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…
GoGreen for a Chance to Win
…– to receive all required documents via email instead of mail. For participants, these documents include: Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) Pension Annual Funding Notice (AFN) Summary Annual Reports (SARs) Summary of Benefits & Coverage (SBC) Builder newsletter, including Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) Pension statements Annuity statements Set up your personal Member Portal account, accept the GoGreen Terms and Conditions by April 30, 2024, and you will automatically be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card. The GoGreen winner will be notified to the email associated with their portal account in May 2024. Go to the Member Portal now….
Health Fair – Cape Girardeau
…Medicare Retirees Mercy MAP, Carpenters Health Plan’s Member Assistance Program for Active participants VSP, Carpenters Health Plan’s Vision network partner for Active participants Express Scripts, Carpenters Health Plan’s Pharmacy network partner for Active participants Delta Dental, Carpenters Health Plan’s Dental network partner for Active participants Pelago, Carpenters Health Plan’s partner for smoking cessation National Coalition of Labor (NCL) Life, AD&D, Accident and Critical Illness – Voya/Kocher Insurance Group Short Term Disability – MetLife/Group Benefits Associates Financial Planning – Megent Financial Discounted Hearing Aids and Protection – Start Hearing Southeast Behavioral Hospital – Cape Girardeau Safer Homes Collaborative VA Health Care…
Continuing Eligibility Rules: Quarterly Test 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. Good news: The health plan is growing stronger! For this reason, in their March 2024 meeting, our health plan trustees determined that an improvement to our eligibility tests is possible. With hours worked beginning May 1, 2024, the QUARTERLY RULE ELIGIBILITY TEST is improved. What does this mean? Less hours will be required per quarter to continue eligibility. Details: QUARTERLY RULE TEST Effective with hours worked May 1 or after, a participant who works at…
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…
Stop the Stigma
Stopping the stigma starts with you. Addiction is a chronic but treatable medical condition, just like diabetes or high blood pressure. People do quit smoking (and stay smoke-free!), and you could be one of them. Start a conversation with Pelago about how they can help you quit or cut back on tobacco or nicotine. Pelago is available to you [and your eligible family members] at no cost as part of your Carpenters benefits. What is Pelago? Pelago is an app and support system that can help people quit or cut back on tobacco or nicotine and embrace a healthier lifestyle….
That “TIGHT” Muscle May Actually be a “WEAK” Muscle
…exercise -it takes work! Exercise increases the size of fibers which provides more strength or endurance to stand longer, walk further, and lift more effectively so you no longer feel “tension” in muscles from these activities. Physical therapists specialize in guiding you gradually through strength + endurance exercises to make activities more comfortable without that pain or “tightness” in your muscles. Physical therapy services are included in your benefits under the health plan. Peak Sport & Spine is your go-to source for physical therapy at no additional cost to you, with no copays for services provided. Peak Sport & Spine…
