Choosing the right OB/GYN is an important decision for women. Even for those of us who enjoy good health, we rely upon our OB/GYN’s to see us through some of our most emotional transitions: contraception, conception and childbirth to name a few. You should meet with your OB/GYN when considering becoming pregnant for a preconception counseling visit and as early as possible in a pregnancy. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help identify the best gynecologist for you:

• How important is “bedside manner” or personality to you?
• Is the doctor’s gender important to you?

Search for a participating OB/GYN in the UPMC network. You will need to select OB/GYN from the pull down menu under “Type of Provider” when searching “by medical profile.” 

Preventive-related benefits are covered at 100 percent without the need to make a copayment or meet a deductible including but not limited to:

• Wellness visits to your primary care physician
• Wellness related blood panels
• Annual and prenatal OB/GYN visits
• Flu vaccinations
• Adult and Pediatric Immunizations

View the full listing of preventative health services and covered immunizations.

Individuals experiencing fertility complications may be able to obtain infertility treatment through the University’s medical plans. Learn more about what services are covered by reviewing the Certificates of Coverage for both the HMO and the PPO plans.

Smoking is a difficult habit to break. The University supports members trying to quit smoking by covering:

• Smoking cessation prescription medication*
• Smoking cessation counseling

*Copayments may be reimbursed if members complete a UPMC Health Plan counseling program available through one of the following sources:

• Online
• By telephone
• In person through Life Solutions

Through the University’s UPMC Health Plan insurance coverage, nutritional counseling is available at no cost to you. The University provides free telephonic nutrition education/counseling with a UPMC Health Plan registered dietician up to six times per year. A dietician may be able to help with:

• Meal planning
• Suggestions to comply with a diet
• Helpful hints to avoid unhealthy snacks

If you have Gestational Diabetes please consult with your doctor. However, UPMC offers counseling with a Registered Nurse.

To set up an appointment contact UPMC Health Plan at 1-800-807-0751.

• Prenatal visits are billed as an “all inclusive” charge, not by each individual visit; therefore members are not charged a copayment for each visit.
• Childbirth or delivery charges vary depending on the plan. The Panther Gold plans have a copayment for maternity inpatient admissions – this copayment is only applied to the mother for a standard maternity admission. Please note if you work at the Oakland, Johnstown or Titusville campus, you must utilize an Advantage Network facility for this copayment to apply. A copayment would only apply to the baby if he/she had some other medical complications and therefore needs to be admitted as a separate patient. The standard deductibles and co-insurance apply under the Panther PPO and Panther Basic plans.
• Prenatal classes (Lamaze, Lamaze Refresher, breastfeeding, and prepared childbirth) are a covered benefit and are reimbursed up to $65.  The member can print a copy of the reimbursement form or call UPMC Member Services at 1-888-499-6885 to request the reimbursement form.  Classes are available through several participating hospitals. Lamaze 2 is not a covered benefit.

UPMC Health Plan offers a maternity program to all pregnant members whereby the member can speak with a health coach/case manager throughout the course of her pregnancy. View the brochure for additional information. The also have a Maternal Wellness Program that is free to all, regardless of your insurance plan.

Life Solutions, the University’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, offers you many tools and resources that are available for use during your pregnancy as well as after you give birth. Please visit the Life Solutions page additional information.

Choosing the right pediatrician for your child is an important decision. It is suggested that you choose a pediatrician prior to delivering your baby. From the moment that your baby is born, he or she will be seen by a pediatrician at the hospital in which you deliver. It is typically recommended by most pediatricians that you schedule your baby for his or her first well baby checkup within the first couple of days of being discharged from the hospital. Here are some questions to ask the pediatrician that you are considering:

• Do you have evening and/or Saturday hours?
• If you share a practice, will I always see you?
• Do you have a triage staff to handle sick calls?
• How are sick calls handled after business hours?
• Where do you have admitting privileges (ex. Children’s Hospital, etc.)?
• Does a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) work in your office?
• What is the wait time from when I check-in until my child is seen by the doctor?
• Do you have a separate waiting room for sick visits?

Search for a participating pediatrician in the UPMC Health Plan network. You will need to select Pediatrics from the “Medical Specialty” pull down menu when searching “by medical profile.”

• First 30 days: Your newborn is automatically covered by Pennsylvania State Law for the first 30 days of life under the mother’s medical insurance plan. 
• After 30 days: To continue coverage after these 30 days, you MUST submit a life event (qualified status change) to add your newborn onto a University sponsored medical insurance plan. 

You can make changes to your benefits elections if you experience a life event (Qualified Status Change). A life event is an IRS qualified event that allows you to make a change in your enrollment elections during the plan year (outside of the open enrollment period). Learn how to report a life event.

• Well baby visits and pediatric immunizations are covered at 100% without the need to make a copayment or meet a deductible.  View Page 4 of this PDF to see a full listing of covered pediatric immunizations. 
• Breast Pumps are covered as a wellness benefit with a physician’s prescription. The member should call UPMC Member Services at 1-888-499-6885 for additional information and to request instructions on how to obtain a covered breast pump.  You must follow the exact instructions provided to you by UPMC in order for the pump to be covered.  There is only one specific brand of breast pumps that they will cover.

Breast pumps other than the brand covered by UPMC, are considered an eligible expense under a health care flexible spending (FSA) account. Please visit the Flexible Spending Accounts page for additional information on FSA’s.

Life Solutions, the University’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, offers a broad range of tools and services that are available to new parents. Please visit the Life Solutions page for more information.

According to WebMD, postpartum depression can occur in women shortly after giving birth. The symptoms for postpartum depression include “sadness and hopelessness over and above the normal baby blues.” It can be treated with counseling and/or antidepressants. For assistance with managing postpartum depression, please contact Life Solutions at 1-866-647-3432 and/or your Primary Care Physician. You can also receive postpartum support through the free Maternal Wellness Program by UPMC.

Faculty leaves are administered under the Office of the Provost. Faculty Members may be eligible for Family Medical and Family Leave (FMFL). Please visit the official FMFL page on the Provost’s Office website. 

Staff leaves are administered under the Office of Human Resources, Benefits Department. Staff Members may be eligible for Paid Parental Leave, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Short-Term Disability (STD).

The University of Pittsburgh supports a mother’s choice to breastfeed her infant while also pursuing her career. The University has compiled a list of lactation rooms/areas across the Pittsburgh campus that can be used by nursing mothers to express milk. These rooms have been designed to provide nursing mothers with privacy that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public.

Nursing mothers are encouraged to speak with their department administrator to determine if there are other rooms/areas in their individual departments that are not included on this list that may accommodate their needs. It is important to communicate with your supervisor so there is an understanding of the times you will be away from your desk.

You may contact your doctor for additional information and your health insurance provider to learn of the available medical supplies that may be provided to you through your health plan using resources like UPMC's free Maternal Wellness Program.

The University Child Development Center (UCDC) provides:

• Quality, near-site child care/early childhood education for young children who belong to the faculty, staff and students of the University of Pittsburgh.
• Laboratory, research and practicum experiences in observing and participating with young children in classroom-based settings, for University students and students from other institutions of higher learning.
• Resources and technical assistance in implementing appropriate programs and practices that serve young children, for Pittsburgh and other communities.

For additional information about the University Child Development Center, including information on their services, programs, wait list and fees, please visit their website.

Care.com offers a network of providers and options to assist with needs such as after-school care, caring for a child who is home sick, caring for children while you are working from home, caring for aging parents, and more. Learn more about the Care.com benefit with the University.

The University’s Faculty & Staff Assistance Program, Life Solutions, can offer assistance in looking for childcare vacancies. Please visit their website for additional information.

The dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) reimburses dependent day care expenses incurred while you (and your spouse, if you are married) are working on a full-time basis or attending school full-time.

The dependent care FSA program provides an opportunity to reduce your federal and Social Security taxable income by funding an account on a pretax basis. You may obtain reimbursement by submitting documentation of qualified out-of-pocket expenses related to the account (e.g. invoice from the day care). 

Review Flexible Spending Accounts for additional information on how participating in a dependent care FSA may benefit you. The list of eligible expenses may also be found on this page.

The University, through UPMC Health Plan, provides health coaching and nutritional counseling to members with University health plan coverage. Health coaches can provide needed support to stay on track with a diet, develop and maintain a regular exercise program, and to support management of chronic conditions. 

To set up an appointment contact UPMC Health Plan at 1-800-807-0751.

A well-balanced diet and exercise are key components to a healthy lifestyle. The availability of exercise facilities varies by campus. In Oakland:

• Trees Hall and Bellfield Hall are available for faculty and staff members use at no cost during designated hours. 
• The University Club is also available for faculty and staff members to use. Membership and general information are available on the University Club website.

Regional campus exercise facility information is available through your local Human Resources office.

Throughout the year, the Benefits Department, UPMC Health Plan, and many engaged departments across campus sponsor various wellness related activities. Some of the programs include:

• Annual weight loss programs/competitions
• Exercise campaigns
• Healthy eating demonstrations
• Wellness fairs

These programs are generally announced through campus mailings, flyers and posters.

The School of Education’s Wellness Program provides wellness education, exercise, and dietary programs that promote physiological benefits. It is open to all faculty and staff. For additional information, visit the School of Education’s website. Pitt employees enrolled in the UPMC Health Plan can also receive free support through the Maternal Wellness Program.