Annual Funding Notice

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Sheet Metal Workers’ Savings Plan of Southern California – SMW Local #105 Participants

Effective with November 2007 work hours this office was directed to redirect Savings Plan contributions to individual employee credit union accounts at Financial Partners Credit Union. The first such transfer was made January 4, 2008. Going forward we will make transfers on the 15th of each month, and on the 30th or 31st of each month, unless those dates fall on a weekend or holiday, in which case it will be the first working day following those dates.

If you have not already done so, you are strongly urged to contact Financial Partners Credit Union and establish your account so that your Savings contributions can be transferred and credited to you. The staff at Local #105 will assist you should you need assistance.

If you do not have an account at Financial Partners, your money will be transferred to the credit union where it will remain in a pooled deposit account until you have established one, whereupon it will be credited with your total balance with the next scheduled transfer that follows our having been notified of your account number.

Also, please note that all Savings Plan monies earned for work months before August, 2007, as well as remaining monies through October, 2007, for those individuals that did not opt the for monthly payouts, are scheduled to be paid out on April 1, 2008.

Good News regarding the New Blue Cross PPO Network!!!

We are very pleased to inform those of you currently enrolled in the PPO fee-for-service medical plan, and those of you that may enroll during “Open Enrollment”, that the transition to the Blue Cross Prudent Buyer PPO Network has been a success. The new network is in place, and ID cards and PPO directories have been sent to all participants and their eligible dependents. Many claims are now being submitted electronically to the Administrative Office and most are being processed within days of receipt. Most of your health care providers (doctors, hospitals etc.) are in the Blue Cross PPO network and for the vast majority of you the transition has gone very smoothly.

Still, it has come to our attention that some participants are confused by this recent change to the Blue Cross PPO network, and that some of your physicians may also be confused or have questions. The following explanation may serve to clear up some misunderstandings.

First, the Health Plan continues to be self insured and administered by the Trust Fund office in Manhattan Beach and your health coverage and benefits are established by the Trustees of the Plan, not Blue Cross. The Board of Trustees has negotiated to use the Blue Cross PPO Network. As such, you do not have Blue Cross Insurance, simply access to their discounted provider contracts. You will not loose your health coverage if you elect to stay with your current physician or service provider. However, benefits may be payable at the slightly lower non-PPO rates per the rules of the Plan (see below). In any event the Trust Fund office will continue to issue all benefit payments and EOBs’ as it has in the past.

What will happen if your current health care provider is not in the Blue Cross PPO network and you continue to wish to obtain services through that provider? Your annual deductible will go from $300 (PPO) to $600 (non-PPO) and the percentage at which the Usual and Customary allowable is reimbursed at will be reduced For Plan A participants it is 65% for non-PPO versus 80% for PPO, and for Plan B participants it is 60% for non-PPO versus 75% for PPO. We want to emphasize that the non-PPO benefits are reimbursed at the U&C allowance as defined by the Plan. In summary, your out of pocket expenses will be somewhat higher than if you were to use a PPO provider.

We urge you to please select a Blue Cross provider for your medical care in order to avoid these higher out of pocket expenses. We are here at (800) 947-4338 should you require any assistance in doing so, or if you have any continuity of care issues that may require that you stay with your current provider.

You may select from a list of Blue Cross contracted providers in your area by visiting the Trust Funds’ website at www.sheetmetalsam.org and check the appropriate Blue Cross link for California or Nevada.

As always, should you or your physician have any questions please contact the Trust office at (800) 947-4338 and ask to speak with a Claims representative.

Unable to Work due to an Injury or Illness?

If you are unable to work due to an illness or injury for a period of 7 days or more, you may qualify for an extension of your eligibility for benefits. To avoid a possible lapse or termination of coverage, a completed Evidence of Disability form must be submitted to the Administrative Office within 30 days of your date of disability. Your Hour Bank may then be credited with up to a maximum of 357 hours, depending on the length of your disability. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Eligibility Dept.

Open Enrollment

Watch your mailboxes. The Annual Open Enrollment materials will be mailed in April. If you wish to change your medical and/or dental plan, this is the time to do so. Exceptions are made only if you are to move outside your selected Plan’s service area, so please review your materials carefully. If you wish to make a change, all completed Enrollment Forms must be received in the Administrative Office either May 15th for a June 12st effective date, or no later than June 15th, for a July 1st effective date. You will receive written confirmation of your change from the Administrative Office. If you do not wish to make any changes, you do not need to do anything. If you have any questions, or are not sure which plan you are currently enrolled on, please do not hesitate to contact the Eligibility Dept.

Annual Dependent Verifications

…will be mailed in March. This form will not only list your eligible dependents as reflected on our system, but will also indicate your current medical and dental plan, and your Unique Identification Number. Please be sure to sign and return this form to the Administrative Office even if there are no changes to be made.

Moving? Or have recently moved?

Please! We can barely keep up with the returned undelivered mail. Tell us! Our crystal ball isn’t always working……we need your help.

Student Verifications

Verifications for the spring semester are due in the Administrative Office no later than March 31st.

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