Question: How will I know when I
am eligible?
Answer: Your employer will report you to the Fund
after you have completed any probationary periods required by your
collective bargaining agreement and is requested to supply your address.
The Fund office will determine your effective
date and mail your benefit options to your home address. If the
Fund office does not have your home address, the enrollment materials
will be mailed in care of your employer. Many employers have benefit
information in the Human Resources Department. If you do not receive
benefit information or have questions call the Fund
Office.
Question: What is the reason for
the waiting period?
Answer: The Fund eligibility rule is that all new
hires are eligible with the third contribution. The first two
contributions are reserves that are used for funding the total benefit
package provided to all members and their dependents. The reserve
funding policy assists in keeping the cost of coverage down. The
reserves also fund the disability extensions which are provided at no
cost to you or to your employer.
Question: What are my benefit
options?
Answer: The Fund offers various plans of benefits.
The options vary by plan and your collective bargaining agreement may
also offer additional benefits with other Funds. As each employer may
have a different benefit package, call the Fund Office for
details.
Question: Are my health plan
benefits guaranteed?
Answer: No. Benefits or coverage provided to either
retiree or self-pay participants are not guaranteed. The benefits may be
reduced, modified or terminated by action of the Board of Trustees at
any time. Also, if your employer ceases to participate in the Fund, all
benefits may cease. Health plan benefits are not vested benefits.
Question: Do I have to accept or use
the health plan benefits?
Answer: Once you have satisfied the eligibility
requirements of the Fund you are automatically covered. However, you are
not required to use the health plan benefits. Your employer is still
obligated under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement to
contribute toward the coverage whether or not you choose to use the
health plan benefits.
Question: Are my dependents
automatically covered or must I pay for them?
All dependents are automatically covered at no
additional cost to you. There is one exception. If your health plan
benefits are based upon a Tier enrollment, Single, Two-Party or Family,
and your collective bargaining agreement calls for only Single coverage,
you may need to contribute toward the cost of dependent coverage through
your employer. Again, this is an exception and your employer will advise
you if you have only Single coverage.
Question: How do I add a dependent?
Answer: You must obtain a Participant Data Form
(PDF)
and submit it to the Fund Office with the proper documentation if
required such as certified birth certificate or marriage certificate.
If you are covered with an HMO,
you must obtain the appropriate HMO Change Form from SWA
to enroll your dependent with the HMO. All enrollment materials
must be submitted to SWA.
Question: Does the health plan cover
stepchildren, adopted or foster children?
Answer: The health plan covers stepchildren and
adopted children with proper documentation. Foster children are not
eligible dependents under this Fund.
Question: Can I cover other
dependents such as a parent, brother or sister?
Answer: Parents are never covered even if fully
dependent upon you for support. If you are the legal guardian of a
younger brother, sister, niece or nephew, and that child satisfies the definition
of a dependent child, the child may qualify as a dependent with
proper documentation.
Question: May I cover my
grandchild?
Answer: Yes, if you have legal custody of the child
and proper documentation of a parent/child relationship is supplied.
Question: Are domestic partners
covered under the health plan benefits?
Answer: No.
Question: What happens if I stop
working?
Answer: If you are laid-off or terminate employment,
your coverage ceases at the end of the last month worked and paid. You
will receive a COBRA notice concerning
continuation coverage.
If you are totally disabled due to an illness, injury
or disease including a work related condition, you may be eligible for
an extension of benefits at no cost to you. See Disability
extension and COBRA.
If you are enrolled with an HMO, you may have
conversion rights with that HMO. Call the HMO Membership Service
Number.
