UFCW Local 1776 Benefit Funds
Medical
Who is Eligible?
Provided you work for a participating employer, you, your spouse, and your dependent children may be eligible for medical benefits through the Fund. Check your Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) or call the Fund Office to learn more.
When Can I Enroll?
Initial eligibility depends on your Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”). But, generally, you can expect to wait for a minimum of 30 days before enrolling in a medical plan option.
Each year, during open enrollment, you may have the opportunity to select a medical plan option or make changes to your current plan and/or dependents, effective the following plan year.
Can I Make Changes Mid-Year?
Your medical plan election will continue in effect for the entire calendar year. You will not be able to make any changes until the next annual open enrollment period, except on the occasion of certain "Qualifying Life Events" ("QLEs"), such as:
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a change to your marital status (such as marriage, divorce, legal separatio,n or the death of your spouse);
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a change to the number of your dependents (such as birth, adoption, placement for adoption or death of a dependent);
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a change in your dependent’s eligibility status due to age;
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a change in employment status, worksite, or work schedule of an employee, spouse or dependent that results in a gain or loss of eligibility for health coverage (including switching between full-time and part-time employment);
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entitlement to Medicare or Medicaid (applies only to the person entitled to Medicare or Medicaid);
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a change to comply with a state domestic relations order pertaining to coverage of your dependent child;
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a change in your, your spouse’s or your child’s eligibility for COBRA coverage; or
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a change in your spouse’s or child’s coverage during another employer’s annual enrollment period when the other plan has a different period of coverage.
You must request a change to your medical plan election within 30 days of the occurrence of a QLE. If you do not request a change within such 30-day period, you will not be able to make a change until the next annual open enrollment period. Any changes must be made on account of, and must correspond with, the reason for the change. You may also have special enrollment rights under other circumstances. Please refer to the “Other Federal Law Requirements” section of the Summary Plan Description for more information on special enrollment rights. You should contact the Fund Office within 30 days of the occurrence of a QLE to make a mid-year change to your medical plan election.
What is the Biometric Screening Program?
Biometric screenings are short exams that establish a health baseline which can be used to identify and manage potential health issues including these tests: Blood Pressure, Lipid Panel, Triglycerides, Height & Weight, and Glucose Level or A1C.
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For certain participants, to be enrolled in, or stay enrolled in, the best possible Medical Plan, each participant and enrolled spouse must complete Biometric Screenings and a Biometric Screening Form. If either you or your spouse do not complete the required Biometric Screenings and Forms, you and all family members will be enrolled in a lower level Medical Plan and you will incur higher out-of-pocket costs for your medical coverage.