Issue 1, Spring 2012
In This Issue...
Message from the Trustees
As Trustees, we know how critical it is to connect with participants
and their families about benefits. We are introducing some
changes in how we will communicate with you. These changes are
represented by our newly renovated website, and our new motto
"Health & Security."
Welcome to this first issue of Benefits Connection — a new format for
us to share important and timely information regarding your benefits.
Each quarter a new issue of Benefits Connection will cover topic s
such as:
Our Pension and Annuity Funds — Helping you understand them so you
can better prepare for your financial future and retirement
Wellness — Current information about nutrition and exercise and tips
for living healthier and fitter lifestyles
Health Benefits — How you can make the best and most cost-effective
use of the your benefits (Check the benefits available to you in your
area)
Consumer Tips — Maximize your benefits while saving you and the
Funds money!
We also want to hear from you...what issues are of interest to you?
What can we do better? What would you like to know more about
when it comes to your benefits? Please click on "ASK A QUESTION" on
the Home page to submit your question or comment.
Let's start a new conversation. You may have questions —we will get
you the answers or the information you need. Enjoy this issue of
Benefits Connection. Here's to your "Health & Security!"
We want to hear from you AND we want to
be able to reach out to you in the most costeffective
and efficient ways. One of the easiest
(and cheapest) ways to do that is by e-mail.
Please go to the Trust Funds' website
www.scibew-neca.org and register.
By doing so your e-mail address will be linked
to your member profile and you may also
utilize the website to view your work history
information and your IBEW Local 11/LA NECA
Health Plan eligibility status.
Working Away From Home?
Make Sure Your Money is
Going Where You Want It To
IBEW/NECA's Electronic Reciprocal Transfer
System (ERTS) is designed to help our plan
participants transfer their pension and health
money (contributions) back to their home
funds no matter where they may be working.
Whenever you work in a jurisdiction other
than your home local, you must apply to have
contributions made on your hours worked
transferred from a "Reciprocal Fund" (a
benefit plan sponsored by a Local Union of the
IBEW and chapter of NECA) in accordance with
the Reciprocal Agreement to your home fund.
So if you are working outside of your local's
jurisdiction, you will need to initially register
on ERTS in person at that assisting LU office
or Fund Office. You must present a photo ID,
and sign the Participant Verification Page. This
process establishes:
- Your approval of the Authorization and
Release(s) regarding reciprocal transfers
under the Agreement(s) and
- Your agreement to authorize the use of your
electronic signature on ERTS.
Once you complete your initial registration,
you will receive a User ID and password at
the mailing address you provided when you
registered. Then you will be able to log on via
the Internet from any location using your User
ID and password.
It is vital that you register in ERTS as soon as
you start work in another jurisdiction.
- There may be time limits that could apply
to the transfer of contributions should you
not register in a timely manner.
- The Plan that receives your reciprocal
contribution may apply its own rules as to
the crediting of reciprocal contributions.
This could potentially have a negative
effect on your vesting or eligibility for
health benefits.
For further information on ERTS, please
contact the Administrative Office or log on to
https://erts.ibew.com.
Helpful Reminders on How
to Use Your Benefits Wisely
Here are some valuable tips to help you
and your family members get the most out
of your health care benefits this year:
- If your doctor approves, take generic
medications instead of brand name
medications. Generic medications
cost less than brand name medications
and they are just as effective. The
SC IBEW-NECA Health Trust Fund is a
mandatory generic plan; if available
a generic will automatically be
substituted for a brand name drug.
- Take advantage of your dental care
and vision care benefits. The Active coverage through the SC
IBEW-NECA Health Trust Fund provides
comprehensive benefits for dental
care and vision care that you and your
family may need.
If you have any questions about your
health benefits and the coverage
available to you through the SC IBEWNECA
Health Trust Fund (Local 11/LA
NECA), call the Administrative Office
at 323-221-5861 or toll-free at
800-824-6935.
We're here to help.
Stressed? The Member Assistance
Program Can Help
(Local 11/LA NECA Area members only)
Right now, we're all living in a very stressful world—job, family,
financial and other issues confront us every day. The Member
Assistance Program (MAP), offered by Optum Health, can help
you and your family members cope with many of the things that
make life complicated and difficult.
MAP offers free confidential counseling and a referral service to
help you assess a variety of personal problems and suggest ways
to resolve them. Some typical problems:
- Loss & Grief Support
- Legal & Financial Consultation
- Anxiety & Stress
- Drug & Alcohol Problems
- Marriage & Family Issues
Local 11/LA NECA members should contact Optum Health at
877-225-2267. You can log on to their website at
www.liveandworkwell.com.
Stay in Touch! We Need to Know When
You Have Changes...
Life is all about change. People get married, have children.
Sometimes there are divorces, losses, moves, adoptions
and other events that have an impact on your life and your
benefits.
We'd like to know.
It's very important that we
know when you experience
changes so we can keep
track of you and ensure
you are receiving the
benefits you qualify for
and deserve. We're
here to help. Call us
at 323-221-5861 or
toll free at
800-824-6935.
Important Contact
Information
Southern California IBEW-NECA
Health, Pension, and Defined
Contribution plans
(IBEW Local 11/LA NECA)
Phone: 323-221-5861 or
800-824-6935
Website: www.scibew-neca.org
Orange County Electrical Industry
Health & Welfare Trust
(IBEW Local 441)
United Administrative Services
Phone: 800-748-6417
Website: www.uastpa.com
Orange County IBEW-NECA Electrical
Workers Defined Contribution
Pension Plan
(IBEW Local 441)
United Administrative Services
Phone: 800-743-5274
Website:
https://www.massmutual.com
Local 440 Health Trust
Allied Administrators
2831 Camino del Rio South Suite 311
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone: 619-297-8235
Fax: 619-574-0645
Email:
seatchel@alliedadministrators.com
Local 477 Health Trust
Delta Fund Administrators, LLC
1234 W. Oak
Stockton, CA 95203
Phone: 209-474-5671
Fax: 209-474-5771
Email: pat.cororan@delapro.com