The following is an update on your Medical Program, part of the Laborers District Council, Plasterer Tenders and Laborers Health and Welfare Plan.

Your Board of Trustees has taken great effort in maintaining a strong plan design for you and your family. The escalating costs of the current medical plan has now presented a situation where the Board will have to make changes to the plan in order to support the long term continuation of the benefits provided to you and your family. The costs associated with your current medical plan have increased by at least 15% in each year since 2014.

Combating this increase requires changes from the current plan design to an HMO platform including a change in the co-pays the members will experience. The Board of Trustees has voted to merge the Plasterer Tenders and Laborers’ Health and Welfare Fund into the Building and Construction Health and Welfare Fund.

Effective, May 1, 2018 benefits will be administered under the Building and Construction Health and Welfare Fund. As it relates to your medical benefits, your coverage will be provided through Independence Blue Cross Keystone Health Plan East, effective May 1, 2018

Click here for a Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) which explains the specific changes to the medical plan. There are no changes to your eligibility requirements or your vision, dental, life insurance and prescription benefits. Effective May 1, 2018, we are pleased to announce that a weekly short term disability benefit has been added to your coverage. Mental Health and Substance Abuse benefits will be administered through the Allied Trades Association Program (ATAP). To facilitate an orderly transition to Independence Blue Cross Keystone Health Plan East (HMO) you will need to select a primary care physician (PCP).

If we can provide you with any additional information please feel free to contact the Fund office at 215-765-2014.