Knowing your Benefits     

Dear Union Brothers and Sisters, I am Jeff Kennerly the UAW benefits Representative for UAW local 5286. I will be providing benefit highlights each month for our local’s Newsletter. We all know that our benefits are important to us and our Families. I cannot stress enough how important it is to take time to understand how our benefits work.  We can access Benefits Forms, Plan Comparisons/Summary Plan Descriptions, your 401k Plan, your Pension Plan and Carrier Links (BCBS, EAP Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Medco and VSP Vision) online at https://www.freightlinerbenefits.com. Also, you can register to HCBO (Health Care Benefits Online) at www.hcbo.com, this web site provides easy-to-access to Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Freightliner web site that allows members access to claim status, eligibility information, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum data and benefit information. Members can also order additional ID cards and conduct national provider searches. As new enhancements, members may view their Explanation of Benefits online and view/update their Coordination of Benefits information. For ease of use this web site also includes links to Blue Cross Blue Shield’s integrated health care management Web site, BlueHealthConnection®, and their decision-making support Web site, Healthcare Advisor ^TM.

  Please take the time to review this information and if you have any questions concerning your benefits, do not have a computer or the internet and would like hard copies of this information, please contact me in the UAW office above the gage lab at extension 5646 or you can tell your Union Committee person that you have a question concerning your benefits and I will contact you.

In a nutshell you can save yourself money and time correcting insurance issues if you understand your benefits.

    In Solidarity,

Jeff Kennerly

Benefits Rep.

UAW Local 5286          

Benefits Tips

Benefits Highlights

1.     Some area providers that perform MRI/PET/CAT scans were charging employee’s a 15% coinsurance for these services. Per our benefits package these services are covered at 100%.  However, the MRI/PET/CAT scans must be requested by your treating physician and have to be preauthorized and approved through Blue Cross Blue Shield before the MRI/PET/CAT scans are done.

2.     Some area chiropractors and physical therapist are charging a $40.00 copay for their services, our copay per our benefits package is $25.00.  If a chiropractor or physical therapist charges you a $40.00 copy you should request the provider contact Blue Cross Blue Shield and confirm that your copay is $25.00 instead of $40.00 for these services. Make sure Blue Cross Blue Shield and the providers are comparing your benefits package with the Union package and not the Non-Union Package and that they are In-Network-Providers. Employees with the Non-Union package are charged a $40.00 copay for these services. After contacting Blue Cross Blue Shield if the provider still insists on charging you a $40.00 copay please contact me.

3.  Please remember to show your Blue Cross Blue Shield card when going for eye exams if you are using a VSP in-network provider. This will insure that you will receive the full coverage of your vision benefits.  You can also choose to use an eye care provider that is out of the VSP network (Review your Union contract or the VSP website for benefit coverage information for in-network and out-of-network claims). If you use an out-of-network provider, you will need to get a detailed receipt that breaks down what you paid for frames, lenses and your exam and then get a VSP out of network reimbursement form from the Union office or in the lobby of the plant. Fill out the form and send it in to the address provided along with a copy of the receipt. You will receive a check in a few weeks.

4.     If you or anyone in your family takes prescription medication on a regular basis you can save time and money by using the Medco Health Home Delivery Pharmacy service. Medications are delivered to your home via US mail, Standard shipping is free. All prescriptions are checked for possible interactions with other medications, including those you fill at participating retail pharmacies using your Medco prescription card. You pay $10.00 for each generic prescription and $20.00 for each Brand name prescription at your local pharmacy. A 90-day supply for a generic prescription would cost $30.00 and a 90-day supply for a Brand name prescription would cost $60.00. By using mail order you receive a 90-day supply for generic prescriptions for $20.00 dollars (a saving of $10.00 every 3 months, per prescription) and you can receive a 90-day supply for Brand Name prescriptions for $40.00 (a saving of $20.00 every 3 months, per prescription).