Medical Coverage Alert

MEMORANDUM

TO: Union Members
FROM: Steven F. Smith
DATE: January 7, 2009

SUBJECT: Healthcare Update/CVS ID Cards

While the transition of prescription benefits to CVS/Caremark has gone relatively smooth, a few issues have been brought to our attention and have been addressed with representatives from the City administration and CVS/Caremark.

The Union has been advised by the City administration that many identification cards have been returned undeliverable due to outdated mailing addresses. Any member who has not received his/her CVS/Caremark prescription card should call 1-888-790-8070 to verify his/her mailing address as well as to request an identification card. A temporary identification card may also be obtained through CVS/Caremark's website (www.caremark.com). Simply follow the registration process using your social security number as your identification number. We have been assured by CVS/Caremark that its website is an extremely secure site and, therefore, your personal information is not at risk.

In the meantime, any member who does not have a prescription identification card and needs to fill a prescription should:

(1) Identify him/herself as a City of Providence employee;

(2) Inform the pharmacist of the change of prescription coverage provider from Blue Cross to CVS/Caremark when requesting a prescription;

(3) Provide the pharmacist with his/her name, date of birth and the group identification number "CPROV".

It has also been brought to our attention that spouses and/or dependent children may have been inadvertently omitted during the transfer of data process. Therefore, it is highly encouraged that members take the time to contact CVS/Caremark and verify that their spouse and/or dependent children are covered prior to obtaining a prescription.

If you or a family member is denied coverage, please contact CVS/Caremark at the number listed above prior to leaving the pharmacy. There are CVS/Caremark representatives available 24 hours a day to assist you and your pharmacist with any coverage issues that may arise.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact the Union office should you need further assistance.

TO: Union Members

FROM: Steven F. Smith

DATE: December 22, 2008

RE: United Healthcare Court Challenge

I am pleased to announce that the five City Unions prevailed in Superior court this morning. Judge Pfeiffer has granted our request to restrain the City of Providence from implementing the transition of our healthcare coverage to United Healthcare on
January 1.

In his order, Judge Pfeiffer directed the parties to proceed to arbitration in accordance with our Collective Bargaining Agreements. In the meantime, until such time as a neutral arbitrator rules as to whether or not the United Healthcare plan offered by the City of Providence is equivalent to our negotiated Blue Cross plan, our Blue Cross medical coverage remains intact. The City has the option to appeal Judge Pfeiffer's order to the RI Supreme court. Should the City exercise this option, rest assured we are prepared to, once again, defend our collective bargaining rights.

I will keep you informed of any further developments.