmacy, including CVS Pharmacy.

Historically, flu vaccines have been excluded under the pharmacy benefit and, instead, covered exclusively under the medical benefit.  However, CVS retail pharmacists are not currently in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) network of medical providers, and thus, cannot provide flu vaccines under the medical benefit to members with medical coverage administered by BCBSIL.

To improve the experience for all plan participants and facilitate participant access and utilization of flu shots, including those with medical benefits administered by BCBSIL, AT&T is removing the exclusion of flu vaccines under the prescription drug benefit.

Effective August 16, 2018, members with medical benefits administered by BCBSIL may present their prescription drug ID card at any in-network retail pharmacy and obtain a flu vaccine under their prescription drug benefit.  Members with medical benefits administered by UHC, may present either their medical ID card or prescription drug ID card and obtain their flu vaccine.  To minimize the chance for confusion, members should take both their medical and prescription drug ID cards with them when they obtain a flu vaccine from an in-network retail pharmacy.

This change does not impact flu vaccines obtained in a network physician’s office or medical clinic.  These will continue to be covered under the medical benefit.  As flu vaccinations are preventive services, no coverage will be provided for flu vaccines obtained out-of-network.

All CVS/caremark network pharmacists have been notified of this change and have been informed to request the prescription drug ID card from AT&T members.

Action Required:
Informational only.

LeaveLink®: Reporting FMLA Absences in LeaveLink

TO: All US-based AT&T Management and Bargained Employees including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

WHAT: Starting October 1, 2018, the time frame to submit FMLA leave requests in LeaveLink will be extended from 2 business days to 5 calendar days.  As in the past, if not submitted on a timely basis (within 5 calendar days), the request will automatically be denied. 

It is essential that employees submit a leave request through LeaveLink within 5 calendar days of returning to work for an unplanned absence.  Leave requests made beyond the 5-calendar day time period will be considered untimely and will not qualify for FMLA protection absent extenuating circumstances. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This policy change will only be applied to requests for FMLA submitted in LeaveLink after October 1, 2018.  Any FMLA leave requests submitted prior to October 1, 2018 will not be affected. 

ACTION: Informational ONLY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For additional questions related to this change, visit  LeaveLink FMLA on HR OneStop

CWA/AT&T Legacy (S) ULP Strike

 The ULP strike continues tomorrow Monday June 4th, please report to work locations for picket duty.

CWA/AT&T LEGACY (S) Local 4340 MIDWEST ULP Strike Update

The ULP Strike continues as there has been no resolution to the ULP charges at this time. AT&T took retaliation against the membership by withholding paper checks from our members and refusing to distribute those checks until the strike is ended. At this time Local 4340 has filed a second board charge in regards to this retaliation from the company. Efforts are ongoing to resolve the ULP (s) and to assist the members to get their paychecks.

AT&T has not notified the Union that Healthcare benefits have been cancelled at this time. If you want to verify benefit coverage please call Blue Cross BlueShield at 1-800-621-7336.

Please continue to watch cwa4340.org and Mobilize CWA Local 4340 for updates.

CWA/AT&T LEGACY (S) Local 4340 MIDWEST ULP Strike Update

Today CWA members left their jobs because of an Unfair Labor Practice dispute with AT&T. AT&T committed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) by bypassing the bargaining committee to bargain directly with the members. Many locals, including Local 4340 filed ULP charges in response. At this time there has been no resolution to the ULP charges (s). Tomorrow the union will continue attempts to resolve the ULP and get the members back on the job. All members should report to work locations tomorrow Friday June 1^st during scheduled work hours to continue picket line coverage.