Health Plan Changes
To All Participants:
This Notice is to inform you of changes recently adopted by the Wisconsin Carpenters' Health Fund Board of Trustees.
Extension of Coverage Period for 23 Year Old Full-Time Students
Effective August 1, 2005, full-time students' coverage will be extended to the end of the school semester during which they turn age 23.
Change to Eligibility Provisions When in Military Service
Effective December 10, 2004, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 made changes to the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The change that affects employer-sponsored health plans is the extension of the period that employees in military service will be allowed to maintain their coverage. Under the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004, you are allowed to continue your coverage for up to 24 months from the first date of absence due to military service. Please refer to pages 21-24 of your Summary Plan Description for complete information on your and your dependents's rights and options for continuation of coverage if you are called to active military service.
Elimination of Exclusion for Self-Inflicted Injuries
The Plan's exclusion of charges incurred due to any intentionally self-inflicted injury or sickness has been eliminated retroactive to January 1, 2002.
Change to Retiree Program Requirements for Participants Who Are Permanently Partially Disabled Coverage under the Retiree Program previously required that you be eligible as an active employee during the coverage quarter immediately preceding the effective date of your coverage in the Retiree Program. This requirement will now be waived if you meet the following conditions:
- You became permanently partially disabled, as determined by Trustees, on or after January 1, 2001;
- You retired on or after January 1, 2005;
- You have been credited with 35,000 or more hours of contributions from contributing Employer(s) at the time of retirement;
- You are unable to perform enough covered work due to such disability to be eligible in the coverage quarter immediately preceding retirement.
- AND -
Fund Office staff will monitor this new provision on an annual basis. They will send an inquiry to anyone who is credited with at least 35,000 hours of contributions, and who subsequently has no contributions credited for at least one full quarter, to determine whether or not such person is unable to work due to disability.
Please keep this Notice in your Summary Plan Description for future reference. If you have any questions about this information, feel free to contact the Fund Office.
Yours very truly,
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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