News

Plan Updates

Help Fight COVID-19

If you tested positive and recovered from COVID-19, you may be able to help treat future patients. Authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, convalescent plasma can be used as an investigational treatment for patients with moderate or severe COVID-19 infection. The Department of Defense is hoping to collect more than 10,000 units of COVID-19 convalescent plasma by Sept. 30. Learn more about eligibility requirements and where to find a local Armed Services Blood Program center for your donation.

Take Our 5-Minute Member Survey

Help us improve your health care experience.
Johns Hopkins USFHP is always working to improve your experience with the plan and our providers. To do this, we need your input. Please take our short member satisfaction survey about Johns Hopkins USFHP, your providers and your health care. It should only take five minutes. Your answers will guide us as we improve our services. We value your opinion and thank you in advance!

Take the Survey

Johns Hopkins USFHP Scores Excellent by NCQA

In this year’s National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)’s audit, Johns Hopkins USFHP received a score of Excellent — the highest possible! We received Excellent for the last audit as well. We are proud to serve our military community, and our high score reflects the effort we put into all of our day-to-day work to make sure our members receive the highest quality care. Thank you for entrusting us with your health.

Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Since December, when a new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified in Hubei Province, China, we at Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan have monitored the situation closely. We want to make sure you have accurate information, know what to expect, and are empowered to care for your own and your family’s health.

Updates

On March 5, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan confirmed three cases of coronavirus in Montgomery County. Read more about coronavirus.

Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to keep up with the latest details, travel guidelines, and general information about COVID-19.

New Pharmacy Copays Effective Jan. 1, 2020

The Defense Health Agency has notified us of changes to prescription drug costs for plan year 2020. Effective Jan. 1, 2020:

Mail-Order Pharmacy (Home Delivery) – 90-day supply

• Generic drug copay: increase from $7 to $10
• Brand-name drug copay: increase from $24 to $29
• Non-formulary* copay: increase from $53 to $60

Walgreens Pharmacy – 30-day supply

• Generic drug copay: increase from $11 to $13
• Brand-name copay: increase from $28 to $33
• Non-formulary* copay: increase from $53 to $60

*Non-formulary means that the drug is not on TRICARE’s list of fully covered medications.

Thank you for understanding as we implement these DHA changes for plan year 2020.

Protect Yourself from the Flu This Season

The flu—an infection that can cause fever, cough, body aches, and other symptoms—is especially widespread this season. Fortunately, getting a flu shot now can still help you avoid the flu. The flu vaccine can also help keep you from becoming severely ill if you do get the flu.

You cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine: in fact, getting the vaccine every year is your best protection against the flu. A flu vaccine contains pieces of dead flu viruses which help your body arm itself against the actual flu. Some people have mild symptoms for a day or two after getting the flu shot, but the real flu is much worse. If you have not been vaccinated for this flu season, get the shot as soon as possible.

If you are already sick with the flu, stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. Don’t go back to work or school until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without medicine. Learn more about the flu.

Address Change for Johns Hopkins USFHP

Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan (USFHP) has a new address. Please note the following important changes.

• New address:
  7231 Parkway Dr.
  Suite 100
  Hanover, MD 21076
• We will be combining our Enrollment and Premium Billing PO Boxes. Please use the following PO Box for both:
  PO Box 8689
  Elkridge, MD 21075

Thank you for your cooperation.

National Shortage of Shingrix Vaccine

There is a national shortage of Shingrix—the shingles vaccine. Physician offices and pharmacies across the country are experiencing difficulties with keeping the vaccine in stock because of increased demand. The CDC has listed the vaccine on the National Vaccine Supply Shortages list.

From the CDC: “Due to high levels of demand for GSK’s Shingrix vaccine, GSK has implemented order limits and providers have experienced shipping delays. It is anticipated order limits and shipping delays will continue throughout 2019. In response, GSK increased the US supply available for 2018 and plans to make even more doses available in the US in 2019. Additionally, GSK will continue to release doses to all customer types on a consistent and predictable schedule during 2019.”

If you are experiencing difficulty obtaining the vaccine at any JHCP site or provider, you can call your pharmacy and place your name on a waiting list. The pharmacist will call you when they receive their next allocation.

Time is Running Out: Switch to Walgreens!

On Jan. 1, 2019, Rite Aid will leave our pharmacy network and Walgreens will become Johns Hopkins USFHP’s exclusive pharmacy provider. After Dec. 31, 2018, we will no longer provide coverage for prescriptions filled at Rite Aid Pharmacies. If you are still using Rite Aid for your prescriptions, you will need to transfer these to a Walgreens pharmacy.

Act now! Four ways to transfer your prescriptions to Walgreens:

• Phone: Call your local Walgreens
• Online: Create an account at Walgreens.com and enter your prescription number.
• In Store: Bring in your prescription bottle and insurance card.
• Mobile App: Scan your prescription bottle and insurance card.

Premium Billing TYA Rate Change

TYA Plan Monthly Rate Change

The Defense Health Agency has notified us of a change to the TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) Plan monthly rate for plan year 2019. Effective Jan. 1, 2019, the rate will increase from $324 per month to $358 per month. TYA rates are paid a month in advance, so members will be charged with this rate for the first time on Dec. 15, 2018.

Questions? Call our Premium Billing Specialists at 410-424-4835 or toll free at 888-717-8282.

USFHP Adds Walgreens to Your Network

We have some exciting news regarding your pharmacy network! Johns Hopkins US Family Health plan has added all Walgreens pharmacies to your network—that’s 8,100 locations and growing. In addition to convenient locations, Walgreens has many digital tools to help you manage your medication and easily refill prescriptions. Beginning July 1, you may begin using any Walgreens to fill your prescriptions.

Here are some other important announcements and reminders:

• You should have received a new member ID card as a result of this pharmacy network change. Please use the new card and discard the old one. If you have not received your new card, contact [best number].
• Online coordination of benefits for pharmacy coverage will be available soon. If you have prescription coverage through another health insurance plan, your pharmacist will soon be able to submit your prescription online to both plans at the same time.
• We will end our partnership with Rite Aid on 12/31/2018. Before this date, if you are still using Rite Aid for your prescriptions, we will contact you to help you find a convenient Walgreens.

Again, we have added all Walgreens pharmacies to your network, and you may begin using any Walgreens on July 1. Remember that hundreds of former Rite Aids that converted to Walgreens are included—these stores may still have Rite Aid signage.

If you have any questions about this information, please call Customer Service at 800-808-7347.

Find Us on Facebook @JohnsHopkinsUSFHP

Interact with your local military community—Like and follow us on Facebook for family resources, industry updates, health and wellness tips, and more: facebook.com/JohnsHopkinsUSFHP.