By Joe Sagy, Region 1-C Retiree Benefits Rep
   Since January 2010, the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust has been providing health care benefits for UAW auto retirees and their dependents. Joe Sagy, our Region 1-C Retiree Benefits Rep, has sent us the Addendum to the 2010 Schedule of Benefits and Summary Plan Description previously published.
   Your 2011 benefit design includes:
* Coverage for new diabetes education, smoking cessation and cardiac rehabilitation programs
* Expanded coverage for: Dependent children to age 26, Urgent Care at a flat rate copay of $50, Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant provider types, and Shingles Vaccine
* No increase in the monthly contributions you pay to the Trust
* No increase in your deductible or out-of-pocket maximums
* No increase in the generic prescription drug copay -- remains at $10 retail and $20 mail
*Increase of $5 in the brand drug copay -- now $30 retail and $60 mail.
   There's lots more info in the following PDF:

GM Highlights Final.pdf

     As you may be aware, UAW members eligible for the Legal Services Plan pay imputed income. If both spouses worked for GM or Delphi, they may be charged for two imputed income amounts. 

Dependent Documentation
Audit letters are being sent to retirees who currently have a Child by Legal Guardianship or who recently added a spouse and/or child on their coverage. The required documentation will be listed in the audit letter. If the retiree does not respond and/or fails to provide the required documentation or the dependent is determined not to meet the criteria, the dependent will be removed. If documentation establishing eligibility is received after a dependent was removed, the dependent will be covered the first of the following month of receipt of the documents.

Effective March 1, 2010, documentation is required before a Child of Legal Guardianship can be added to the coverage. The dependent will not be added until documentation has been received and approved by the Trust. Upon approval, the dependent will be added the first of the month after the documents were received.

Automatic Enrollment in BCN Advantage
Retirees enrolled in Blue Care Network and who become Medicare eligible will now be automatically enrolled in Blue Care Network Advantage. A letter will come from Blue Care Network informing the retiree and giving them the option to disenroll from the advantage program. If the retiree does so, their coverage will default to Traditional Care Network. As a reminder, please confirm that your primary care doctor does accept the advantage program. Also if you are on social security disability and became Medicare eligible before the age of 65, call the Retiree Medical Trust (1-866-637-7555) and inform them of the change.

As always, if you have any questions you may call me at 517-372-7201 or 1-866-782-6513.

     Joseph Sagy
     UBR Region 1C

    Retirees should be aware that your health care is with the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust. The phone number for the Benefits Trust is 1-866-637-7555. They handle only health issues. Questions relating to pension and life insurance need to be directed to the GM Benefits Center at 1-800-489-4646. This leads to an important reminder that if a retiree gets married or remarried, he or she must call the Benefits Trust to activate the health insurance for the new spouse and also call the GM Benefits Center if you wish to elect the survivor's spouse coverage on the pension. This call must be made within 18 months of the marriage or remarriage. The survivor's coverage does not become effective 12 months after the marriage. The health coverage is effective the date of the marriage.
    Retirees turning 65 will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. You should receive the Medicare card in the mail a few months before your birth month. Part A and B is the only coverage necessary. Do not elect Part D or any supplemental program you may be offered. If you are enrolled in Blue Care Network or any other HMO offered you must enroll in the HMO's advantage program. You can obtain enrollment forms by calling the HMO or your benefit rep. Do this at least two to three months in advance of your 65th birth date.
    For retirees turning age 62, the supplement you are receiving in your pension will be extended until age 63, only if your birth date is before September 15, 1949. For those born after that date, the extension must be approved in future contracts. A retiree who is collecting Social Security Disability before age 62 is not eligible for the extension.
Joseph Sagy
Region 1C Retiree Benefits Rep.
517-372-7201 or 1-866-782-6513