Welfare Notes - January 2011

January, 2011

Dear Participant: We are pleased to present SUP Welfare Plan's Summary Plan Description describing the benefits provided by the SUP Welfare Plan. The Plan was established in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreements between the Sailors' Union of the Pacific and participating employers.

The Plan Description furnishes a brief description of the benefits to which you and your family are entitled, the rules governing these benefits, and the procedures that should be followed when making a claim. This booklet includes certain information concerning the administration of the Plan as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. We urge you and your family to read this booklet thoroughly so that you will be familiar with the benefits of the Plan. We are pleased to present this booklet describing the benefits provided by the SUP Welfare Plan.

New Dependents

New dependents must be added to your plan within 30 days of acquiring the new dependent by marriage, birth, or adoption. If the new dependent is not added to the Plan within 30 days of marriage, birth, or adoption, you must wait until the next open enrollment period to add the dependent to your Plan.

Active Participants' Coverage for Dependents Age 19-26

The extension of coverage for dependents up to the age of 26 according to the Affordable Health Care Act will be effective retroactively to the first day of the plan year beginning on or after September 23, 2010. Dependents who have lost their coverage or were not able to enroll because of being over the Plan's eligible age as a dependent will be allowed to enroll or re-enroll in a period starting July 1, 2011. Dependents who lose coverage because they no longer meet the requirements of dependents by age at this time can continue coverage by enrolling as COBRA members during the period that COBRA enrollment is available to them.

Please be sure to check with the SUP Welfare Plan if you have any questions about your eligibility or enrollment in a Medical or Dental Plan. The plans available to you are dependent upon your residence and your home port. Be sure to take the time to enroll in a plan once you become eligible to give yourself the best options to deal with unexpected illnesses, injuries, or dental emergencies. Also keep us informed of address changes and dependent changes. Check your wallet to make sure you have an ID card for your medical and dental plans.

 

Michelle Chang, Administrator  
Patty Martin  
Virginia Briggs, Claims   
Michael Jacyna, Eligibility