Frequently Asked Questions

---

Your employer must report your hours to the plan by the 15th day of the month, following the month in which the hours are worked. For example, contributions for the hours you work in the month of January are due to the plan by February 15th. If you are traveling and working outside of your local's jurisdiction, your contributions are not typically received by the plan until 45 to 60 days after the close of the month. For example, the hours you worked outside of the jurisdiction in the month of January, are not typically received by the plan until mid to late March. This lapse is the reason there is a one month gap between the qualifying quarters and the benefit quarters.

Legal Spouses, natural children, step-children, and adopted children can be covered on your policy. To add a new dependent to your coverage you will need to notify the plan office at (251) 438-4765. You will need to submit a new enrollment application and supporting documentation for the dependent (marriage license for spouse and/or birth certificates for children).

The quickest and easiest way to file a prescription claim is online using your Blue Cross Blue Shield log in. You can create an account by going to bcbsal.org and clicking Register. You will need your personal information and our group number (00608). Once logged in, you can file for reimbursement by clicking "File a Drug Claim" under the Pharmacy tab. If you choose to mail or fax a claim form, you can download the relevant form here.

No, insurance coverage for all benefit quarters is dependent on the amount of hours worked within the corresponding qualifying quarter. You cannot piece together hours from multiple qualifying quarters to attain eligibility for a single benefit quarter.

You will need to contact the union hall for the jurisdiction that you are in and request a reciprocal authorization form. The hall may provide you with the form or give you the contact information for the benefit office within their jurisdiction. This benefit office will need your reciprocation authorization form in order to reciprocate your contributions to your home fund.

You can contact the plan office at (251) 438-4765 during normal business hours to check on your hours. It is important to periodically check your hours, especially when traveling, in order to ensure you get full credit for the hours you work. 

You must earn 5 vesting credits to be fully vested. In order to earn a full vesting credit, you must work at least 1,000 hours in covered service within a plan year (July 1st through June 30th). You can earn partial credit if you work below 1,000 hours, however you must work at least 250 hours to earn any partial credit.

You can work up to 39 hours in your trade or craft per month, after enrolling in the Pension Plan. If you work more than 39 hours in any one month, you will forfeit your monthly pension benefit for that month. If you plan on ceasing your monthly pension benefit and returning to work, you must notify the plan office at (251) 438-4765 beforehand.