SECTION FIVE A: Your Enhanced Medical Benefits (Level II)

Summary of Benefits

The Teamsters Local 251 Health Services and Insurance Plan offers you and your family a comprehensive package of benefits. Your coverage includes Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Legal, and MAP.

The Trustees have chosen the United Healthcare Choice Plus plan to provide you with quality medical care and CVS Caremark for your prescription drug plan. Through UnitedHealthcare, you also get the convenience and cost savings of the national Choice Plus provider network, although you have the freedom to visit any provider you'd like.
The following pages contain a brief overview of Level II benefits. For Legal Services, refer to Section 9 for benefits provided.  Your Medical Benefits are described in greater detail later in this section.  

How Your Medical Plan Works

No one ever plans on getting sick or injured — but just in case — you should be familiar with the variety of Level II medical benefits that the Teamsters 251 Health Services Plan offers you and your family.

The Trustees have selected the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus plan to provide high quality and convenient coverage including doctor's office visits, hospitalization and surgery, extended care, chemical dependency and behavioral health benefits. UnitedHealthcare providers accept a pre-negotiated rate (allowance) for all services. In most cases you're only responsible for your coinsurance or a small copayment, if applicable.

What You Need To Do:

• Check your provider directory, call 1 (866) 527-9596, or visit the Web site at www.myuhc..com to find a provider who participates in the Choice Plus national network.  

• After you've received your medical care, the UnitedHealthcare network  provider will forward the claim for processing.

Out-of-Network Service

You are not required to visit a doctor in the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus national network; however, if you are treated by an out-of-network physician, you will pay more. You will be responsible for paying the entire cost up front, and then submitting your claim to UnitedHealthcare. They will generally reimburse you at 70% of the allowance for covered services. You'll also be responsible for any amount that the out-of-network provider charges above the UnitedHealthcare allowance, as well as any applicable copayment. The example below shows the difference in out-of-pocket costs when you visit a provider in the Choice Plus national network PPO or an out-of-network provider.

For example: Steven has to have surgery. UnitedHealthcare has negotiated a discounted rate for services (the allowance) with its national network of providers. The allowance for Steven's surgery is $500.

• In this example, the assumption is made that Steven has already met his annual deductible.

Out-of-pocket Maximum

The most you'll pay out of your own pocket for coinsurance each calendar year is $2,000 per individual at network providers/$4,000 per individual at non-network providers. If you have family coverage any combination of coinsurance payments that reaches $4,000 will meet the maximum. Once you reach this maximum, UnitedHealthcare will reimburse you for most eligible medical expenses at 100% of the allowance for the remainder of the year.

What's Not Covered

• Services that are not medically necessary
• Services covered by the government
• Benefits available from other sources
• Services or supplies mandated by laws in other states
• Services provided by college /school health facilities
• Services provided by facilities that haven't been approved by UnitedHealthcare.
• Services performed by people/facilities who are not legally qualified or licensed
• Eye Exercises
• Illegal drugs
• Employment related injuries
• Eyeglasses, routine eye exams, contact lenses, hearing aids or dental care
• Pre-authorization penalties, deductibles, copayments or coinsurance

This is not a contract. A detailed list of exclusions and limitations appears in your UnitedHealthcare Benefit Booklet.

Hospitalization and Surgery

UnitedHealthcare provides coverage for you and your dependents for hospitalization and surgery.

Hospitalization and Surgery are covered at 90% of the allowance once your annual deductible has been met when you use a Choice Plus network provider. No copayment applies. You must pay a $100 copayment for medically necessary care in an emergency room. If you're admitted to the hospital, this copayment will be waived.

Hospitalization Benefits

If you or your eligible dependent(s) require treatment as an inpatient in a general or speciality hospital, your hospital stay is covered up to 90% of the allowance after you have met your deductible for an unlimited number of days.  If you are hospitalized at a non-network hospital, you will be reimbursed at 70% of the allowance after you've met your deductible.

Preauthorization Recommended

You are strongly recommended to have any elective hospital stays and surgeries preauthorized. If you use a Choice Plus national network participating provider, your doctor will preauthorize your hospitalization for you. If you use a non-network provider or another UnitedHealthcare provider, you must call (866) 527-9596 for preauthorization. If you do not have an elective hospital stay preauthorized, services may not be covered.

Covered Hospital Expenses:

UnitedHealthcare covers the following services if you are hospitalized:

• semi-private room or private room if medically necessary (network hospital only);
• medical and surgical supplies;
• use of the operating room;
• recovery room;
• anesthesia supplies;
• certain prescribed drugs and medications;
• laboratory examinations and pulmonary function tests;
• electrocardiograms (EKGs) and electro-encephalogram (EEG);
• insulin and shock therapy;
• inhalation and oxygen therapy;
• mammograms;
• pap smears;
• physical therapy;
• occupational therapy;
• speech evaluation and therapy;
• hearing evaluation;
• computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• services of a licensed clinical psychologist when ordered by a doctor and billed by a hospital;
• blood services;
• diagnostic x-rays, radiotherapy and diagnostic and therapeutic radioisotopic services;
• hemodialysis — use of machine and other physical equipment;
• cardiac pacemakers;
• prosthesis;
• ultrasonography; and
• other hospital services necessary for your treatment and approved by UnitedHealthcare.

Emergency Room Care

Medically necessary emergency room care(hospital based) is covered after you pay a $100 copayment. This copayment will be waived if you are admitted to the hospital within 24 hours. Only medically necessary emergency room services are covered, including treatment for accidents and life threatening illnesses.

Surgery

UnitedHealthcare will cover most surgical procedures at 90% of the allowance after your annual deductible has been met as long as:

• the doctor is a Choice Plus national network provider
• the operation is not experimental/investigational or cosmetic in nature;
• you have obtained preauthorization, if necessary;
• the operation is performed in a hospital, ambulatory surgi-center, doctor's office, or at home by a doctor; and
• the doctor is licensed to perform the surgery.

Multiple Surgeries

When multiple procedures are performed on the same day by the same individual physician or other healthcare professional reduction in reimbursement for secondary and subsequent procedures will occur.
100% of the allowed amount will be applied to the primary procedure
50% of the allowed amount will be applied to the secondary procedure
50% of the allowed amount will be applied for all subsequent procedures.

Anesthesia

This plan covers medically necessary anesthesia services received from an anesthesiologist when the services are related to a covered procedure. The allowance for the anesthesia service includes the anesthesia care during the procedure, time an anesthesiologist routinely spends with a patient in the recovery room, time spent preparing the patient for surgery, and for pre-operative consultations.

The allowance for the surgical procedure includes local anesthesia.

What's Not Covered

• Services if you leave the hospital or are discharged late
• Blood services
• Charges for administrative services
• Christian Scientist practitioners
• Cosmetic procedures
• Determination of post-operative fluid or electrolyte balance
• Removal of growths or lesions (reported cauterizations or electro fulguration methods used to remove growths)
• Research studies or fluoroscopy
• Supervision of Maintenance Therapy
• Autologus Bone Marrow transplants are covered for certain conditions refer to the UnitedHealthcare Summary Plan Description.  
• Experimental/investigational services

This is not a contract. A complete list of exclusions and limitations appears in your UnitedHealthcare Benefit Booklet.

Wellness Benefits

Most wellness benefits, such as routine annual physical exams, annual gynecological exams and well-child office visits are covered with a $0 copayment when you use a Choice Plus national network provider.

Well-Child Benefits

The Plan covers your dependent children for physical exams and immunizations. You are responsible for a $0 copayment per doctor's office visit.

The following chart shows the number of covered physical examinations your child may receive, based on age.

Well-Woman Benefits

The Health Services Plan encourages women to have an annual wellness exam. Women are eligible for an annual exam for a $0 copayment when performed by a Choice Plus National network provider and a pap test which is covered in full.

Women are also eligible for one baseline mammogram between the ages of 35-39 and one every year at age 40 and after.

Woman's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998

In accordance with the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, this Plan will provide the following coverage for a participant who is receiving benefits in connection with a mastectomy and who elects breast reconstruction surgery in connection with such mastectomy:

• 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 the mastectomy, including lymphedemas.

Preventive Physical Exams

Annual physical exams are covered as a regular personal physician office visit for a $0 copayment when you visit a Choice Plus national network provider.

What's Not Covered

•  Premarital or pre-employment physicals
• Weight loss programs/procedures

This is not a contract. A complete list of exclusions and limitations appears in your UnitedHealthcare Benefit Booklet.

Extended Care Benefits

If you or someone in your family requires extended care, such as Home Health Care, Hospice Care, or Skilled Nursing Facility Care, UnitedHealthcare will pay up to 90% of allowance for most services, when you use a Choice Plus national network provider.

It is strongly recommended that you receive preauthorization before receiving extended care benefits. If extended care services are provided by a network provider or facility that participates directly with UnitedHealthcare, the provider will call to preauthorize your treatment for you. If you visit non-participating providers or facilities, or providers or facilities that participate with another network, we recommend that you call customer service to initiate the preauthorization process before scheduling the service. Preauthorized Hospice Care services are covered up to 90% of allowance after your annual deductible has been met when you use a Choice Plus national network provider.

What You Need to Do:

• If you obtain extended care benefits from a non-network provider or facility, contact UnitedHealthcare at (866) 527-9596  at least two days before you require care to receive preauthorization.

Home Health Care

If you or one of your eligible dependents qualify to receive health care at home, UnitedHealthcare will cover the services provided through a hospital or approved community home health care program to treat your condition. The following services are covered up to 90% of allowance after your annual deductible has been met when you use a Choice Plus national network provider:

• Visiting nurse services billed by a visiting nurse agency; and
• Services of a home health aide.
• Home Infusion therapy services.

Private Duty Nurses

Medically necessary services are covered when received in your home as part of an approved home care program. You will be responsible for 10% of the allowable charge after your annual deductible has been met for Private Duty Nurses. Refer to your UnitedHealthcare Summary Plan Description.

Hospice Care

If you have a terminal illness, you may be eligible for the following Hospice Care benefits:

• Services of a hospice coordinator billed by the hospice care program;
• Services of a visiting nurse when billed by a visiting nurse agency; and
• Services of a home health aide.

When Hospice Care is preauthorized and you use Choice Plus national network providers, Hospice Care services are covered up to 90% of allowance after your annual deductible has been met.

Skilled Nursing Facility

Care in a Skilled Nursing Facility is covered for you and your dependents if preauthorization is obtained and:

• The condition requires skilled nursing services, skilled rehabilitation services or skilled nursing observation;
• Services are required on a daily basis; and
• The care can only be provided in a skilled nursing facility where you are in inpatient.

What's Not Covered

• Homemaking services or services provided by relatives or members of your household.

This is not a contract. A complete list of exclusions and limitations appears in your UnitedHealthcare Benefit Booklet.

Behavioral Health and Chemical Dependency

Through UnitedHealthcare, you and your eligible dependents are eligible for treatment of behavioral health and chemical dependency. Your level of coverage depends on whether you receive treatment as an inpatient or as an outpatient, and whether you use a provider in or out of the Choice Plus national network. Remember, for both inpatient and out-of-network care, you must satisfy your deductible before UnitedHealthcare will pay benefits.

It is strongly recommended that you obtain preauthorization from the Behavioral Health/Chemical Dependency Case Manager before you can receive treatment. You may receive outpatient treatment for Behavioral Health and Chemical Dependency for a $25 copayment per visit.

What You Need To Do:

• Call UnitedHealthcare at 1 (866) 527-9596 to find a Choice Plus network provider. .
• If you receive out-of-network treatment call (866)527-9596 to have a case manager preauthorize benefits.  

Behavioral Health Treatment
Inpatient

With preauthorization, your inpatient treatment is covered up to 90% of allowance after your annual deductible has been met for unlimited days per calendar year when you use a provider in the Choice Plus national network.  

If you seek treatment for behavioral health outside of the Choice Plus national network , you will be responsible for a 30% coinsurance, after you've met your deductible, as well as any amount your non-network provider charges over the UnitedHealthcare allowance.

Outpatient

If you receive treatment for behavioral health from a Choice Plus national network provider, you will be covered for up to 30 visits per calendar year for a $25 copayment. For outpatient treatment from a non-network provider, you will be responsible for 30% of the allowance in addition to your copayment, after you've met your deductible, and any amount over the allowance that the non-network provider charges.

Chemical Dependency Treatment

Inpatient

UnitedHealthcare will pay for your inpatient rehabilitation for up to 30 days per year. If you need inpatient treatment for detoxification, you will be covered for up to five admissions or 30 days per year, whichever comes first.

If your inpatient treatment is provided by a non-network provider, you must pay 30% of the cost after you've met your deductible, as well as any amount your provider charges over the UnitedHealthcare allowance.

Outpatient

If your treatment for chemical dependency is provided on an outpatient basis, you will be covered for up to 30 hours per calendar year for a $25 copayment. For outpatient treatment from a non-network provider, you will be responsible for 30% of the allowance in addition to your copayment, after you've met your deductible, and any amount over the allowance that the non-network provider charges.

What's Not Covered

• Marital counseling
• Mental disorders and illnesses which, according to general medical standards, cannot be effectively treated
• Psychoanalysis for educational purposes
• Recreation therapy, non-medical self-care, or self-help training
• Smoking cessation
• Chemical dependency treatment in your home or in a doctor's office

This is not a contract. A complete list of exclusions and limitations appears in your UnitedHealthcare Benefit Booklet.

Prescription Drug Benefits

The prescription drug benefit offers you and your family a convenient and inexpensive way to receive your covered prescription medication. You are responsible for your coinsurance.

You may choose to have your “non-maintenance” prescriptions filled by mail, at a pharmacy that participates in the network, or at a non-participating pharmacy. Your prescription drug program requires that mail services or CVS pharmacy be utilized for all maintenance medications; however, you may receive two (2) fills (one original fill plus one refill) at your retail pharmacy prior to being required to use mail service or CVS/pharmacy. In order to determine if a medication you are taking is a categorized as a “maintenance” medication please call CVS Caremark Customer Service at 1-888-543-5940.

You are required to have maintenance prescription filled by mail or at a CVS/pharmacy.

our prescription drug plan is administered through CVS Caremark. You pay coinsurance for prescription drugs if you get them through a participating network pharmacy or through the Direct Mail Service Program. You do not have to meet a deductible to receive this benefit. When you have your prescriptions filled through the Mail Service Program, you may order your refills by phone, mail or Internet.

What You Need To Do

• Find a participating Pharmacy near you. There is a comprehensive list of pharmacies that are part of the network. Please see detailed list.
• Take your CVS Caremark ID card to the pharmacy with you.
• Pay the pharmacist your copayment when you pick up your prescription. There are no claim forms to file, and you do not have to meet a deductible to receive this benefit.
• To use the Mail Service Program, call Customer Service at (888)543-5490 to request a form and an envelope.
• Mail your prescription and your coinsurance payment with your form in the envelope.

Covered Prescription Drugs

The following drugs are included as covered prescription drugs:

• Most medications that require a physician's prescription by federal law that are not available "over-the-counter;"
• Needles and syringes when dispensed with insulin;
• Oral contraceptives; and
• Injectable drugs.

Participating Pharmacies

When you fill a prescription at a pharmacy that participates in the prescription drug network, you just present your prescription ID card when you request your medication. You'll pay a copayment for the cost of the prescription.

More than 60,000 pharmacies participate in the network, including major chains like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and independent pharmacies.

Non-Participating Pharmacy

If you have your prescriptions filled at a pharmacy that does not participate in the network, you must pay the full amount of the prescription’s cost at the time of the purchase. You will be reimbursed according to the CVS Caremark maximum allowance, not the retail cost, minus your copayment. This means a higher out-of-pocket cost to you.

Mail Service Prescription Drugs

You are required to have your maintenance prescriptions filled by mail.

How to use the Mail Service Program

• First call CVS Caremark Direct at 1-888-543-5490 to request a mail service form and envelope. At that time, find out how much your copayment will be, so you can send payment with your order or provide credit card information. You may also order prescriptions on-line at www.caremark.com.
• Mail your original prescription along with your copayment (if your paying by check or money order) to CVS Caremark, PO Box 94460 Palatine, IL 60094-9836. Shipping is free.

You may order refills 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or mail.

What's Not Covered

• Over the counter drugs (even if prescribed)
• Experimental drugs
• Biological products for immunizations
• Needles and syringes other than for use with insulin
• Drugs used for cosmetic purposes
• Viagra or any therapeutic equivalents
• Medications that are administered while you are a patient in a hospital, rest home, sanitarium, nursing home, home care program, or other institution that provides prescription drugs as part of its services or that operates a facility for dispensing prescription drugs
• Drugs that do not have FDA approval or that have been placed on notice of opportunity hearing status by the Federal DESI Commission
• Smoking cessation drugs, aids or programs, whether prescribed or not
• More than one of the following per lifetime:
• Nicotine Transdermal Patch or
• Nicotine Chewing Gum.

National and Regional Pharmacy Chains in CVS Caremark National Network

Durable Medical Equipment

UnitedHealthcare will cover Durable Medical Equipment at 90% of the allowance after you have met your annual deductible when you visit a Choice Plus national network provider. If you choose to visit a non-participating provider a 30% coinsurance and deductible will apply. The following equipment is covered, subject to medical necessity review:

• Rental or purchase, whichever is less expensive for wheelchairs, hospital beds and other durable medical equipment used only for medical treatment.
• Replacement of equipment you own that is required due to a change in your medical condition.
• Therapeutic/molded shoes for the prevention of amputation for the treatment of diabetes (two
  pairs of shoes or four individual shoes per calendar year).
• For the treatment of diabetes — blood glucose monitors, blood glucose monitors for the legally blind, external insulin infusion pumps and appurtenances, insulin infusion devices and injection aids.

Maternity Benefits

UnitedHealthcare covers doctor services (including the services of a licensed midwife) for prenatal, postnatal and delivery services.

Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996

Group health plans and health insurance issuers generally may not, under federal law, restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or newborn child to less than 48 hours following a vaginal delivery, 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 earlier than 48 hours (or 96 hours as applicable). In any case, plans and issuers may not, under federal law, require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or issuer for prescribing a length of stay not in excess of 48 hours (or 96 hours).
If you and your physician decide to shorten your hospital stay, you will be eligible for:

• Up to two home care visits by a skilled, specially trained or registered nurse for you and/or your infant, (any additional visits must be reviewed for medical necessity); and
• A pediatric office visit within 24 hours after discharge.

Additional days in the hospital may be covered if UnitedHealthcare determines that additional days are medically necessary.

Newborn Benefits

Your newborn child is covered for services required to treat injury or sickness. This includes the necessary care and treatment of medically diagnosed congenital defects and birth abnormalities as well as routine well-baby care (see Well-Child Benefits).

Infertility Treatment

UnitedHealthcare covers medically necessary services at 80% of the allowance after your annual deductible has been met for the treatment of infertility including donor gametes only if:

• You are married;
• You are unable to conceive or produce conception during a one-year period; and
• You are diagnosed as infertile.

What's Not Covered

• Massage therapy;
• Aqua therapy;
• Maintenance therapy;
• Aromatherapy;
• Therapies, procedures and services for the purpose of relieving stress;
• Pillows supplied by a chiropractor;
• Foot care;
• Freezing and storage of blood, sperm, gametes, embryo and other specimens;
• Gene therapy;
• Genetic testing/counseling and amniocentesis;
• Therapies/acupuncture and acupuncturist services;
• Sex transformations and dysfunctions;
• Surrogate parenting;
• Reversal of voluntary sterilization; and
• Infant formula.

This is not a contract. A complete list of exclusions and limitations appears in your UnitedHealthcare Benefit Booklet.

back to top