We are pleased to provide you with this up-to-date booklet describing your health and welfare benefits. This booklet, the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of the Electrical Welfare Trust Fund (the “Fund”), reflects all changes made to the benefits offered under the Fund’s Health Plan through January 1, 2020. Read this information carefully and keep it handy for future reference. Note: The terms “Plan” and “Fund” are used interchangeably throughout this SPD. Both terms refer to the Electrical Welfare Trust Fund.
The Electrical Welfare Trust Fund (“EWTF”) is a self-insured private health plan regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and governed by a Board of Trustees. The Plan has contracted with different healthcare networks to provide a broad array of healthcare services to Plan Participants.
Your health benefits are provided by the Fund, using the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Network (UHC) that offers a wide choice of providers as well as deep discounts on provider services which saves valuable health benefit dollars for both you and your Plan. With the exception of dental coverage, when this SPD refers to your “network,” it is referring to UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Network. Your dental benefits are offered through United Concordia’s Elite Plus PPO Network.
Your Plan continues to offer other programs to help keep you and your family healthy. Take advantage of the physical exam benefit, the coverage for well-woman exams and coverage for well-child healthcare. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can privately and confidentially help you and your family members cope with the pressures of daily life, both at work and at home.
We trust that efficient utilization of these programs will help the Plan continue to provide important protection for you and your family for many years to come, while keeping your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum. To help control costs for yourself, your eligible family members, and the Plan, remember:
- Visit network Providers for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Use toll free numbers or the Internet to find a network Provider near you.
- Do not use the Emergency Room if your medical problem is not an emergency.
- Take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefit—you and your family are entitled to up to eight free visits with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselor.
We will keep you informed of any changes to the benefits described in this SPD in the form of Summaries of Material Modifications. You may always contact the Fund Office either by telephone or by connecting via the web (www.ewtf.org) to make sure you have the latest information regarding Plan benefits.
Also note that, as the Trustees of the Fund, we have the discretion to determine eligibility for benefits and the level of benefits available. We also have the power to interpret, apply and construe the terms of the Plan and make factual determinations regarding the Plan’s construction, interpretation and application. Further, as Trustees, we may amend the rules and benefit levels at any time and may terminate the Plan. If we terminate the Plan, your rights and the distribution of assets will be determined under the terms of the Trust and applicable law. Participants and beneficiaries have no vested rights to the benefits described in this book. Our decision is final and binding on all parties, including participants and their beneficiaries, employers, unions, providers and any other claimant or Business Associate. As Trustees, we administer the Fund and serve without compensation.
Please note that information obtained from any source other than this SPD document is not binding, including but not limited to information posted on social media such as Facebook and Twitter, or from any other sources. If there is a conflict between the rules of the Plan and other sources, the Plan rules always govern.
If you have questions concerning the benefits provided or how the Plan operates, contact the Fund Office at 301-731-1050 or at 1-800-929-3983 or at www.ewtf.org. The Fund Office staff are happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF TRUSTEES