Healthcare

Priority Health (HMO) became an eligible option for active and retired UAW members effective June 1.  To make the switch, contact the GM Benefit Center at 1(800) 489-4646.  If you need assistance, contact the Benefit Plans Office at (616) 246-3450 or (800) 730-8292.

For active and retired UAW members enrolled in the Traditional or PPO health options, a bulletin was sent out by GM that noted several administrative changes effective June 1. 

1.      Elimination of payment for facility charges when a non-covered cosmetic surgical      procedure is performed.  Previously, the physician charges were not paid, but facility charges were covered.

2.      Blue Preferred Plus - Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) enrollee’s must now obtain an approved referral in advance of receiving services from an out-of-network   provider.

3.      The “Hold Harmless” Provision is eliminated except in situations where the enrollee/patient  does not have the ability to control who is providing medical services, such as a comatose patient, or where there is not an available network/participating physician within a reasonable distance of where the patient resides.  In all other cases, if an enrollee chooses to receive services from an out of network/non-participating physician, the enrollee/patient will be responsible for payment of charges that exceed the approved amount.

 1.      Several changes in regard to prescription drugs.  If you or a family member have been identified as taking one of the drugs that is affected by these changes, you will be contacted by letter and advised as to the new guidelines.  This communication     includes a phone number to call Medco with questions.

2.      Only Retired UAW members who have been identified as General Motors Retiree’s covered by the new ‘Modified Plan’ will now have to pay a $50 emergency room co-pay that is waived if you are admitted to the hospital from the emergency room.

3.      Retiree’s who are Medicare eligible will incur greater out of pocket cost if they don’t have medical services provided by a physician who accepts assignment of Medicare benefits.

PSP

Effective July 1, 2006, the new Roth Savings feature will be available as part of the Personal Savings Plan program.  If interested, see your Benefit Plan Reps for more information.

Pension

We had 63 UAW members retire in June and 151 are scheduled to retire in July.  About 80 employees had signed up for the pre-retirement option as of Friday, June 16.

Respectfully submitted,

Local 730 Benefit Reps