Trending Upward

…years. For reference, and in comparison, Man Hours bottomed out at 22.6 million in 2020, but work has steadily improved as a benefit to all MACRC members and plans. The health plan is doing well, so it’s time to start making improvements. Plan improvements effective January 2025 Effective January 1, 2025, the dental plan maximum benefits have been improved as outlined in the table below. The approved dental plan benefit changes apply to all Active participants, as well as for Medicare Advantage participants who have elected dental coverage. Through December 31, 2024, the Annual Maximum Benefit limit (excluding Orthodontia) is…

Continuing Eligibility Rules: Look-Back Rule Updated

This information is intended for Active participants & pre-Medicare retirees. As you know, in recent years benefits were reduced to help strengthen the health plan. In May 2024, the Quarterly Rule Test was improved, and now the trustees have evaluated that more improvement is possible. With hours worked beginning May 1, 2025, the LOOK-BACK RULE ELIGIBILITY TEST is improved. What does this mean? Less hours will be required per quarter to continue eligibility. Details: LOOK-BACK RULE TEST Effective with hours worked May 1 or after, a participant who works at least 1400 credit hours during the four (4) previous Contribution…

Retired & Working

…earn eligibility, you will receive a refund equal to the health contributions made by your employer as previously outlined by the Plan. What about Plan B coverage? If you earn enough credit hours to move to Active Plan coverage, our office will notify you of your coverage change. At that time, we will make recommendations for how to proceed with your required Medicare Plan B coverage. If you have any questions about how your health coverage may be affected if you are working after retirement, please contact Participant Services by email at benefits@laborfunds.org or by phone at 314.644.4802, option 1….

Metro Imaging Update

On June 23, 2025, all Metro Imaging offices are now Mercy Imaging Centers. As a result, Metro Imaging will cease to exist as free-standing facilities. Mercy bought Metro Imaging in 2018 and, as of June 22, 2025, all Metro Imaging facilities are now Mercy Imaging Centers, which is a hospital-owned system. Under our Premium Plan, Hospital-owned imaging centers are subject to the $300 deductible and 20% coinsurance. Under our Basic Plan, a $1,000 deductible and 30% coinsurance apply. For alternative free-standing facilities, please contact Participant Services by email at benefits@laborfunds.org or by phone at 314.644.4802, option 1….

HOW TO GET COVERED & STAY COVERED UNDER THE HEALTH PLAN.

…Depending on the type of qualifying event, “qualified beneficiaries” would include members, the member’s spouse and the member’s dependent children. “Qualified beneficiaries” would continue the same coverage as active members. Note: When continuing coverage under COBRA Continuation Coverage, members are not eligible for Short Term Disability or Life insurance. Member’s coverage and benefits will end on the date a Member is found to have engaged in employment in the construction industry by an Employer who is not obligated to contribute to the Plan. Please note: If there are any discrepancies from the Plan document in this article, the Plan document will prevail….

An Uphill Battle

…hours were lost due to covid, resulting in lost revenue of almost $15,000,000. Medical costs of treating covid have taken a unprecedented toll. Since the healthcare system halted elective services, serious health conditions went undetected and are now even more costly to treat. For the Plan to continue providing quality health benefits for its nearly 50,000 covered lives, the Trustees of the St. Louis-Kansas City Carpenters Regional Health Plan approved significant changes to the health plan. These plan modifications will ensure the financial strength of the Plan and are detailed in the first four pages of our March Builder newsletter….