The office is currently closed | Thu July 29, 2010 09:54 PM
The Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) was created by the Trustees to allow members to be reimbursed for expenses incurred for various non-covered healthcare expenses. At the Board of Trustees meeting in September 2008, the Trustees extended the HRA another year - from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. The Trustees approved up to $1,500 for reimbursement to active families and to active single participants. The Trustees approved $1,500 for retiree families and $750 for single retirees. Participants must submit HRA claims incurred in 2009 no later than March 31, 2010.Note: Before inquiring about the status of your claims, please allow the Fund staff 15 business days to process and issue a reimbursement from the time PIBF receives your HRA claim form and supporting documentation.
Prior to January 1, 2003, the Pipeline Industry Pension Fund had a 30 year cap on retirement benefits. The Trustees approved a plan change in 2003 to remove the cap on member's pensions beginning January 1, 2003, however, anyone with more than 30 years on January 1, 2003 received those years one at a time on an annual basis after retirement. Action taken by the Board of Trustees at their September 2008 meeting, amended that rule. The new rule allows all years to be counted in the retirement calculation for those retiring on or after January 1, 2009. For members already retired before January 1, 2009, remaining years will be added to their pension in January 2009.
Action taken at the September 2008 Board of Trustees meeting unanimously approved a "13th check" for every retired member, or the eligible spouse of a deceased retired member who is in active pay status on December 1, 2008. Retirees will receive an amount equal to his or her current monthly benefit on or around January 10, 2009. The Trustees and the working membership appreciate the dedication of the retirees.
Under the Pipeline Industry Benefit Fund dependent coverage rules, the plan has always covered member's children and stepchildren if a parent child relationship exists. After careful consideration, the Trustees amended the plan to cover children living with eligible members under legal guardianship provided documentation meets the criteria of the plan.
The staff at PIBF has been getting numerous calls regarding identification cards. Members who are not on Medicare receive two Blue Cross health care cards, two DNOA dental cards, and two CVS/ Caremark prescription cards. Both cards have the members name on the card, however, the spouse and the children, if listed on the records at PIBF, are in the computer system and will be covered for services or prescriptions when the card(s) is used. Retirees and spouses on Medicare receive a PIBF health care card with their names identified and two CVS/Caremark cards in the member's name. Like the active members, the retirees and their dependents' eligibility is based on the PIBF computer system records.