Frequently Asked Questions

• How is the dollar bank calculated?

  Insurance cost is $1345 per month for active participants. If contributions are submitted on your behalf in the amount of $2000, $1345 is subtracted for the months insurance premium and the balance of $655 is rolled over to the dollar bank. This can be used for future months of eligibility.

• How many months of future eligibility can be banked?

  The dollar bank has a maximum of $16,140 limit, which is 12 months of future eligibility.

• What is the benefit for short term disability?

  Short term disability is available to active participants in the amount of $70 per day or $350.00 per week minus city taxes. Participants are entitled to a maximum of 13 weeks for non work related illness or injuries. See page 22-23 of the Summary Plan Description for a full explanation of this benefit.

• How is the individual deductible calculated?

  The annual deductible is the dollar amount you pay each year before the Plan pays benefits. The annual deductible applies to each covered person each calendar year. The annual deductible for an individual is $300, or for a family $600. For a family, once the family has combined expenses equal to the family maximum, no further deductibles are required for that year.

• ERTS, explained

  If you are traveling outside of this jurisdiction you need to take action to protect your benefits. Contributions for the Benefit Fund and the Retirement Fund cannot be reciprocated back to your Home Fund unless you are registered on ERTS. If you aren't sure if you registered in the past, take a few minutes to sign on to the ERTS system to verify that you are registered and all your information is current. This will provide automatic transfer of your benefits back to your Home Fund and could prevent a disruption of coverage or no coverage’s at all. If you are working outside of this jurisdiction, you MUST be registered on ERTS within the first two weeks of working to assure your contributions will be transferred. If you need assistance with registration, please contact your Local Union Hall for assistance.

• Is cosmetic surgery covered under HRA?

  No, cosmetic surgery is not covered under HRA unless medically necessary.

• Are breast feeding supplies covered under medical or HRA?

  Breast pumps are covered under HRA.

• Are diabetic supplies covered under medical or HRA?

  Medical

• Can you just send me a check for my HRA balance?
  No. The Health Reimbursement Account is set aside for out-of-pocket medical expenses only. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations require that every HRA claim be substantiated or validated as an eligible, covered expense under the plan. This is required by the IRS - the Fund cannot make exceptions.
• Can I claim OTC medicines under HRA?

  You can only claim OTC medications if you have a prescription from your provider.

• I am not married; can I add my significant other to the policy?

  No, you can only add your spouse, children, step-children, or children over whom you have legal guardianship (you must provide documentation of guardianship).

• How do I update my address?

  You can obtain a change of address form from our website and send to the office by mail, email or fax. You can also call the Fund Office to update your address.

• Who is eligible for coverage under my plan?

  For active, current members you can add your spouse, children, step-children, or children over whom you have legal guardianship (you must provide documentation of guardianship).

• How do I add a spouse or new baby to the policy?

  You can obtain the enrollment forms from our website or contact the Fund Office and we will send them to you. If you are adding a spouse, please submit a copy of the marriage license. If you are adding a child, please submit a copy of the birth certificate.

• How do I obtain eligibility under the health care plan?

  You will be initially eligible, and your coverage will begin on the first day of the second month following the month in which at least $1,950 in employer contributions have been made to the Fund on your behalf during a 12-consecutive month period.

• How do I reinstate coverage?

  If your coverage ends, you may reinstate eligibility by again meeting the plan's initial eligibility requirements.

• Will my child(ren) ages 19-26 be covered under the policy?

  Yes, we cover children up to the age of 26. When your child turns 26, they will be covered through the end of their birth month.

• Do I have to pay more for family coverage?

  Active members covered under the active plan do not pay for family coverage.

• What life altering events do I need to contact the Fund office about?
  • Marriage
  • Birth of Child
  • Divorce
  • Death