Frequently Asked Questions
These questions and answers are for general information purposes only
If you have questions about any Local 851 Union related matter including a grievance, union dues or contract issues, please contact:
Iron Workers Regional Shop Local 851
36046 W. Michigan Avenue
Wayne, MI 48184
(PH) 734-578-0014
Union Representative - Mike Baumann (734) 788-6545
UNION DUES CALL ASHLEIGH: 734-578-0014
The Fund does not administer and is unable to answer any questions about your Pension benefits.
You must contact the Iron Workers National Pension Plan (formerly National Shopmen Pension Fund) to obtain information about your pension benefits:
Iron Workers National Pension Plan
Benefit Management Group, Inc.
1520 Kensington Road, Suite 200
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(866) 437-3119 - Fund Office (630) 481-1520
NSPF@bmgiweb.com
________________________________________________________________________________
Q. If I was hurt at work but not getting paid, am I eligible for Short Term Disability Benefits from the Fund?
A. If your Workers Compensation claim was denied, and you meet the definition of disability according to the policy, you may be eligible for benefits. However, before eligible benefits are payable. you will have to provide a copy of the Workers Compensation denial. In addition, your Employer must be a Participating Employer providing Short Term Disability Benefits under the Fund.
Q. How long do I have to be out of work to be eligible for Short Term Disabilty benefits?
A. Benefits are paid 1st day for Accident and a seventh (7) day waiting period for sickness or illness. Weekly Benefits amout is $400.00 for a maximum benefit period of 52 weeks.
Q. Are dental implants a covered benefit under my Delta Dental coverage?
A. Yes, implants are a covered by Delta Dental at 85% for Groups 9786-0001, 0002, 0003, 0004 and 0005. They are covered at 50% for Groups 9786-1002, 1003 and 1006. The Maximum Payment for dental services is $3,000 per person total per Benefit Year of June 1- May 31. In order to avoid billing and payment issues, you should request your dentist to submit a Pre-Determination to Delta Dental along with a treatment plan.
Q. It is my understanding that the VSP frame allowance is $150. However, I went to Walmart and they said it was only $80. Can you tell me why?
A. Frames at Walmart, Sam's Club and Costco are sold at a discount, therefore VSP limits the frame allowance to $80 at warehouse club vision providers. Please refer to the VSP Vision Benefits Summary on vsp.com or call the Fund Office to be mailed one.
Q. I recently received a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO) from the court to provide benefits for my daughter. What do I need to submit to the Fund Office in order to comply with the court order and when will she become eligible?
A. You must provide a copy of the court order to the Fund Office. Upon receipt, review and acceptance of the terms of the court order, your daughter will be eligible immediately for Vision, Life, Hearing and Dental benefits provided she meets the requirements of an eligible dependent under the terms of the Plan. You will be sent written notification of her eligibility effective date provided you submit the court order in a timely manner. You will also be mailed a Group Enrollment Update Form to complete and return to the Fund Office.
A. When is Open Enrollment for the Fund?
A. Open Enrollment is May 1 - June 1st annually. If you wish to make changes to your group benefits, you must return a completed Enrollment Form to the Fund Office by June 1st. The changes will become effective June 1st provided the completed form and supporting proof of spouse or dependent status documents ( marriage license, birth record, court order) are received in the Fund Office or postmarked by June 1st.
In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Health & Welfare Fund, if an individual declines enrollment for himself or herself, as well as dependents (including spouses) because of other health insurance coverage or other reasons, you must wait until the next Open Enrollment Period, unless they qualifiy for enrollment under a Special Enrollment Period as outlined in Section 2.5 of the Summary Plan Description booklet.
Q. I recently got married and updated my medical benefits with my Employer to add my wife to my benefits. My wife went to the dentist and was informed she is not listed as being eligible on my benefits. Why is she ineligible on my dental?
A. It is your responsibility to inform the Fund Office of any changes of address, marital status and dependents. You must complete an Enrollment Form Update and submit it to the Fund Office in a timely manner. Upon receipt of a completed Enrollment Form Update and a copy of your marriage license, your spouse and any additional eligible dependents will be eligible for benefits the first day of the month after the enrollment form is received by the Fund Office. The Fund Office must receive the documentation and completed form within 30 days after your marriage or birth/adoption of a dependent. Failure to do so will result in the spouse/dependent not becoming eligible until the next Open Enrollment Period which is May 1-June 1st unless she/he qualifies under a Special Enrollment as outlined in Section 2.5 of the Summary Plan Description Booklet which is posted on this website.
Q. I "opted-out" of the Union and do not pay Union Dues, am I still eligible for group benefits under the Health & Welfare Fund?
A. Even if you elect to "opt-out" of the Union, you are still eligible for the group benefits provided by the Fund if your employer is a Participating Employer to the Fund. Participating Employers thru collective bargaining have agreed to make contributions to the Fund at an established rate per hour, for each hour of time paid to each employee. Contributions from all the Participating Employers are put into a Trust Fund to provide the group H&W benefits. Individual members are only allowed to make payments to the Fund for COBRA or Self-Pay Life Insurance as outlined in the Summary Plan Description Booklet under Article 3.1.
Q. How do I change my beneficiary on my group Life Insurance?
A. You must contact the Fund Office and request a Group Enrollment Update form. Upon receipt of the completed form you will be notified in writing that the change has been made.
Can I designate my girlfriend or a minor child as my designated beneficiary on my Life Insurance policy.
A. The designation of your beneficiary is your choice. You can list a minor child as beneficiary. If the beneficiary is a minor or someone not able to give a valid release for payment, the Fund's insurance carrier, ULLICO will pay the benefit to the child's legal guardian. If there is no legal guardian, ULLICO may pay the individual or institution that has, in its opinion, custody and principal support of such beneficiary. ULLICO will be fully discharged of its liability for any amount of benefit so paid in good faith.
Q. What should I do if I'm getting divorced?
A. When your marital status changes, you should notify the Fund Office immediately to update your information. Even if you are not covering your former spouse on your insurance, there are other changes you may consider, such as updating your beneficiaries and contact information. Failure to change your designated beneficiary may result in your former spouse receiving the proceeds of your Life Insurance policy should you die.
To cancel benefits for a former spouse, you must submit a completed Group Enrollment Form along with the entire copy of the divorce decree to the Fund Office within 30 days of the date the divorce decree is filed. Your covered spouse will be offered continued coverage provided under COBRA as long as the Fund Office is notified within 60 days of the divorce.
Q. What can I do to continue my insurance if I am laid-off or lose my job?
A. If you are laid-off or fired from your job, you may be eligible to continue dental, vision and hearing coverage under the provisions of COBRA. To elect continued coverage as provided under COBRA, you must submit a COBRA Notice of Election form within 60 days of the date coverage was terminated or the date of the COBRA notice, whichever is later. Continued coverage becomes effective when the first premium is paid and remains in effect only as long as the premiums are up to date. Please be advised, failure to pay your premium under COBRA in a timely manner will result in cancellation of your coverage at the end of the month in which you last made a payment. Any claim for service after the cancellation date will be your responsibility. Your COBRA coverage cannot be reinstated once it has been cancelled for non-payment of premiums in a timely manner.
Q. I am off work due to a medical leave, can I maintain my Life Insurance under COBRA for me and my wife?
A. Life Insurance is not a provision of COBRA. If you are absent from work due to a medical leave, layoff or strike, you may continue your Active Employee Life Insurance benefit (dependents are excluded) at your own cost and expense until the earlier of 24 months; or your seniority time period. Premiums must be made prior to the first day of each month in which they are due. Any payment made is not refundable. Please contact the H&W Fund Office to find out the exact cost of this premium. All Dependent Life is excluded under this provision, however you may be able to convert to an individual policy with ULLICO at your own cost and expense. Contact the Fund Office for details.
Q. Does my Life Policy have any loan or cash value?
A. No, this is a group policy payable upon your death to your designated beneficiary of record.
Q. What benefits do I have under the Fund after I retire?
A. Upon retirement, the retiree will have a paid-up Life Insurance Policy in the amount of $10,000 provided he/she has ten (10) years of continuous service. In addition, a Retiree Only Vision reimbursement that is 50% of the total bill for vision services up to a maximum of $100. Retiree Only Hearing Coverage, the same as Active Employees. All Dependent Coverage is excluded for Retirees.
Q. Why must I register on the websites of VSP and Delta Dental to access my records?
A. You must first register for these websites in order to access your protected health care information from a secure website. You will need the subscriber's (the person whose name is on the benefit package) member ID (Social Security Number). You will need to create a user name and a password. Please carefully follow the registration instructions and you will have all your information at your fingertips, available 24 hours/7 days week.
Q. A few years ago, I worked at a 508 Shop that was a Participating Employer to the Fund and I was eligible for benefits under the Fund. I recently hired into another Shop that has a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Iron Workers Regional Shop Local 851 and is a Participating Employer, do I have to serve a waiting period all over again?
A. If you previously met the eligibility and waiting requirements, all of your benefits will be reinstated on the exact date of your return provided the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the new Employer requires immediate contributions to the Fund. If the CBA requires contributions to the Fund be made after the completion of a specific timeframe, all your benefits will be reinstated on the date your employer starts making contributions to the Fund on your behalf. You will need to complete a new Group Enrollment Form to ensure that we have the correct information on file for you and your eligible dependents.
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