Health Benefits Fund

Plan W-1

The retirees' health benefits coverage, Plan W-1, was established by the Trustees in March 1963.  It was designed with fixed benefit maximums for hospital, surgical, medical, x-ray and lab, and accident coverages.  Since it was created the Plan has been improved and then modified to keep up with the changes in healthcare both benefit- and cost-wise.  While employer contributions cover most of the Plan's expenses, the retirees make monthly premiums as well.  Today's Plan provides hospital, medical, and prescription benefits for 16,000 retirees and their families.

P-Plan

P-Plans are an innovative program established by the Trustees that provides death benefits and health benefits after retirement.  A specific amount of money, depending upon the employers' contributions, will be available to the retiree to allocate into a death benefit account and/or a health reimbursment account.  There are 9,000 retirees participating in the P-Plans whose average benefit is $8,400.

Useful links to other websites:

(The Fund's prescription administrator for non-Medicare eligible participants)

(The Fund's prescription administrator for Medicare Part D eligible participants)

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Information:

HIPAA Privacy Notice (pdf) 27kb 

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW PERSONAL AND MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.  PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

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Frequently Asked Questions:
 
Q: What is the basic health plan for retirees?
A: The Fund's basic health coverage is known as Plan W-1. If you are age 65 or older (or eligible for early Medicare), the Plan pays most benefits not covered by Medicare after you meet an annual deductible. If you are under age 65 (unless you are eligible for early Medicare), the Plan pays major medical benefits. Before any benefits are paid you must satisfy an annual deductible. The lifetime benefit is $10,000, but you may increase the maximum to $100,000 by paying additional premiums. The Plan also provides prescription drug coverage.
Q: Is there an alternative plan to the basic coverage?
A: If you are age 65 or older (or are eligible for early Medicare), instead of the Plan W-1 described above, you may elect coverage under a different program, known as "Plan W-102." You will pay more for routine medical expenses under Plan W-102 than you would under Plan W-1, but coverage for most catastrophic expenses is far better and the lifetime maximum benefits are $250,000 (including prescription drug costs).
Q: How do I become eligible for the retirees' health program?
A: You and your dependents will be covered under the Pensioners' Health Benefit Plan if you meet the eligibility requirements, enroll at the proper time, and pay the applicable premiums, as explained in Article 2 of the Plan's Summary Plan Description and Rules and Regulations.
Q: What are the premiums for the retirees' coverage?
A: See chart below:
 

Q: What are an "Orphan" and a "Non-Orphan"?
A: An orphan is a participant whose last employer paid at least 48 months of contributions to the W-1 Plan and then went out of business or closed the plant. A non-orphan is a participant whose employer is currently making contributions to the W-1 Plan.

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