The Local 802 Musicians Health Fund recently mailed a notice to all participants. Below is an excerpt of the key points, for easy reference. The notice that was mailed out should be considered the complete, definite document. For more information, call Local 802 at (212) 245-4802 and ask for the Health Department.

As you know, effective Oct. 1, 2014, the board of trustees of the health fund adopted three new benefit plans with new eligibility requirements. Under the new eligibility rules, to qualify for Plan A+ for the six-month coverage period beginning Sept. 1, 2015 and ending Feb. 29, 2016, you must have at least $4,500 in employer contributions during the six-month eligibility period from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2015. To qualify for Plan A for the six-month coverage period from Sept. 1, 2015 through Feb. 29, 2016, you must have at least $2,000 in employer contributions during the six-month eligibility period from January 1 through June 30, 2015. If you have at least $500 in employer contributions during the six-month eligibility period, you will be eligible for Plan B.

TEMPORARY BUY-UP OPTIONS

In order to lessen the impact of the changes in plan design and eligibility requirements announced last year, the board of trustees previously adopted a temporary transitional rule pursuant to which an eligible participant could purchase a higher level of coverage than he or she otherwise qualifies for, as follows:

Buy-Up to Plan A+. A participant who had at least $4,300 (but less than $4,500) of employer contributions during the six-month eligibility periods ending June 30, 2014 or Dec. 31, 2014 was eligible to buy up to Plan A+ for the corresponding coverage periods (which began Oct. 1, 2014 and March 1, 2015) by contributing the shortfall (i.e., $200 or less) to the fund.

Buy-Up to Plan A. A participant who had at least $1,400 (but less than $2,000) of employer contributions during the six-month eligibility periods ending June 30, 2014 or Dec. 31, 2014 was eligible to buy up to Plan A for the corresponding coverage periods (which began Oct. 1, 2014 and March 1, 2015) by contributing the shortfall (i.e., $600 or less) to the fund.

ONE-TIME EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY BUY-UP OPTION

Although these buy-up options were originally limited to the two eligibility and coverage periods described above, the board has agreed to extend the temporary buy-up option for one more eligibility and coverage period. Thus,

• A participant with at least $4,300 of employer contributions during the eligibility period from Jan. 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 will be able to buy up to Plan A+ for the coverage period Sept. 1, 2015 through Feb. 29, 2016 by contributing the shortfall (i.e., $200 or less) to the fund; and
• A participant with at least $1,400 of employer contributions during the eligibility period from Jan. 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015 will be able to buy up to Plan A for the coverage period Sept. 1, 2015 through Feb. 29, 2016 by contributing the shortfall (i.e., $600 or less) to the fund.

Note, the buy-up payment is in addition to the required participant contributions for each plan option. You will be notified if you qualify for the buy-up option based on the employer contributions received on your behalf for the period between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2015. The election to purchase the higher level of coverage must be made by the applicable due date communicated by the fund office. If you have questions regarding any of the above, please contact the fund office at (212) 245-4802.