Welfare Notes - December 2001

December, 2001

Active Members
The STCW deadline is February 1, 2002. All mariners are aware of the new rules requiring you to have your STCW 95 certificate. Along with this certificate you must also have your blue "Training Record Book." This training record book is part of the STCW 95 program and is required of all seagoing members. The book is intended to serve as an official record of proof of compliance with national and international training requirements. If you are an active seagoing SUP member and do not have your blue training book, please apply for one as soon as possible. Applications are available at the SUP Welfare office at Headquarters as well as each Branch.

You will need to submit a passport size photograph of yourself along with the application. Your training book will then be mailed to you. If you have any questions on this, please call Rich Reed at the Welfare Plan office: 800-796-8003.

Pensioners
The November issue of West Coast Sailors informed all retirees of the new increase in your annual medical allowance benefit. The Welfare Plan office has had many questions regarding the new allowance and the new coverage for retiree dependents. The SUP Welfare Plan office is trying to make a smooth transition for all retiree annual allowance balances, while still maintaining our day-to-day operation. There are a few things you can do when submitting claims that will help speed up the claim process.

When submitting a claim for your spouse or dependent you must include the Social Security number for the retired member. If you have received a letter stating that your benefits have been exhausted for the current fiscal year, you may resubmit claims that were not paid. The current turn around time for processing a claim is three weeks. The Welfare Plan office is expecting to receive many new extra claims with these new benefits. Please be patient.

Pensioners who incur expenses for medical, surgical, dental, prescription drug or vision care and treatment, the SUP Welfare Plan will pay a maximum benefit of up to $3500 in any 12 month period ending on July 31. The Plan will pay for any reasonable charges for actual expenses by any Hospital or Facility. The plan also reimburses monthly Medicare Part B premiums up to the maximum benefit. This Medicare benefit may also be used to pay for a spouses Medicare payment. The payment is added to your monthly pension check and deducted from your annual allowance. If you are not now participating in this benefit you should contact the plan office as soon as possible for more information.

SUP Welfare Plan
Rich Reed, Welfare Plan Representative 
450 Harrison Street 
San Francisco, CA 94105

E-mail: supwelfarerep@hotmail.com