A. ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN
1. Restatement of Plan.
The Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Electrical Workers Health and Welfare Trust restates the San Francisco Electrical Workers Health and Welfare Plan by this Plan Document effective as of October 1, 2005. The Plan’s medical benefits are offered through PacifiCare of California (“PacifiCare”), Kaiser Health Plan, Inc. (“Kaiser”) and the self-funded portion of the Plan.
As part of the self-funded portion of the Plan, known as the “Indemnity Plan,” the Plan has contracted with First Health Group Corp. (“First Health”) for access to their Preferred Provider Organization (“PPO”) Network of providers that offers discounted service and for case management (special situations). The Indemnity Plan has a contract with RxAmerica to provide prescription drugs. The PacifiCare Behavioral Health Insurance (“PBHI”) organization provides mental health benefits for both the Indemnity Plan and PacifiCare Participants. PBHI provides substance abuse benefits for all Participants, including members of Kaiser and PacifiCare. You should refer to the booklets for Kaiser and PacifiCare for questions on coverage and benefits from those Plans. The Plan provides certain other benefits as set forth here. The Plan offers dental benefits through the Delta Dental Plan (“Delta Dental”) and vision care benefits through the Vision Service Plan (“VSP”).
The Plan is intended to be maintained for the exclusive benefit of Employees and their beneficiaries. It is also intended that this Plan Document shall conform to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).
2. Election of Health Maintenance Organization Benefits.
The Board of Trustees may from time to time offer to Participants the option to elect enrollment in a Health Maintenance Organizations (“HMO”). Currently, the Plan offers HMO benefits through Kaiser and PacifiCare.
An HMO uses a group of Physicians and other health care professionals (also called “network providers”) who emphasize preventive care and early intervention. HMO services are prepaid--there is no annual deductible and a set premium covers services. You do share costs, however, by paying a fee called a co-payment for some services and products.
To be eligible to enroll in an HMO, you must live within the HMO’s service area. In order for medical services to be covered, you must follow the HMO procedures and you must use an HMO network provider. You are required to include a street address (rather than a P.O. Box) when you enroll. If you move out of the geographic area of the HMO, you will be required to change your coverage under the Plan.
3. Incorporation of HMO Contracts as Part of Plan.
At any time or times that the Board of Trustees enters into a new or different contract and/or renewal contract with an HMO, such contract(s) shall be incorporated in this Plan by reference as if fully set forth herein, effective as of the date of such contract, provided that such contract has been executed by the Board of Trustees or a duly authorized representative of the Board of Trustees.
4. Consequences of Election of HMO Plan by Participant.
- Benefits Not Part of HMO. Benefits payable to a Participant and/or Dependent(s) who has elected enrollment in an HMO shall be determined solely in accordance with the contract between the Board of Trustees and the HMO.
- HMO Rules Apply. In addition, any rules or regulations set forth herein regarding but not limited to claims review and/or appeals shall be governed by the rules and regulations of the HMO without regard to similar rules and regulations that may be otherwise set forth in this Plan. For example, the terms set forth in Section IX “Claims Filing and Appeal Procedures”, starting on page 65, are not applicable to claims for benefits provided by Kaiser and/or PacifiCare.
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