Effective July 1, 2016, rail employees covered under The NRC/UTU Health and Welfare Plan and The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan will see their monthly Health and Welfare contribution increased from the current $198.00 per month, to $228.89 per month.
Why the increase?
Since July 1, 2012 and pursuant to provisions of the September 16, 2011 National Rail Agreement, the health and welfare contribution was frozen at $198.00 per month. That agreement also contained provisions to increase the contribution amount to a maximum of $230.00 per month, effective July 1, 2016.
A national rail agreement is currently being negotiated and the new monthly contribution amount will remain in effect until modified.
How is the increase determined?
The formula used in determining the monthly employee contribution takes into account the Carriers Monthly Payment Rate for everything other than on-duty injury health care benefits, and the payment rates for benefits under The Railroad Employees National Dental Plan and The Railroad Employees National Vision Plan. The employee contribution is 15 percent of such monthly payment rates.
Tag: NRC/UTU H&W plan
Annual health and welfare enrollment materials for railroad employees and/or dependents covered under the National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union (NRC/UTU) Health and Welfare Plan are being mailed by UnitedHealthcare.
(Those members covered under the national health and welfare plan should have already received their enrollment materials in the mail.)
Included is a “Dependent Add Form” designed strictly for adding dependents to your plan during this open enrollment period who are not already listed on the “Enrollment Form.”
Certain dependent children under age 26 are eligible for coverage under the plan. Please read this section carefully and, if these children qualify for coverage, they must be added to the “Enrollment Form” and that form returned to UnitedHealthcare no later than Nov. 11 in order to be eligible for benefits beginning Jan. 1, 2012.
It is important that you open this material upon receipt to verify that the information on the enrollment form is correct. If you have opted-out of coverage you MUST renew your opt-out for 2012 and return it by Nov. 11. If you add eligible dependent children, you must return the “Enrollment Form” no later than Nov. 11 for your elections/ changes to become effective Jan. 1, 2012.
If members do not receive these enrollment materials, call Railroad Enrollment Services toll-free at 1-800-753-2692.