Retiree Health Plans

Retiree Health Plan Coverage

 

The Retiree Health Plan provides health coverage benefits until the retiree reaches age 65 or becomes eligible for Medicare benefits. Traditional medical expenses such as hospital, surgical, lab, diagnostic imaging, office visits, and prescription drugs are covered under the retiree health plan. Dental and vision expenses are also covered. Dependent coverage is available to the extent provided by the plan.

 

To qualify for retiree health plan coverage you must meet both the TeamCare contribution requirement and the Pension Benefit / Union Service requirement.

 

TeamCare Contribution Requirement

 

As of the eligibility date, you must have at least 40 weeks of active TeamCare contributions in a plan which includes retiree health coverage in each of the last five years, or at least 40 weeks of active TeamCare contributions in at least seven out of the last 10 years immediately preceding the eligibility date. The eligibility date is the date you retire; although in some cases, it can be the last date of active TeamCare contributions.

 

Pension Benefit / Union Service Requirement

 

You must be eligible to receive, at minimum, a pension benefit from the Central States Plan, The UPS/IBT Plan, or another Teamster Related Pension Plan based upon 20 years of service or must retire with at least 20 years of service under a recognized collective bargaining agreement negotiated by an affiliate of the Teamsters.

 

The Pension Fund automatically determines eligibility for retiree health benefits when you apply for pension benefits with either the UPS/IBT plan or the Central States Pension Plan. You will be mailed a Retiree Health Election Form if you are determined to be eligible. You must complete the form and choose to enroll, decline, or postpone the retiree health coverage. If you decline or postpone retiree health coverage within the specified timeframe any collected retiree health premiums will be refunded back to you.

 

Medicare Advantage Plan Benefits

 

TeamCare, in partnership with Humana Inc., offers Medicare eligible retirees the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage health plan designed for Teamster retirees. These plans offer medical and prescription benefits greater than original Medicare. The plans combine Medicare Part A (hospital benefits), Part B (physician and other medical services) and Part D (prescription drug) into one complete benefits package.

 

Additionally, the plans offer extra benefits such as access to fitness centers, vision and dental discounts, emergency coverage worldwide, and Humana Active Outlook®, which is a health program and magazine.

 

Members and their spouses who wish to participate in these programs must be enrolled in Medicare Part B prior to enrolling in any Medicare Advantage Plan available through Humana. Part B covers physicians and other medical services and requires a separate premium paid to Medicare. The Part B premium can be deducted from your Social Security benefit check.

 

TeamCare Advantage Plan

 

The TeamCare Advantage Plan is available to qualifying members for free and any premium payments are covered by the Fund. To qualify for the TeamCare Advantage Plan you must:

 

• have qualified for coverage under the Retiree Health Plan,
• be eligible to receive a retirement or disability benefit from the Central States Pension Plan,
• had Plan C6 coverage under the Active Health Plan as of your date of retirement date, and
• be at least 63 years of age as of your date of retirement

 

The TeamCare Advantage Plan is available for 2, 4, and 6 year coverage period if retiring at age 63, 64, and 65 respectively. The coverage period begins when you reach age 65 or an earlier date of Medicare entitlement, but no earlier than the first day of the month following your retirement.

 

The Pension Fund determines eligibility for the TeamCare Advantage Plan when members retire and apply for pension benefits with the Central States Pension Plan. The Pension Fund then notifies Humana of any qualifying retirees. Humana will then mail an enrollment application to qualifying retirees as their coverage period approaches.

 

TeamCare Gold Plan

 

The TeamCare Gold Plan is available to Teamster retirees who are not eligible for the TeamCare Advantage Plan, whose coverage period under the TeamCare Advantage Plan ends, or who decline the TeamCare Advantage Plan. The TeamCare Gold Plan’s premiums are the responsibility of the retiree and are priced below the market value for similar Humana plans in the retiree’s area. Humana will offer enrollment to the TeamCare Gold Plan to Teamster retirees as their qualifying age approaches.

 

More details about these Medicare Advantage Plans are available on TeamCare’s website.

 

Age 65 Prescription Drug Benefit

 

The Age 65 Prescription Drug Benefit applies only to retirees who receive pension benefits from the Central States Pension Plan and have established Benefit Class 18+. This benefit provides a 20% co-payment at the time of prescription purchase with the remaining 80% to be paid by the Pension Fund. The maximum benefit is $1,000 per calendar year for the retiree and $1,000 per calendar year for the retiree’s spouse.

 

To qualify for the Age 65 Prescription Drug Benefit, you must be receiving a pension benefit from the Central States Pension Plan, have at least 20 years of Contributory Service Credit, and your employer must have submitted contributions to the Pension Fund at Benefit Class 18+ levels. The recipient of the benefit (retiree or spouse) must be age 65 or older.

 

If you become eligible for the Age 65 Retiree Prescription Drug Benefit you will receive a new prescription card and an informational package explaining the details of the plan and the benefits.

 

Still not finding what you're looking for? Contact us or view our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.