Strike Update September 26, 2008

Strike Update - September 26, 2008

Remember strike check pickup will be tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Green River Community College, Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe and Seattle Union Hall. Reminder: Those living in the 98012 zip code will pick up their strike checks in Monroe. For additional information on strike checks, click here.

Some advice for members who bank at BECU: For speed and convenience in cashing your strike pay check, we encourage you to use any one of the BECU deposit taking ATM's. To find the closest deposit taking ATM near you, visit www.becu.org.

COBRA Facts on Medical Insurance - Click here for pdf flyer on COBRA (legal size)
Boeing sent out information on COBRA continuation of medical coverage. When your normal insurance expires on September 30th, you have 60 days to elect COBRA coverage to continue your insurance protection. Then you have 45 days from the date you elect coverage to pay for it. If you don't need to use any medical services (within the election and pay period), there is no need to pay anything. We remain optimistic that the labor dispute will be resolved within this time frame, and there will be no need for any out-of-pocket expenses to continue your coverage. Typically, the Union insists the COBRA premium or other health care expenses are paid by the Company as part of any strike settlement.

If you absolutely need the coverage because of a health concern, then you should elect coverage right away. However, you have 45 days from the date you elect coverage to pay the premium. Coverage will not show active until payment is received.

If you only need a doctor's office visit or other minor checkup, you can do so and just pay for the office visit and not elect to pay the COBRA premium. Chances are the office visit will be much cheaper than the COBRA premuim (see Q&A below for details). You can submit for repayment when our insurance is reinstated.

It is our recommendation you elect COBRA insurance and wait to pay until you use it (within specified time limits). The Company may try to imply you need to pay this premium immediately in an effort to put pressure on you to accept less in a revised contract offer. Boeing will send out lots of information on COBRA, but just keep in mind what your rights are.

You need to do what fits your needs and makes you feel comfortable with. Again, we can't predict when this labor dispute will end, so you need to make the decision that is best for your individual situation.

COBRA Q&A
Q. When my normal insurance expires on September 30th, how long do I have to elect COBRA coverage?
A. You have 60 days from the date coverage expires (Sept. 30th) to decide if you want COBRA coverage. This gives you until November 28th (last date to get it postmarked) to make that decision. We recommend you send the election of coverage via certified or express mail. Keep in mind once you elect coverage, it will be retroactive to October 1st.

Q. If I elect coverage, how long do I have until the first premium is due?
A. The first payment must be received within 45 days after you elect coverage. We remain optimistic that the labor dispute will be resolved within this time frame.

Q. If I have elected COBRA coverage and have not made a payment, can I go to the doctor?
A. Yes. Inform your doctor you have elected COBRA. There may be a week or two before insurance comes through, but it will be retroactive. Most doctors will cooperate and if insurance initially rejects it, it can be resubmitted. Coverage does not officially begin until payment is received by Boeing and it will be retroactive to October 1st.

Q. Do I have to elect COBRA coverage for my entire family or could I just choose COBRA for the member who needs it?
A. You can select COBRA for any or all members of your family. For example, if your spouse was going through cancer treatments and other family members were healthy, you might only select your spouse for COBRA.

Q. Will I be reimbursed if I make a COBRA payment or out-of-pocket medical expenses?
A. Typically, in the strike settlement agreement, the Union insists that your health care coverage be made whole as though there was no interruption. If a person paid COBRA or out-of-pocket medical expenses because of a lapse in coverage, they would be reimbursed for that expense as though there was no interruption in coverage. While this is up for negotiation, it has typically been in all our strike settlements.

Q. If I elect coverage, but have not paid before the strike is settled, would I still need to pay?
A. Again, the Union typically insists that in the strike settlement agreement your health care coverage be made whole as though there was no interruption. Therefore, you would not need to pay.

Q. If I only need an office visit for a sick child, can I just pay for the visit rather than electing COBRA?
A. Yes, that is an option. If you decide to pay the office visit (which is much cheaper than COBRA), be sure to ask for a cash discount (the same discount given to insurance companies which is substantially less than the regular rate). If after the doctor visit, you decide to elect COBRA coverage because more visits or tests are required, you could file a claim to recover what you have paid.

Consider Mail Order Prescription Program
Members should get prescriptions filled before September 30 and consider switching to a mail-order program. Following is helpful advice:

Prescription Advice - Several members have called the Union to report when they talked to their local pharmacy, they were able to get 90-day supplies of their current prescriptions rather than transferring to the mail-order program. Members should talk to their pharmacy about their options.

Mail Order Program - Members on the Traditional Medical Plan and Selections may want to consider using the mail order program which allows up to a 90-day supply for certain medications. Please note: there are limitations on refills based on when your previous prescription was purchased.

Traditional Medical Plan (TMP) - Instructions for those in TMP:
1. Contact your doctor to get a 90-day supply prescription (with refills) to be used through mail-order pharmacy.
2. Visit www.medco.com to obtain and print a mail-order form and attach your prescription.
3. Send in completed mail-order form with your prescription to the address listed at the bottom of the form.
4. Once your prescription is in the Medco mail system, you can order future refills online or via automated phone line.

Selections - For those in Selections or Selections Plus who want to use the mail order prescription program, visit http://www.regencerx.com/prescriptions/mailorder/
1. Call your doctor and ask for a prescription to be used for mail order.
2. Visit the website to get a mail order form.
3. Mail in the necessary paperwork, including payment.
4. Receive up to 90-day supply by mail.