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Action taken by the Trustees on June 19, 2008, resulted in improvements to the health care plan at Pipeline Industry Benefit Fund. The Trustees unanimously approved an increase in the dental program in conjunction with the implementation of the Blue Cross Blue Shield dental network called DNOA. The network agreement and dental improvements become effective July 1, 2008.The existing dental program covers 50% of dental costs up to $500 per year after a $100 deductible. The new plan covers 80% when utilizing an in network dental provider and 70% when using an out of network provider up to $1,000 per year after meeting the $100 deductible.The following is an example of the DNOA dental discount card that will be sent to all members covered under the active Health care program:
The Trustees had the Fund's consultants calculate the cost to the Fund to add organ transplants to the schedule of covered benefits. In the past, organ transplants have not been covered by the Fund because of their experimental nature and the cost to perform the procedures. This is not the case anymore. Blue Cross/Blue Shield has negotiated special pricing at various transplant centers around the country. The Trustees approved a lifetime transplant benefit of $200,000.00. If this benefit is used, it will reduceyour overall lifetime coverage which is now $750,000.00. This benefit coverage becomes effective January 1, 2009.
Because of the demand for pipeline workers, many of the Fund's senior members have elected to continue working through this boom cycle. An eligible worker who attains age 65 automatically gets Medicare Part A even if covered under a group plan such as PIBF. If a working participant is not retired but covered under the PIBF active group health plan, it is our understanding that the member does not need to purchase Part B. The member should purchase Part B as soon as the active PIBF coverage ends. If the worker does not enroll in Part B during the grace period, the worker will incur a higher price for Part B.A retired member who has moved from the active plan to the retiree plan is not in the PIBF active coverage category any longer and will never move back to the active plan; therefore, if that working retiree turns 65, he will be covered under Medicare Part A and he must purchase Medicare Part B because the member is not in an active group plan and Medicare would be considered primary and the PIBF retiree plan would become secondary coverage. If you are retired and have had to purchase the retiree health coverage, then you are in the retiree health plan and even if you return to work, you are still considered in the retiree plan. Each 120 of your work hours pays for 1 month of retiree health coverage premiums.PIBF has been approved by Medicare to provide Part D drug coverage whether you are in the active or retired plan. DO NOT enroll in Part D if you are covered in the active or retiree plan. If you are an active member who loses active coverage and does not retire with retiree coverage, you should purchase Part D as soon as PIBF active coverage ends. If the worker does not enroll in Part D during the grace period, the worker will incur a higher price for Part D drug coverage.
Always verify your status with Medicare as the rules can change.