TCU members covered by the 2007 National Freight Agreements have a significant health insurance benefit improvement coming their way. Starting November 1, 2008, office visit co-pays for nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, physical therapists and chiropractors will drop $15—from $35 to $20. There’s more: a new supplemental discount program soon will be applied to charges for
TCU members have been generous supporters of the United Way through the years. President Scardelletti hopes that this year, when times are getting harder for so many in our communities, we’ll do even better. Here’s what he has to say.
AFL-CIO/Red Cross (Indiana) In Indiana, AFL-CIO Labor Liaisons to the Red Cross have been assigned to assist union members who have been affected by the widespread devastation floods and tornados. Many people are in need of services: now the AFL-CIO and Red Cross are asking TCU members to help identify anyone who needs help. If you,
June 19, 2008—According to the carrier, all medical, dental and rail pass benefits have been terminated for dependents of those union members who did not respond to the numerous requests from insurance company Aetna for dependent information. To check benefits status or get further information, call Aetna at 877-277-3368.
May 16, 2008—Active members who are eligible for the life insurance coverage provided through the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (MetLife Policy 1023000) now automatically have available to them an Accelerated Benefit Option (ABO). Under the ABO, a participant diagnosed as terminally ill (with no more than 12 months to live) as a
March 28, 2008—Open enrollment begins this April 1 for United Healthcare’s GA-23111 for former railroad employees who are not eligible for Medicare and their eligible dependents. Featured for 2008 are three new benefit plans which provide new options with different costs and plan designs allowing individuals to select the plan best suited for their needs.
Aetna Audit Non-Responders at Amtrak Lose Rail Pass Benefit, Too June 19, 2008–According to the carrier, all dependent medical, dental and rail pass benefits have been terminated for all those union members who did not respond to the numerous requests from insurance company Aetna for dependent information. To check benefits status or get further information,
Now available are worksheets showing the costs of fringe benefits as of January 1, 2008 under the national agreements for carmen and clerks.
December 3, 2007—The 2008 employee health and welfare cost-sharing contribution amount under the recent national freight rail agreement will remain exactly the same as it was in 2007. At $166.25, the figure is well below the $177 projection used in the explanation sent to members during the ratification process. “The fact that there will be
October 2007—UnitedHealthcare has introduced a new one-stop information shop at its Railroad Information Depot website. Information and downloadable forms are there for all rail members (except those at Amtrak) regardless of their medical carrier. Information ranges from dependent eligibility, to Medicare and retirement, to important UHC phone numbers and facts about coverage under GA-46000 (rail workers’
