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.
Holly Brightbill-Stinebaugh
Jerry Johns