C o n n e c t i c u t C a r p e n t e r s H e a l t h F u n d P
l a n
Connecticut Carpenters Health Fund is yours - it exists for you and because of you. A Board of Trustees, made up of union and employer representatives, aids in the direction of the Health Fund as it works on behalf of its members.
Your bargaining agreement has empowered the
Health Fund to collect money from employers to provide you with health
benefits.
The Health Fund uses the money it collects to
develop a plan — with advice from consultants, plan administrators and other
professionals — based on the money it takes in. If there should be a sudden
sharp increase in health care costs the Health Fund may use any excess money —
the reserve — to pay more for coverage so you don’t have to.
As you read through this book, you’ll see that you have benefits and plan provisions that many other people don’t have anymore in the age of managed care. For example, you and your family can choose the doctors you want — and you don’t need a referral to go to a specialist.
Connecticut Carpenters Health Fund — with
approximately 9,000 people covered — is part of the Connecticut Coalition of
Taft-Hartley Health Funds, Inc., a voluntary alliance of union health funds
that covers approximately 70,000 people. The Coalition has the buying power
necessary to help keep rising health care costs in check and to provide you
with comprehensive health coverage — like prescription drug coverage — instead
of medical only.
The Coalition works for you in another important
way by educating legislators about better and more affordable health care
practices.
Connecticut Carpenters Health Fund offers you comprehensive health and welfare benefits. This book, Building a Healthier Future, has been designed to provide you with complete, easy-to-read information about them.
Another source of information about your benefits is the
Health Fund Office. If you have any questions about your benefits, you’re
encouraged to call the office toll-free at 1.800.922.6026.