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The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $188,000 to $195,100 beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to administer the annual changes in the amount of the lifetime maximum benefit under the ERMA Plan.

In conjunction with the formula established in 2001, a new lifetime maximum was calculated by utilizing the October 2022 consumer price index (CPI) data for Hospital and Related Services and Physician Services. The result is a lifetime maximum for 2024 of $195,100.

For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after the effective date of the new maximum. For 2024, this amount will be $7,100.

This change will apply to all railroads and crafts participating in ERMA.

The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $182,700 to $188,000 beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to administer the annual changes in the amount of the lifetime maximum benefit under the ERMA Plan.

In conjunction with the formula established in 2001, a new lifetime maximum was calculated by utilizing the October 2022 consumer price index (CPI) data for Hospital and Related Services and Physician Services. The result is a lifetime maximum for 2023 of $188,000.

For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after the effective date of the new maximum. For 2023, this amount will be $5,300.

This change will apply to all railroads and crafts participating in ERMA.

The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $171,100 to $175,700 beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to administer the annual changes in the amount of the lifetime maximum benefit under the ERMA Plan.
In conjunction with the formula established in 2001, a new lifetime maximum was calculated by utilizing the October 2020 consumer price index (CPI) data for Hospital and Related Services and Physician Services. The result is a lifetime maximum for 2021 of $175,700.
For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after the effective date of the new maximum. For 2021, this amount will be $4,600.
This change will apply to all railroads and crafts participating in ERMA.

caduceusThe lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $166,400 to $171,100 beginning Jan. 1, 2020.
At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to administer the annual changes in the amount of the lifetime maximum benefit under the ERMA Plan.
In conjunction with the formula established in 2001, a new lifetime maximum was calculated by utilizing the October 2018 consumer price index (CPI) data for Hospital and Related Services and Physician Services. The result is a lifetime maximum for 2020 of $171,100.
For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after the effective date of the new maximum. For 2020, this amount will be $4,700.
This change will apply to all railroads and crafts participating in ERMA.

UnitedHealthcare has announced that enrollment is open under Group Policy GA-23111.
From November through December 2018, any individual who is eligible for coverage under one of the GA-23111 plans can enroll and will be accepted for coverage without any medical underwriting or requirement of good health. This includes family members who may not already be covered by the policy.
There are no limitations for pre-existing conditions, and coverage will be effective Jan. 1, 2019.
Only applicants whose completed enrollment forms are postmarked in November or December 2018 will be considered for enrollment.
This enrollment is for former railroad employees (and their dependents) who:

  • Were previously covered under any railroad health plan and were represented by a railway labor organization, or
  • Were members in accordance with the constitution or bylaws of one of the participating railway labor organizations when coverage under their applicable group health plan ended.

Open enrollment under Plan F is available for railroad employees’ parents or parents-in-law who are eligible under Medicare.
For persons eligible for Medicare, call 800-809-0453 for more information.
For persons not eligible for Medicare, call 800-842-5252 for more information.
To get an enrollment form, visit www.yourtracktohealth.com and follow the “Plan Your Retirement” link at the top of the home page, then visit “Essential Forms” and then “Group Policy GA-23111 Enrollment Form.”
A PDF with more information about GA-23111 is available for download.
An open enrollment period for GA-23111 Plan E also is underway in November and Decemeber.
GA-23111 Plan E is made available by rail labor organizations and pays 70 percent on eligible expenses of the 20 percent not covered under GA-46000, which is the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit plan (ERMA). Combined, GA-46000 and Plan E cover 94 percent of your eligible expenses.

  • Plan E has a $100 calendar year deductible per individual.
  • Plan E adds an additional lifetime maximum amount of $500,000 for you and each enrolled dependent, which is much higher than for GA-46000 alone
  • Plan E has some benefits for routine and/or preventive benefits. For example, covered expenses for pap smears and mammograms are payable in full at 100 percent and not subject to the calendar year deductible. However, the charge for the office visit in connection with the preventive service is not payable under Plan E.

A PDF with more information about Plan E also is available.

caduceusThe lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $162,500 to $166,400 beginning Jan. 1, 2019.
At the end of 2001, labor and management had agreed on various procedures to administer the annual changes in the amount of the lifetime maximum benefit under the ERMA Plan.
In conjunction with the formula established in 2001, a new lifetime maximum was calculated by utilizing the October 2018 consumer price index (CPI) data for Hospital and Related Services and Physician Services. The result is a lifetime maximum for 2019 of $166,400.
For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after the effective date of the new maximum. For 2019, this amount will be $3,900.
This change will apply to all railroads and crafts participating in ERMA.

caduceusThe lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $157,800 to $162,500 beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
At the end of 2001, Labor and Management had agreed on various procedures to administer the annual changes in the amount of the lifetime maximum benefit under the ERMA Plan.
In conjunction with the formula established in 2001, a new lifetime maximum was calculated by utilizing the October 2017 consumer price index (CPI) data for Hospital and Related Services and Physician Services. The result is a lifetime maximum for 2018 of $162,500.
For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after the effective date of the new maximum. For 2018, this amount will be $4,700.
This change will apply to all railroads and crafts participating in ERMA.

caduceusUTU members and their dependents insured under the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (ERMA) Plan (GA-46000) will have their lifetime maximum amount of coverage increased, effective Jan. 1.

ERMA is a comprehensive benefits plan for employees who retire at or after age 60 with 30 years of service. The plan covers qualified employees, spouses and dependents until the employee reaches age 65. If the employee qualifies for Medicare before reaching 65, ERMA no longer covers the employee, but dependents continue coverage until the employee reaches age 65. ERMA is not applicable when any covered individual becomes Medicare eligible.

The lifetime maximum, effective Jan. 1, 2014, will be $141,400, an increase of $5,200.

The formula for increasing the lifetime maximum under ERMA was agreed upon by labor and management in 2001. The new lifetime maximum was derived by utilizing the October 2013 Consumer Price Index data for hospital and related services and physician services.

For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after Jan. 1, the effective date of the new maximum.

This change will apply to all railroads and crafts participating in ERMA.