Summary Plan Description: NYC District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund

NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL
OF CARPENTERS BENEFIT FUNDS
NYC District Council of

Carpenters Welfare Fund
summary plan description

TABLE OF CONTENTS
AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR WELFARE BENEFITS 1
ABOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION 3

Eligibility for Active Employees 3
Forfeiture of Hours in the Bank 4
Continued Eligibility During Periods of Disability 4
Eligibility for Retirees 5
Disability Pensioners 6
Dependent Coverage 7
Qualified Medical Child Suppor t Orders (QMCSOs) 8
Changes in Status 8
Coverage Following Death 9
Continued Coverage During Cer tain Leaves of Absence 10
When Coverage Ends 11
Your HIPAA Rights 11
Coverage Under COBRA 12
Continuation Under State Law 15
HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL BENEFITS 16

Which Plan You Receive 16
How the Plan Works 16
Precer tification 17
In-Network and Out-of-Network Services Under
Empire BlueCross BlueShield 18
Finding a Network Provider 19
Your PPO Benefits Out of Area 19
Your PPO Benefits at a Glance 19
OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES UNDER EMPIRE
BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD 30
What’s Covered 30
What’s Not Covered 31
Extra Benefits 31
Emergency Care 31
Maternity Care Under BlueCross BlueShield 32
Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996 34
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation 34
Occupational, Speech and Vision Therapy 34
Behavioral Health Care 35
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment 36
Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies 36
HOSPITAL SERVICES UNDER EMPIRE

BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD 38
If You Visit the Hospital 38
Tips for Getting Hospital Care 39
Inpatient and Outpatient Hospital Care 39
Inpatient Hospital Care 40
Outpatient Hospital Care 41
Hospice Care 42
Skilled Nursing Care 42
Home Health Care 43
Medical Necessity 43
SPECIAL PROGRAMS PROVIDED THROUGH

EMPIRE BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD 44
New Medical Technology 44
Empire’s Medical Management Program 44
Case Management 46
Empire HealthLine 46
BlueCard Program/BlueCard Worldwide Program 47
HOW TO FILE AN EMPIRE BLUECROSS

BLUESHIELD CLAIM 48
If You Receive Services from a Hospital 48
If You Receive Services from a Preferred Provider 48
If You Receive Covered Services from a Non-Preferred Provider 48
Exclusions and Limitations 49
Conver ting to an Individual Policy After End of Empire Coverage 51
MEDICARE 52
Medicare Supplemental Benefits 52
Details About Your Medicare Benefits and Your Supplemental Benefits 54
Inpatient Hospitalization 54
Medicare Benefit Period 54
Skilled Nursing Facility 55
Cost of Blood 55
Hospital Outpatient Charges 55
Medical Benefits Under Par t B 55
Medical Care Outside the United States 56
Medical Necessity 56
How to File a Medicare Supplemental Claim 56
Special Exclusions for Medicare Supplemental Benefits 56
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM 58

Summary of In-Network Prescription Drug Benefits 58
Network of Par ticipating Pharmacies 58
Out-of-Network Pharmacies 59
Mail-Order Program 59
Expenses Not Covered 60
Clinical Intervention 61
DENTAL COVERAGE 62
Network of Par ticipating Dentists 63
If You Go to a Non-Par ticipating Dentist 63
Pre-Treatment Estimate 63
Or thodontic Services 64
Extension of Dental Benefits 64
Schedule of Covered Dental Allowances 65
How to File a Claim 69
Exclusions and Limitations 70
Impor tant Definitions 71
VISION BENEFITS 72
Benefits 72
Covered Services 72
Costs 72
LIFE INSURANCE 74
Naming a Beneficiary 74
Accelerated Death Benefit 75
If You Become Disabled 75
Conver ting to an Individual Policy 76
ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT

(AD&D) BENEFIT 77
Schedule of Benefits 77
Your Beneficiary 77
Exclusions 77
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS 79

When Coverage Begins 79
When Benefits Begin 79
Your Benefits 80
If You Are Disabled More Than Six Months 81
Work-Related Disabilities 81
HEARING AID BENEFIT 82

Covered Services 82
Maximum Benefit 82
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 84
Eligibility 84
The Benefit 85
How to Apply 86
Appealing a Denied Application 86
Selection Process 86
For Fur ther Information 86
COORDINATION OF BENEFITS
(MEDICAL AND DENTAL BENEFITS) 87
Which Plan Pays Benefits First? 87
If Our Plan Is the Secondary Plan 88
Tips for Coordinating Benefits 88
CONFIDENTIALITY 89
Permitted Uses and Disclosures of PHI by the Fund and the
Board of Trustees 89
CLAIMS AND APPEALS PROCEDURES 92

What Is a Claim 92
Types of Claims 92
Authorized Representatives 94
When Claims Must Be Filed 94
Where to Submit Your Claims 95
Claims Review Process 96
Time Frames for Decisionmaking 97
Notice of Decision 98
Internal Review Process 99
How to File a Request for Review 99
Your Rights in the Review Process 101
Time Frames for Appeals Decisionmaking 101
Empire BlueCross BlueShield or S.I.D.S. 102
Notice of Decision on Review 104
Limitation on When a Lawsuit May Be Star ted 105
GLOSSARY 106
OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 109

Plan Amendments or Termination 109
Representations 109
Plan Interpretation 110
No Liability for the Practice of Medicine 110
Subrogation and Reimbursement 110
PLAN FACTS 112

Other Administrative and Funding Information 114
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE EMPLOYEE
RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT
OF 1974 (ERISA) 116
Receive Information About Your Plan and Benefits 116
Continue Group Health Plan Coverage 116
Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries 117
Enforce Your Rights 117
Assistance With Your Questions 118
MEMBERS OF THE JOINT BOARD OF TRUSTEES 118
ABOUT THIS BOOKLET

This handbook summarizes the benefits provided by your Welfare Fund (the
“Fund”) as of April 1, 2003, and it replaces all earlier descriptions you may have
received. It is intended to provide an easy-to-understand explanation of your
benefits. It does not include all provisions in the official governing documents
and insurance contracts, especially those relating to situations that don’t occur
often or that affect only a few par ticipants. In the event of any conflict between
this summary and the official plan documents, the official plan documents
always govern.
From time to time there may be changes in the benefits and/or procedures under
one or more of the plans that make up the Fund. In such a case, either the
administrator of the affected plan or the Fund Office will notify you in writing
of any change. Announcements will be sent directly to you at the address that
appears in Fund Office records. For this reason, it is impor tant to remember to
notify the Fund Office if your address changes.You should also keep announcements
of changes with this booklet.
Ayuda en Español
Este folleto contiene un resumen en inglés de sus derechos y beneficios
bajo el New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund.
Si usted tiene dificultad en entender cualquier parte de este folleto,
puede comunicarse con la oficina del plan en 395 Hudson Street, New
York, NY 10014. Las horas de oficina son de 8:30 a.m. a 5:00 p.m., lunes
a viernes.También puede llamar a la oficina del plan al 800-529-3863
para ayuda.
A N OVERVIEW OF YOUR WELFARE
BENEFITS
The New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the
“Fund”) provides a comprehensive package of benefits that includes:
health care coverage with medical (hospitals, doctors and other necessary
medical services), prescription drug, dental, vision and hearing benefits;
disability benefits that help protect you in the event that illness or Injury
prevents you from working;
life insurance benefits that help protect your family in the event you die; and
a scholarship program that can provide financial assistance for your

child’s education.
This handbook offers a comprehensive resource you can use when you
or your family members need information about any of your benefits.
It’s been organized in a way that we hope will give you quick access to
easy-to-understand explanations of your benefits.
1
To make the best use of your benefits, you are urged to review these
materials carefully and share them with your family. We hope this
information will answer all of your questions. However, if you need more
information, please contact:
About your… Call…
Medical coverage Empire BlueCross BlueShield

(Active Employees and Retirees 800-553-9603
not eligible for Medicare)
Medicare Supplemental C&R Consulting
866-320-3807
Dental coverage Self-Insured Dental Ser vices
877-592-1683
516-396-5500
718-204-7172
Prescription drug program Caremark
800-378-0972
800-831-4440
Vision and hearing aid Comprehensive Professional
par ticipating providers Systems Inc.
212-675-5745
General Vision Ser vices
212-594-2580
Vision Screening (vision only)
800-652-0063
Life Insurance and The Fund Office
Disability benefits 212-366-7300
800-529-3863
Scholarship Program The Fund Office
212-366-7300
800-529-3863
Plan Administration The Fund Office
and all other questions 212-366-7300
800-529-3863
Par ticipants may also seek assistance or information from the U.S.
Depar tment of Labor regarding their rights under the federal laws
known as “ERISA” and “HIPAA.”
2
ABOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION
This section describes the eligibility rules for medical, prescription drug,
dental, life insurance, vision care and hearing aid coverage that apply to
eligible Active Employees, Retirees and covered dependents. The different
rules that apply for disability and scholarship benefits are explained in the
sections on those benefits.
Eligibility for Active Employees

You are eligible to par ticipate in this Plan as an Active Employee after
you have worked 250 hours in Covered Employment. These 250 hours
“buy” you three months, or a calendar quar ter, of coverage. If you work
at least 250 hours in Covered Employment during one of the following
periods, you will be covered for the calendar quar ter beginning on the
date shown below.
If you work 250 hours during Coverage Begins
October, November, December Januar y 1

Januar y, Februar y, March April 1
April, May, June July 1
July, August, September October 1
Any hours in excess of 250 may be added to your “bank” for use in a later
Words that are capitalized
quar ter. Likewise, if you work less than 250 hours, those hours may be in this summary— such as
saved in the bank for future use. You may not accumulate more than 750 “Active Employee,” “Retiree,”
hours in the bank at any time. and “Injury”— are generally
defined in the section called
Example: Assume you have no hours in your bank but work “Glossary” at the end of the
350 hours in April, May and June. 250 of those hours will be used SPD. In some cases, they are
also defined in the text.
to “buy” coverage for the calendar quar ter beginning July 1.
The additional 100 hours will remain in your bank and may be used
towards coverage for a later calendar quar ter. If you work at least
150 additional hours between July and September, you will have
enough hours in your bank to qualify for coverage in the quar ter
beginning October 1.
3
Forfeiture of Hours in the Bank
Your bank hours will be forfeited if:
Hours in the bank have not been used for a consecutive nine-month
period. (However, the Fund will maintain separate “buckets” for hours to
ensure that they are forfeited on a rolling basis.)
You have knowledge and do not notify the Fund Office that hours you
have worked have not been repor ted or have been only par tially
repor ted.
You fail to notify the Fund of any additional group health coverage for
your dependents.
Note: It’s a good idea to keep your pay stubs and compare them to the
statements you receive confirming the number of hours your employer
has reported to the Benefit Funds on your behalf. You are required to
submit a Benefit Hours Shortage report as soon as you become aware
that your employer is not reporting your hours or is reporting your
hours incorrectly.
Continued Eligibility During Periods of Disability

There are two provisions that help keep your coverage in force in the
event of disability—“eligibility credit” and “disability waiver.” It is impor tant
to note that both provisions require that you be an eligible Active
Employee at the time that you become disabled.
Eligibility Credit. If you receive shor t-term disability or Workers’

Compensation benefits under applicable state law, and you are an eligible
Active Employee, the Fund will credit you with 20 hours for each week
you receive those benefits, up to a total of 26 weeks, or 520 hours. To
receive this credit, you must submit proof that you are in receipt of these
benefits to the Fund Office.
Continuation of Coverage during Total Disability (“Disability Waiver”).

If you become “Totally Disabled,” and you are an eligible Active Employee,
your Fund coverage will remain in effect for as long as you remain disabled.
This benefit is often referred to as a “disability waiver.” It does not provide
a cash benefit.
You are considered “Totally Disabled” during the first 24 months of a

disability if you are unable to work in Covered Employment due to an
illness or Injur y. After 24 months, you are Totally Disabled if you are
unable to work in any occupation.
4
To apply for a disability waiver, you may call the Fund Office to obtain an
application. In connection with your application, the Fund reserves the right
to require that you undergo (at the Fund’s expense) an independent
medical examination to help determine the extent of your disability. The
Fund Office and, on appeal, the Trustees determine the extent of your
disability based on the documentation submitted. This decision is final and
binding on all concerned. If you are determined to be Totally Disabled, the
Fund Office may request proof of continued disability from time to time.
If you receive a Social Security disability award, and you were an eligible
Active Employee on the date of disability established by the Social Security
Administration, you automatically qualify for continued coverage under the
Fund as long as you remain Totally Disabled for Social Security purposes.
You will be required to submit proof of Social Security eligibility from time
to time.
If you become Totally Disabled and are unable to work in Covered

Employment, you should contact the Fund Office for information on any
benefits to which you may be entitled under your pension plan.
When total disability ends. In the event your disability waiver ends
because you are no longer Totally Disabled under the Fund definition, your
Fund coverage will remain in force for three months from the last day of
the month in which your disability waiver ends. If you return to Covered
Employment during this period, you will continue to be covered for up to
six consecutive months from the last day of the three-month extension
period provided that you work at least 40 hours in Covered Employment
during each preceding month.
Eligibility for Retirees

When you retire, any remaining hours in your bank are used to continue
your coverage as an Active Employee. In order for coverage to continue after
your bank hours are used, you must qualify for Retiree health coverage.
You do not “bank” hours if you work in Covered Employment while you
are retired. Therefore, you will not re-qualify for coverage as an Active
Employee once you are eligible as a Retiree, even if you work 250 hours in
Covered Employment.
5
In order to be eligible for Health and Welfare coverage as a Retiree,
your employer or employers must have contributed to the Fund for you as
an Active Employee, and you must satisfy one of the three requirements
below:
You have earned at least 30 Vesting Credits with the New York City
District Council of Carpenters Pension Fund (the “Pension Fund”). In
general, you earn one Vesting Credit for each calendar year in which
you work 870 hours or more in Covered Employment;
You have earned at least 15 Vesting Credits under the Pension Fund and,
during the 60-month period immediately preceding the effective date
of your pension, you are eligible as an Active Employee for at least 24
months; or
You have no break in service between the year in which you reach age
55 and the year in which you earn your 15th Vesting Credit. For
purposes of Retiree health coverage only, a break-in-service is defined
as any calendar year in which you do not work at least 300 hours in
Covered Employment.
Return to work. If you return to Covered Employment and your pension

is suspended, your Retiree health coverage will continue for up to six
months as long as you work at least 40 hours in each month. (Note that a
special rule for disability pensions is discussed in the following section.)
Disability Pensioners
A Disability Pensioner who is an eligible Active Employee when disability
commences will continue to be covered as described in the preceding
section, “Continued Eligibility During Periods of Disability.” (Please refer to
the subsection called “Continuation of Coverage during Total Disability.”)
If you are not eligible as an Active Employee when disability commences

and you have earned less than 15 Vesting Credits, you will qualify for
Retiree health coverage as a Disability Pensioner if, during the 60-month
period immediately preceding the effective date of pension, you are eligible
as an Active Employee for at least 24 months.
If you are not eligible as an Active Employee when disability commences

but you have earned at least 15 Vesting Credits, you will be eligible for
Retiree health coverage as a Disability Pensioner provided that you satisfy
one of the three rules in the preceding “Eligibility for Retirees” section.
Disability Pensioners who are eligible and in receipt of a Social Security

Disability Award should review the section called “Medicare” later in
this summary for important information.
6
If your disability pension is suspended because you recover or you no
longer qualify, your Retiree coverage will automatically continue for up to
three months. It will continue for up to six consecutive months after the
first three months if you work at least 40 hours in Covered Employment in
each of those six months. During such six-month period, you will begin
accumulating hours in your bank towards future eligibility.
Dependent Coverage
If you are covered, your eligible dependents may be covered for medical,
dental, prescription drug, vision care, hearing aid and dependent life
insurance benefits. Eligible dependents include your :
lawful spouse;
unmarried Children, until December 31 of the year in which they reach

age 19;
To cover an eligible
unmarried Children, until they reach age 25, if they are full-time students dependent, you must provide
at an accredited educational institution; proof of dependent status, as
specified by the Fund Office.
unmarried Disabled Children of any age, who are primarily dependent
upon you for suppor t; and
dependent parents (if you are not married and have no eligible
dependent Children, you may cover a parent(s) who lives in the United
States and is claimed as a dependent on your federal income tax return
for the preceding year).
Coverage for the dependent Children described above generally continues

until the end of the year in which they reach the limiting age or graduate.
If a dependent child marries, his or her coverage ends immediately.
Coverage for your eligible dependents star ts at the same time as your
coverage, provided you complete the required enrollment materials
(described below), and they will receive the same medical, dental,
prescription drug, vision care and hearing aid coverage that you do.
Each eligible dependent also receives $1,000 of life insurance (but not
AD&D insurance), which is payable to you if the dependent dies.
7
To make sure coverage for your dependents star ts at the same time as
your coverage, you need to provide enrollment documents to the Fund
Office. You must provide, as applicable:
a copy of a marriage cer tificate if you are enrolling a spouse;
a copy of a bir th cer tificate or documentation of adoption if you are

enrolling a child;
a copy of your tax return from the previous year if you are enrolling a
dependent parent; or
any other materials that the Fund Office may require to verify a
dependent’s eligibility.
If you acquire dependents after your coverage begins, they would become
covered on the date they become eligible dependents.
Qualified Medical Child Support Orders

(QMCSOs)
A Qualified Medical Child Suppor t Order (QMCSO) is an order issued
by a state cour t or agency that requires an employee to provide coverage
under group health plans to a child. A QMCSO usually results from a
divorce or legal separation. Whenever such an order is received by the
Fund, its qualified status is carefully reviewed by the Fund in accordance
with QMCSO procedures adopted by the Trustees and federal law. For
more information on QMCSOs, or to obtain a copy of the Fund’s QMCSO
procedures free of charge, contact the Fund Office.
Changes in Status
After your coverage under the Fund begins, it is impor tant that you notify
the Fund Office immediately by calling toll-free 800-529-3863 if you have
either a change of address or one of the changes in status described below,
including:
marriage, divorce or annulment;
bir th, adoption of a child or placement of a child with you for adoption;
you are not working and you are receiving Workers’ Compensation
benefits or disability benefits;
a dependent child reaches a limiting age or otherwise ceases to be

eligible for dependent coverage (for example, due to marriage or end
of full-time studies);
you or your dependent becomes entitled to Medicare or Medicaid;
8
you take a leave of absence, including military leave and leave for family
or medical purposes;
a covered dependent dies; or
your employment status changes (i.e., termination or commencement of

employment; strike or lockout; commencement of or return from an
unpaid leave of absence; or if the eligibility conditions of another employee
benefit plan you or your dependents participate in change and as a result,
that individual becomes or ceases to be eligible under another plan).
If you have coverage when a child is born, your newborn will automatically
be covered under your medical coverage for illness or Injury for 30 days
from the date of bir th. To continue coverage for your child beyond that
time, you need to enroll the child, so be sure to call the Fund Office at
800-529-3863.
The Fund complies with the special enrollment rights under the Health
Insurance Por tability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
If you die, your surviving

Coverage Following Death dependents may be entitled to
coverage for up to 60 months.
If you die while an eligible Active Employee or an eligible Retiree, your
spouse will receive the coverage described above for up to 60 months from
the date of your death. Your dependent Children will also receive coverage
for up to 60 months, as long as they continue to meet the definition of an
eligible dependent.
The coverage for your dependents when you die runs concurrently with
their eligibility to continue coverage under the federal law known as
“COBRA” (see the subsection called “COBRA” later in this section) and
satisfies the Fund’s obligation under federal COBRA law. Although COBRA
coverage is not available after the period of extended coverage expires,
dependents may be able to conver t their group coverage to an individual
health care policy. Your dependents would have to pay the full cost of the
conversion plan, and the benefits might not be the same as those offered
by the Fund.
9
Continued Coverage During Certain Leaves
of Absence
Family and Medical Leave. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act
(FMLA), you may continue to be covered by the Fund while on a leave of
absence for specified family or medical purposes, such as the bir th or
adoption of a child; to provide care for a spouse, child or parent who is ill;
or for your own serious illness. If you are eligible for FMLA leave for one
of the above qualifying family and medical reasons, you may receive up to
12 weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period. During this leave, you
may be entitled to receive continued Health coverage under the Fund
under the same terms and conditions as if you had continued to work.
Your employer is required to continue to pay your contributions for that
coverage during the period of leave. To be eligible for continued benefit
coverage during your FMLA leave, your employer must notify the Fund that
you have been approved for FMLA leave. Your employer, not the Fund, has
the sole responsibility for determining whether you are granted leave under
FMLA. If you do not return to Covered Employment after your coverage
ends, you are entitled to COBRA continuation of coverage, as described
later in this section. (When you do not return to covered employment at
the end of your leave, you may also be required to provide reimbursement
for the cost of coverage during your absence.)
Continued Coverage During Military Leave. If you are on active military

duty for 31 days or less, you will continue to receive medical coverage in
accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). If you are on active duty for more than 31
days, USERRA permits you to elect COBRA continuation coverage for you
and your dependents at your own expense for up to 18 months. (See later
in this section for more information on COBRA.)
When you return to work after receiving an honorable discharge, your

full eligibility will be reinstated on the day you return to work with a
par ticipating employer, provided that you return to employment within
one of the following time frames:
90 days of the date of discharge if the period of military service is more

than 180 days;
14 days from the date of discharge if the period of military service was
31 days or more but less than 180 days; or
at the beginning of the first full regularly scheduled working period on

the first calendar day following discharge (plus travel time an additional
eight hours) if the period of service was less than 31 days.
10
If you are hospitalized or convalescing from an Injury resulting from active
duty, these time limits may be extended for up to two years. Contact the
Fund Office for more details.
When Coverage Ends

Your eligibility for benefits may end for any of the following reasons:
You or your covered dependents no longer meet the Fund’s eligibility

requirements (see “Who’s Eligible” for complete details, but typically
this would occur if you had less than the required number of hours in
your bank);
The Fund or insurance company terminates the contract that provides

your benefits;
You or your covered dependents make a false statement on an

enrollment form or a claim form or otherwise engage in fraud; or
Your dependents’ coverage will end on the date your coverage ends
or on the date they no longer qualify as eligible dependents under the
plan, whichever occurs first.
Your HIPAA Rights

When your Fund coverage ends, under the federal law known as HIPAA,
you and/or your dependents are entitled by law to, and will be provided
with, a Cer tificate of Creditable Coverage. Cer tificates of Creditable
Coverage indicate the period of time you and/or your dependents were
covered under the Fund (including COBRA coverage), as well as cer tain
additional information required by law. The Cer tificate of Creditable
Coverage may be necessary if you and/or your dependents become eligible
for coverage under another group health plan, or if you buy a health
insurance policy within 63 days after your coverage under this Fund ends
(including COBRA coverage). The Cer tificate of Creditable Coverage is
necessar y because it may reduce any exclusion for pre-existing coverage
periods that may apply to your and/or your dependents under the new
group health plan or health insurance policy.
The Cer tificate of Creditable Coverage will be provided to you:
on your request, within 24 months after your Fund coverage ends;
when you are entitled to elect COBRA;
when your coverage terminates, even if you are not entitled to COBRA; or
when your COBRA coverage ends.
11
You should retain these Cer tificates of Creditable Coverage as proof of
prior coverage for your new health plan. For fur ther information, call the
Fund Office.
Coverage Under COBRA

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended
(“COBRA”), requires that most employers sponsoring group health plans
offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension
of health care coverage at group rates in certain instances when coverage
under the plan would otherwise end (called “qualifying events”). Continued
coverage under COBRA applies to the health care benefits described in
this booklet.
Qualifying COBRA Events. The char t below shows when you and your
eligible dependents may qualify for continued coverage under COBRA,
and how long your coverage may continue.
If You Lose These People Would For COBRA

Coverage Because Be Eligible Coverage Up To
Your employment You and your covered 18 months**

terminates* dependents
Your working hours You and your covered 18 months**
are reduced dependents
You are on active You and your covered 18 months
militar y leave dependents
You die Your covered dependents 36 months***
You divorce Your covered ex-spouse 36 months
Your dependent Children Your covered dependent 36 months
no longer qualify as Children
eligible dependents
* For any reason other than gross misconduct.

** Continued coverage for up to 29 months from the date of the initial event may be
available to those who, during the first 60 days of continuation coverage, become
Totally Disabled within the meaning of Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act.
This additional 11 months is available to employees and enrolled dependents if notice
of disability is provided within 60 days after the Social Security determination of
disability is issued and before the 18-month continuation period runs out. The
cost of the additional 11 months’ coverage will increase to 150% of the full cost
of coverage.
*** If you die, your covered dependents may be eligible to continue coverage at the Fund’s
expense for up to 60 months, as described earlier in this section.The 36 months of
COBRA continuation is included in the coverage the Fund provides to your dependents
after you die.
12
Newborn Children. If you have a newborn child adopt a child or have a
child placed with you for adoption while your continued coverage under
COBRA is in effect, you may add the child to your coverage. To add
coverage for the child, notify the Fund Office within 30 days of the child’s
bir th, adoption or placement for adoption.
FMLA Leave. If you are on an FMLA leave of absence, you will not experience
a qualifying event. However, if you do not return to active employment after
your FMLA leave of absence, you will experience a qualifying event of termination
of employment. The qualifying event of termination of employment will occur
at the earlier of the end of the FMLA leave or the date that you give notice to
your employer that you will not be returning to active employment.
Multiple Qualifying Events. If your covered dependents experience more

than one qualifying event while COBRA coverage is still in force, they may
be eligible for an additional period of continued coverage not to exceed a
total of 36 months from the date of the first qualifying event.
For example, if you terminate employment, you and your covered

dependents may be eligible for 18 months of continued coverage. During
this 18-month period, if your dependent child ceases to be a dependent
under the plan (a second qualifying event), your child may be eligible for an
additional period of continued coverage. The two periods combined may
not exceed a total of 36 months from the date of your termination (the
first qualifying event).
Notice of COBRA eligibility. Both you and the Fund Office have
responsibilities when qualifying events occur that make you or your covered
dependents eligible for continued coverage. The Fund Office will notify you
when you have insufficient hours in the bank for coverage.
Your family should notify the Fund Office in the event you die. You or your
eligible dependents are responsible for informing the Fund Office of a
divorce, a child losing dependent status or a determination of Social Security
disability within 60 days of the date of the event. If you do not notify the
Fund by the end of that period, your dependents will not be entitled to
continued coverage. After the Fund has been notified of a qualifying event,
it will send you information about your COBRA rights. You will have 60 days
to respond if you want to continue coverage. If you do not elect COBRA
coverage, your coverage will end.
13
Paying for COBRA coverage. If you or a covered dependent chooses to
continue coverage under COBRA, you or your covered dependent has
to pay the full cost of continued coverage under COBRA plus a 2%
administrative fee. If you are eligible for 29 months of continued coverage
due to disability, your premium may increase to 150% of the full cost of
continued coverage during the 19th to 29th months of coverage. Your first
payment must be made within 45 days after you elect to continue coverage.
All subsequent payments will be due on the first day of each month for
that month’s coverage. You will be notified in advance by the Fund Office if
the amount of your monthly payment changes.
The Fund has a special policy concerning your dependents’ coverage after
you die. Under this policy, your dependents do not have to pay for COBRA
coverage. The Fund will pay the full amount.
When COBRA coverage ends. COBRA coverage for you and/or your
covered dependents may end for any of the following reasons:
Coverage has continued for the maximum 18-, 29- or 36-month period.
The Fund no longer provides group health coverage.
The Fund terminates coverage for cause, such as fraudulent claim

submission, on the same basis that coverage could terminate for a
similarly situated Active Employee.
You or a dependent does not pay the cost of your COBRA coverage
when it is due or within any grace period.
You or a dependent becomes covered under another group health plan

that does not exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions or the pre-
existing conditions exclusion does not apply.
The person electing coverage is widowed or divorced, subsequently

remarries, and is covered under the new spouse’s group health plan.
You are continuing coverage during the 19th to 29th months of a

disability and the Social Security Administration determines you are no
longer disabled.
You or a covered dependent becomes entitled to Medicare.
14
Once your COBRA coverage ends for any reason, it cannot be reinstated.
Certificate of Creditable Coverage. When your COBRA continuation

coverage ends, you will be provided with a Cer tificate of Creditable
Coverage. The cer tificate may help reduce or eliminate any pre-existing
condition exclusion when you enroll in another health plan. The Cer tificate
of Creditable Coverage is par t of federal HIPAA legislation (described
earlier in the section called “Your HIPAA Rights”).
COBRA claims. Claims incurred by you will not be paid unless you have
elected COBRA coverage and pay the premiums, as required by law.
Summary. This description of your COBRA rights is only a general summary

of the law. The law itself must be consulted to determine how the law
would apply in any par ticular circumstance.
Continuation Under State Law

If you are not entitled to continuation coverage under COBRA, you may
be entitled to continuation of coverage under the provisions of your state
insurance law. If you have any questions
about eligibility, call the Fund
Office at 212-366-7300 or
800-529-3863.
15
HOSPITAL A N D MEDICAL BENEFITS
Which Plan You Receive

Your hospital and medical coverage is described in the next section of
this summary book. The Fund provides three plans with different levels of
coverage. You may be eligible for one of the plans as follows:
The Active Plan provides coverage to eligible Active Employees and

their dependents, and surviving dependents of deceased eligible Active
Employees. An Active Employee is a par ticipant who is currently eligible
using bank hours. These benefits are provided through Empire BlueCross
BlueShield.
The Retiree Plan provides coverage to eligible Retirees and their

dependents under 65 years old, and not otherwise eligible for Medicare.
A Retiree is any eligible par ticipant who is not currently eligible using bank
hours. These benefits are also provided through Empire BlueCross
BlueShield.
The Medicare Supplemental Plan provides coverage to eligible Retirees age

65 and over, their dependents age 65 and over and a Retiree or dependent
who is eligible for Medicare or becomes eligible for Medicare prior to age 65.
Under this Plan, covered benefits that are subject to Medicare deductibles and
coinsurance are provided through C&R Consulting, the company the Fund has
retained to administer the Medicare Supplemental portion of the program.
If you are eligible for Medicare, or become eligible for

Medicare, and you are not currently eligible for Fund benefits
using bank hours, Medicare has the primary responsibility for
your claims; the Welfare Fund has secondary responsibility.
You must enroll in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part
B as soon as you become eligible. If you are eligible for
Medicare but do not enroll in both Part A and Part B, Fund
benefits will be limited to secondary responsibility. The
section called “Medicare” information tells you about how
Medicare and the Medicare Supplemental Plan work.
How the Plan Works

The Fund’s hospital and medical coverage for Active Employees and
Retirees is offered through a “PPO” (preferred provider organization)
administered by Empire BlueCross BlueShield (“Empire”). Your coverage
under the Active Plan and the Retiree Plan includes a wide range of
medical services, including:
16
hospital services;
the services you receive from doctors and other health care providers,
both in and out of the hospital;
tests and X-rays of;
durable equipment and supplies; and
specialized services such as hospice care, home health care, physical

therapy, psychotherapy, and treatment for alcohol and substance abuse.
This section summarizes these benefits and Empire’s procedures.You can reach
Empire by phone at 800-553-9603 or on the Web at www.empireblue.com.
On the website, which is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, once
you’re registered, you can:
locate network providers and par ticipating hospitals;
check claim status;
view Explanations of Benefits (“EOBs”) and issued checks;
request copies of checks;
request new identification cards;

Don’t forget that certain
benefits need to be pre-
print temporary ID cards;
certified by Empire. You
get wellness information; and can find out which services
need precertification in the
update your contact information. section called “Your PPO
Benefits at a Glance.”
Precertification
Keep in mind that precertification by Empire is required for a variety of plan
benefits,* including admission to a hospital and other facilities, such as skilled
nursing facilities and hospices, surgery, maternity care, home health care, certain
diagnostic tests and procedures, and certain types of equipment and supplies.
Empire’s Medical Management Program handles precer tification. You can

reach them at 800-553-9603. A planned hospital admission or surger y
should be precer tified at least two weeks ahead of time. An emergency
admission should be cer tified no later than 48 hours after hospital
admission, unless it is not possible to do so within that time. Pregnancy
should be precer tified within three months of the beginning of the
pregnancy and again within 24 hours after delivery. If you fail to precer tify
when required, your benefits may be reduced or denied.
* Please refer to the “Your PPO Benefits at a Glance” section for more details on which services need to
be precertified.
17
In-Network and Out-of-Network Services
Under Empire BlueCross BlueShield
In-Network services are health care services provided by a doctor,
hospital or other health care facility that has been selected by Empire or
another Blue Cross or Blue Shield plan to provide care for PPO members.
Some of the key features of in-network services include:
The ability to choose providers from Empire’s network of doctors

and hospitals in New York State, as well as the national network of
Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans;
The freedom to use an in-network specialist without a referral;
Benefits for office visits and many other services that are paid in full
after a small copayment; and
Usually, there are no claim forms to file.
Out-of-Network services are health care services provided by a licensed

provider outside of Empire’s PPO network or the PPO networks of other
Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans. For most services, you may choose
in-network or out-of-network ser vice. However, some ser vices are only
available in-network, and these are described later. When you select
out-of-network services that are covered by the plan:
You pay an annual “deductible” and “coinsurance” on each covered

service, plus any amount above the “Allowed Amount” (the maximum
Empire will pay for a covered service);
You will usually have to pay the provider when you receive care;
You will need to file a claim form to be reimbursed by Empire; and
Payments from Empire are subject to a lifetime maximum benefit

per person.
The deductible applies separately to each family member until the family
deductible is met. However, there is an exception to this policy called a
“common accident benefit.” If two or more family members are injured in
the same accident and require medical care, only one individual deductible
must be met for all care related to the accident.
The following two examples show how the plan’s benefit for out-of-network
expenses is calculated.
Example under Active Employee Plan. Assume you go to a

doctor in Empire’s PPO Network. You pay $10 and the plan
pays the balance — there is no other cost to you.
18
Suppose you instead sought out-of-network care for the same
problem, and the out-of-network doctor charged you $100. Empire
initially determines that the “Allowed Amount” for the service is
$80. Then, assuming you have already met the yearly deductible,
the plan will pay 80% of $80, or $64, and you will pay $16 as
coinsurance. You will also be responsible for the $20 charged that
exceeds the Allowed Amount, so the total amount you will be
required to pay out of pocket for this service is $36.
Example under Retiree Plan. If you go to a doctor in Empire’s

PPO network, you pay a $12 copay and the plan pays the balance —
there is no other cost to you.
If, as in the example above, you instead sought out-of-network care

and the out-of-network doctor charged you $100, here’s how your
cost is calculated: If the “Allowed Amount” is $80, then, assuming
you have already met the yearly deductible, the plan will pay 70%
of $80, or $56, and you will pay $24 as coinsurance. You will also
be responsible for the $20 charged that exceeds the Allowed
Amount, so the total amount you will be required to pay out of
pocket for this service is $44.
Finding a Network Provider

The Fund Office will give you a copy of Empire’s PPO director y free of
charge. You can also locate a provider by calling Empire or visiting its
website (www.empireblue.com).
Your PPO Benefits Out of Area

When traveling in or outside the United States, you can call 800-810-BLUE
(2583) or visit www.bcbs.com for more information on participating providers.
Your PPO Benefits at a Glance

Empire’s PPO provides a broad range of benefits to you and your family.
Following is a brief overview, in char t format, of your coverage under the
Active and Retiree plans. A separate char t summarizing the benefits under
the Medicare Supplemental Plan is in the section called “Medicare.”
✆ When you see this sign on the char t, you’ll know that you or your doctor
will need to precer tify these services with Empire’s Medical Management
Program. In most cases, it is your responsibility to call. In some cases,
the provider or supplier of services needs to call.
19
HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES
AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
NOTE: All footnotes are explained at the end of this chart.
YO U PAY
IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
DEDUCTIBLE None $200 per individual

$500 per family
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE MAXIMUM None $2,000 per individual
PER CALENDAR YEAR $5,000 per family (charges applied
to the deductible and those in
excess of the “Allowed Amount”
for any service do not apply to
the out-of-pocket maximum)
LIFETIME MAXIMUM None $1,000,000 per individual
DOCTOR’S SERVICES (In Office) IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
OFFICE VISITS $10 copay per visit Deductible and 20% coinsurance
SPECIALIST VISITS $10 copay per visit
CHIROPRACTIC VISITS $10 copay per visit
✆ SECOND OR THIRD SURGICAL OPINION $10 copay per visit2
DIABETES EDUCATION AND $10 copay per visit
MANAGEMENT
ALLERGY TESTING $10 copay per visit
ALLERGY TREATMENT $0
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
• X-ray and other imaging $0
• All lab tests $0
✆ • MRIs/MRAs $0
SURGERY $0
CHEMOTHERAPY $0
X-RAY, RADIUM AND $0
RADIONUCLIDE THERAPY
✆ SECOND OR THIRD OPINION FOR $10 copay per visit $10 copay per visit when referred
CANCER DIAGNOSIS by a network physician; otherwise,
deductible and 20% coinsurance
20
YO U PAY
PREVENTIVE CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM $10 copay per visit Not covered

• One per calendar year
DIAGNOSTIC SCREENING TESTS $0 Deductible and 20% coinsurance
• Cholesterol: 1 every 2 years
• Diabetes (if pregnant or
considering pregnancy)
• Colorectal cancer
• Fecal occult blood test, if age 40 or
over: 1 per year
• Sigmoidoscopy, if age 40 or over:
1 every 2 years
• Routine Prostate Specific Antigen
(PSA) in asymptomatic males
• Between ages 40–75: 1 every 2 years
• Over age 75: 1 per year
• Diagnostic PSA: 1 per year
WELL-WOMAN CARE
• Office visits $10 copay per visit
• Pap smears $0
• Mammogram $0
(based on age and medical history)
• Ages 35–39: 1 baseline
• Ages 40–49: 1 every 2 years
• Age 50 and older : 1 per year
WELL-CHILD CARE
• Office visits and associated lab services $0 Deductible and 20% coinsurance
provided within 5 days of office visit
• Newborn: 1 exam at birth
• Birth to age 1: 6 visits
• Ages 1–2: 3 visits
• Ages 7 up to 19th birthday: 6 visits
• Immunizations $0
21
YO U PAY
EMERGENCY CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
EMERGENCY ROOM 3 $0 $0
PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE $10 copay per visit Deductible and 20% coinsurance
AMBULANCE (local professional ground $0 up to the Allowed Amount; you pay the difference
ambulance to nearest hospital) between the Allowed Amount and the total charge
MATERNITY CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
✆ PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL CARE $0 Deductible and 20% coinsurance

(in doctor’s office)
LAB TESTS, SONOGRAMS AND OTHER $0
ROUTINE NEWBORN NURSERY CARE $0
(in hospital)
OBSTETRICAL CARE (in hospital) $0
✆ OBSTETRICAL CARE (in birthing center) $0 Not covered
HOSPITAL SERVICES 4 IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
ANESTHESIA AND OXYGEN $0 Deductible and 20% coinsurance

BLOOD WORK $0
✆ CARDIAC REHABILITATION $10 copay per
outpatient visit
CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIATION THERAPY $0
DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY AND LAB TESTS $0
DRUGS AND DRESSINGS $0
GENERAL, SPECIAL AND CRITICAL $0
NURSING CARE
INTENSIVE CARE $0
KIDNEY DIALYSIS $0
PRE-SURGICAL TESTING $0
SEMI-PRIVATE ROOM AND BOARD $0
SERVICES OF LICENSED PHYSICIANS $0
AND SURGEONS
SURGERY (inpatient and outpatient) 5 $0
22
YO U PAY
DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
AND SUPPLIES
✆ DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT $0

(i.e., hospital bed, wheelchair, sleep
Not covered
apnea monitor)
✆ PROSTHETICS (i.e., artificial arms, legs, $0
eyes, ears)
MEDICAL SUPPLIES (i.e., catheters, $0 Difference between the Allowed

oxygen, syringes) Amount and the total charge
(deductible and coinsurance
do not apply)
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS (enteral $0 Deductible and 20% coinsurance

formulas and modified solid food
products)6
SKILLED NURSING AND HOSPICE CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
✆ SKILLED NURSING FACILITY

• Up to 60 days per calendar year $0
Not covered
✆ HOSPICE
• Up to 210 days per lifetime $0
HOME HEALTH CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
✆ HOME HEALTH CARE $0 20% coinsurance only;

• Up to 200 visits per calendar year no deductible
(a visit equals 4 hours of care)7
• Home infusion therapy $0 Not covered
PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1

OR VISION THERAPY
✆ PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION $0 Deductible and 20% coinsurance

• Up to 30 days of inpatient service per
calendar year7
• Up to 30 visits combined in home, office $10 copay per visit Not covered
or outpatient facility per calendar year
OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, VISION THERAPY
✆ • Up to 30 visits per person combined $10 copay per visit Not covered
in home, office or outpatient facility
per calendar year
23
YO U PAY
MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
✆ OUTPATIENT 8
• Up to 60 visits per calendar year 7 $25 copay per visit Deductible and 50% coinsurance
✆ INPATIENT (must be rendered in an

acute-care general hospital)
• Up to 30 days per calendar year 7 $0 Deductible and 50% coinsurance
• Up to 30 visits from mental health $0 Deductible and 50% coinsurance
care professionals per calendar year 7
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1

TREATMENT
✆ OUTPATIENT
• Up to 60 visits per calendar year, $0 Deductible and 20% coinsurance
including up to 20 visits for family
counseling7
✆ INPATIENT (must be rendered in a
acute-care general hospital)
• Up to 7 days detoxification per $0 Deductible and 50% coinsurance
calendar year7
• Up to 30 days rehabilitation per $0 Deductible and 50% coinsurance
calendar year7
1
Keep in mind that the out-of-network deductible, coinsurance and coinsurance maximum are subject to Empire’s “Allowed
Amount,” which is the maximum Empire pays for any service. Any portion of a charge that exceeds the Allowed Amount is
your responsibility.
2
The copayment is waived if the surgical opinion is arranged through Empire’s Medical Management Program.
3
If admitted, you or your representative must call Empire’s Medical Management Program within 24 hours, or as soon as
reasonably possible.
4
Does not include inpatient or outpatient behavioral health care or physical therapy/rehabilitation. Outpatient hospital
surgery and inpatient admissions need to be precertified.
5
When two (2) or more authorized surgical procedures are performed through the same incision, Empire pays for the
procedure with the highest Allowed Amount. When surgical procedures are performed through different incisions, Empire
will use the Allowed Amount for the procedure with the highest allowance and up to 50% of the procedure with the
lower Allowed Amount.
6
$2,500 combined in- and out-of-network limit for modified solid food products in any continuous 12-month period.
7
Treatment maximums are combined for in-network and out-of-network care.
8
Out-of-network mental health outpatient visits do not require precertification.
24
HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR RETIREES WHO ARE NOT
MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE AND NON–MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS OF RETIREES
YO U PAY
IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
DEDUCTIBLE None $200 per individual

$500 per family
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE MAXIMUM None $3,000 per individual
PER CALENDAR YEAR $7,500 per family (charges applied
to the deductible and those in
excess of the “Allowed Amount”
for any service do not apply to
the out-of-pocket maximum)
LIFETIME MAXIMUM None $1,000,000 per individual
(combined with active benefits
received)
DOCTOR’S SERVICES (In Office) IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
OFFICE VISITS $12 copay per visit Deductible and 30% coinsurance
SPECIALIST VISITS $12 copay per visit
CHIROPRACTIC VISITS $12 copay per visit
✆ SECOND OR THIRD SURGICAL OPINION $12 copay per visit2
DIABETES EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT $12 copay per visit
ALLERGY TESTING $12 copay per visit
ALLERGY TREATMENT $0
• X-ray and other imaging $0
• All lab tests $0
✆ • MRIs/MRAs $0
SURGERY $0
CHEMOTHERAPY $0
X-RAY, RADIUM AND RADIONUCLIDE $0
THERAPY
✆ SECOND OR THIRD OPINION FOR $12 copay per visit $12 copay per visit when referred
CANCER DIAGNOSIS by a network physician; deductible
and 30% coinsurance otherwise
25
YO U PAY
PREVENTIVE CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM $12 copay per visit Not covered

• One per calendar year
DIAGNOSTIC SCREENING TESTS $0 Not covered
• Cholesterol: 1 every 2 years
• Diabetes (if pregnant or
considering pregnancy)
• Colorectal cancer
• Fecal occult blood test, if age 40 or
over: 1 per year
• Sigmoidoscopy, if age 40 or over:
1 every 2 years
• Routine Prostate Specific Antigen
(PSA) in asymptomatic males
• Between ages 40–75: 1 every 2 years
• Over age 75: 1 per year
• Diagnostic PSA: 1 per year
WELL-WOMAN CARE
• Office visits $12 copay per visit Deductible and 30% coinsurance
• Pap smears $0
• Mammogram $0
(based on age and medical history)
• Ages 35–39: 1 baseline
• Ages 40–49: 1 every 2 years
• Age 50 and older : 1 per year
WELL-CHILD CARE
• Office visits and associated lab services $0 Deductible and 30% coinsurance
provided within 5 days of office visit
• Newborn: 1 exam at birth
• Birth to age 1: 6 visits
• Ages 3– 6: 4 visits
• Ages 7 up to 19th birthday: 6 visits
• Immunizations $0
26
YO U PAY
EMERGENCY CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
EMERGENCY ROOM 3 $353 $353
PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE $12 copay per visit Deductible and 30% coinsurance
AMBULANCE (local professional ground $0 up to the Allowed Amount; you pay the difference
ambulance to nearest hospital) between the Allowed Amount and the total charge
MATERNITY CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
✆ PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL CARE $0 Deductible and 30% coinsurance

(in doctor’s office)
LAB TESTS, SONOGRAMS AND OTHER $0
ROUTINE NEWBORN NURSERY CARE $0
(in hospital)
✆ OBSTETRICAL CARE (in hospital) $0
✆ OBSTETRICAL CARE (in birthing center) $0 Not covered
✆ HOSPITAL SERVICES 4 IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
ANESTHESIA AND OXYGEN $0 Deductible and 30% coinsurance

BLOOD WORK $0
✆ CARDIAC REHABILITATION $12 copay per
outpatient visit
CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIATION $0
THERAPY
DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY AND LAB TESTS $0
DRUGS AND DRESSINGS $0
GENERAL, SPECIAL AND CRITICAL $0
NURSING CARE
INTENSIVE CARE $0
KIDNEY DIALYSIS $0
PRE-SURGICAL TESTING $0
SEMI-PRIVATE ROOM AND BOARD $0
SERVICES OF LICENSED PHYSICIANS $0
AND SURGEONS
SURGERY (inpatient and outpatient) 5 $0
27
YO U PAY
DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
AND SUPPLIES
✆ DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT $0 Not covered

(i.e., hospital bed, wheelchair, sleep
apnea monitor)
✆ PROSTHETICS (i.e., artificial arms, legs, $0
eyes, ears)
MEDICAL SUPPLIES (i.e., catheters, $0 Difference between the Allowed

oxygen, syringes) Amount and the total charge
(deductible and coinsurance
do not apply)
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS (enteral $0 Deductible and 30% coinsurance

formulas and modified solid food
products) 6
SKILLED NURSING AND HOSPICE CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
✆ SKILLED NURSING FACILITY

• Up to 60 days per calendar year $0 Not covered
✆ HOSPICE
• Up to 210 days per lifetime $0
HOME HEALTH CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
✆ HOME HEALTH CARE $0 30% coinsurance only;

• Up to 200 visits per calendar year no deductible
(a visit equals 4 hours of care)7
• Home infusion therapy $0 Not covered
PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1

OR VISION THERAPY
✆ PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION $0 Deductible and 30% coinsurance

• Up to 30 days of inpatient service per
calendar year7
• Up to 30 visits combined in home, $12 copay per visit Not covered
office or outpatient facility per
calendar year
✆ OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, VISION THERAPY
• Up to 30 visits per person combined $12 copay per visit Not covered
in home, office or outpatient facility
per calendar year
28
YO U PAY
MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1
✆ OUTPATIENT
• Up to 20 visits per calendar year $25 copay per visit Not covered
✆ INPATIENT
• Up to 30 days per calendar year $0 Not covered
• Up to 30 visits from mental health $0 Not covered
care professionals per calendar year
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN-NETWORK OUT-OF-NETWORK 1

TREATMENT
✆ OUTPATIENT
• Up to 60 visits per calendar year, $0 Deductible and 30% coinsurance
including up to 20 visits for family
counseling 7
✆ INPATIENT
• Up to 7 days detoxification per $0 Not covered
calendar year
1
Don’t forget that the out-of-network deductible, coinsurance and coinsurance maximum are subject to Empire’s “Allowed
Amount,” which is the maximum Empire pays for any service. Any portion of a charge that exceeds the Allowed Amount is
your responsibility.
2
The copayment is waived if the surgical opinion is arranged through Empire’s Medical Management Program.
3
Waived if admitted to the hospital. If admitted you or your representative must call Empire’s Medical Management
Program within 24 hours, or as soon as reasonably possible.
4
Does not include inpatient or outpatient behavioral health care or physical therapy/rehabilitation. Outpatient hospital
surgery and inpatient admissions need to be precertified.
5
When two (2) or more authorized surgical procedures are performed through the same incision, Empire pays for the
procedure with the highest Allowed Amount. When surgical procedures are performed through different incisions, Empire
will use the Allowed Amount for the procedure with the highest allowance and up to 50% of the procedure with the
lower Allowed Amount.
6
$2,500 combined in- and out-of-network limit for modified solid food products in any continuous 12-month period.
7
Treatment maximums are combined for in-network and out-of-network care.
29
OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES UN DER
EMPIRE BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD
What’s Covered
Covered services are listed in the char ts on the preceding pages. Following
are additional covered services and limitations under Empire BlueCross
BlueShield:
Consultation requested by an attending physician for advice on an illness

or Injury;
Diabetes supplies prescribed by an authorized provider :

Blood glucose monitors, including monitors for the legally blind;
Testing strips;
Insulin, syringes, injection aids, car tridges for the legally blind, insulin
pumps and appur tenances and insulin infusion devices;
Oral agents for controlling blood sugar ;
Other equipment and supplies required by the New York State Health
Depar tment; and
Data-management systems;
Diabetes self-management education and diet information, including:

Education by a physician, cer tified nurse practitioner or member of
their staff; benefits for medically necessar y office visits include
Don’t forget that this section education at the time of diagnosis, when the patient’s condition
covers only benefits provided changes significantly, and when BlueCross determines medical necessity;
by Empire BlueCross BlueShield.
If you or a dependent has Education by a cer tified diabetes nurse educator, cer tified nutritionist,
Medicare Supplemental certified dietician or registered dietician when referred by a physician
coverage, you’ll find more
or cer tified nurse practitioner. This benefit may be limited to a group
details in a following section.
You may also contact C&R setting when appropriate; and
Consulting at 866-320-3807 Home visits for education when Medically Necessary;
for more information.
Diagnosis and treatment of degenerative joint disease related to
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome that is not a dental condition;
Medically Necessary hearing examinations; and
Foot care associated with disease affecting the lower limbs, such as
severe diabetes, which requires care from a podiatrist or physician.
30
What’s Not Covered
The following medical services are not covered:
Routine foot care, including care of corns, bunions, calluses, toenails, flat
feet, fallen arches, weak feet and chronic foot strain;
Symptomatic complaints of the feet except capsular or bone surgery

related to bunions and hammer toes;
Or thotics for treatment of routine foot care;
Routine hearing exams;
Hearing aids and the examination for their fitting (however, these may be
provided under the Fund’s “Hearing Aid Benefit”);
Services such as laboratory, X-ray and imaging and pharmacy services as

required by law from a facility in which the referring physician or his/her
immediate family member has a financial interest or relationship; and
Services given by an unlicensed provider or performed outside the scope

of the provider’s license.
Extra Benefits
Your Empire coverage entitles you to special benefits at fitness facilities
and Weight Watchers. Check Empire’s website at www.empireblue.com for
more information.
Emergency Care
Emergency care is covered in the hospital emergency room. To be covered
as emergency care, the condition must be one in which a prudent layperson,
who has an average knowledge of medicine and health, could reasonably
expect that without emergency care the condition would:
place your health in serious jeopardy;
cause serious problems with your bodily functions, organs or par ts;
cause serious disfigurement; or
in the case of behavioral health, place others or yourself in serious

jeopardy.
31
Sometimes you need medical care for a condition that is not an emergency
(i.e., bronchitis, high fever, sprained ankle), but that is urgent and you can not
wait for a regular appointment. If you need urgent care, call your physician
or his or her backup. You can also call the Empire HealthLine toll-free at
877-TALK-2RN (825-5276) for advice, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you make an emergency visit to your doctor’s office, you pay the same
copayment as for an office visit.
Please note that there may be circumstances where you will receive care in
an emergency room from a non-participating provider who bills you separately
from the hospital. In these instances, you may incur out-of-pocket expenses.
Benefits for treatment in a hospital emergency room are limited to

the initial visit for an emergency condition. A par ticipating provider must
provide all follow-up care in order to receive maximum benefits.
It’s important to remember If you have an emergency outside Empire’s Operating Area, and you go
that if you are admitted to to a BlueCross par ticipating hospital, your claim will be treated the same
the hospital in an emergency as it would in Empire’s network. If the hospital is not a par ticipating
situation, you or your
hospital, then you will need to file a claim.
representative must call
Empire’s Medical Management The following services are not covered:
Program within 24 hours,
or as soon as is reasonably use of the emergency room to treat routine ailments, because you
practical.
have no regular physician or because it is late at night (and the need
for treatment is not sudden and serious); or
ambulette.
Maternity Care Under BlueCross BlueShield

After the initial office visit copayment, there are no out-of-pocket expenses
for maternity and newborn care when you use in-network providers. In
addition, routine tests related to pregnancy, obstetrical care in a hospital
or bir thing center, as well as routine newborn nurser y care, are all 100%
covered when provided in-network.
For out-of-network maternity services, you pay the deductible, coinsurance,

and any amount due in excess of your plan reimbursement. Empire’s
reimbursement may be consolidated in up to three installments, as follows:
two payments for prenatal care; and
one payment for delivery and post-natal care.
32
Whether you receive in-network or out-of-network services, you need to
remember to call Empire’s Medical Management Program at 800-841-2530
within the first three months of a pregnancy and again within 24 hours
after delivery of the baby.
Covered maternity services are listed in the char t in the section called
“Your PPO Benefits at a Glance.” Following are additional covered services
and limitations:
One home care visit fully covered by Empire if the mother decides to
leave the hospital or in-network bir thing center earlier than the 48-hour
(or 96-hour) limit. The mother must request the visit from the hospital
or a home health care agency within this time frame (precer tification is
not required). The visit will take place within 24 hours after either the
discharge or the time of the request, whichever is later.
Services of a cer tified nurse-midwife affiliated with a licensed facility. Don’t forget to notify Empire
The nurse-midwife’s services must be provided under the direction of within three months after the
a physician. pregnancy begins and again
within 24 hours after delivery
Parent education, and assistance and training in breast or bottle feeding, of the baby.
if available.
Circumcision of newborn males.
Special care for the baby if the baby stays in the hospital longer than the
mother. Call Empire’s Medical Management Program to precer tify the
hospital stay.
A semi-private room.
These maternity services are not covered:
Days in a hospital that are not Medically Necessary (beyond the 48-hour/
96-hour limits).
Services that are not Medically Necessary.
A private room.
Out-of-Network bir thing center facilities.
Private duty nursing.
33
Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act
of 1996
The plan may not, under federal law, restrict benefits for any hospital length
of stay in connection with childbir th for the mother or the newborn child
to less than 48 hours following a vaginal deliver y, or less than 96 hours
following a Cesarean section. However, federal law generally does not
prohibit the mother’s or newborn’s attending provider, after consulting with
the mother, from discharging the mother or her newborn child earlier than
48 hours (or 96 hours, as applicable). In any case, the plan may not, under
federal law, require that a provider obtain authorization from Empire’s
Medical Management Program for prescribing a length of stay not in excess
of 48 hours (or 96 hours).
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Empire BlueCross BlueShield covers up to 30 days of inpatient physical
therapy and rehabilitation, and up to 30 visits combined for physical
therapy in your home, doctor’s office or outpatient facility. Services are
covered only if they are intended to restore normal functioning that has
been impaired by an illness or Injury. The plan does not cover therapy to
maintain or prevent deterioration of your current physical abilities.
Precer tification is required.
Occupational, Speech and Vision Therapy

Empire BlueCross BlueShield coverage for occupational, speech and vision
therapy is provided for up to 30 visits combined in your home, doctor’s
office or outpatient facility. The plan does not cover tests, evaluations or
diagnoses received within 12 months prior to a doctor’s referral or order
for occupational, speech or vision therapy.
Outpatient physical, occupational, speech and vision therapy

services are available in-network only. Inpatient physical therapy can
be in-network or out-of-network, but requires precertification.
34
Behavioral Health Care
Outpatient treatment by a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist or cer tified
social worker with six or more years of post-degree experience will be
covered by Empire for up to 60 visits per calendar year under the Active
Plan and 20 visits per calendar year under the Retiree Plan. Facility charges
of a hospital are covered for up to 30 inpatient days per calendar year,
and the plan also covers up to 30 inpatient visits per calendar year from
mental health care professionals. The plan also covers electro-convulsive
therapy for treatment of mental or behavioral disorders.
All mental heath treatment, except for out-of-network outpatient services

(which are available only under the Active Plan), must be precer tified by
Empire’s Behavioral Health Care Management Program. You can reach the
Program at the same toll-free telephone number that you call to precer tify
any other services, which is 800-553-9603. If you do not obtain precertification,
coverage will be reduced by 50% for any inpatient visit or outpatient visit
to an in-network provider. Coverage for inpatient hospital charges will be
reduced by 50% up to a maximum of $2,500-per-inpatient admission for
mental health.
Certain plan benefits — including
The following mental health services are not covered: occupational, speech, vision
and physical therapy; behavorial
Care from psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers who are not health care; and alcohol and
cer tified according to New York State Insurance Law or comparable substance abuse treatment —
have limits on the number
legislation outside New York State; and of visits or days of inpatient
care you can receive in a
Out-of-network inpatient mental health care at a facility that is not an
calendar year.
acute care general hospital.
The Fund complies with the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, which
prohibits annual or lifetime dollar limits on mental health benefits that are
not imposed on substantially all medical and surgical benefits, effective for
the first Plan year beginning on or after January 1, 1998.
35
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment
Empire covers outpatient services for the treatment of alcoholism and
drug abuse for up to 60 visits per calendar year, including up to 20 visits
for family counseling.
Inpatient treatment for alcoholism and drug abuse will be covered for up
to 30 days per calendar year for rehabilitation and up to 7 days per
calendar year for detoxification.
All substance abuse treatment must be precer tified by Empire’s Behavioral

Health Care Management Program. You can reach the Program at the same
toll-free telephone number that you call to precer tify any other services,
which is 800-553-9603. If you do not obtain precer tification, coverage will
be reduced by 50% for any outpatient visits. Coverage for inpatient hospital
charges will be reduced by 50% up to a maximum of $2,500.
The following alcohol and substance abuse treatment services are

not covered:
Out-of-network out-patient alcohol or substance abuse treatment at a

facility that does not meet Empire’s cer tification requirements;
Care that is not Medically Necessary;
Out-of-network inpatient alcohol- or substance-abuse rehabilitation at

a facility that is not an acute care general hospital; and
Out-of-network inpatient detoxification at a facility that is not an acute

care general hospital.
Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies

Empire covers the full cost of Medically Necessary prosthetics and durable
medical equipment from network suppliers only. Out-of-network benefits
are not available.
To receive Durable Medical The network supplier must precer tify the rental or purchase by calling
Equipment and Supplies, you Empire’s Medical Management Program at 800-553-9603. When using a
must go to an in-network
supplier outside Empire’s Operating Area through the BlueCard PPO
provider.
Program, you are responsible for precer tifying services. If you receive a bill
from one of these providers, contact Member Services at 800-553-9603.
Disposable medical supplies, such as syringes, are covered up to the

Allowed Amount whether you obtain them in- or out-of-network.
Coverage for enteral formulas or other dietar y supplements for cer tain
severe conditions is available both in- and out-of network. Benefits and plan
maximums are shown in “Your PPO Benefits at a Glance” section.
36
Covered services are listed in “Your Benefits At a Glance” section. Following
are additional covered services and limitations:
Prosthetics and durable medical equipment from network suppliers, when

prescribed by a doctor and approved by Empire’s Medical Management
Program, including:
Ar tificial arms, legs, eyes, ears, nose, larynx and external breast
prostheses;
Prescription lenses, if organic lens is lacking;
Suppor tive devices essential to the use of an ar tificial limb;
Corrective braces; and
Wheelchairs, hospital-type beds, oxygen equipment, sleep apnea
monitors;
Rental (or purchase when more economical) of Medically Necessary

durable medial equipment;
Replacement of covered medical equipment because of wear, damage or

change in patient’s need, when ordered by a physician;
Reasonable cost of repairs and maintenance for covered medical

equipment;
Enteral formulas with a written order from a physician or other licensed

health care provider. The order must state that:
The formula is Medically Necessary and effective; and
Without the formula, the patient would become malnourished, suffer
from serious physical disorders or die;
Modified solid food products for the treatment of cer tain inherited
diseases. A physician or other licensed health care provider must provide
a written order.
The following equipment is not covered:
air conditioners or purifiers;
humidifiers or de-humidifiers;
exercise equipment;
swimming pools;
false teeth (However, you may be entitled to coverage through the

Fund’s Dental Benefit. See the section on dental benefits for more
information.); or
hearing aids (However, you may be entitled to coverage through the

Fund’s Hearing Aid Benefit. See the section on Hearing Aid benefits for
more information.) 37
HOSPITAL SERVICES U N DER EMPIRE
BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD
If You Visit the Hospital

Your PPO covers most or all of the cost of Medically Necessary care when
you stay at a network hospital for surgery or other treatment of illness or
Injur y. When you use an out-of-network hospital or facility, you pay the
deductible and coinsurance, plus any amount above Empire’s Allowed Amount.
You are also covered for same-day (outpatient or ambulator y) hospital

services, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and
kidney dialysis. Same-day surgical services or invasive diagnostic procedures
are covered when they:
Remember to call Empire’s are performed in a same-day or hospital outpatient surgical facility;
Medical Management Program
at 800-553-9603 at least two require the use of both surgical operating and postoperative recovery
weeks prior to any planned rooms;
surgery or hospital admission.
For an emergency admission may require either local or general anesthesia;
or surgical procedure, call
Medical Management within do not require inpatient hospital admission because it is not appropriate
24 hours, or as soon as or Medically Necessary; and
reasonably possible. Other-
wise, your benefits may be would justify an inpatient hospital admission in the absence of a same-day
reduced by 50%. surgery program.
The medical necessity and
length of any hospital stay Note: If you or a covered dependent is covered under the Medicare
are subject to Empire’s Medical Supplemental Plan, see the next section for information on hospitalization
Management Program guide- benefits.You can also get more information on Medicare benefits by
lines. If Medical Management contacting Medicare at 800-MEDICARE (633-4227) or visiting its website
determines that the admission
or surgery is not Medically at www.medicare.gov.You can get more information on your Medicare
Necessary, no benefits will be supplemental benefits by contacting C&R Consulting at 866-320-3807.
paid. See the “Special Programs”
section for more information. If surgery is performed in a network hospital, you will receive in-network
benefits for the anesthesiologist, whether or not the anesthesiologist is in
the network.
When you use a network hospital, you will not need to file a claim in
most cases. When you use an out-of-network hospital, you may need to file
a claim. See the “How to File a Claim” section for more information.
38
Tips for Getting Hospital Care
If your doctor prescribes pre-surgical testing, have your tests done
within seven days prior to surgery at the hospital where surgery will be
performed. For pre-surgical testing to be covered, you need to have a
reservation for both a hospital bed and an operating room.
If you are having same-day surger y, the hospital or outpatient facility

may require that someone meet you after the surgery to take you home.
Ask about their policy and make arrangements for transpor tation before
you go in for surgery.
Inpatient and Outpatient Hospital Care

Covered hospital services through Empire BlueCross BlueShield are listed in
the “Your PPO Benefits at a Glance” section. Following are additional covered
services and limitations for both inpatient and outpatient (same-day) care:
Diagnostic X-rays and lab tests, and other diagnostic tests such as EKG’s,
EEG’s or endoscopies;
Oxygen and other inhalation therapeutic services and supplies and

anesthesia (including equipment for administration);
Anesthesiologist, including one consultation before surgery and services

during and after surgery;
Blood and blood derivatives for emergency care, same-day surgery or

Medically Necessary conditions, such as treatment for hemophilia; and
MRIs/MRAs when pre-approved by Empire’s Medical Management Program.
39
Inpatient Hospital Care
Following are additional covered services for inpatient care (coverage is for
unlimited days, subject to Empire’s Medical Management Program review,
unless otherwise specified):
Semi-private room and board when:

The patient is under the care of a physician; and
A hospital stay is Medically Necessary.
Operating and recovery rooms;
Special diet and nutritional services while in the hospital;
Cardiac care unit;
Services of a licensed physician or surgeon employed by the hospital;
Care related to surgery;
Breast cancer surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy), including:

Reconstruction following surgery;
Surgery on the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance;
Prostheses; and
Treatment of physical complications at any stage of a mastectomy,
including lymphedemas;
Use of cardiographic equipment;
Drugs, dressings and other Medically Necessary supplies;
Social, psychological and pastoral services;
Reconstructive surgery associated with injuries unrelated to cosmetic

surgery;
Reconstructive surgery for a functional defect that is present from bir th;
Physical, occupational, speech and vision therapy including facilities,

services, supplies and equipment; and
Facilities, services, supplies and equipment related to Medically Necessary

medical care.
40
Outpatient Hospital Care
Following are additional covered services for same-day care under Empire
BlueCross BlueShield:
Same-day and hospital outpatient surgical facilities;
Surgeon;
Surgical assistant if:

None is available in the hospital or facility where the surgery is
performed; and
The surgical assistant is not a hospital employee;
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, including medications, in a hospital

outpatient depar tment, doctor’s office or facility. Medications that are
par t of outpatient hospital treatment are covered if they are prescribed
by the hospital and filled by the hospital pharmacy;
Kidney dialysis treatment (including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)

in the following settings, until the patient becomes eligible for end-stage
renal disease dialysis benefits under Medicare:
At home, when provided, supervised and arranged by a physician and

the patient has registered with an approved kidney disease treatment
center (professional assistance to perform dialysis and any furniture,
electrical plumbing or other fixtures needed in the house to permit
home dialysis treatment are not covered); and
In a hospital-based or free-standing facility (see “Hospital Facility” in

the “Glossary” section).
41
Hospice Care
Empire provides in-network coverage only for up to 210 lifetime days
of hospice care to the terminally ill. Care can be provided in a hospice,
the hospice area of a network hospital or at home. In order to receive
maximum benefits, please call 800-553-9603 to precer tify hospice care
with Empire’s Medical Management Program. Coverage is included for :
up to 12 hours of intermittent care each day by a registered nurse or

licensed practical nurse;
medical care given by a hospice doctor ;
drugs and medications prescribed by the doctor (as long as they are
not experimental and are approved for use by the most recent
“Physician’s Desk Reference”);
physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy for control

of symptoms;
lab tests, X-rays, chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
social and counseling services for the patient’s family, including

bereavement counseling visits until one year after the patient’s death;
transpor tation between the patient’s home and the hospital or hospice,
when Medically Necessary;
medical supplies and rental of durable medical equipment; and
up to 14 hours of respite care in any week.
Skilled Nursing Care

Empire provides in-network coverage only for up to 60 inpatient days per
calendar year in a network skilled nursing facility if you need medical care,
nursing care or rehabilitation services. Prior hospitalization is not required
in order to be eligible for benefits, but you must precer tify. Services are
covered if:
The doctor provides:

a referral and written treatment plan;
a projected length of stay;
an explanation of the services the patient needs; and
the intended benefits of care; and
42
Care is under the direct supervision of a physician, registered nurse (RN),
physical therapist or other health care professional.
The following skilled nursing care services are not covered:
Skilled nursing facility care that primarily:

gives assistance with daily living activities;
is for rest or for the aged, or ;
treats drug addiction or alcoholism; and
Convalescent care, sanitarium-type care, or rest cures.
Home Health Care

Empire provides coverage for up to 200 precertified visits per year (combined
in-network and out-of-network limit) by a state-cer tified home health care
agency. A visit is defined as up to 4 hours of home health care, and the plan
will cover up to 12 hours (three visits) of care per day. Coverage is included
for part-time care by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or home
health aide; physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy (if restorative);
laboratory tests; and medications, medical equipment and supplies prescribed
by a doctor. The plan will also cover home infusion therapy, but only when
provided by a network supplier. All home health care must be precertified by
Empire’s Medical Management Program. Your physician must cer tify home
health care as Medically Necessary and approve a written treatment plan.
The plan does not cover custodial services such as bathing, feeding, or other
services that do not require skilled care, nor does it cover out-of-network
home infusion therapy.
Medical Necessity
Your benefits cover claims for Medically Necessary care. Services, supplies
Only services that are
or equipment provided by a hospital or health care provider are Medically “Medically Necessary” are
Necessary if Empire determines that they are: covered by the Fund.
consistent with the symptoms or diagnosis and treatment of the patient’s

condition, illness or Injury;
appropriate with regard to standards of good medical practice;
not solely for the patient’s, family’s or provider’s convenience;
not primarily custodial; and
the most appropriate level of service for the patient’s safety.
43
SPECIAL PROGRA MS PROVIDED
THROUGH EMPIRE BLUECROSS
BLUESHIELD
New Medical Technology

Empire uses a committee composed of Empire Medical Directors, who are
doctors, and an outside medical consultant to continuously evaluate new
medical technology that has not yet been designated as a covered service.
If you want to request cer tification of a new medical technology before
beginning treatment, your provider must contact Empire’s Medical
Management Program. The provider will be asked to do the following:
Provide full suppor ting documentation about the new medical

technology;
Explain how standard medical treatment has been ineffective or would
be medically inappropriate; and
Send Empire scientific peer-reviewed literature that suppor ts the
effectiveness of this par ticular technology. The literature must not be
in the form of an abstract or individual case study.
Empire’s staff will evaluate the proposal in light of your contract and Empire’s
current medical policy. Empire will then review the proposal, taking into
account relevant medical literature, including current peer-reviewed articles
and reviews. Empire may use outside consultants, if necessary. If the request is
complicated, Empire may refer your proposal to a multi-specialty team of
physicians or to a national ombudsman program designed to review such
proposals. Empire will send all decisions to the member and/or provider.
Empire’s Medical Management Program

Empire’s Medical Management Program is a ser vice that precer tifies
hospital admissions and cer tain treatments and procedures to ensure that
you receive high-quality care for the right length of time, in the right
setting, with maximum coverage.
When you call Empire’s Medical Management Program, you reach a team
of professionals who know how to help you manage your benefits to your
best advantage. They can help you to:
learn more about your health care options;
choose the most appropriate health care setting or services (e.g.,

hospital or same-day surgery unit);
44
avoid unnecessary hospitalization and the associated risks, whenever
possible; and
arrange for any required (and covered) discharge services.
To help ensure that you receive quality care, Empire’s Medical Management
Program works with you and your provider to:
review planned and emergency hospital admissions;
review ongoing hospitalization;
coordinate purchase and replacement of durable medical equipment,

prosthetics and or thotics;
review inpatient and same-day surgery;
review routine maternity admissions;
perform individual case management;
review care in a hospice or skilled nursing facility;
review home health care and home infusion therapy; and
coordinate discharge planning.
In most cases, you or someone acting on your behalf needs to call the
Medical Management Program to precer tify hospital admissions and cer tain
services. In other cases, the vendor or provider of services needs to call.
This will ensure you receive maximum benefits.
If you call to precer tify ser vices as needed, you will receive maximum
benefits. Otherwise, benefits may be reduced by 50%, up to $2,500 for
each admission, treatment or procedure. This benefit reduction also applies
to same-day surgery and professional services rendered during an inpatient
admission. If the admission or procedure is not Medically Necessary, no
benefits will be paid.
45
Case Management
Case Management is a voluntary program that helps members with a serious
chronic or catastrophic condition find quality care that is appropriate, necessary
and cost efficient. A case manager works with you and your doctor to provide
assistance and support, and to help arrange the treatment you need.
Case management can help with cases such as:
cancer ;
stroke;
AIDS;
hemophilia; and
spinal cord injuries.
Assistance from Case Management is evaluated and provided on a case-by-case

basis. In some situations, Empire’s Medical Management Program staff will
initiate a review of a patient’s health status and the attending doctor’s plan
of care. They may determine that a level of benefits not necessarily provided
by the PPO is desirable, appropriate and cost effective. If you would like
Case Management assistance following an illness or surgery, contact Empire’s
Medical Management Program at 800-553-9603.
Empire HealthLine
Empire offers you access to a 24-hour telephone information service called
Empire HealthLine. You can call Empire HealthLine anytime, 24 hours a day,
You can reach a registered to speak to a registered nurse or listen to any of over 1,100 audiotape
nurse 24 hours a day by messages on a wide variety of medical subjects. The telephone number is
calling Empire’s “HealthLine” 877-TALK-2RN (825-5276). If you do not speak English, interpreters are
at 877-825-5276.
also available through the AT&T language line.
Empire’s specially trained nurses can answer questions and provide

assistance when you need to talk to a health care professional right away.
For example, you can call Empire HealthLine if your son has a fever in
the middle of the night and you don’t know what medicine to give him; if
your daughter cuts her hand on a piece of glass and you are not sure if
you need to go to the emergency room; or you sprain your ankle while
travelling out of the area and do not know where to go for help.
Empire HealthLine is not for life-threatening emergencies, such as a hear t

attack or stroke. In these cases, call 911 or your local emergency service
as soon as possible.
46
BlueCard Program/BlueCard Worldwide Program
Through the BlueCard Program, you can get access to Blue Cross networks
throughout the United States. To receive in-network benefits, you must
use a provider in the BlueCard PPO Program.
The BlueCard Worldwide Program provides hospital and professional

coverage through an international network of healthcare providers, and
helps you locate licensed English-speaking professionals outside the United
States.Complete details on the BlueCard Program and the BlueCard
Worldwide Program are available from Empire.
47
HOW TO FILE A N EMPIRE BLUECROSS
BLUESHIELD CLAIM
If You Receive Services from a Hospital

Most hospitals in the Empire Operating Area of 28 counties in eastern
New York State send bills directly to Empire. If you go to a hospital that
does not par ticipate with Empire, you may have to pay the hospital’s bill. If
this happens, submit a completed claim form with an Itemized Bill from
the hospital to:
Empire BlueCross BlueShield

P. O. Box 1407
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008-1407
ATTN: Institutional Claims Depar tment
If You Receive Services from a Preferred

Provider
Your provider may ask you to assign benefits, so that the provider can file a
claim and be paid directly by Empire. In these instances, you will be responsible
for paying the regular copayment or coinsurance to the provider.You do not
have to file a claim yourself.
If You Receive Covered Services from a

Non-Preferred Provider
You must complete a claim form, sign it, and send it to Empire with the
original Itemized Bill(s). Be sure to keep a copy of your claim form and
bills for your own records.
You may obtain a claim form by visiting Empire’s website at

www.empireblue.com or calling Member Services toll-free at
800-553-9603. Completed forms should be sent to:

P. O. Box 1407
New York, NY 10008-1407
ATTN: Medical Claims Depar tment
In the section called “Claims and Appeals Procedures” you’ll find additional
impor tant information on filing claims, and procedures to follow if your
claim is denied in whole or in par t and you wish to appeal the decision.
48
Exclusions and Limitations
The following ser vices are not covered and are not eligible for
reimbursement under your Empire BlueCross and BlueShield Plan:
Dental ser vices, including but not limited to filling cavities, tooth
extractions, periodontal treatment, or thodontia, dentures, treatment
of temporomandibular joint syndrome that is dental in nature and
or thognathic surger y. (Some ser vices may be covered by the dental
plan. See the section on dental benefits or contact the Fund Office
for more information.)
Services that are experimental or investigational, as determined by

Empire, including any hospitalization in connection with experimental
or investigational treatment. A service is generally considered to be
experimental or investigational if its effectiveness has not been proven
and is not generally recognized as being effective by the medical
community (as reflected in published medical literature).
Government approval of a specific technology or treatment does not

necessarily prove that it is appropriate or effective for a par ticular
diagnosis or treatment of a covered person’s condition. Empire may
require that any or all of the following criteria be met to determine that
a technology, treatment, procedure, biological product, medical device or
drug is not experimental, investigative, obsolete or ineffective:
There is final market approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(the “FDA”) for the patient’s particular diagnosis or condition, except
for certain drugs prescribed for the treatment of cancer. Once the FDA
approves use of a medical device, drug or biological product for a
particular diagnosis or condition, use for another diagnosis or condition
may require that additional criteria be met.
Published peer-review medical literature must conclude that the

technology has a definite positive effect on health outcomes.
Published evidence must show that over time the treatment improves
health outcomes (i.e., the beneficial effects outweigh any harmful
effects) or that it can be used in appropriate medical situations
where the established treatment cannot be used. Published evidence
must show that the treatment improves health outcomes in standard
medical practice, not just in an experimental laboratory setting.
Services covered under government programs, such as services provided

at a veteran’s hospital, or which the government has a primary obligation
to pay for.
Services performed at home, except for those services specifically noted

elsewhere in this summary as available either at home or as an emergency.
Services for which there would be no charge in the absence of this coverage. 49
Ser vices performed by hospital or institutional staff that are billed
separately from other hospital or institutional services, except as specified.
Services that are not Medically Necessary in Empire’s judgment, except

for the preventive care previously described.
All prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, self-administered

injectables, vitamins, appetite suppressants, oral contraceptives, or any
other type of medication unless specifically indicated.
Any procedure or treatment designed to alter the physical characteristics

of your biological sex to those of the opposite sex.
Any charges for a procedure to reverse sterilization, or any charges for

assisted reproductive technologies including, but not limited to, in-vitro
fer tilization, ar tificial insemination, gamete and zygote intrafallopian tube
transfer (GIFT and ZIFT) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Any charges for travel, even if associated with treatment and recommended
by a doctor, except for ambulance transpor tation to the nearest hospital
in an emergency.
Services for illness or Injury received as a result of war.
Services covered under Workers’ Compensation, no-fault automobile

insurance and/or services covered by similar statutory programs.
The following inpatient hospital services are not covered:
Private duty nursing;
A private room. If you use a private room, you must pay the difference
between the cost of the private room and the hospital’s average charge
for a semi-private room. The additional cost cannot be applied to your
deductible or coinsurance;
Diagnostic inpatient stays, unless connected with specific symptoms that

if not treated on an inpatient basis could result in serious bodily harm
or risk to life;
Services performed in the following:
nursing or convalescent homes;

institutions primarily for rest or for the aged;
rehabilitation facilities (except for physical therapy);
spas;
sanitariums; and
infirmaries at schools, colleges or camps;
50
Any par t of a hospital stay that is primarily custodial;
Elective cosmetic surgery or any related complications. However, under the

Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, health insurance plans
that provide medical and surgical benefits in connection with mastectomies
must also provide benefits for certain reconstructive or related services
following a mastectomy. Coverage will be provided for reconstruction of
the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed; surgery and
reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance;
and prostheses and physical complications for all stages of mastectomy,
including lymphedemas; and
Hospital services rendered in a clinic that does not meet Empire’s

definition of a hospital or other covered facility.
The following outpatient hospital services are not covered:
Same-day surgery that is not precer tified as Medically Necessary by

Empire’s Medical Management Program;
Routine medical care including, but not limited to, inoculations or vaccinations,
and drug administration or injection, excluding chemotherapy; and
Collection or storage of your own blood, blood products, semen or

bone marrow.
Converting to an Individual Policy After End of

Empire Coverage
When your Fund coverage with Empire ends, you and/or your dependents
may be eligible to conver t to an individual plan. However, not all of your
current benefits may be available when you conver t your coverage. Generally,
this conversion privilege is available if you or a dependent is no longer
eligible for coverage under the Fund; Fund coverage ends because the Fund
no longer meets Empire’s underwriting standards; the Fund terminates
the Empire contract and does not offer replacement coverage; or you are
an Active Employee and have elected Medicare as your primary coverage.
To conver t your coverage, you must be a New York State resident within
Empire’s Operating Area, apply for the conversion plan within 90 days of
the date your Fund coverage ends and pay the premium for the conversion
plan when due.
It is impor tant to notify the Fund promptly whenever you or a covered

dependent is no longer eligible for coverage. If more than 63 days elapses
between your old and your new coverage, you may have to satisfy a new
waiting period regarding coverage of pre-existing conditions. This rule
applies not only to subsequent coverage under an Empire plan; it may also
apply to coverage under another plan.
51
MEDICARE
Medicare Supplemental Benefits

If you are retired and age 65 or over, or if you are under age 65 and in receipt
of a Social Security Disability Award, Medicare becomes your primary source of
coverage, and the Fund requires that you enroll in both Part A and Part B of
Medicare.Your Welfare Fund coverage will supplement your Medicare coverage.
(If you are 65 or over and an Active Employee, or if any of your qualified
dependents are not eligible for Medicare, the Welfare Fund’s Empire BlueCross
PPO hospital and medical benefits will continue for them.)
The Medicare Program provides health insurance coverage under three distinct
arrangements:
Part A – provides inpatient hospital services, post-hospital extended care
services, home health services and hospice care.
Key Things to Remember Part B – provides doctors’ services, outpatient hospital and a number of other
about Medicare
health care services.
You must enroll in Medicare,
both Part A and Part B. Part C – provides an alternative arrangement (Medicare+Choice).
Coverage isn’t automatic.
Generally, Medicare Part A benefits require no premium payment from you.
Certain services aren’t Medicare Part B, known as Supplemental Medical Insurance, is a voluntary
covered by Medicare. Some
program for eligible individuals who elect and enroll in the program and pay
of these services include
ambulette service, custodial monthly premiums (the Part B premium may be deducted from your Social
care, private-duty nursing, Security check). However, the Fund requires that if you’re eligible for
acupuncture, and health care Medicare, you must enroll in both Part A and Part B. The Welfare Fund
you receive outside the U.S. reimburses the Part B premium to disabled individuals under age 65 (and will
(even when you’re traveling).
If Medicare doesn’t cover a reimburse the same amount if coverage is instead provided under Medicare’s
particular service, then the Plan C). If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and eligible for Part A, you may
Medicare Supplemental Plan elect Part C (Medicare+Choice), which provides an alternative to the original
doesn’t cover it either. fee for service Medicare coverage provided by Parts A and B.
Whether you enroll or
not, once you’re eligible for If you elect Part C coverage, you automatically waive your coverage under the
Medicare, this plan will treat Welfare Fund. If you have end-stage renal disease, you may be eligible for Medicare
you as if you had enrolled. benefits if you require dialysis or a transplant. Call the Social Security Administration
This means that if you haven’t toll-free at 800-772-1213 if you have questions about your eligibility.
enrolled for Medicare when
eligible, your plan benefit may The Medicare benefits described in this section are subject to any limitations
be less than you expected.
established by the federal government; the benefits themselves can be changed by an
act of Congress. C&R Consulting, which administers the supplemental benefits, will
not cover benefits for services denied by Medicare. For example, if Medicare rejects a
claim as unnecessary hospitalization, C&R will not cover the claim. C&R will also reject
services that Medicare never covers, such as health care received outside the U.S.
(including while you’re traveling), ambulette services, custodial or long-term care, and
private-duty nursing. If a claim is rejected, you may appeal to the Fund Trustees. In
52 addition, C&R will not cover charges in excess of the Medicare Allowed Amount.
HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN
FOR MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE RETIREES AND MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS OF RETIREES
BENEFIT H OW I T WO R K S I N G E N E R A L
Hospital and Medical For inpatient hospitalization (Medicare Part A), the plan covers the Par t
Benefits through A inpatient deductible and the daily coinsurance you are required to pay
C&R Consulting under Medicare.
For care in a Skilled Nursing Facility, as long as you meet Medicare’s
requirements, the plan will cover the daily coinsurance charge for the 21st
through the 100th day of care in the Skilled Nursing Facility.
For other medical expenses (doctor visits, etc.) covered under Medicare
Part B, the plan pays the Par t B deductible (currently the first $100 in
Medicare-approved amounts) and then 20% of all other Medicare-approved
amounts.
Keep in Mind that no benefits are paid for charges that exceed Medicare’s
“approved amount” (the maximum Medicare will pay for any ser vice).
In general, whenever Medicare covers a particular service, C&R will pay
any deductible and coinsurance required by Medicare. However, when
Medicare doesn’t cover a particular service, no benefits are provided
through C&R. Examples of some of the services Medicare never covers
include: private-duty nursing, ambulette, acupuncture, custodial care and
health care received outside the U.S. (even when you’re traveling).
53
Details About Your Medicare Benefits and Your
Supplemental Benefits
Your hospital benefits under Medicare Par t A pay for customary care
and services provided by licensed hospitals when your physician orders
hospitalization to treat an illness or Injury.
Under this coverage, the following are not considered hospitals:
Nursing or convalescent homes and institutions (Medicare benefits

are, however, available for care in a skilled nursing facility, subject to the
requirements discussed below);
Institutions primarily for rest, such as spas and sanitariums; or
Any institution primarily for treating addiction, alcoholism or mental

disorders.
Inpatient Hospitalization
In most cases, such as most semiprivate hospital care, the combination of
Medicare and Medicare supplemental hospital benefits will cover the full
hospital bill. In other cases, you may be eligible to receive benefits for only
a por tion of your expenses. There may also be some expenses that do not
qualify for any benefits.
Medicare Par t A provides benefits, after an inpatient deductible, for the first
60 days in the hospital. Your Medicare supplemental hospital benefit covers
the Medicare inpatient deductible for the first 60 days in the hospital. From
the 61st to the 90th day, Medicare Par t A covers most hospital charges
except for a coinsurance amount per day. Your Medicare supplemental
coverage pays the daily coinsurance.
If you remain hospitalized for more than 90 days, you have the option of
using up to 60 lifetime reserve days under the Medicare Par t A program.
There is a coinsurance charge for each lifetime reserve day used, which
will be paid by C&R as par t of your supplemental benefits. In order for you
to receive benefits, you must stay in a hospital in the U.S. or its territories,
which includes all the states plus the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
of Puer to Rico, the American Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and
the Nor thern Mariana Islands.
Medicare Benefit Period

Medicare Par t A coverage for necessary hospitalization is available for up
to 90 days for each benefit period. Successive stays in one or more
hospitals count as the same hospitalization unless 60 days or more have
elapsed between the day of discharge and the next admission. If 60 days
54 have elapsed since the last discharge, a new benefit period begins.
Skilled Nursing Facility
In addition to hospitalization benefits, Medicare Par t A also covers up to 100
days of extended care (ordinary skilled nursing and rehabilitation services) in a
Skilled Nursing Facility each benefit period. The facility, and your diagnosis and
treatment plan, must meet Medicare’s standards to be covered. Also, Skilled
Nursing Facility care is covered only if it follows a hospital stay of at least
three days and begins within 30 days of leaving the hospital. Medicare covers
the first 20 days of care in a skilled nursing facility in full and a por tion of
days 21 to 100. Your Medicare supplemental coverage pays the coinsurance
charges for the 21st through the 100th day.
Cost of Blood
Medicare Part A covers the cost of blood after the first three pints. Your You can get more information
Medicare supplemental hospital benefits cover the reasonable cost of the first on Medicare benefits by calling
800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
thee pints of blood when administered in the hospital unless the blood is There is also a wide range
replaced or reduced by any blood deductible satisfied under Medicare Part B. of information on Medicare
benefits on the Medicare
website: www.medicare.gov.
Hospital Outpatient Charges For more information on the
Fund’s Medicare Supplemental
In general, Medicare covers 80% of hospital costs for emergency room Plan, you should call C&R
treatment, ambulatory surgery, chemotherapy, hemodialysis, diagnostic testing Consulting at 866-320-3807.
and other services performed in the outpatient depar tment of a hospital.
Your Medicare supplemental coverage with C&R pays the 20% coinsurance.
Medical Benefits Under Part B

Medicare Par t B and your Medicare supplemental coverage help pay the
cost of medical care provided by physicians, anesthesiologists, diagnostic
testing centers, etc. The Medicare Part B program and Medicare supplemental
coverage provide benefits when certain services are conducted in a hospital
inpatient setting, the hospital’s outpatient department or the physician’s office.
The Medicare Par t B program applies the first $100 of approved charges
toward a calendar year deductible. After the deductible is satisfied, the Par t
B program pays 80% of approved charges. Your Medicare supplemental
coverage pays the $100 deductible and 20% of Medicare’s approved charge.
In other words, the combination of Medicare Par t B and your supplemental
coverage will pay Medicare’s approved charge in full. You are responsible
for any charges that exceed Medicare’s approved charge.
55
Medical Care Outside the United States
Medicare does not cover expenses incurred outside the U.S. Since your
supplemental coverage does not provide coverage for services denied by
Medicare, there are no benefits for medical care provided outside of the
United States.
Medical Necessity
Medicare provides benefits only for covered services that are “medically
necessary.” Under the Medicare law, “medically necessary” means services
or supplies that:
are proper and needed for the diagnosis or treatment of your

medical condition;
are provided for the diagnosis, direct care and treatment of your
medical condition;
meet the standards of good medical practice in the local area; and
are not mainly for the convenience of you or your doctor.
How to File a Medicare Supplemental Claim

If you’re covered by Medicare, your provider will generally file a claim
directly with Medicare. Then, once Medicare has paid its por tion, the claim
will normally be forwarded to C&R Consulting. However, in the event the
claim isn’t automatically forwarded to C&R and you are “balance billed,”
you should submit the bill, along with the “Explanation of Medicare
Benefits” statement you received, to:
C&R Consulting
1501 Broadway – Suite 1724
New York, NY 10036
In the section called “Claims and Appeals Procedures” you’ll find additional
impor tant information on filing claims and procedures to follow if your
Special Exclusions for Medicare Supplemental

Benefits
It’s impor tant that you check this section before you file for benefits. It
could save you the time and trouble of submitting a claim for a service that
isn’t covered. When the limitations and exclusions apply to a hospital stay,
no benefits will be available for any par t of the hospital charges for the day
or days to which they are applied.
56
The following exclusions apply to both your Medicare Supplemental hospital
and medical coverage:
Benefits otherwise available to you under Medicare, but which you did
not receive because you failed to enroll or file for those benefits;
Services that are not needed for your proper medical care or treatment
of an illness or Injury;
Care in U.S. government hospitals or under federal, state, county, municipal

or foreign government programs (except Medicare and Medicaid);
Workers’ Compensation cases or services covered under no-fault

automobile insurance;
Services usually provided without charge or for which a claim is not filed;
Elective cosmetic surgery, except for reconstructive surgery, which is par t

of an operation to treat an infection, Injury or a disease, or which follows
such an operation;
Care or treatment while in prison;
Care for surrogate mothers;

For the latest information
Coverage for any weight loss or control; on services excluded under
Medicare law, check Medicare’s
Coverage for hair loss; and website at www.medicare.gov.
Marriage or family counseling.
In no case will the Medicare payment plus Medicare Supplemental benefits

total more than the Medicare charges allowed for the services received.
The following expenses are not covered by Medicare hospital benefits:
Non-acute hospital care such as:

Any por tion of a hospital stay that is primarily custodial;
A rest cure; and
Convalescent or sanitarium-type care;
Non-institutional services such as private-duty nursing and practitioner

services; and
Hospital care for mental or nervous conditions, other than conditions

that might be expected to improve with treatment.
57
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRA M
How the Plan Works

The plan provides coverage for prescription drugs purchased at a participating
pharmacy, a non-par ticipating pharmacy, or through a mail-order pharmacy.
Coverage depends on which option you use.You will receive an ID card when
your coverage starts. The following table summarizes these benefits.
Summary of In-Network Prescription

Drug Benefits
Prescriptions from a Retiree Plan

participating pharmacy and Medicare
(up to 34-day supply) Active Employee Plan Supplemental Plan
Generic drugs Plan pays 100% $5 copay

(no copay required)
“Single source” brand- $6 copay $10 copay
name drugs (no generic
equivalent)
Brand-name drugs with $6 copay, plus difference $10 copay, plus difference
generic equivalents between the brand-name between the brand-name
cost and generic cost cost and generic cost
Prescriptions from a Retiree Plan
participating pharmacy and Medicare
(up to 90-day supply) Active Employee Plan Supplemental Plan
Generic drugs Plan pays 100% $5 copay

(no copay required)
All brand-name drugs $6 copay $10 copay
Network of Participating Pharmacies

The Fund has contracted with Caremark to provide a network of participating
Using generic instead of pharmacies. These pharmacies are located nationwide and currently include
brand-name drugs usually K-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Revco and Genovese. Before you have a
saves money. prescription filled, check to make sure the pharmacy is part of the Caremark
network. You don’t need to file a claim when you use a par ticipating
pharmacy. You simply show your ID card and pay the applicable copay.
If you have any questions about the Caremark network or your prescriptions,
or if you need an identification card, you may call Caremark directly at
800-378-0972. Customer Ser vice Representatives are available to help you
Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 10:00pm eastern time, and on
Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm eastern time. Claim forms are available
from Caremark and the Fund Office.
58
Out-of-Network Pharmacies
If you go to an out-of-network pharmacy, you must pay the full cost when
you pick up the prescription and then file a claim for reimbursement with
Caremark. The plan will pay you the discounted amount that would have
been paid to a network pharmacy. You are responsible for any difference
between the Caremark network discount price and what your pharmacy
charged, plus the applicable copay.
When you submit your claim, attach your original receipts and mail your
claim to the address shown on the form. An original receipt should show
the date, the amount, the name, the strength and the quantity of the
medication. Keep a copy of your completed claim form and the receipt
for your records.
Claim forms for out-of-network pharmacy benefits are available from

Caremark or the Fund Office.
See the section called “Claims and Appeals Procedures” for additional
information on filing claims, and procedures to follow if your claim is denied
in whole or in par t and you wish to appeal the decision.
Mail- Order Program

This program offers a greater discount on the cost of maintenance
medication and a larger supply (90 days) per prescription. Maintenance You can receive a larger
supply of medication at a
drugs are those you must take ever y day for the treatment of a chronic
lower cost when you use
condition, such as diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure. the mail-order program.
Since only one copay is required for a 90-day prescription obtained through
the mail-order program (as opposed to one copay for a 34-day supply from
a pharmacy), you save when you use the mail-order program.
To use the mail-order program, simply mail your original prescription, your
copayment (check or money order), if applicable, and a completed order
form to Caremark. Your prescription will be delivered to your home via UPS
or first class mail within 10–14 days after Caremark receives the order form.
You will also receive a new mail-order form to be used for your next
mail-order prescription or refill. Please allow sufficient time for receipt of
your medication.
Forms for the mail-order program are available from both Caremark and
the Fund Office.
59
Expenses Not Covered
Prescription drug benefits are not paid for :
Drugs and/or medications:

Obtained after the date coverage ends for you or your dependents;
Filled for more than a 34-day supply at a retail pharmacy or a 90-day
supply through mail order ;
That are experimental and/or investigational, which means they are
not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are
not legally available for distribution;
For which your cost is equal to or less than the copay;
Received while confined in a hospital (however, these costs are
covered by your medical plan);
Dispensed for a purpose other than the treatments recommended
by the FDA;
Prescribed as a result of an Injury or illness covered by Workers’
Compensation; or
Intended as nutritional or diet supplements.
Refills exceeding the number your physician prescribes;
Refills more than one year after the date of the original prescription;
Non-legend drugs or medications;
Over-the-counter drugs or medications;
Immunization agents, vaccines, biological sera, blood or blood plasma;
Fer tility medications;
Growth hormones, except when Medically Necessary and

pre-authorized;
Alcohol wipes;
Renova;
Retin-A, except when Medically Necessary;
Vitamins available without a doctor’s prescription; and
Syringes for dispensing prescribed medication (these are covered

by your medical benefit).
60
Clinical Intervention
Caremark provides a clinical intervention process to help guard against drug
interaction problems that can occur, for example, when different medications
are prescribed by more than one physician or specialist. A registered
pharmacist will discuss alternative medications with your doctor and notify
you of any change in your prescribed medication. However, your doctor
makes the final decision on all of your prescribed medications.
A clinical inter vention pharmacist may also (1) suggest changing to a

“formulary” drug or (2) call your doctor if the prescription instructions are
different from the drug manufacturer’s instructions. “Formulary drug” means
a drug recommended as a generic substitution or therapeutic equivalent
to, and more cost effective than, an alternative prescribed drug.
61
DENTAL COVERAGE
How the Plan Works

Dental benefits, which are provided by the Fund and administered by Self-
Insured Dental Services Inc. (S.I.D.S.), provide you with the option of going
to any dentist or selecting from a panel of “par ticipating dentists.” However,
whether you go to a par ticipating or a non-par ticipating dentist, all benefits
are paid according to a “schedule of allowances” that provides a set fee for
a par ticular procedure.
This coverage is designed to encourage regular checkups and preventive care

and to correct minor dental problems before they become serious. Benefits
are provided for diagnostic and preventive services, basic restorative services,
major restorative services, bridges and dentures, periodontal treatment and
oral surgical procedures. Orthodontic services are also provided.
Basic and major dental services are subject to a $100 annual deductible,
and all dental services are subject to a maximum Fund payment of $2,500
per person per calendar year for those par ticipants covered by the Active
Employee plan, or $1,500 per person per calendar year for those covered
by the Retiree and Medicare Supplemental plans. You and your dependent
Children are covered for or thodontic treatment up to a maximum Fund
payment of $1,950 per lifetime.
The following char t summarizes the procedures and costs covered.
OV E RV I E W O F D E N TA L C OV E R A G E
Procedures Covered
DIAGNOSTIC AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES — routine procedures, such as oral

examinations, bitewing X-rays, adult/child prophylaxis (cleaning).
BASIC SERVICES — commonly used procedures, such as amalgam fillings, simple
extractions, root canals.
MAJOR SERVICES — complex extractions, periodontal treatment, extraction
of impacted teeth, gum surger y, crowns, inlays, fixed bridgework, removable
dentures and repairs to bridgework and dentures.
ORTHODONTIC SERVICES — correction of a handicapping malocclusion, including
an initial examination, inser tion of appliance and monthly treatment visits.
62
Network of Participating Dentists
You save money when you use dentists who are par t of the S.I.D.S. network.
These dentists have agreed to accept the payment provided under the Fund’s
schedule of allowances as payment in full (although you still have to meet
any applicable deductible). For information about providers in your area, call
S.I.D.S. at 516-396-5500, 718-204-7172 or toll-free at 877-592-1683, or visit
their website at www.asonet.com.
When you use a par ticipating dentist, subject to plan maximums and
frequency limitations:
diagnostic and preventive dental services are covered in full by the Fund
in accordance with the plan’s schedule of maximum allowances; and
once you meet the deductible, basic and major restorative services are
covered in full by the Fund up to the plan’s maximum allowance.
If You Go to a Non-Participating Dentist Don’t forget. Whether you

go to a participating or
If you go to a non-par ticipating dentist, you or your dentist will be a non-participating dentist,
reimbursed according to the Plan’s schedule of allowances. The charges the Plan pays up to the
of non-par ticipating dentists may be higher than the Plan’s scheduled amount shown on the
allowances. You are responsible for any difference between the amount Schedule of Covered Dental
Allowances.
your dentist charged and the amount the plan pays.
Pre-Treatment Estimate
This process is intended to inform you and your dentist, in advance of
treatment and before any expenses are incurred, what benefits are
provided by the plan.
It is recommended that a pre-treatment estimate be filed by your dentist

if your dental care is going to cost more than $300 in a 90-day period
or includes any of the following ser vices: crowns, bridges, dentures,
or thodontics, inlays or periodontal surger y.
To get a pre-treatment estimate, ask your dentist to describe the treatment

plan and expected cost on a claim form. X-rays are required for treatment
involving root canal therapy, inlays, crowns, bridges dentures and periodontal
surgery. Submit the completed form to:
Self-Insured Dental Services

P.O. Box 9007, Dept. 95
Lynbrook, NY 11563-9007
S.I.D.S. will review the proposed treatment and will send you and your
dentist an explanation of benefits form that indicates the amount the plan
will pay for each procedure and identifies services that are not covered
or not payable by the program.
63
The pre-treatment estimate will remain valid for one year, even if some
or all of the work is done by another dentist. However, you must still be
eligible for Fund benefits when the service is rendered, and there must
have been no significant change in your dental condition since the estimate
was issued. Payment will be made in accordance with plan allowances and
limitations in effect at the time services are completed.
Orthodontic Services
A dentist must diagnose the need for orthodontic services and must indicate
that the orthodontic condition consists of a handicapping, abnormal, correctable
malocclusion. Before treatment begins, S.I.D.S. should estimate
what the plan allowance for orthodontic services will be under the
pre-treatment estimate program.
Or thodontic services are described on the following char t:
Orthodontic Service Benefit
Diagnosis and inser tion of or thodontic appliances $450

Active treatment, up to a maximum of 24 months $50 per month
Retention treatment following active treatment, $100 per six months
up to a maximum of 18 months
These orthodontic benefits are not subject to the annual deductible,

nor do they count towards your annual maximum.
Extension of Dental Benefits

If your or your dependent’s eligibility terminates in the course of cer tain
dental treatment, and you received a pre-treatment estimate for these
procedures, the patient’s dental coverage will be extended for up to
90 days after eligibility would otherwise end so that the work can be
completed. This limited extension applies to the following procedures only:
Crowns, fixed bridgework and full or par tial dentures — extension

applies if impressions were taken and/or teeth were prepared while
the patient was eligible;
Or thodontic appliances and active treatment — extension applies if

impressions were taken while the patient was eligible; or
Root canal therapy — extension applies if the pulp chamber was opened
while the patient was eligible.
There is no extension for any dental service other than those

noted above.
64
Schedule of Covered Dental Allowances
The char t below lists all dental ser vices covered by the plan and the
maximum amount the plan will pay for each ser vice. Remember :
par ticipating providers have agreed to accept the plan payment as
payment in full, except for the $100 annual deductible.
DIAGNOSTIC & PREVENTIVE
P L A N PAYS
ORAL EXAMINATION $15.00

maximum: two per calendar year
FULL-MOUTH SERIES X-RAYS
10 to 14 periapical/bitewing films 30.00
PANORAMIC FILM 30.00
PERIAPICAL OR BITEWING, per film 4.00
OCCLUSAL FILM 13.00
CEPHALOMETRIC FILM 34.00
POSTERIOR-ANTERIOR FILM 29.00
LATERAL FILM 32.00
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR FILM 40.00
X-ray maximum: $50 per calendar year
PROPHYLAXIS, including scaling and polishing
adult 28.00
child, to age 15 25.00
maximum: two per calendar year
FLUORIDE TREATMENT
excluding prophylaxis 18.00
to age 15, two per calendar year
SEALANT 15.00
Unrestored permanent posterior teeth only, to age 15
Lifetime maximum: $45 per quadrant
SPACE MAINTAINER
acr ylic 98.00
metal 135.00
65
B A S I C R E S TO R AT I V E
P L A N PAYS
SILVER AMALGAM FILLINGS
one surface – primar y $25.00
two surfaces – primar y 35.00
three or more surfaces – primary 48.00
one surface – permanent 35.00
two surfaces – permanent 45.00
three surfaces – permanent 55.00
four or more surfaces – permanent 65.00
COMPOSITE RESIN—ANTERIOR
one surface 35.00
two surfaces 45.00
three surfaces 60.00
four or more and incisal angle 60.00
COMPOSITE RESIN—POSTERIOR
one surface 40.00
two surfaces 50.00
MAJOR RESTORATIVE
Preoperative periapical X-ray required. There is a five-year frequency
limitation on replacements.
CROWNS
plastic $ 120.00
porcelain jacket 325.00
plastic with metal 325.00
porcelain with metal 375.00
full cast 350.00
METALLIC INLAY
one surface 200.00
two surfaces 250.00
PORCELAIN INLAY
one surface 200.00
two surfaces 250.00
STAINLESS STEEL CROWN, primar y tooth 100.00
CAST POST & CORE 100.00
PREFAB POST & CORE 86.00
ENDODONTICS
X-ray evidence of satisfactory completion required.
PULPOTOMY $75.00
ROOT THERAPY
one canal 200.00
two canals 250.00
three canals 325.00
four or more canals 375.00
APICOECTOMY 130.00
APICOECTOMY – max per tooth 260.00
66 RETROGRADE FILLING 60.00

PROSTHODONTICS
Preoperative X-rays are required when filing a claim for pretreatment review
or payment on all prosthetics. X-rays of the full arch must be included for all
bridgework. There is a five-year frequency limitation from date of installation
on all prosthetics.
P L A N PAYS
COMPLETE DENTURE
immediate or permanent $400.00
PARTIAL DENTURE—UNILATERAL 240.00
PARTIAL DENTURE—BILATERAL
acr ylic base with clasps and rests 325.00
cast metal base 400.00
PRECISION ATTACHMENT 100.00
BRIDGE PONTIC
full cast 300.00
plastic with metal 300.00
porcelain with metal 375.00
ABUTMENT—INLAY 2 SURFACES 250.00
ABUTMENT—INLAY 3 SURFACES 300.00
CAST METAL RETNR-ACID ETCH BRIDGE 200.00
BRIDGE ABUTMENT
crown – plastic with metal 325.00
crown – porcelain fused to metal 375.00
crown – full cast 300.00
DENTURE RELINE—CHAIR 80.00
DENTURE RELINE—LABORATORY 125.00
DENTURE REPAIRS
denture adjustment 25.00
repair cast framework 95.00
repair complete denture base 70.00
replace tooth in denture 65.00
replace broken facing 100.00
add tooth to existing par tial denture 65.00
RECEMENT CROWN OR INLAY 25.00
RECEMENT BRIDGE 30.00
SURGICAL PLACEMENT OF IMPLANT 1,200.00
CUSTOM IMPLANT ABUTMENT
Only payable if fabricated and placed by dentist 200.00
other than provider placing the implant
67
PERIODONTIC SERVICES
Although eight teeth constitute the anatomic complement of a quadrant, for purposes
of settling claims for periodontal treatment, payment will be based on five teeth per
quadrant.Accordingly, if at least five teeth are treated in a quadrant, payment will be
based on the allowance for a full quadrant. If fewer than five teeth are treated,
payment will be pro-rated on the basis of five teeth per quadrant. When more than
one periodontal procedure is performed on the same day, claims for services will
be combined and payment will be based on the most costly procedure.
P L A N PAYS
ROOT SCALING, GINGIVAL CURETTAGE
& BITE CORRECTION, INCLUDING PROPHYLAXIS,
per quadrant $50.00
two or more quadrants per visit 75.00
periodontal maintenance 60.00
maximum allowance on any combination of the
above services is $200 in a calendar year
PERIODONTAL SURGERY
confirmation by charting and/or X-rays required per
quadrant of at least five teeth
localized deliver y of chemotherapeutic agent 50.00
maximum allowance $150 per quadrant
gingivectomy, gingivoplasty and mucogingival
surger y per quadrant 150.00
osseous surger y, including gingivectomy-per quadrant 375.00
osseous graft, per quadrant 300.00
ORAL SURGERY
ROUTINE EXTRACTION $40.00
SURGICAL EXTRACTION
must be demonstrated by X-ray
erupted tooth 65.00
impaction – soft tissue 100.00
impaction – par tial bony 175.00
impaction – complete bony 200.00
ALVEOLOPLASTY—PER JAW 125.00
BIOPSY OF ORAL TISSUE—HARD TISSUE 100.00
REMOVAL OF CYST OR TUMOR <1.25 75.00
REMOVAL OF CYST OR TUMOR >1.25 100.00
FRENULECTOMY 95.00
ORTHODONTICS
INITIAL FIXED APPLIANCE $450.00
ACTIVE TREATMENT—PER MONTH 50.00
maximum of 24 months
POST-TREATMENT STABILIZATION DEVICE 110.00
PASSIVE TREATMENT—PER SIX MONTHS 100.00
maximum of 18 months
MINOR TOOTH MOVEMENT
removable acrylic appliance 80.00
removable metal appliance 225.00
fixed acrylic appliance 75.00
68 fixed metal appliance 80.00
ADJUNCTIVE SERVICES
P L A N PAYS
PALLIATIVE TREATMENT – no other treatment that visit $30.00
GENERAL ANESTHESIA – plan pays first 30 minutes only 110.00
BRUXISM APPLIANCE 225.00
SPECIALIST CONSULTATION – includes examination 50.00
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT – only when rendered by a 50.00
participating pedodontist in conjunction with other
treatment only
TOOTH WHITENING – per arch 150.00
must be provided by a licensed dentist using materials
and equipment specifically designed to accomplish tooth
whitening in a one-visit chairside setting on natural,
unrestored teeth. All other tooth-whitening products or
take-home methods, including those provided by a dentist,
are not covered.
Lifetime Maximum – one treatment per arch
How to File a Claim

Participating Dentist. If you receive covered services from a participating
provider, you do not have to pay the dentist any money for covered services
other than the deductible, if applicable, and you do not have to file a claim.The
dentist’s office will file the claim form.You are expected to assign benefits on
the claim form so that the participating dentist can be paid directly by S.I.D.S.
Non-Participating Dentist. When you use a dentist who is not a participating

provider, you or your dentist should file a claim form with S.I.D.S. Claim
forms are available from S.I.D.S. or the Fund Office. When you use a non-
par ticipating dentist, you are responsible for the difference between your
dentist’s charges and the maximum amount listed in the “Schedule of
Covered Dental Allowances.” Completed forms, whether the services are
provided by a participating or a non-participating dentist, should be sent to:

P. O. Box 9007
information on filing claims and procedures to follow if your claim is denied
in whole or in par t and you wish to appeal the decision.
69
Exclusions and Limitations
There is no coverage for :
any charges that exceed the amounts shown in the Schedule of Covered
Dental Allowances;
treatment for the purpose of cosmetic improvement;
replacement of a lost or stolen appliance;
replacement of a bridge, crown, inlay or denture within five years after

the date it was originally installed;
any replacement of a bridge, crown, inlay or denture which can be made

usable according to accepted dental standards;
procedures, appliances or restorations (except full dentures) whose main

purpose is to:
change ver tical dimension;
diagnose or treat conditions or dysfunctions of the temporomandibular
joint (this coverage may be covered under your medical benefits); or
stabilize periodontally involved teeth;
periodontal splinting;
multiple bridge abutments;
a surgical implant of any type;
over-the-counter analgesia;
services that do not meet accepted dental standards;
services not included in the Schedule of Covered Dental Allowances;
services or supplies resulting from an accidental Injury, which are

deemed to be the responsibility of a third par ty;
any care that is covered under Workers’ Compensation or a similar law,

or for an Injur y arising out of, or in the course of, any employment
for wage or profit;
charges made by a hospital owned or run by the United States

government, unless you would be obligated to pay the charges even
if you had no insurance;
70
services for which payment is unlawful where the person resides when
the expenses are incurred;
ser vices for which there would be no charge in the absence of this
coverage, including ser vices provided by a member of the patient’s
immediate family;
charges for unnecessary care, treatment or surgery;
any charges that are paid for by a government program; and
experimental procedures or treatment methods not approved by the

American Dental Association or the appropriate dental specialty society.
Important Definitions
Dentist – A person who is licensed to practice dentistry in the state where
the service is provided.
Necessary treatment – A procedure, service or supply that is required

or appropriate for the treatment of your dental condition according to
generally accepted standards of care.
Non-participating dentist – A dentist who does not have an agreement

with S.I.D.S. to accept the Fund’s maximum allowance as payment in full
for covered services.
71
VISION BENEFITS
Vision benefits are provided through three networks of providers —

Comprehensive Professional Systems (CPS), 212-675-5745, General Vision
Ser vices (GVS), 800-847-4661 and Vision Screening 800-652-0063. You
may use any of these networks for your vision ser vices, or you may
use a non-network provider. Selections of frames and lenses may var y
among the three networks and, in some instances, among locations in
the same network.
Benefits
If you are eligible for vision benefits, you and your covered dependents
are entitled to an eye examination and new glasses or contact lenses once
every 12 months. If you use a par ticipating provider, there are no out-of-
pocket costs if the frames and lenses you select are par t of the program.
If the frames and lenses you select are outside the program, you receive
a credit towards your purchase.
Covered Services
The Fund pays a par ticipating provider $125 for an exam and a pair of
frames and lenses. If you use a non-par ticipating provider, the Fund will
reimburse you up to $125 for the same package of services.
You can obtain a list of par ticipating providers from the Fund office at
800-529-3863.
Costs
Some services that you receive from par ticipating providers require that
you pay a por tion of the cost. These services and their costs are listed
below. If you receive any of these ser vices on an out-of-network basis,
you will be responsible for any cost above your $125 allowance.
72
Your Cost Your Cost Your Cost at
at GVS at CPS Vision Screening
Scratch-resistant coating, $10 $10 No charge

single-vision
Scratch-resistant coating, $15 $15 No charge
bifocal or trifocal
High-index single-vision $50 No charge $50
plastic lenses
High-index bifocal plastic $70 No charge $50
lenses
Polycarbonate single- $70 $70 $30
vision lenses
Polycarbonate bifocal $100 $100 $75
lenses
Reflection-free coating $40 $40 $35
Transition single-vision $75 $75 $70
lenses
Transition bifocal/ $100 $100 $90
multifocal lenses
Hyper-index $125 $125 $125
How to File a Claim

Network provider. All you have to do is provide your name and Social
Security number to the network provider. The provider will submit the claim
form to the Fund Office for payment. If you receive any of the ser vices
described under “Costs” above, you will also be required to pay your share
of the cost.
Non-network provider. When you use a provider who is not in the CPS,
GVS or Vision Screening network, you must pay the full fee and submit a
claim to the Fund Office for reimbursement. The Fund will pay only the
amount it would have paid had you gone to a par ticipating provider (up to
$125 for an exam and a pair of frames and lenses).
information on filing claims and for procedures for you to follow if your
73
LIFE INSURA NCE
The Fund provides basic and dependent life insurance benefits at no cost
to you. This coverage is provided and insured through the Union Labor Life
Insurance Company (“ULLICO”).
How the Plan Works

If you die while you are an Active Employee, your Beneficiary will receive a
life insurance payment equal to your earnings during the highest 24 months
out of the last 30 months of Covered Employment before your death. The
minimum payment is $6,000 and the maximum payment is $50,000. (However,
the amount of your life insurance will be reduced by any accelerated death
benefit paid. The accelerated death benefit is described later.)
If you are an eligible Retiree, your coverage will continue in the amount
of $8,000. There is no cost to continue life insurance coverage as a Retiree.
If you are an eligible Active Employee or Retiree, the plan also provides
life insurance coverage for your dependents. If your spouse or child dies
while insured under this plan, a death benefit of $1,000 will be paid to
you. In order for benefits to be paid, your dependents must be eligible as
defined in the plan at the time of death. When you die, coverage for your
dependents ends as of that date.
Naming a Beneficiary
You must name a Beneficiary for your life insurance. Your Beneficiary may be
one or more person(s), a trust, an estate, a charity, etc. In addition to naming
a Beneficiary, you can also designate a contingent Beneficiary. A contingent
Beneficiary receives benefits in the event the primary Beneficiary dies before
you. You are automatically the Beneficiary for any life insurance coverage on
your dependents.
You may change your Beneficiar y at any time by submitting a new

Beneficiar y designation form to the Fund Office. Beneficiar y designation
forms are available from the Fund Office. It is impor tant to keep your
Beneficiar y designation up to date.
74
If you do not name a Beneficiary, or if your Beneficiary dies before you,
your life insurance benefit would be paid to:
your surviving spouse or, if none,
your Children in equal shares or, if none,
your parents in equal shares or, if none,
your brothers and sisters in equal shares or, if none,
your estate.
Accelerated Death Benefit

If you’re an Active Employee, you may elect to have a minimum of 25% and
a maximum of 50% of your life insurance benefits paid to you while you
are still living if:
your life expectancy is six months or less; and
you are insured for at least $10,000.
The accelerated death benefit is payable to you in a single lump sum, once
in your lifetime. Upon your death, the life insurance benefit paid to your
Beneficiary will be reduced by the benefits you received under the accelerated
death benefit.
To apply for an accelerated death benefit, send a written request to the

Fund Office. The insurance company will require a doctor’s written
cer tification that you are terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or
less (ULLICO may require an independent exam). You cannot be required
to request accelerated death benefits to pay creditors, or to keep or qualify
for a government benefit or entitlement or as par t of a divorce settlement.
If You Become Disabled

If you are an eligible Active Employee and you become totally and
permanently disabled while insured under this plan, you may qualify for a
disability waiver as described in the section on eligibility and par ticipation. If
you qualify for this benefit, your life insurance will be continued for as long
as you remain disabled. The amount of your life insurance coverage will be
determined using the 30-month period immediately preceding the month in
which you became disabled. When you reach age 65, this amount is reduced
to the Retiree death benefit amount of $8,000.
You may also be entitled to pension benefits if you become disabled.

Contact the Fund Office for more details.
75
Converting to an Individual Policy
If your life insurance with the Fund ends, you may conver t all or a por tion
of your coverage to an individual plan. You must apply for an individual
policy and pay the first month’s premium within 31 days after your Fund
insurance ends. If you have dependent life insurance, you may also conver t
the insurance on your spouse or Children to an individual policy. To apply
for conversion coverage, contact ULLICO directly.
You and your dependents may not be turned down for an individual
policy when you conver t your life insurance within 31 days, even if you
are in poor health. In addition, you will not be required to have a medical
examination if you apply to conver t your coverage within 31 days.
How to File a Claim

If you die, your Beneficiary or a family member should contact the Fund Office
within 20 days to obtain a claim form. A Fund Office representative will
provide any necessary forms within 15 days. If the forms are not provided
within 15 days, you may submit any other written proof that describes the
nature and extent of your claim. In addition to completing a claim form,
your Beneficiary will be asked to provide proof of your death. Generally, the
Fund Office will accept an original death cer tificate as proof of death. A life
insurance claim must be filed within two years of the date of death.
In the section called “Claims and Appeals Procedures,” there’s additional

information on filing claims and the procedures to follow in appealing a
claim that is wholly or par tially denied.
76
ACCIDENTAL DEATH A N D
DISMEMBERMENT ( A D&D ) BENEFIT
(FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES ONLY)
How the Plan Works

The accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefit is provided through
a policy issued by the Union Labor Life Insurance Company (“ULLICO”). This
policy pays a benefit if, as the result of an accident while you are an Active
Employee, you sustain a serious Injury or die within 365 days of the accident.
There is no AD&D coverage for Retirees or for your dependents.
In the event of your death due to a covered accident, AD&D benefits are
payable in addition to those available under your life insurance coverage.
The maximum amount that can be paid under the AD&D plan for all losses
is $6,000. This amount is also known as the “principal sum.”
Schedule of Benefits
For Loss of: The Benefit is:*

Life $6,000
Both hands or both feet or sight of both eyes $6,000
One hand and one foot $6,000
Either hand or foot and sight of one eye $6,000
Either hand or foot $3,000
Sight of one eye $3,000
Thumb and index finger $1,500
* If more than one loss is suffered in the same accident, payment will be made only for the loss for
which the largest amount is payable.
Your Beneficiary
Generally, the Beneficiar y you name for your life insurance also is your
Beneficiar y for AD&D benefits. For more information, see “Naming a
Beneficiar y” in the life insurance section.
Exclusions
AD&D benefits cannot be paid if your loss is caused directly or indirectly,
in whole or in par t, by any of the following:
medical or surgical treatment of an illness or disease;
intentionally self-inflicted Injury, suicide or attempted suicide;

77
war or an act of war, whether declared or undeclared, any act related
to war or insurrection;
injury sustained while in the armed forces or units auxiliary to the

armed forces;
injury sustained in connection with aviation, other than as a fare-paying

passenger on a scheduled or charter flight operated by a scheduled airline;
injury sustained as a pilot or crew member in any kind of aircraft,

including, but not limited to, a glider, a seaplane or a hang kite;
injury sustained or contracted as a result of intoxication or the influence

of a narcotic (unless administered on the advice of a doctor);
injury sustained while operating a motor vehicle while legally intoxicated

from the use of alcohol;
ptomaine or bacterial infections (except infections caused by pyogenic

organisms that occur and through an accidental cut or wound).
How to File a Claim

Your Beneficiary or a family member should contact the Fund Office within
20 days of the event resulting in a covered loss to obtain a claim form.
A Fund Office representative or ULLICO representative will provide any
necessary forms within 15 days. If the forms are not provided within 15
days, you may submit any other written proof that describes the nature
and extent of your claim.
With regard to accidental death claims, ULLICO requires, in addition to an

original death cer tificate, evidence of the accidental nature of the death,
such as a police repor t, medical repor t or newspaper clipping describing
the accident. All claims for death benefits must be filed within two years
from the date of death.
With regard to dismemberment claims, ULLICO may require that you have
a medical examination that is paid for by ULLICO and conducted by a
doctor chosen by ULLICO.
A completed claim form and proof of the death or dismemberment should

be submitted to the Fund Office.
information on filing claims, and procedures to be followed to appeal a
claim that is wholly or par tially denied.
78
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS
(FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES ONLY)
How the Plan Works

This plan will pay you a weekly benefit if you become disabled and unable
to work as the result of an Injury or illness that is not work-related. There is
no shor t-term disability insurance for Retirees or for your dependents.
To receive disability benefits, you must be under the care of a physician and
he or she must cer tify to the Fund that you are disabled. Weekly benefits for
pregnancy will be provided in the same manner as benefits for an “illness.”
When Coverage Begins

You are covered for shor t-term disability benefits whenever you are working
in Covered Employment. You do not need to work a specified number of
hours to qualify for this benefit. Therefore, you may be eligible for disability
benefits even when you do not qualify for hospital and medical benefits.
When Benefits Begin

Your weekly benefit will begin on the first day of a disability resulting from
an Injur y or the eighth day of a disability resulting from illness. Benefits are
payable as long as you remain disabled, for up to a maximum of 26 weeks
of disability in any 52-week period. Under New Jersey State disability
benefits law, if your disability is due to illness and lasts at least 21 days, your
disability benefit is retroactive to the first day of disability. Non–Work-Related Disability
The Plan’s short-term
“FICA” taxes will be withheld from any disability benefits due you. disability benefit is generally
paid only for disabilities
that are not work-related.
If disability is work-related,
then you may be eligible
for Workers’ Compensation
benefits.
79
Your Benefits
NewYork. Your weekly benefit is 50% of your average weekly earnings (as
defined by state law) at the time you became disabled, up to a maximum
benefit of $400 per week. If your disability occurs while you are actively
employed or within 28 days of your last day worked, the Fund will pay you
shor t-term disability benefits. If your disability occurs after you have been
unemployed for 28 days, and you are receiving (or have filed a claim for)
unemployment insurance benefits, the New York State Special Fund for
Disability Benefits will pay you the shor t-term disability benefit.
New Jersey. Your weekly benefit is 66 32 % of your average weekly earnings

at the time you became disabled, up to a maximum benefit of $450 per
week. If your disability occurs while you are actively employed or within
14 days of your last day worked, the Fund will pay your shor t-term disability
benefits. If your disability occurs after you have been unemployed for
14 days, and you are receiving (or have filed a claim for) unemployment
insurance benefits, the New Jersey Special Fund for Disability Benefits will
provide the shor t-term disability benefit.
“Average weekly earnings” means the amount, as established by state law,

on which your shor t-term disability plan benefits are based. Generally,
the eight-week period immediately preceding your disability is used to
determine this amount.
How to File a Claim

Call the Fund Office toll-free at 800-529-3863 to obtain a claim form as
soon as you stop working. Return the completed form to the Fund Office
along with copies of your pay stubs for the eight-week period immediately
prior to your disability. Be sure to keep a copy of your claim form for your
own records. The Fund retains the right to ask for evidence of continued
disability at any time, or to require you to see a doctor of the Fund’s
choosing at the Fund’s expense.
information on filing claims, and procedures to follow if your claim is wholly
or par tially denied and you wish to appeal the decision.
80
If You Are Disabled More Than Six Months
If it appears that you will be disabled for more than six months, you should
contact the Fund Office. If you are disabled more than six months, you may
be eligible to continue your medical and other Fund coverage under the
“Disability Waiver” provision described in the section on eligibility and
par ticipation. In addition, you should contact the Fund Office to find out
if you are eligible for a disability pension and, if so, how to file for it.
Remember, your shor t-term disability benefits will end after six months.
Work-Related Disabilities
The Fund does not pay shor t-term disability benefits for injuries or
illnesses arising out of or in the course of your employment. Your employer
carries Workers’ Compensation insurance for these disabilities. However,
if the Workers’ Compensation carrier controver ts your case and issues the
appropriate form (Form C-7, Notice that Right to Compensation is
Controver ted), the Fund can pay shor t-term disability benefits while your
case is decided, subject to the limitations described in this section.
81
HEARING AID BENEFIT
You and your covered dependents are eligible for a hearing aid benefit
once ever y four years. You may receive benefits from any hearing aid
provider. However, you will receive the highest level of coverage when you
use the network of par ticipating providers affiliated with Comprehensive
Professional Systems (CPS) or General Vision Services (GVS).
Covered Services
At a network location. Although you may obtain benefits at any provider,
GVS and CPS have negotiated special discounts on your behalf. For a listing
of providers that par ticipate in the CPS or GVS networks, call GVS toll-free
at 800-847-4661 or CPS at 212-675-5745. Coverage is provided at no cost
to you at a CPS provider and for a $150 copayment at a GVS provider for
the following:
a hearing evaluation;
a behind-the-ear, in-the-ear or otosonic hearing aid, or any comparable

manufacturer’s hearing aid;
a battery for your hearing aid, with a one-year guarantee; and
unlimited servicing of your hearing aid for one year.
If you select a hearing aid that is not par t of the Fund package, you may
have to make additional payments.
When you go to a non-participating provider, you will have to pay for the
services you receive and submit a claim to the Fund Office. The Fund will
reimburse you the same amount it would have paid if you had gone to a
network provider, up to a maximum benefit of $350.
Maximum Benefit
The maximum benefit is $350 per family member for each ear, once every
four years.
82
How to File a Claim
Network provider. All you have to do is provide your name and Social
Security number to the network provider. The provider will submit the claim
form to the Fund Office for payment.
Non-network provider. When you use a provider that is not in the CPS or
GVS network, you must pay the full fee and submit an Itemized Bill to the
Fund Office for reimbursement. Be sure to keep a copy of the bill for your
own records.
information on filing claims and procedures to follow if your claim is denied
in whole or in par t and you, wish to appeal the decision.
83
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRA M
The Fund offers a Scholarship Program for unmarried dependent Children

of eligible members (including both natural or legally adopted children).
For purposes of the Scholarship Program, these children are all referred
to as “Qualifying Children.” The Scholarship and Recognition Programs, an
independent and professional organization of the Educational Testing
Service of Princeton, New Jersey, administers the Scholarship Program.
Eligibility
Your Child’s eligibility for this benefit depends, first, on your eligibility. You are
eligible if you are working or have worked for an employer who is obligated
to make contributions to the Welfare Fund for the Scholarship Program
on your behalf and you meet the eligibility requirements listed below:
you are an Active Employee; and
you are working for or have worked for an employer who is obligated to
make contributions to the Welfare Fund for the Scholarship Program on
your behalf, which is referred to as “covered scholarship employment”;
and
you worked in covered scholarship employment at least 4,000 hours in

the five calendar years ending on December 31 prior to the September
for which the scholarship is awarded (and worked at least 600 hours
in each of four of those five calendar years); or
you worked in covered scholarship employment at least 6,000 hours in

the seven calendar years ending on December 31 prior to the September
for which the scholarship is awarded (and worked at least 500 hours in
each of five of those seven calendar years).
If you are receiving shor t-term disability benefits from the New York City
District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund, Workers’ Compensation or
state unemployment benefits, you will receive credit for seven hours worked
for each day that you receive these benefits. (Proof must be submitted.)
84
How the Plan Works
This benefit is a scholarship program for unmarried, dependent, natural or
legally adopted Children, regardless of age, who:
are entering college as a freshmen without prior college credit;
are entering college with prior college credit earned while completing the
senior year of high school (in an early admissions placement program or
advanced placement program); or
are mid-year graduates who entered college prior to the academic year
beginning in September, when a scholarship would first be payable, and
who earned one-half year of college credit.
If you are a Retiree, your Qualifying Children are eligible for this program if
you met the Active Employee requirements at the time of your retirement.
If you are a Recovered Disability Pensioner, your Qualifying Children are

eligible for this program provided you return to Covered Scholarship
Employment for at least 1,000 hours, including at least 500 hours in the
calendar year immediately preceding the September for which the scholarship
is to be first awarded, and meet the requirements for an Active Employee
as previously described, except that the number of calendar years in the
appropriate eligibility test period may exclude those in which total and
permanent disability, as recognized by the New York City District Council
of Carpenters Pension Fund, existed.
Qualifying Children of deceased par ticipants are eligible if the member had
met the Active Employee requirements at the time of his death.
The Scholarship Program is not available for post-graduate work.
The Benefit
The Scholarship Program pays up to $3,500 for each year of a four-year
academic program at an accredited college or university, or until the child
receives a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.
The maximum amount of the award is $14,000 per student.
Any other financial assistance (e.g., awards, aid, loans) received by your child
must be repor ted to the Fund Office. The Scholarship Program adjusts the
scholarship so that the combination of awards does not exceed total tuition,
room and board expenses and usual fees. New York State Regents awards,
however, are not considered.
85
How to Apply
September. Call the Fund Office at 212-366-7300 in the beginning of the
September of your child’s senior year in high school to request an application.
November. By mid-November of your child’s senior year in high school,

submit the completed application to the Fund Office.
December. By December of your child’s senior year in high school, your

child needs to take the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SATs). Your child
needs to write “Code 0028” on the registration form for the SATs, so
that the test scores will be sent to the Scholarship and Recognition
Programs for their files.
Appealing a Denied Application

If your application is denied, you may appeal the decision by filing a request
for review by the Board of Trustees. Your request must be filed within
30 days after the application was denied and will be reviewed at the next
quar terly Board of Trustees meeting (unless the request is received within
30 days of that meeting, in which case it will be reviewed at the second
following Board of Trustees meeting).
Selection Process
An independent and professional education organization of the Educational
Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey, the Scholarship and Recognition
Programs considers a number of factors in awarding scholarships: the student’s
high school academic record, SAT scores, moral character, leadership qualities
and seriousness of purpose. The number of scholarships awarded is at the
Trustees’ sole discretion.
For Further Information

If you need additional information about the Scholarship Program, call the
Fund Office at 212-366-7300.
86
COORDIN ATION OF BENEFITS (MEDICAL
A N D DENTAL BENEFITS)
You or members of your family may have other health care coverage.
If this happens, the two health coverage programs will coordinate their
benefit payments so that payments from the two plans combined will pay
up to the amount of covered expenses, but not more than the amount
of actual expenses.
When you are covered under two plans, one plan has primary responsibility
to pay benefits and the other has secondary responsibility. The plan with
primary responsibility pays benefits first.
Which Plan Pays Benefits First?

Here is how we determine which plan has primary responsibility for
paying benefits:
If the other plan does not have a coordination of benefits feature,

that plan is primary.
If you are covered by one plan as an Active Employee and by another

plan as a laid-off employee or Retiree, the plan that covers you as an
Active Employee is primary.
If you are covered as an employee under this plan and as a dependent

under the other plan, this plan is primary.
For a dependent child covered under both parents’ plans, the primary plan is:
the plan of the parent whose bir thday comes earlier in the calendar year
(month and day);
the plan that has covered the parent for a longer period of time, if the
parents have the same bir thday; or
the father’s plan, if the other plan does not follow the “bir thday rule”
and uses gender to determine primary responsibility.
When the parents are divorced or separated:
If there is no court decree establishing financial responsibility for the child’s

health care expenses, the plan covering the parent with custody is primary.
If the parent with custody is remarried, his or her plan pays first, the
stepparent’s plan pays second and the non-custodial parent’s plan pays third.
87
If there is a cour t decree specifying which parent has financial
responsibility for the child’s health care expenses, that parent’s plan
is primary once the Fund Office knows about the decree.
If none of the previous rules apply, the plan that has covered the patient
longest is primary.
If Our Plan Is the Secondary Plan

If our plan is secondary, then benefits will be reduced so the total benefits
paid by both plans will not be greater than the allowable expenses. Also,
our plan will not pay more than the amount it would normally pay if it
were primary.
Tips for Coordinating Benefits

To receive all the benefits available to you, file your claim under
each plan.
File claims first with the primary plan, then with the secondary plan.
Include the original or a copy of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

from the primary plan when you submit your bill to the secondary plan.
Remember to keep a copy for your records.
88
CONFIDENTIALITY
Permitted Uses and Disclosures of PHI by

the Fund and the Board of Trustees
The Welfare Fund operates in accordance with the regulations under the
Health Insurance Por tability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) with
respect to protected health information. A complete description of your
rights under HIPAA is available in the Fund’s Notice of Privacy Practices.
The following statement is merely a summar y of the key provisions of the
Fund’s Notice of Privacy Practices.
The term “protected health information” (PHI) includes all individually

identifiable health information related to your past, present or future physical
or mental condition or payment for health care. PHI includes all information
maintained by the Fund in oral, written or electronic form (except for any
information that is received in connection with the life insurance, accidental
death and dismemberment benefits or disability benefits).
The Fund and the Board of Trustees are permitted to use and disclose
PHI for the following purposes, to the extent they are not inconsistent
with HIPAA:
The Fund will disclose protected health information to the Board of

Trustees only for the Trustees’ use in plan administration functions, unless
the Trustees have your written permission to use or disclose your
protected health information for other purposes.
The Fund has in place safeguards to protect the confidentiality, security

and integrity of your health information. Protected health information
that is received by the Board of Trustees from the Fund, will not be used
or disclosed other than as permitted or required by this summary plan
description, or as required by law, or at the request of an individual, to
assist in resolving claims the individual may have with respect to benefits
under the Fund.
The Board of Trustees will not disclose your protected health information
to any of its Providers, agents or subcontractors unless the Providers,
agents and subcontractors agree to keep your protected health information
confidential to the same extent as is required of the Board of Trustees.
89
The Board of Trustees will not use or disclose your protected health
information for any employment-related actions or decisions, or with
respect to any other benefit or other employee benefit plan sponsored
by the Board of Trustees without your specific written permission.
The Fund may disclose protected health information to external vendors

for purposes of health care management in accordance with appropriate
confidentiality agreements. Data shared with external entities for measurement
purposes or research will be released only in an aggregate form that
does not allow direct or indirect member identification. Identifiable
personal information may not be shared with the Fund Office, unless
required by law.
The Board of Trustees will repor t to the Fund’s Privacy Officer any use
or disclosure of protected health information that is inconsistent with
the Fund’s Privacy Policy.
The Board of Trustees will allow you, through the Fund, to inspect and
photocopy your protected health information, to the extent, and in the
manner, required by HIPAA.
The Board of Trustees will make available to the Fund your protected
health information for amendment and incorporation of any such
amendments to the extent, and in the manner, required by HIPAA.
The Board of Trustees will keep a written record of cer tain types of
disclosures it may make of protected health information, so that the Fund
can maintain an accounting of disclosures of protected health information.
The Board of Trustees will make available to the Secretar y of Health

and Human Ser vices its internal practices, books and records relating
to the use and disclosure of protected health information received from
the Fund in order to allow the Secretary to determine the Fund’s
compliance with HIPAA.
The Board of Trustees will return to the Fund or destroy all protected
health information received from the Fund when there is no longer a
need for the information. If it is not feasible for the Board of Trustees to
return or destroy the protected health information, then the Trustees
shall limit their fur ther use or disclosures of any of your protected health
information that it cannot feasibly return or destroy to those purposes
that make the return or destruction of the information infeasible.
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The Board of Trustees shall ensure that adequate separation will be
maintained between the Fund. Only the categories of employees
enumerated hereafter and individual Trustees will be permitted to have
access to and use the protected health information to perform plan
administration functions. The following categories of employees under the
control of the Board of Trustees are the only employees who may obtain
protected health information in the course of performing the duties of
their job with or on behalf of the Board of Trustees: the Fund Director,
the Assistant Fund Manager and all other Welfare Fund claims staff routinely
responsible for administration of claims for the Fund. Additionally, individual
Trustees may receive health information from the Fund in the course of
hearing appeals or handling other plan administration functions.
If the Board of Trustees becomes aware of any noncompliance with the

provisions outlined above by any of the employees listed above, the
Board of Trustees will promptly repor t the violation to the Fund’s Privacy
Officer and will cooperate with the Fund to correct the violation, to
impose appropriate sanctions and to mitigate any harmful effects to the
individual(s) whose privacy has been violated.
91
CLAIMS A N D APPEALS PROCEDURES
This section describes the procedures for filing claims for benefits from
the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund. It also
describes the procedures for you to follow if your claim is denied in whole
or in par t and you wish to appeal the decision. The claims procedures will
vary depending on the type of your claim. The Welfare Fund has contracted
with a number of health organizations (“Health Organization”) to administer
the different benefits components. Read each of the following sections
carefully to determine which procedure is applicable to your par ticular
request for benefits. The effective date of these procedures is July 1, 2002.
These procedures supersede any prior version.
What Is a Claim
A claim is a request for benefits made in accordance with the Fund’s
claims procedures.
What is not a claim:
A request for prior approval of a benefit that does not require prior
approval by the plan is not a claim for benefits.
An inquiry about plan eligibility that does not request benefits is not a
claim for benefits.
A request for verification of whether a par ticular service is covered

under the plan is not a claim for benefits.
The presentation of a prescription to a pharmacy to be filled under the

terms of the plan is not a claim for benefits.
A request made by someone other than the claimant or his or her

authorized representative is not a claim for benefits.
Types of Claims
Precertification. Prior approval of services is required for cer tain medical
ser vices under the plan, including: third surgical opinions, MRIs, MRAs,
cardiac rehabilitation, durable medical equipment, or thotics, prosthetics,
hospice care, home health care, speech, inpatient mental health care and
outpatient and inpatient alcohol or substance abuse treatment. Please refer
to each specific section of this Plan for more information on precer tification.
If you fail to precer tify these services, no Plan benefits will be payable for
the services.
92
Urgent. An Urgent Care Claim is when the plan requires precer tification
of a benefit with respect to medical care or treatment where applying
non-urgent time frames:
could seriously jeopardize the life or health of the claimant or the ability
of the claimant to regain maximum function, or
in the opinion of a physician with knowledge of the claimant’s medical

condition, would subject the claimant to severe pain that cannot be
adequately managed without the care or treatment that is the subject
of the claim.
Whether your claim is an Urgent Care Claim is determined by the plan

applying the judgment of a prudent layperson who possesses an average
knowledge of health and medicine. Alternatively, any claim that a physician
with knowledge of your medical condition determines is an Urgent Care
Claim within the meaning described above shall be treated as an Urgent
Care Claim.
Concurrent. If the plan has approved an ongoing course of treatment

covering either a period of time or a number of treatments, any reduction
or termination before the end of the approved treatment is a concurrent
care decision. For example, if an inpatient hospital stay was initially cer tified
for five days and, upon fur ther review, determined to be cer tified for only
three days, the decision to reduce the length of treatment was made
concurrently with the provision of treatment.
Retrospective. A retrospective request is any claim submitted for payment

after the service or treatment has been rendered to you.
Disability. A disability claim is any claim that requires a finding of total

disability as a condition of eligibility for a benefit. The Fund reser ves the
right to have a Physician examine you (at the Fund’s expense) as often
as is reasonable while a claim for disability benefits is pending.
AD&D. An Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) claim is

any claim for loss of life, limb(s) or sight of eye(s) caused directly and
independently by an accident. For benefits to be payable, the loss must
occur within 365 days of such accident, the loss must be listed in the
schedule of benefits and it must be directly the result of the injuries
and independent of all other causes.
Life insurance. A life insurance claim is any claim for payment made by
your beneficiar y on the occasion of your death.
93
How to File a Claim
A claim form may be obtained from the Fund Office by calling 800-529-3863
or from the specific Health Organization listed below. The claim form
should be completed in its entirety and submitted to the appropriate Health
Organization. If a request is filed improperly or the form is incomplete, the
request will not constitute claim under these procedures.
You will only receive notice of an improperly filed claim if the claim
includes (i) your name, (ii) your specific medical condition or symptom
and (iii) a specific treatment, ser vice or product for which approval is
requested. Check the claim form to be cer tain that all applicable por tions
of the form are completed. Include with the claim form any itemized bills
if ser vices have already been provided to you or any documentation
requested to verify your claim. If the claim forms have to be returned to
you for information, delays in processing the claim will result.
A claim form that is incorrectly sent to the Fund Office will be redirected
to the appropriate Health Organization. The applicable time frame for
processing the claim will begin to run from the date the claim is received
at the appropriate Health Organization (discussed fur ther below in “When
Claims Must Be Filed”).
Authorized Representatives
An authorized representative, such as your spouse, may complete the claim
form for you if you are unable to complete the form yourself and have
previously designated the individual to act on your behalf. A form can be
obtained from the Fund Office to designate an authorized representative.
The plan may request additional information to verify that this person is
authorized to act on your behalf. A health care professional with knowledge
of your medical condition may act as an authorized representative in connection
with an Urgent Care Claim without you having to complete the special
authorization form. If an authorized representative is designated, all notices
will be provided to you through your authorized representative.
When Claims Must Be Filed

Claims should be filed in writing as soon as possible after the date the
charges are incurred. Your claim will be considered to have been filed as soon
as it is received by the appropriate Health Organization that is responsible
for making the initial determination of the claim. Urgent claims, however, may
not be submitted in writing, but must be submitted by telephone to the
appropriate Health Organization.
94
Failure to file claims within the time required shall not invalidate or reduce
any claim, if it was not reasonably possible to file the claim within such time.
However, in that case, the claim must be submitted as soon as reasonably
possible and in no event later than one year from the date the charges
were incurred. Claims for life insurance benefits must be filed within two
years of the loss.
Where to Submit Your Claims

The contact information for each Health Organization for you to use to
submit initial claims is as follows:
Hospital and Medical Claims:

P.O. Box 1407
New York, NY 10008-1407
Attn: Institutional Claims Depar tment
Telephone: 800-553-9603
Prescription Drug Claims:
Caremark
P.O. Box 686005
San Antonio, TX 78268-6005
Telephone: 800-378-0972
Dental Claims:
Self-Insured Dental Services (S.I.D.S.)

P.O. Box 9007, Depar tment 95
Telephone: 877-592-1683
In-NetworkVision Claims:
If you go to a network provider, submit your name and Social Security

number to the provider. The provider will submit the claim form to the Fund
Office for payment.
95
In-Network Hearing Claims:
If you go to a network provider, submit your name and Social Security
number to the provider. The provider will submit the claim form to the
Fund Office for payment.
Out-of-NetworkVision Claims and Out-of-Network Hearing Claims:
New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund

395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Telephone: 800-529-3863
Short-Term Disability Claims:

395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Telephone: 800-529-3863
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and

Life Insurance Claims:

395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Telephone: 800-529-3863
The Fund will review the claim for eligibility and completeness and then
forward the claim to ULLICO at:
111 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.

Mail Stop 709
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: 866-795-0680
Claims Review Process

After you submit a properly completed claim form, the Health Organization
will review the claim and make a decision within the applicable time frames
for decisionmaking.
96
Time Frames for Decisionmaking
The applicable Health Organization will comply with the following time
frames in processing your claim, which vary depending on the type of claim
submitted:
Precertification – The Health Organization will review all requests for

precer tification within 15 days of receipt of the request. If the Health
Organization does not have enough information to make a decision
within 15 days, it will notify you in writing as soon as possible but not
later than 5 days after receipt of the claim of the additional information
needed, and you and your provider will have 45 days to respond. The
Health Organization will make a decision within 15 days of receipt of the
requested information, or if no response is received, within 15 days after
the deadline for a response.
Urgent Precertification – The Health Organization will review all requests

for urgent precer tifications within 72 hours of receipt of the request. If
further information is needed to make the decision, the Health Organization
will notify you by telephone within 24 hours of receipt of the request
and you and your provider will have 48 hours to respond. Notice of the
decision will be provided within 48 hours of receipt of the requested
information, or if no response is received, within 48 hours after the deadline
for a response.
Concurrent – A claim to continue or extend treatment should be filed at

least 24 hours before the expiration of any course of treatment for which
an extension is being sought. The applicable Health Organization will
complete all concurrent reviews of services as soon as possible but in any
event early enough to allow you to have an appeal decided before the
benefit is reduced or terminated.
Retrospective – The applicable Health Organization will complete all

retrospective reviews of ser vices already provided within 30 days of
receipt of the claim. If the Health Organization does not have enough
information to make a decision within 30 days, it will notify you in writing
before the end of the initial 30-day period of the additional information
needed, and you and your provider will have 45 days to respond. The
Health Organization will make a decision within 15 days of receipt of the
requested information, or if no response is received, within 15 days after
the deadline for a response. If an extension is necessary due to matters
beyond the Health Organization’s control, it will notify you in writing
before the end of the initial 30-day period, of the circumstances requiring
the extension of time and the date by which it expects to render a
decision, but the extension may be no more than 15 days.
97
Disability – The Fund will complete its review of a disability claim
within 45 days of receipt of the claim. If an extension is necessary due to
matters beyond the Fund’s control, it will notify you in writing before the
end of the initial 45-day period of the date by which it expects to render
a decision. The Fund will make a decision within 30 days of the time it
notifies you of the delay, or an additional 30 days if it notifies you, prior
to the expiration of the first 30-day extension period, of the circumstances
requiring the extension and the date as of which the plan expects to
render a decision. If an extension is needed because the Fund needs
additional information from you, the extension notice will specify the
information needed. In that case you will have 45 days to respond.
During the period in which you are allowed to supply additional
information, the Fund’s 45-day period for making a decision will be
suspended until either 45 days or the date you respond to the request
(whichever is earlier). The Fund will make a decision within 30 days
of receipt of the requested information, or if no response is received,
your claim will be denied.
AD&D – same as retrospective requests.
Life Insurance – same as retrospective requests.
Notice of Decision
You will be provided with written notice of a denial of a claim (whether
denied in whole or in par t). A denial of a claim may also include any claim
where the plan pays less than the total amount of expenses submitted
regarding a claim. This notice will state:
The specific reason(s) for the determination.
Reference to the specific plan provision(s) on which the determination

is based.
A description of any additional material or information necessar y to

perfect the claim, and an explanation of why the material or information
is necessary.
A description of the appeal procedures (including voluntary appeals,

if any) and applicable time limits.
A statement of your right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section

502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.
If an internal rule, guideline or protocol was relied upon in deciding your

claim, you will receive either a copy of the rule or a statement that it is
available upon request at no charge.
98
If the determination was based on the absence of medical necessity,
or because the treatment was experimental or investigational or other
similar exclusion, you will receive an explanation of the scientific or
clinical judgment for the determination applying the terms of the plan to
your claim or a statement that it is available upon request at no charge.
For Urgent Care Claims, the notice will describe the expedited review
process applicable to Urgent Care Claims. For Urgent Care Claims,
the required determination may be provided orally and followed with
written notification.
Internal Review Process

If your claim is denied in whole or in par t, or if you disagree with the initial
decision made on a claim, you may ask for a review by filing an appeal
with the Health Organization. An appeal is a request to have the Health
Organization reconsider a denial based on a finding that the service is not
medically necessary or is considered to be experimental or investigational.
A grievance is a request to have the Health Organization reconsider a
denial based on any other terms of the plan.
How to File a Request for Review

Your request for review must be made in writing to the Health Organization
within 180 days after you receive notice of denial. If the appeal or grievance
is not submitted within that time frame, the Health Organization will not
review it and its initial decision will stand. The contact information for each
Health Organization is provided below:
Hospital and Medical Appeals:
Appeals:
P.O. Box 1407
New York, NY 10008-1407
Attn: Institutional Claims Depar tment
Telephone: 800-553-9603
Grievances:
Medical Management Appeals Depar tment
Mail Drop 60
P.O. Box 11825
Albany, NY 12211
Telephone: 800-553-9603
99
Dental Appeals:
Self-Insured Dental Service (S.I.D.S.)
P.O. Box 9007, Dept. 95
Telephone: 516-396-5500, 718-204-7172
or 877-592-1683
Vision, Hearing or Prescription Drug Benefit Appeals:

The Board of Trustees
New York City District Council of
Carpenters Welfare Fund
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Telephone: 800-529-3863
AD&D and Life Insurance Appeals:

ULLICO
Mail Stop 709
Telephone: 866-795-0680
Short-Term Disability Appeals:

In NY State:
Workers’ Compensation Board
Disability Benefits Bureau
100 Broadway – Menands
Albany, NY 12241
In New Jersey:
Division of Temporary Disability Insurance
Private Plan Operations
Claims Review Unit
P.O. Box 957
Trenton, N J 08625
100
Your Rights in the Review Process
You have the right to review, free of charge, documents, records or
other information relevant to your claim. A document, record or other
information is relevant if it was relied upon by the plan in making the
decision; it was submitted, considered or generated (regardless of
whether it was relied upon); it demonstrates compliance with the plan’s
administrative processes for ensuring consistent decisionmaking; or
it constitutes a statement of plan policy regarding the denied treatment
or service.
The appeal will be reviewed by an appropriate named fiduciary who

is not the individual who initially denied your claim (or the first appeal
decision in cases with more than one level of appeal).
The reviewer will not give deference to the initial adverse benefit
determination. The decision will be made on the basis of the record,
including such additional written documents, records and comments
that may be submitted by you.
If your claim was denied on the basis of a medical judgment (such as a

determination that the treatment or service was not medically necessary,
or was investigational or experimental), a health care professional who
has appropriate training and experience in a relevant field of medicine
will be consulted.
The health care professional shall be an individual who is neither the

individual who was consulted in connection with your original appeal or
the subordinate of such individual.
Upon request, you will be provided with the identification of medical or

vocational experts, if any, that gave advice to the plan on your claim, without
regard to whether their advice was relied upon in deciding your claim.
Time Frames for Appeals Decisionmaking

After you submit a request for review to the appropriate Health
Organization, it will comply with the following time frames in processing
your request for review, which var y depending on the type of initial
claim submitted: For medical, hospital and dental retrospective requests,
there are two levels of appeals and grievances with the applicable
Health Organizations, plus a voluntar y third level of appeal. For all other
retrospective requests, there is one level of appeal described below.
101
Empire BlueCross BlueShield or S.I.D.S.
First Level. The Health Organization will comply with the following time
frames in reviewing First Level appeals and grievances:
Precer tification — The Health Organization will complete its review

of a precer tification appeal within 15 days of receipt of the appeal.
Urgent — If the need for the service is urgent, the Health Organization
will complete the review as soon as possible, taking into account the
medical circumstances, but in any event within 72 hours of our receipt
of the appeal. The determination will also be confirmed in writing no
later than three days after the oral notification.
Concurrent — The Health Organization will complete its review of a

concurrent appeal within 15 days of receipt of the appeal; provided
however, that if the need for the ser vice is urgent, it will complete the
review as soon as possible, taking into account the medical circumstances,
but in any event within 72 hours of our receipt of the appeal.
Retrospective — The Health Organization will complete its review of a

retrospective appeal within 30 days of receipt of the appeal.
Second Level. Your request must be received within 60 days of the date
of the decision on your First Level appeal or grievance. If the appeal or
grievance is not submitted within that time frame, the Health Organization
will not review it and the decision on the First Level appeal or grievance
will stand. The Health Organization will comply with the following time
frames in reviewing Second Level appeals and grievances:
Precer tification — The Health Organization will complete its review

of a precer tification appeal within 15 days of receipt of the appeal
Urgent — There is no second level of appeal for urgent precer tification

requests.
Concurrent — The Health Organization will complete its review of a

concurrent appeal within 15 days of receipt of the appeal; provided
however, that there is no second level of appeal for urgent concurrent
requests.
Retrospective — The Health Organization will complete its review of

a retrospective appeal within 30 days of receipt of the appeal.
102
Third Level. The third level of appeal is a voluntary procedure.
Should an adverse determination be made upon review of your claim by

S.I.D.S. or Empire BlueCross BlueShield, you will have an oppor tunity to
choose a voluntar y third level of appeal before the Board of Trustees. To
request this third level voluntary appeal, or if you have any questions, please
call the Fund Office. This third level of appeal is not required by the plan
and is only available if you or your authorized representative request it.
The voluntary level of appeal is available only after you have pursued the
appropriate mandatory appeals process required by the Plan, as indicated
previously in this section;
The plan will not asser t a failure to exhaust administrative remedies

where you elect to pursue a claim in cour t rather than through the
voluntar y level of appeal;
Where you choose to pursue a claim in cour t after completing the

voluntary appeal, the plan agrees that any statute of limitations applicable
to your claim in cour t will be tolled (suspended) during the period of
the voluntary appeals process;
Upon your request, the plan will provide you with sufficient information
to make an informed judgment about whether to submit a claim through
the voluntary appeal process, including specific information regarding the
process for selecting a decisionmaker and any circumstances that may
affect the impar tiality of the decisionmaker.
The plan will not impose fees or costs on you should you choose to
invoke the voluntary appeals process.
Appeals heard by the Board of Trustees. Decisions on appeals involving

vision, hearing and prescription drug benefits will be made by the Board
of Trustees at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of
Trustees following receipt of your request for review. However, if your
request for review is received within 30 days of the next regularly
scheduled meeting, your request for review will be considered at the
second regularly scheduled meeting following receipt of your request.
In special circumstances, a delay until the third regularly scheduled
meeting following receipt of your request for review may be necessar y.
You will be advised in writing in advance if this extension will be
necessar y. Once a decision on review of your claim has been reached,
you will be notified of the decision as soon as possible, but no later
than five days after the decision has been reached. The decision by
the Board of Trustees shall be final and binding on all par ties.
103
Disability claims: Decisions on appeals involving disability claims will be
reached within 45 days of your request for a review. However, in special
circumstances, up to an additional 45 days may be necessary to reach a
final decision on a disability claim. You will be advised in writing within the
45 days after receipt of your request for review if an additional period of
time will be necessary to reach a final decision on your disability claim.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Life Insurance

Claims. ULLICO will make a decision within 60 days following receipt of
your request for a review.
Notice of Decision on Review

The decision on any review of your claim (both before and after the
voluntary third level of appeal) will be given to you in writing. The notice
of a denial of a claim on review will state:
The specific reason(s) for the determination.
Reference to the specific plan provision(s) on which the determination

is based.
A statement that you are entitled to receive reasonable access to and

copies of all documents relevant to your claim, upon request and free
of charge.
A statement describing the plan’s voluntary appeal procedures and your

right to obtain information about such procedures.
A statement of your right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a)

of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”)
following an adverse benefit determination on review.
If an internal rule, guideline or protocol was relied upon by the plan,

you will receive either a copy of the rule or a statement that it is
available upon request at no charge.
If the determination was based on medical necessity, or because the

treatment was experimental or investigational, or other similar exclusion,
you will receive an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for
the determination applying the terms of the plan to your claim, or a
statement that it is available upon request at no charge.
The following statement: “You and your plan may have other voluntary
alternative dispute resolution options, such as mediation. One way to
find out what may be available is to contact your local U.S. Depar tment
of Labor office and your state insurance regulatory agency.”
104
Limitation on When a Lawsuit May Be Started
You may not start a lawsuit to obtain benefits until you have requested a review
and a final decision has been reached on review, or until the appropriate time
frame described above has elapsed since you filed a request for review and you
have not received a final decision or notice that an extension will be necessary
to reach a final decision. However, a lawsuit may be started prior to you
requesting or submitting a benefit dispute to any voluntary third level of appeal.
The law also permits you to pursue your remedies under section 502(a) of
ERISA without exhausting these appeal procedures if the Plan has failed to
follow them.
105
GLOSSARY
Active Employee An individual who works for an employer that has an

agreement with the Union that requires contributions to
this plan and who has met the Fund’s eligibility requirements
for active plan par ticipation.
Allowed Amount The Allowed Amount is the maximum charge the plan
recognizes for any ser vice and on which plan payments
are based.
Beneficiary The individual(s), trust or estate that you name to receive
benefits under the Life Insurance and Accidental Death and
Dismemberment insurance coverage, if you should die.
Children Your eligible dependent Children include your biological
child, adopted child (including a child who has been placed
with you for adoption) or stepchild, as long as the child is
unmarried and primarily dependent upon you for suppor t
and maintenance.
Covered is when you are working for an employer that is required
Employment by a collective bargaining agreement or par ticipation
agreement to contribute to the New York City District
Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund on your behalf.
Disabled Child A Disabled Child is an unmarried child of any age
or Children who is incapable of self-sustaining employment due to
physical or mental handicap. The handicap must begin
before age 19 or 25, when coverage for the child would
usually end. Written evidence of the handicap must be
sent to the Fund Office within 60 days of the date when
coverage would usually end and when requested by the
Fund thereafter.
Hospital Facility A fully licensed acute-care general facility that has all of
the following on its own premises:
a broad scope of major surgical, medical, therapeutic
and diagnostic ser vices available at all times to treat
almost all illnesses, accidents and emergencies;
24-hour general nursing service with registered nurses
who are on duty and present in the hospital at all times;
a fully staffed operating room suitable for major surgery,
together with anesthesia service and equipment. The
hospital must perform major surgery frequently enough
to maintain a high level of exper tise with respect to
such surgery in order to ensure quality care;
assigned emergency personnel and a “crash car t” to
treat cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies;
diagnostic radiology facilities;
a pathology laborator y; and
an organized medical staff of licensed doctors.
106
For pregnancy and childbirth services, the definition of a
“hospital” includes any birthing center that has a participation
agreement with either Empire or another Blue Cross and/or
Blue Shield plan.
For physical therapy purposes, the definition of a “hospital”
may include a rehabilitation facility either approved by
Empire or par ticipating with Empire or another Blue Cross
and/or Blue Shield plan.
For kidney dialysis treatment, a facility in New York
State qualifies for in-network benefits if the facility has
an operating cer tificate issued by the New York State
Depar tment of Health, and par ticipates with Empire or
another Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plan. In other
states, the facility must par ticipate with another Blue Cross
and/or Blue Shield plan and be cer tified by the state using
criteria similar to New York’s. Out-of-network benefits
will be paid only for non-par ticipating facilities that have
an appropriate operating cer tificate.
For behavioral health care purposes, the definition of
“hospital” may include a facility that has an operating
cer tificate issued by the Commissioner of Mental Health
under Ar ticle 31 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law;
a facility operated by the Office of Mental Health; or a
facility that has a par ticipation agreement with Empire
to provide mental and behavioral health care ser vices.
For alcohol and/or substance abuse treatment received
out-of-network, a facility in New York State must be
cer tified by the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
Services. A facility outside of New York State must be
approved by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
For cer tain specified benefits, the definition of a “hospital”
or “facility” may include a hospital, hospital depar tment
or facility that has a special agreement with Empire.
Empire’s PPO does not recognize the following facilities as
hospitals: nursing or convalescent homes and institutions;
rehabilitation facilities; institutions primarily for rest or for
the aged; spas; sanitariums; infirmaries at schools, colleges
or camps; and any institution primarily for the treatment
of drug addiction, alcoholism or mental health care.
Injury A bodily Injur y resulting directly from an accident and
independently of other causes, which occurs while you
are covered under this plan.
Itemized Bill An Itemized Bill is a bill from a provider, hospital or
ambulance service that gives information that the health
care organization needs to consider your claim. Provider
and hospital bills will contain the patient’s name, diagnosis
and date and charge for each service performed. A provider
bill will also have the provider’s name and address and
description of each service, while a hospital bill will have
the employee’s name and address, identification number
and the patient’s date of bir th. Ambulance bills will include
the patient’s full name and address, date and reason for
service, total mileage traveled and charges.
107
Medically Ser vices, supplies or equipment provided by a hospital or
Necessary other provider of health ser vices are Medically Necessar y
if they meet the definitions of medical necessity in the
sections on Empire and Medicare benefits.
Operating Area The Empire Operating Area includes the following 28
counties in eastern New York State: Albany, Bronx, Clinton,
Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Fulton, Greene,
Kings, Montgomer y, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam,
Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga,
Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren,
Washington and Westchester. The counties include the
five boroughs of New York City, Long Island and cer tain
areas in upstate New York.
Retiree An individual who is “Totally Disabled” or who is receiving
retirement benefits under the New York City District
Council Carpenters Pension Fund and meets the plan’s
eligibility requirements for retiree coverage.
Totally Disabled During the first 24 months after you stop working due
to a disability, you will be considered Totally Disabled if
you are unable to perform work in Covered Employment.
After 24 months, you will be Totally Disabled if your disability
prevents you from performing work in any occupation.
If you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits, you
will automatically be considered Totally Disabled.
In all cases, you must be an eligible Active Employee when you
become disabled.
108
OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Plan Amendments or Termination

The Board of Trustees intends to continue the Welfare Fund indefinitely;
however, it reserves the exclusive right to amend, modify, suspend, increase
the cost of or terminate the plan at any time, in accordance with the
procedures specified in the Trust agreement. Upon termination of the plan,
the Trustees shall apply the monies of the Fund to provide benefits or to
otherwise carry out the purposes of the plan in an equitable manner, until
the entire remainder of the Fund has been disbursed.
Representations
No local union officer, business agent, local union employee, employer or
employer representative, Fund Office personnel, consultant or individual
trustee or attorney is authorized to speak for the Trustees or commit the
Trustees on any matter relating to the Plan, without the express written
authority of the Trustees.
The Board of Trustees is the named fiduciary that has the discretionary
authority to control and manage the administration and operation of the
plan and Trust. The Board shall have the full, exclusive and discretionary
authority to make rules, regulations, interpretations and computations,
construe the terms of the plan, and determine all issues relating to coverage
and eligibility for benefits. The Board may also take other actions to
administer the plan as it may deem appropriate. The Board’s decisions,
interpretations and computations and other actions shall be final and
binding on all persons.
109
Plan Interpretation
In carrying out their respective responsibilities under the plan, the Board of
Trustees and other plan fiduciaries and individuals to whom responsibility
for the administration of the plan has been delegated have discretionary
authority to interpret the terms of the plan and to determine eligibility and
entitlement to plan benefits in accordance with the terms of the plan, and
to decide any fact related to eligibility for and entitlement to plan benefits.
Any interpretation or determination under such discretionary authority will
be given full force and effect, unless it can be shown that the interpretation
or determination was arbitrary or capricious.
No Liability for the Practice of Medicine

Neither the Fund nor the Trustees or any of their designees are engaged in
the practice of medicine or dentistry; nor do any of them have any control
over any diagnosis, treatment, care or lack thereof, or any health care
services provided or delivered by any health care provider ; nor shall any
of them have any liability whatsoever for any loss or Injur y caused by any
health care provider because of negligence, because of failure to provide
care or treatment, or otherwise.
Subrogation and Reimbursement

When benefits are paid or payable to or for a par ticipant or dependent
(“covered person”) under the terms of this plan, the plan shall be subrogated
to the rights of recovery of such a covered person against any person or
entity who is liable for the injury that necessitated the hospitalization or
the medical or surgical treatment for which the benefits were paid. Such
subrogation rights shall also extend to any recovery by such a covered
person of any proceeds paid under any liability or casualty insurance policy
or program, or under any insurance or self-insurance program other than
this plan. Such subrogation rights shall extend only to the recovery by the
plan of the benefits it has paid for such hospitalization or treatment. The
covered person is obligated to avoid doing anything that would prejudice
this plan’s rights of subrogation and reimbursement. If the covered person
to whom benefits are paid or payable under this plan fails to bring suit
promptly against a third par ty, the plan may, in its discretion, commence any
legal action or administrative proceeding it deems necessary to protect its
right to recovery and try or settle that action or proceeding in the name
of and with the full cooperation of the covered person, but, in doing so,
the plan will not represent or provide legal representation for the covered
person with respect to his or her damages that exceed the benefits paid by
the plan.
110
In the event the plan should request information from the claimant regarding
material necessary for the implementation of this subrogation provision
with respect to a claim, the plan reserves the right to withhold payment of
such claim pending the submission of the requested information.
If the covered person does not reimburse the plan as required by this
provision, the plan may, in its sole discretion, apply any future benefits that
may become payable on behalf of the covered person to the amount
not reimbursed, or obtain a judgment against the covered person from a
court for the amount not reimbursed and garnish or attach the wages or
earnings of the covered person.
111
PLA N FACTS
Official Plan Name New York City District Council of Carpenters

Welfare Fund
Employer Identification 13-5615576
Number (EIN)
Plan Number 501
Plan Year July 1– June 30
Type of Plan Welfare benefit plan providing medical, hospital,
dental, vision, hearing, disability, prescription drug
and life insurance benefits.
Funding of Benefits All contributions to the Welfare Fund are made by
employers in accordance with collective bargaining
agreements and par ticipation agreements in force
with the District Council or the Fund. These
agreements require contributions to the Welfare
Fund at fixed rates. A copy of any such agreement
may be requested or examined at the Fund Office.
Trust Contributions to the Welfare Fund are held in a
trust under The Agreement and Declaration of Trust
Establishing the New York City District Council of
Carpenters Welfare Fund, as the same may be
amended from time to time. The custodian for the
Trust is The Bank of New York.
Plan Administrator The New York City District Council of Carpenters
Welfare Fund is administered by a joint Board of
Trustees composed of twelve trustees: six designated
by employer organizations and independent employers
and six designated by the District Council. Their
names appear later in this brochure. The office of
the Board of Trustees may be contacted at:
Board of Trustees
New York City District Council of Carpenters
Welfare Fund
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
212-366-7300
Plan Sponsor The New York City District Council of Carpenters
Welfare Fund is sponsored by the joint Board of
Trustees. The office of the Board of Trustees may be
contacted at:
Board of Trustees
Welfare Fund
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
212-366-7300
112
Trustees Board of Trustees
Welfare Fund
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
212-366-7300
Participating Employers The Fund will provide you, upon written
request, with information as to whether a
par ticular employer is contributing to the
Welfare Fund on behalf of employees, as well
as the address of such employer. Additionally,
a complete list of employers and unions
par ticipating in the Welfare Fund may be
obtained upon written request to the Fund
Office and is available for examination at
the Fund Office.
Agent for Service of Legal Executive Director, New York City District
Process Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Legal process may also be ser ved on the Plan
Administrator, the individual Trustees, any
insurer of benefits, or, with regard to any such
insurer, the super visor y official of the local
state insurance depar tment.
113
Other Administrative and Funding Information
This section provides impor tant information about third par ties involved
in providing and administering Plan benefits. You may want to refer to this
section for information if a question arises concerning a par ticular benefit.
Medical benefits. Benefits for active par ticipants and retirees who are
not Medicare-eligible are self-funded; that is, they are paid out of Fund
assets. The Fund has contracted with Empire BlueCross and BlueShield to
administer the program on its behalf. In addition to forwarding to Empire
amounts required to pay Plan benefits, the Fund also pays Empire an
administrative fee. Empire then assumes the responsibility for providing the
benefits called for under its contract. Empire may be contacted at:

P.O. Box 1407
New York, NY 10008-1407
Telephone: 800-553-9603
www.empireblue.com
Benefits for individuals in the Medicare Supplemental Plan are also self-
funded and are administered by C&R Consulting. C&R can be reached at:
C&R Consulting
1501 Broadway – Suite 1724
New York, NY 10036
Telephone: 866-320-3807
Prescription drug benefits. Benefits under this program are paid out of
Fund assets.The Fund has contracted with Caremark to administer the
program on its behalf. In addition to forwarding to Caremark amounts
required to pay plan benefits, the Fund also pays Caremark an
administrative fee. Caremark can be reached at:
Caremark
2211 Sander Road
Nor thbrook, IL 60062
Telephone: 800-378-0972
www.caremark.com
Dental benefits. Benefits under this plan are paid out of Fund assets. The
Fund has contracted with S.I.D.S. to provide claims and other administrative
services. The Fund pays S.I.D.S. a fee for these administrative services, in
addition to forwarding to it the amounts required to pay plan benefits.
114
S.I.D.S. can be contacted at the following address:

P.O. Box 9007, Dept. 95
Telephone: 516-396-5500, 718-204-7172
or toll-free 800-537-1238
www.asonet.com
Vision benefits and hearing aid benefit. Benefits under this plan are paid out
of Fund assets.The Fund has contracted with General Vision Services (“GVS”),
Comprehensive Professional Systems (“CPS”) and Vision Screening to provide
access to par ticipating providers, process claims and other administrative
services. (Vision Screening provides only vision services.) The Fund pays GVS,
CPS and Vision Screening a negotiated fee. GVS can be reached at the
following address:
General Vision Services

330 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Telephone: 212-594-2580
CPS can be reached at the following address:
Comprehensive Professional Systems, Inc.

48 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
Telephone: 212-675-5745
Vision Screening can be reached at the following address:
Vision Screening
1919 Middle Country Road
Centereach, NY 11720
Telephone: 631-467-4515
Life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment insurance.

Benefits under these plans are insured by Union Labor Life Insurance
Company (“ULLICO”). The Fund pays premiums to ULLICO for the
coverage and ULLICO assumes responsibility for the payment of benefits.
ULLICO can be contacted at:
ULLICO
Mail Stop 709
Telephone: 866-795-0680
Short-term disability benefits. Benefits under this plan are paid out of Fund
assets and administered through the Fund Office.
Scholarship program. Scholarship benefits are paid out of Fund assets

and administered through the Fund Office. 115
YOUR RIGHTS U N DER THE EMPLOYEE
RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT
OF 1974 (ERISA )
As a par ticipant in the New York City District Council of Carpenters

Welfare Fund, you are entitled to cer tain rights and protections under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). ERISA provides
that all plan par ticipants shall be entitled to:
Receive Information About Your Plan

and Benefits
Examine, without charge, at the Fund Office and at other specified
locations, such as work locations and union halls, all documents
governing the plan, including summary plan descriptions, collective
bargaining agreements and a copy of the latest annual repor t (Form
5500 series).
Obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of

documents governing the operation of the plan, including collective
bargaining agreements, and copies of the latest annual repor t (Form
5500 series) and an updated summary plan description. The Plan
Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies.
Receive a summary of the plan’s annual financial repor t. The Trustees

are required by law to furnish each par ticipant with a copy of this
summary annual repor t.
Continue Group Health Plan Coverage

Continue health coverage for yourself, spouse or dependents if there
is a loss of coverage under the plan as a result of a “qualifying event.”
You or your dependents may have to pay for such coverage. Review
this summary plan description and the documents governing the Plan
on the rules governing your COBRA continuation coverage rights.
Receive a cer tificate of creditable coverage, free of charge, from your

group health plan when you lose coverage under the plan, when you
become entitled to elect COBRA continuation coverage, when your
COBRA continuation coverage ceases, if you request it before losing
coverage or if you request it up to 24 months after losing coverage.
Without evidence of creditable coverage, you may be subject to a
preexisting condition exclusion for 12 months (18 months for late
enrollees) after your enrollment date in your new group health plan.
116
Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries
In addition to creating rights for plan par ticipants, ERISA imposes duties
upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the employee
benefit plan. The people who operate your plan, called “fiduciaries” of the
plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other
plan par ticipants and beneficiaries. No one, including your employer, your
union or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against
you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a welfare benefit or
exercising your rights under ERISA.
Enforce Your Rights

If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in par t,
you have a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents
relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within
cer tain time schedules.
Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights.
For instance, if you request a copy of plan documents or the latest annual
repor t from the plan and do not receive them within 30 days, you may
file suit in a federal cour t. In such a case, the cour t may require the Plan
Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until
you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of
reasons beyond the control of the Administrator.
If you have a claim for benefits that is denied or ignored, in whole or in

par t, you may file suit in a state or federal cour t. In addition, if you disagree
with the plan’s decision or lack thereof concerning the qualified status
of a medical child suppor t order, you may file suit in federal cour t. If it
should happen that plan fiduciaries misuse the plan’s money, or if you are
discriminated against for asser ting your rights, you may seek assistance
from the U.S. Depar tment of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal cour t.
The cour t will decide who should pay cour t costs and legal fees. If you
are successful, the cour t may order the person you have sued to pay these
costs and fees. If you lose, the cour t may order you to pay these costs
and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous.
117
Assistance With Your Questions
If you have any questions about your plan, you should contact the Fund
Office. If you have any questions about this statement or about your
rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining documents from
the Fund Office, you should contact the nearest Office of the Employee
Benefits Security Administration (formerly the Pension and Welfare Benefits
Administration), U.S. Depar tment of Labor, listed in your telephone
directory, or :
Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries

Employee Benefits Security Administration
U.S. Depar tment of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
You may also obtain cer tain publications about your rights and
responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the
Employee Benefits Security Administration.
118
MEMBERS OF THE JOINT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Trustees Designated
by District Council Title Address
Michael J. Forde Chairman of the Board 395 Hudson St.
212-366-7500 of Trustees New York, NY 10014
New York City District
Council of Carpenters
Peter Thomassen Trustee 395 Hudson St.
212-366-7500 New York City District New York, NY 10014
Denis Sheil Trustee 395 Hudson St.
Vincent Alongi Trustee 89-07 Atlantic Ave.
718-850-7972 New York City District Woodhaven, NY 11421
Lawrence D’Errico Trustee 157 E. 25th St.
John Greaney Trustee 505 8th Ave., 4th fl.
Trustees Designated
by Employers and
Employer Organizations Employer Associations Address
Joseph Olivieri Co-Chairman of the 125 Jericho Turnpike
516-478-5600 Board of Trustees Suite 301
Association of Wall-Ceiling Jericho, NY 11753
and Carpentr y Industries
George Greco Manufacturing Woodworkers Midhattan Woodworking
732-727-3020 Association of Greater Corp.
New York, Inc. Bordentown Avenue
& Cheesequake Road
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Richard B. Harding, Jr. The Cement League Humphreys & Harding, Inc.
212-697-0390 755 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10170
Michael Mazzucca The Hoist Trade Association Regional Scaffolding
718-881-6200 of New York, Inc. Company
3900 Webster Avenue
Bronx, NY 10470
David Meberg Greater New York Floor Consolidated Carpet
212-226-4600 Coverers Association Trade Workroom
568 Broadway
Suite 105
New York, NY 10012
Paul J. O’Brien Building Contractors 451 Park Avenue South
212-683-8080 Association 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
119
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NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL

OF CARPENTERS BENEFIT FUNDS

NYC District Council of

summary plan description

AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR WELFARE BENEFITS 1

ABOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION 3

HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL BENEFITS 16

HOSPITAL SERVICES UNDER EMPIRE

SPECIAL PROGRAMS PROVIDED THROUGH

HOW TO FILE AN EMPIRE BLUECROSS

PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM 58

ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS 79

HEARING AID BENEFIT 82

CLAIMS AND APPEALS PROCEDURES 92

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 109

PLAN FACTS 112

MEMBERS OF THE JOINT BOARD OF TRUSTEES 118

ABOUT THIS BOOKLET

a scholarship program that can provide financial assistance for your

About your… Call…

Medical coverage Empire BlueCross BlueShield

Eligibility for Active Employees

If you work 250 hours during Coverage Begins

October, November, December Januar y 1

Continued Eligibility During Periods of Disability

Eligibility Credit. If you receive shor t-term disability or Workers’

Continuation of Coverage during Total Disability (“Disability Waiver”).

You are considered “Totally Disabled” during the first 24 months of a

If you become Totally Disabled and are unable to work in Covered

Eligibility for Retirees

Return to work. If you return to Covered Employment and your pension

If you are not eligible as an Active Employee when disability commences

If you are not eligible as an Active Employee when disability commences

Disability Pensioners who are eligible and in receipt of a Social Security

unmarried Children, until December 31 of the year in which they reach

Coverage for the dependent Children described above generally continues

a copy of a marriage cer tificate if you are enrolling a spouse;

a copy of a bir th cer tificate or documentation of adoption if you are

Qualified Medical Child Support Orders

marriage, divorce or annulment;

a dependent child reaches a limiting age or otherwise ceases to be

you or your dependent becomes entitled to Medicare or Medicaid;

a covered dependent dies; or

your employment status changes (i.e., termination or commencement of

If you die, your surviving

Continued Coverage During Military Leave. If you are on active military

When you return to work after receiving an honorable discharge, your

90 days of the date of discharge if the period of military service is more

at the beginning of the first full regularly scheduled working period on

When Coverage Ends

You or your covered dependents no longer meet the Fund’s eligibility

The Fund or insurance company terminates the contract that provides

You or your covered dependents make a false statement on an

Your HIPAA Rights

The Cer tificate of Creditable Coverage will be provided to you:

on your request, within 24 months after your Fund coverage ends;

when you are entitled to elect COBRA;

when your COBRA coverage ends.