HB Bulletin #63-16
March 24, 2016
HEALTH BENEFITS BULLETIN
MEDICAL FACILITIES MAILER
Providers trying to obtain members to assign rights for claims under the Welfare Plan:
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We are aware that many members have recently received a letter from a medical doctor or facility regarding the ILWU-PMA Welfare Plan, which requests that you sign a form about an “assignment of claims” or “assignment of benefits”
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Please understand that because it is a legal document neither the Union nor the Plan Office can provide advice to you as to whether or not you should sign this form.
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Our suggestion for you to ask yourself or your family members the following questions:
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Have you received medical treatment or services from the doctor or facility covered under the Welfare Plan who is requesting you to sign the form?
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If so, do you believe that claims for this treatment or service have been improperly denied by the Plan
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If your medical claims have been denied, and you believe the denial was in error, you have the right to file an appeal under the Plan’s claim and appeal procedures by contacting the ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans Office with information regarding your specific claim that was denied.
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Please stop by Local 13 Health Benefits office to pick-up a copy of the Summary Plan Description and refer to pages 58 & 59
In Solidarity,
Jerry Avila
Health Benefits Officer
ILWU Local 13
HB Bulletin #63-16
OPEIU #537/mv
