Recent changes in health care policies for Penn State employees have faculty and staff members worrying about health care costs.

The changes, through provider HealthAmerica, focus specifically on drugs administered through self-injection, which could affect employees suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV, osteoporosis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis C.

The modifications will take effect on Jan. 1.

A Penn State staff source, who wishes to remain anonymous, needs self-injections to treat a disease, and said a letter was sent by HealthAmerica to the faculty and staff to make them aware of the changes.

"According to the letter from HealthAmerica, there's explosive growth in the cost of medicines for self-injections, so they made changes," the anonymous source said.

The new policy will shift costs from medical coverage, in which injections are 100 percent covered, to prescription coverage, which makes injection medications part of a 50/50 co-pay, the source said.

The source also said a cap was placed on the expenses, so patients can only pay $100 maximum.

However, the source was unclear whether the maximum was per month or per prescription.

"It's a good thing the cost is capped off, but on top of the other costs, there won't be much difference," the source said.

"A hundred dollars plus the other payouts are enough to cause you to not be able to eat."

HealthAmerica would not clarify the cap's specifics.

HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance said in a press release that the changes are being made so that self-injected drugs will be covered under the same benefits as oral and topical drugs.

"Having all prescriptions under one benefit plan allows for smoother administration and less confusion for our members," the press release said.

The staff source disagreed that the changes will bring about less confusion.

"This is just another example of HMOs cutting back on provisions for employees so they save money," the source said.

Karen Volmar, manager of the employee benefits division at Penn State, said HealthAmerica makes changes and Penn State has to accept them.

"Our health plans are bound to change," Volmar said. "[Healthcare providers] let us know, and then we let our employees know. We just try to make sure our employees get everything they need."

The anonymous source said the changes would make life harder on patients suffering from diseases for which self-injectables are part of the treatment.

The source also said it is important for all faculty and staff to be aware of the changes to the policy because even if it does not affect everyone now, some day it might.

"When you have a catastrophic disease, it's hard enough dealing with the disease, let alone wondering if I can afford the drugs that will make me better," the source said.