I know this is small potatoes of an announcement compared with what we have been dealing lately, but life does need to go on...

It was announced recently that effective September 1, 2001, prescription contraceptives for women will be covered under the Traditional Medical Plan administered by BlueCross/BlueShield of Illinois.

This medical coverage will be available to all U.S. payroll employees, retirees and their eligible dependents who are enrolled in the Traditional Medical Plan and includes the following types of prescription contraceptives for women purchased through Caremark's mail order prescription drug program or your local retail pharmacy:

According to United, "This change becomes effective for expenses incurred on or after September 1, 2001, for contraception-related physician services and retail pharmacy charges for prescribed contraceptives for women.  Under the Traditional Medical Plan, these covered medical expenses will be reimbursed at 80% and are payable after you have met your annual deductible.  Caremark will begin filling prescriptions that it receives on or after September 1, 2001, for the contraceptives listed above.  When ordering through Caremark, the co-payment you pay is not a covered expense under the Traditional Medical Plan and therefore, is not reimbursable."

Further questions?  contact BlueCross/BlueShield at 1-800-5-FLY-UAL (1 -800-535-9825), or call the Benefits Service Center at 1-800-482-5236.