,

Spring 2013

Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Welfare and Pension Funds

Union Trustees Frank T. Libby Jeffrey Isaacson Keith Jutkins Joseph Pastorino Gary Perinar, Jr. Thomas E. Ryan, Jr. Bruce WerningEmployer Trustees J. David Pepper Benjamin A. Johnston Paul R. Hellermann Roger A. Monaco Gerald W. Thiel, Jr. Todd H. Harris

From the Fund OfficeSpring is just around the corner and with it comes the new edition of on the LeveL. This issue has information about the 2013 Participant Information Forms (PIF); eligibility for the Retiree Health Care Benefits; BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois (BCBSIL) in-network providers update; Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Life Insurance benefits; and the Member Assistance Program (MAP).

Effective March 1, 2013, the BlueCross BlueShield Association (BCBS) mandated a change on how independent laboratories and durable medical equipment providers /suppliers (DME providers /suppliers) file claims. It states:

l Independent labs (services include: analysis of blood, urine, etc.) should file claims with the plan in the state where the specimen was drawn; and

l DME providers/suppliers should file claims with the plan in the state the equipment or supplies were shipped to (including mail order supplies) or purchased in (if it was purchased at a retail store).

For example, if you live in Illinois and you purchase DME from a supplier in Florida, that Florida DME supplier must have a PPO contract with BCBS of Illinois (BCBSIL) for you to receive

the PPO discount. It will not matter that the Florida DME supplier has a PPO contract with BCBS of Florida.

Please note this only holds true for independent laboratories and DME providers /suppliers. All other provider types (physicians, hospitals, physical therapy providers, etc.) are not subject to this mandate.

Remember, before receiving services to always ask your physician or the provider if they are a BCBS provider. Or, if your physician is sending your laboratory work out for analysis or you are contacting a DME supplier in another state, ask the provider if they have a PPO contract with BCBSIL. If the answer is no, we suggest you find a BCBSIL provider so that you will receive the PPO discount. You can always find a BCBSIL provider by visiting www.bcbsil.com or call BCBSIL at 800-458-6024.

Eligibility for Retiree Health Care BenefitsWhether you are retiring next year or looking ahead, it is important to know the eligibility rules for retiree health care benefits. Eligibility for retiree health care benefits is based on vesting service. You must have at least ten years of vesting service to be eligible for the retiree health care benefits. However, if at some time you did not earn a Pension Credit for a period of three or more consecutive calendar years, you must have at least 15 years of vesting service to be eligible for retiree health care benefits. You can earn a maximum one year of vesting service per calendar year.

If you want more information or have questions about retiree health care benefits, refer to the Fund’s website at www.crccbenefits.org >> Health Plan >> Benefit Info-Retiree or call the Fund Office at 312-787-9455/Option 4.

Vesting Service 1,000 hours of contributions

in a calendar year = 1 year of vesting service

Please Complete Your 2013 PIF before April 30!The annual Participant Information Form (PIF) project is underway. It will help protect the Health and Welfare Fund by ensuring that only eligible individuals are enrolled and dependents’ benefits are coordinated with other plans in which they participate. Secova, an independent firm that specializes in collecting data, will again be compiling all of the PIF information.

This year, completing the PIF is simple. The information that the Fund has on file for you and your dependents will be pre-populated on the PIF. All you need to do is log on to verify the information is correct or make the appropriate changes.

1. Visit the Fund’s secure website at https://verify.secova.com/CRCCWFPIF

2. To log on, enter your Member ID located on your BlueCross BlueShield ID card. Do not include the letters “CGO” that appear on your BlueCross BlueShield ID card. For example, if your Member ID is CGOU77779999, you will enter U77779999

3. The first time you log on to the system, your password will be your date of birth (MMDDYYYY) and the last four digits of your Member ID without dashes or spaces

It is mandatory that you complete the PIF by April 30, 2013. Your 2013 health claims and those of your dependents may be denied until the Fund receives your completed PIF and any additional documentation that may be requested from you.

The Fund and Secova have strict privacy policies to ensure your private information remains confidential and secure. You can contact Secova at 877-692-9162 if you have problems accessing or completing the electronic PIF.

BlueCross BlueShield In-Network ProvidersIndependent Laboratories and Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers

The information provided in on the LEVEL is of a general nature only and does not replace or alter the official rules and policies contained in the official plan documents that legally govern the terms and operation of the Welfare Fund. If this newsletter differs in any way from the official plan documents, the official plan documents always govern. Receipt of this newsletter does not guarantee eligibility for benefits. The Trustees have the right to modify benefits at any time.

Participant ServicesHealth Benefits: Phone: 312-787-9455/Option 3 Fax: 312-951-1515 Pension Benefits: Phone: 312-787-9455/Option 4 Fax: 312-951-3986Contributions & Collections: Phone: 312-787-9455/Option 5 Fax: 312-787-3212Administration: Phone: 312-787-9455/Option 7 Fax: 312-951-2996Website: www.crccbenefits.org TRADES COUNCIL

ALLIED PRINTING

212CHICAGO, IL

® UNIONLABEL

AD&D and Life Insurance

In addition to sharing health care costs, the Plan protects you and your family in the event you suffer a catastrophic event or death. You are eligible for Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Life Insurance on the day you become eligible for benefits under either the Active Plan of Benefits or the Low Cost Medical Plan.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) InsuranceAs long as you are eligible for benefits under the Active Plan of Benefits, you are eligible for AD&D benefits. Depending on the type of loss, AD&D Insurance pays up to $50,000 if an accident:

l Occurs on or off the job; and

l Causes you to lose life, limb or sight within 90 days of the accident.

This benefit is not available under COBRA Continuation Coverage, the Low Cost Medical Plan or the Retiree Plan of Benefits.

Life InsuranceIf you are eligible for benefits under the Active Plan of Benefits at the time of your death, your beneficiary(ies) will receive your Life Insurance benefit.

Your dependents (spouse and each eligible dependent under age 26) are also eligible for Life Insurance coverage as long as you are eligible for benefits. You are the beneficiary of your dependent’s Life Insurance benefit; if you are not living, the benefit is paid to your estate.

The Plan in which you are enrolled determines the benefit distribution amount.

If you lose eligibility under the Active Plan of Benefits, you have the option to convert your Life Insurance to an individual policy with Aetna Life Insurance Company within 31 days of losing Plan eligibility. Contact the Fund Office at 312-787-9455/Option 3 to request a form to start the process. Life Insurance benefits are not available under COBRA Continuation Coverage or the Retiree Plan of Benefits.

BeneficiaryYou can designate or change your Life Insurance beneficiary at any time by submitting an enrollment form to the Fund Office. To change your beneficiary, visit the Fund’s website at www.crccbenefits.org. On the left hand side under “Health Plan,” click on “Forms.” Scroll down and print an “Enrollment and Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation Form.” The designation or change will take effect when the Fund Office receives the new enrollment form.

You can choose one or more beneficiaries. If you do not designate a beneficiary, the Fund will pay the benefit to the next living relative, in the following order:

1. Spouse 2. Children 3. Parents 4. Sibling

Filing a Claim for AD&D or Life Insurance BenefitsIf your family experiences a catastrophic event that causes you to file an AD&D or Life Insurance claim, contact the Fund Office to request a claim form. Be prepared to provide proof of loss or death (death certificate) when you return the completed form to the Fund Office. You or your beneficiary must submit the form and documentation within 90 days of the loss or death.

Active Plan of Benefits Low Cost Medical Option

You die…

Your beneficiary

receives $50,000

Your spouse dies…

You receive $2,500

Your child dies…

You receive $2,000

You die…

Your beneficiary

receives $5,000

Your spouse or child dies…

You receive $1,000

Spring Clean Your Finances with ComPsychDo you give your house a good cleaning in the spring? Maybe this also is a good time to tidy up your finances. You can check out www.guidanceresources.com to read articles and access online resources on topics that include financial guidance as well as wellness, weight loss, child and elder care, home repair and legal assistance.

For first-time users, go to www.guidanceresources.com. On the right hand side of the page, click on “I am a first time user.” Enter CRCC in the “Organization Web ID” field. You will then be asked to enter a user name and create a password.

Member’s Assistance Program – FIVE Free Counseling SessionsThrough ComPsych’s Member Assistance Program (MAP), you and your dependents can receive five free confidential counseling sessions with a counselor or consultant who can talk with you about any topic that is on your mind. They can listen objectively and guide you to solutions or refer you to another professional available to help you.

Call 888-860-1566 when you need support.

When Your Doctor Prescribes Physical, Occupational or Speech TherapySometimes therapy is the best medicine. When your doctor prescribes outpatient therapy for you or your dependent, your physician must provide a prescription or signed letter of medical necessity detailing:

l Diagnosis;

l Type of therapy – physical, occupational, or speech; and

l Frequency and duration of treatment, for example, twice per week for four weeks.

When you receive the prescription or letter of medical necessity from your physician, forward it to the Health Benefits Department at the Fund Office with the patient’s name and BCBS identification number listed on the insurance card.

The Plan generally covers up to six months of outpatient restorative or rehabilitative therapy for children and adults. You can read more about how the Plan covers therapy on the Fund’s website at www.crccbenefits.org.

Scan and Email

Claims@crccbenefits.orgFax

Claims Processing Dept. 312-951-2982

Mail

CRCC Welfare Fund

Attn: Claims Processing Dept. 12 East Erie St. Chicago, IL 60611