New and Improved Vision Benefit

Effective February 1st, 2011

The Welfare Fund has contracted with Vision Benefits of America to administer the vision program.  The benefit allowance and eligibility has not changed.  The vision benefit is still $300 per covered person every 24 months.  However, you will have less (if not Zero) Out of Pocket expense if you use a VBA doctor.

There are 2 differences with the VBA program;

1.       Children under age 19 are eligible for a vision exam and if necessary, new lenses every 12 months.  Previously it was every 24 months.  Frames are still every 24 months.

2.       The new benefit is glasses & frames every 24 months.  The old benefit allowed you to spend the $300 on multiple purchases within the 24 month period; meaning if you did not use all $300 you could use the balance towards another purchase within the 24 month period.  This is not the case with VBA.

This benefit change will save you money.  The Fund is not expected to save as much money as you will.  We made this change because there were no network discounts with the previous plan.

Here is a chart showing benefit coverage. 

Please refer to the VBA handout for more information about the plan and how to use it. Click Here to view VBA Handout.

•  can be single or married (dependent’s spouse is not eligible)
•  do not need to be a college student
•  do not need to live with parents
• must not be 26 years old or older

You are covered by a Health and Welfare Fund financed by contributions made by your employer under terms of collective bargaining agreements between your Union and your Employer.

The Welfare Fund is administered by a Board of Trustees consisting of an equal number of Union representatives and Employer representatives.

All contributions to the plan are made by Employers in accordance with their collective bargaining agreements with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 542. The collective bargaining agreements require contributions to the Fund at a fixed rate per wages earned, or hours worked, or a combination of the two. Copies of such agreements are sent out to each member at the commencement of each contract period. Additional copies are available from the Union office.

Benefits are provided from the Fund's assets, which are accumulated under the provisions of the Collective Bargaining and Trust Agreements and held in a Trust for the purpose of providing benefits to covered participants and defraying reasonable administrative expenses. Benefits covered by the Fund are provided through Independence Blue Cross, Fidelio, Express Scripts, PCN, and the assets of the Trust.

The type and level of benefits to which you are entitled may vary according to contributions received on your behalf from your employer. A quarterly statement will advise you of the Benefit Level to which you are entitled for the next benefit period.

Periodically your Board of Trustees reviews the benefits provided by the Fund in order to ensure that the maximum coverages are available to its members within the limits of the financial position of the Fund. The provisions of the Fund will be periodically updated.

If you would like to view the Highlights of the Welfare Plan, select the from the following versions:

Parent Body Version

C Branch Version

Premium Based or Mc2 Version

Click Here to go to the Summary of Medical Plan Benefits page.

Reminders For Out of Town College Students

1. Always carry your current ID card.
2. In an emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital.
3. Call BlueCard Access at 800-810-BLUE to find a Blue Card Provider provider.
4. Always use a BlueCard PPO doctor or hospital to make sure you receive the highest level of benefits.
5. Call IBC for prior authorization.  The member services number is on the back of your ID card.
   

Intentional Misuse of Benefits