Have a question? First check to see if your question can be answered in the following list.
If it's not there, let us know. Plan Office
As we receive inquiries from our members, we will post the most common questions, with the answers here.
Scroll down through the Q&A or click on a specific category on the right.
Q. How do I change my beneficiary?
A. If you wish to change the name of your beneficiary, you must send a completed Beneficiary Change Form to the Fund Office. If you fail to notify the Fund Office of your wishes in writing, the Fund Office will be unable to pay any Life Benefits or Death Benefits to anyone other than the person(s) in your latest written notification to the Fund Office prior to the time of your death.
You may access beneficiary forms here. Forms
Q. What are the Fund Office’s hours of operation?
A. The Fund Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except most Federal Holidays.
Q. I lost my Medical / Prescription Insurance Card. How do I obtain another one?
A. To get a new or additional Medical Insurance Card, you may call BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska at (402) 390-1820 or toll free at (800) 642-8980. To get a new Prescription Insurance Card, you may call LDI toll free at (866) 516-3121.
Q. I need to pick up a Prescription and do not have my Prescription Insurance Card. How can I get the Prescription Filled?
A. You may call the Fund Office at (402) 593-7565 or toll free at (877) 762-9348 and the Fund Office will fax your pharmacist the information they need to file the claim. You should have your pharmacy’s fax number handy when you call the Fund Office. Then, please call LDI toll free at (866) 516-3121 to order new cards.
Q. I would like to set up a session with the Health & Welfare Fund’s Employee Assistance Program. Where do I call?
A. Call Heartland Family Services at (402) 553-3000 or toll free at (877) 553-3001 to schedule an appointment. Identify yourself as an EAP employee or family with the IBEW Local Union No. 22.
Q. What Network are we in?
A. The Plan has entered into an agreement with BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska to provide you with access to their network of Providers.
Q. Do I have to go to a Network Provider?
A. No. However, if you utilize an out-of-network provider you and the Plan may pay more because there is no discount.
Q. What is our deductible?
A. Your deductible is $350 per person per calendar year - $1,050 per family per calendar year.
Q. What is the most I could pay in a year for my major medical benefits?
A. The annual out-of-pocket is $2,850 per person and $6,050 per family (in-network), $5,350 per person and $11,050 per family (out-of-network). These amounts are the total of your deductible plus applicable coinsurance amounts.
Q. How much will I pay for Prescription Drugs?
A.
| 30-Day Retail Pharmacy | ||
| Generic | $10 or 10% of the cost, if greater, for a 30-day supply | |
| Brand Names on Formulary | $25 or 20% of the cost, if greater, for a 30-day supply* | |
| Brand Names NOT on Formulary | $40 or 40% of the cost, if greater, for a 30-day supply* | |
| *plus the difference in the ingredient cost if your prescription is for a brand name drug when generic is available. | ||
Mail Order CoPays |
||
| Generic | $20 for a 90 day supply | |
| Brand Names on Formulary | $50 or 20% of the cost, if greater, for a 90-day supply* | |
| Brand Names NOT on Formulary | $80 or 40% of the cost, if greater, for a 90-day supply* | |
| *plus the difference in the ingredient cost if your prescription is for a brand name drug when generic is available. | ||
Q. Who is covered under my Health & Welfare Benefits?
A. Yourself and all your eligible dependents as defined by the Plan.
Q. How can I find a doctor?
A. The link below will take you to the network web site where you can look through provider directories.
Go to www.bcbsne.com/providers
Q. Is there a short-term disability benefit available?
A. If you meet the eligibility requirements there is a weekly disability benefit available for a maximum of 26 weeks. Please refer to the SPD or call the Fund Office for additional information.
Q. Why am I not eligible for insrurance?
A. Please call the Fund Office at (402) 593-7565 or toll-free at (877) 762-9348 or refer to your SPD for a detailed description of your eligibility.
Q. How will I know if I lose my eligibility through the Plan?
A. Participants are sent a Loss of Coverage Notice at the end of their last eligible month. This is another reason why it is so important to keep the Fund Office updated with your current address.
Q. How much do I pay for my Health Insurance?
A. The IBEW Local Union No. 22/NECA Health & Welfare Plan is a multi-employer, self-insured plan, and eligibility for benefit coverage is determined by the number of hours worked and reported to the Plan. It is an employer-paid Benefit, and not classified as wages.
Q. How much do I pay for my family’s Health Insurance?
A. When a Participant satisfies the Plan’s eligibility requirements, all dependents (as defined by the Plan) are also eligible at no cost to you.
Q. How do I add or delete dependents?
A. If you need to add or remove dependents, you must complete a new enrollment form and submit to the Fund Office. Be prepared to provide documentation in the form of a birth certificate, decree of adoption, marriage license, divorce decree, etc. Since the Plan provides Benefits to Eligible Dependents, the Fund Office must know who your dependents are at all times.
You may access the enrollment form here. Forms
Q. How long are dependent children covered under the Plan?
A. Married and unmarried dependent children are covered up to age 26 unless they have health coverage through an employer (or their spouse’s employer, if married). However, unmarried full-time students under age 24 are eligible for coverage even if they are eligible for health coverage through their employer.
Q. What forms are required to show proof of Dependent status?
A. For a spouse, please provide a copy of your marriage certificate with the Enrollment Form. For a minor child, please provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate with the Enrollment Form. For an adult child (age 19-26), please provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate with the Adult Child Enrollment Form. For a dependent student (age 19-24), please provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate and a copy of the student’s class schedule or a form/letter from the school’s registrar’s office indicating full-time status. Additional documents may be required based on the type of dependency (foster child, adoptive child, etc.).
You may access the enrollment form .
Forms
Q. When will I become eligible to receive my benefit from the IBEW Local Union No. 22/NECA Defined Benefit Pension Plan “A”?
A. You or your beneficiary are eligible to receive your benefit when one of the following events occur:
-You retire from Employment after attaining Normal Retirement Age (Age 62 if you have at least 10 years of vesting service, Age 65 if you have at least 5 but less than 10 year of vesting service).
-You retire from Employment after attaining Early Retirement Age (Age 55) and have at least 10 years of vesting service.
-You are deemed Totally and Permanently Disabled as defined in the Plan Document.
-You become deceased.
-The Plan terminates.
Q. When should I call the Fund Office to request an application to receive my benefit from the IBEW Local Union No. 22/NECA Defined Benefit Pension Plan “A”?
A. Call the Fund Office approximately 90 days prior to your Retirement Date to request an application and begin your application process.
Q. When will I become eligible to receive my benefit from the IBEW Local Union No. 22/NECA Defined Contribution Pension Plan “B”?
A. You or your beneficiary are elibible to receive your benefit when one of the following events occur:
-You retire from Employment after attaining Normal Retirement Age (age 65) and sign a declaration that you are no longer employed in the electrical trade and will not apply for work in the electrical trade.
-You retire from Employment after attaining Early Retirement Age (age 55) and sign a declaration that you are no longer employed in the electrical trade and will not apply for work in the electrical trade.
-No contributions have been made to the Fund on your behalf for the period of at least nine (9) consecutive months prior to the date you submit your application.
-You are deemed Totally and Permanently Disabled as defined by the Plan Document.
-You become deceased.
-The Plan terminates.
Q. Is my benefit from the IBEW Local Union No. 22/NECA Defined Contribution Pension Plan taxable?
A. Taxation of benefits is as follows:
Whenever you receive a cash distribution from the Plan (whether via an annuity payment or lump sum payment), it will normally be taxed as ordinary income. You will receive 80% of the payment because the Plan Administrator is required to withhold 20% of the payment and send it to the IRS as income tax withholding to be credited against your taxes. If you are a resident of the State of Nebraska, you may be required to withhold a certain percentage for state income tax withholding to be credited against your taxes.
In addition you may have to pay an extra 10% federal tax penalty due to early withdrawal (if you are under age 59 ½).
If instead you choose to roll over the payment, the money in your account will be transferred directly to another IRA or qualified retirement plan, and you will not be taxed until you take it out of the IRA or plan that accepted the rollover.
Since tax laws change frequently, you should consult a tax expert to determine your exact tax liability.
Q. When should I call the Fund Office to request an application to receive my benefit from the IBEW Local Union No. 22/NECA Defined Contribution Pension Plan “B”?
A. Call the Fund Office when you become eligible to receive the benefit as outlined above. You should allow 30-90 days between the time of application and the time of distribution.
Q. Why does my Vacation Fund balance not match my latest paycheck stub?
A. Vacation Contributions are reported to the Fund Office on a monthly basis, and are added to your account the first of the following month. For instance, hours worked in January are reported to the Fund office in February and added to your account March 1st.
Q. When can I change my election on whether my Vacation Contributions are sent to the Credit Union or distributed semi-annually?
A. There are two Open Enrollment periods per year: April and October. If you change your election in April, April hours received in May will be affected. If you change your election in October, your October hours received in November will be affected. Information will be sent from the Fund Office at the beginning of each Open Enrollment period.
Q. When will I receive my Holiday Fund Check each year?
A. Holiday Fund Checks are mailed from the Fund Office the week before Thanksgiving each year.