General FAQs
How many different plans does the Fund offer?
The Fund offers multiple Medical, Dental, and Vision plans. Short-Term Disability and Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefits are also available.
How do I notify the Fund of my address change?
If you move, please notify the Fund of your new address. To change your address, fill out a new Enrollment Form and mail or fax it to the Fund using the mailing address or fax number found on the form. Always complete a new Enrollment Form when you have a change in personal information.
Health Plans
Do Medical Plans include Prescription Drug Coverage?
Yes. Our Plans include excellent prescription drug benefits.
What is a PPO?
A Preferred Provider Organization is a type of medical plan that covers the cost of eligible medical care and services received from network and non-network providers. Network providers (primary care doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other medical facilities) agree to a discounted fee schedule for services provided. When a participant or covered family member sees a network provider for care, the participant pays less out of pocket because of the discounted fees. The Fund contracts with CIGNA Healthcare for the use of their nationwide network of participating providers. There are currently more than 750,000 participating providers in the CIGNA "Open Access Plus" Network—the network used by the Fund’s medical plans.
Are participants required to receive services only from a PPO provider?
No. Participants have the choice of selecting a non-PPO physician. However, receiving services from a physician who participates in the CIGNA network may result in significant savings for participants.
Must participants have a referral from their primary care physician in order to see a specialist?
No. Referrals are not required.
Who processes health care plan claims?
Medical claims are processed by CIGNA Healthcare. Dental claims are processed by Delta Dental Insurance Company, and Vision claims are processed by Fund Office staff.
Do the Fund plans have a waiting period for "pre-existing conditions" under the medical plans?
No. The waiting periods for pre-existing conditions were waived for all plans by the Board of Trustees.
What are the age limits for dependent children?
Children can be covered dependents until they reach age 26 providing they continue to meet provisions for dependent coverage.
Does the Fund offer COBRA coverage for health care?
Yes. The Fund administers COBRA for its Contributing Employers. Upon notification from the Employer that a participant is losing coverage due to a "qualifying event," the Fund will send notification to the participant advising him or her of COBRA rights to continue health care coverage by making payments to the Fund Office.
Does the Fund offer Retiree Health Care Plans?
Yes. Employers that have negotiated a Benefit Trust Plan for their Active employees may also establish a Retiree plan.
Union Reps and Employers
Will the Fund cover Non-Bargaining Unit employees also?
Yes, the Fund will cover Non-Bargaining employees as long as the covered Bargaining Unit employees make up at least two-thirds of the group.
Does the Fund offer "individual" plan coverage?
No, the Fund is legally required to offer employer-sponsored benefit plans. As a Taft-Hartley Fund, our plans are negotiated through collective bargaining.
Does the Fund offer coverage for groups of fewer than 10 employees?
Yes—no group is too small to participate in the Benefit Trust Fund.
If I negotiate a Medical plan, do I also have to include the Dental and Vision Plans?
No. You can negotiate plans individually, or in any combination. The exception is for Short-Term Disability and Life and AD&D; these coverages are available only with a Medical plan, though they are not required.