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Posted October 12, 2011 09:23:35 CDT

Annual Health and Welfare Enrollment for Agreement Employees for the 2012 Calendar Year

Annual health and welfare enrollment for The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (H&W Plan) began October 3, 2011, and will end November 4, 2011. Annual enrollment for the National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union Health and Welfare Plan (NRC/UTU Plan) began October 10, 2011, and will end November 11, 2011. Enrollment materials have been mailed by UnitedHealthcare to all eligible employees in both plans. Employees should carefully review the information on record for themselves and their dependents. It also is time to consider the benefit choices or changes to become effective January 1, 2012.

Important information included in the packet that may impact an employee’s enrollment is as follows:

Dependent Social Security Numbers (SSN) Required

Federal Law requires the reporting of Social Security Numbers (SSN) for covered dependents to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS). In addition, if a covered dependent is eligible for Medicare, the Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) is also required. Dependent(s) will not be added to the plan for coverage in 2012 if an employee fails to provide his/her covered dependent(s) Social Security Number(s).

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Act”)

The enrollment materials will include a document named “Important Health Care Reform Information that May Affect You”, which explains how this Act will affect the coverage for employees and eligible dependents. This document discusses:

  • Grandfathered Status Disclosure - Both Plans are considered to be a “grandfathered health plan.”
  • Eligibility of Certain Dependents to Age 26 - The Act requires that the Plans extend certain dependent children coverage to age 26, regardless of student, marital, residence or financial dependence status of the dependent child. These changes impact only the dependent’s Medical coverage. The Act does not impact the Dental and Vision coverage.

Questions regarding the 2012 enrollment materials or agreement benefits may be directed to Railroad Enrollment Services at 1-800-753-2692.

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