Health Insurance
The Operating Engineers health and welfare plan is a comprehensive health care plan that aims to help members and their families achieve health and financial security by providing access to safe, cost-effective, high-quality health care and protecting their finances against health-related risks. To further assist the membership, the plan is continually being expanded and updated to incorporate programs that promote health awareness, prevention and education.
In most cases, employees of Local 3 bargaining units participate in the union’s health plan. In some cases, employees are given the opportunity to choose between joining Local 3’s plan or participating in their employer’s health coverage. If a bargaining unit participates in the Local 3 health plan, the member and his or her family are eligible for major medical, dental and vision care, prescription drugs, yearly physical exams, life insurance, chemical dependency treatment and more.
The Operating Engineers health insurance is financed through hourly contributions from employers who are signed to Local 3 collective bargaining agreements. The amount of money the program receives from each employer is determined by the number of hours Local 3 members worked for the employer in a given month and the negotiated hourly contribution rate. Your health benefits include the following:
- Major medical – When a preferred provider organization (PPO) is used, the plan covers up to 90 percent of most medical and diagnostic services, including emergency room, inpatient and outpatient care, laboratory and radiology, physicians’ home, office and hospital visits, and maternity and nursery care. Benefits are reduced when a non-preferred provider is used.
- Dental care – Covers up to 100 percent of exams, x-rays and cleaning, up to 85 percent of fillings, oral surgery, periodontal treatment, and up to 60 percent for construction of bridges and dentures. The plan also includes an orthodontic benefit for dependent children through age 18.
- Vision care – Covers comprehensive eye exam, eyeglass lenses and frames and contact lenses.
- Prescription drugs – Extends drug coverage beyond what is covered under major medical to cover a sizable portion of the expenses of non-hospital prescribed drugs. Members can obtain prescription drugs by mail or through their local pharmacy.
- Yearly physical exams – Covers a member and his or her spouse for a yearly, routine physical.
- Life insurance – Insures an eligible member for $10,000 payable to a beneficiary in the event of death from any cause on or off the job.
- Chemical dependency – Coverage is provided for eligible members and their spouses for required treatment of alcoholism and other chemical dependency through Local 3’s Assistance & Recovery Program, which includes residential and outpatient treatment.
If you have questions about Local 3’s Health and Welfare plan, please contact the Fringe Benefits Service Center at (800) 532-2105.