July 2005
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UAW LOCAL 239

TRUCK PLANT BALTIMORE

JULY BENEFITS REPORT

 

As of July 1st we have processed the majority of our 373 pensions. The Benefits Office has been busy having our members come in to sign their final documents. Congratulations to all of our UAW Local 239 Retirees! Enjoy yourself and please remember that your UAW Benefits department is still here to help you with your Benefit issues.

 

 

The Benefits Office is sorry to say good-bye to Pep Silva and Danny Spath. We wish you both the best.

Pensions Improved – Pensions have been increased for all who retire under the 2003 contract. The new 30-and-Out benefits will be increased a total of $70 for workers who retire before their Social Security 80 percent date during the October 1, 2004 to September 1, 2005 time frame. This will increase the 30-and-out benefit

from the current $2805 to $2875 per month beginning October 1, 2004.

The problems with Fidelity continue to erupt on a daily basis. Please remember that if you find a problem with your benefits to contact a benefit representative immediately. Do not assume that the situation will work itself out.

 

On June 14th the benefit office flooded again. The office has now been relocated to the old ISO office. This office is located on the 1st floor near payroll. Our phone number has remained the same: 410-631-2163.

 

A third party – The Work Number, now handles wage and Employment verification for General Motors. Call 1-800-367-5690 and enter the GM employer code 11429 and your social security number. You may also go to the website @ www.theworknumber.com. The cost for this service is $12.00 for verification of employment and $15.00 for verification of income. This cost is payable by credit card only.

Hearing Aid - If you are in need of a hearing aid you MUST use a participating provider in order to receive ANY benefits. Please contact your insurance carrier or a Benefits Representative for a participating provider listing and the five steps you must take.

Health Care - In order for you to receive the highest level of benefits under the Traditional Care Network you must use an in-network provider. Remember, under our plan we have NO COVERAGE for services rendered by a chiropractor. A Participating licensed Physical Therapist must render physical therapy. For Physical Therapy we have coverage for up to 60 visits per calendar year per condition by a participating provider.

 

Durable Medical Equipment – As a reminder to those with Diabetes; Glucose monitors, lancets, and test strips are covered (subject to Medicare/GM guidelines). You may obtain them at no cost to you only at participating Northwood NPN providers. Northwood NPN may be contacted at 1-800-936-9314.

If you are a member who is in need of any Durable Medical Supply please contact either Northwood at the above number or your Benefits Representative to ensure you use a participating provider. You are sanctioned if you do not use a participating provider.

Vision –Check with Cole Managed Vision at 1-800-638-0166 or your Benefits Representative for providers near you. A provider listing may be obtained at the Cole Managed Vision website at www.colemanagedvision.com Group #80140.

 

Health Care - Bills where the provider or doctor is submitting claims and lab work with ROUTINE or SCREENING as the diagnosis or no diagnosis at all will be denied. Claims and lab work must be submitted with a MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, by the Doctor, which justifies the test before it will be considered for coverage.

Under our National Agreement we are allowed one (1) PAP, PSA, and Mammograms per year, these tests may be submitted with the screening diagnosis. UAW International Bargaining Committee successfully negotiated the addition of the following screenings which will go into effect July 1, 2004 for Traditional Care Network enrollees, when a Network provider provides such services: One fecal occult blood test per year, beginning at age 50; one flexible sigmoidoscopy exam, or one barium enema, every 5 years, or one colonoscopy every 10 years, beginning at age 50 and one total serum cholesterol with low density lipoprotein test every 5 years beginning at age 20. These tests may be submitted with the routine or screening diagnosis.

Delta Dental – Your Benefits Representatives encourage you to ask for a predetermination from Delta Dental through your participating provider for any services which cost is estimated to go above $200.00. A Predetermination letter will be mailed to both you and the provider showing patient responsibility for services rendered. Our contract allows for a maximum payment of $1,700 per person total per year and a lifetime orthodontic maximum of $2,000.

You are encouraged to register at http://www.deltadental.com/ you may view claims online, search for dentists, download claim forms and this site has lots of information pertaining to oral health.

Prescription drugs –Please be aware that you have the same ability to get almost any prescription drug by mail order. The savings and ability to get a 90-day supply for $5.00 (up from $2.00 effective 1/1/05) without going to the drug store every month is a great incentive to begin using the mail order program. As a reminder, refills should be called in when you have 14-21 days worth of medication left to ensure you receive your medication in time. If you have ordered mail order prescriptions and are about to run out due to a shipping problem please contact a Benefits Representative immediately. Please continue to use participating pharmacies for short-term prescriptions that you need right away (ex. Antibiotics, newly prescribed drugs) The Medco Health website is www.medcohealth.com

 

Life Insurance – Beneficiary changes are not taken over the phone. To make a beneficiary change call the benefit center at 1-800-489-4646 to request a beneficiary form. Once completed the form must be returned to the benefit center in the provided pre-addressed envelope. You may also go online to www.gmbenefits.com to update beneficiary information.

Please, update your beneficiary

If you would like to have the Report emailed to you monthly or have a general question about your Benefits that you would like answered in a future Report please email Holly at local239benefitsreport@hotmail.com. This is a great way for us to know which areas of our Benefit Plan we need to highlight in our Report. Please note that individual issues will not be addressed by Electronic Mail, only general questions will be accepted.

A NOTARY PUBLIC IS NOW AVAILABLE TO YOU AT NO COST IN THE BENEFITS OFFICE. IF YOU NEED A DOCUMENT NOTARIZED PLEASE SEE HOLLY.

 

Have a happy and safe shut down. If you need help with your benefits during this time Benefit Representatives will still be working at the plant. Our phone number is 410-631-2163.

 

Fraternally,

 

Holly Brightbill-Stinebaugh                                                                                                                                         Jerry Johns