HB Bulletin #38-14

HB Bulletin #38-14

November 12, 2014

HEALTH BENEFITS BULLETIN

UTILIZING IN-NETWORK HOSPITALS

Your benefits give you and your family the privilege to be cared for with the highest level of quality in medical services, provided in an acute care hospital.  There are many in-network hospital facilities providing the most advance surgical procedures and technology.  Hospitals are prepared to handle any complications that might arise during a surgical procedure on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis.

Hospitals, unlike most free-standing centers, are highly scrutinized for quality and safety by state and federal regulatory agencies including the California Department of Health, (JCAHO) Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organization, Centers for Medicare and Medi-Cal and the California State Licensing Board.  Unlike free-standing centers, many hospital facilities employ union nurses and other personnel.

APPEAL CLAIMS

On Friday, November 14, 2014, Sam Alvarado, the Southern California Area Welfare Director for the ILWU-PMA Benefit Plans will be working out of the Local 13 Health Benefits Office from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. He will be there primarily to meet with members that have denied claims who need to appeal their claims with the Plan.  He will be able to explain that process, including what initial steps you must take to begin the appeal process.  You may contact the Health Benefits Office to schedule an appointment with him for that day.  Walk-ins are welcome, but will be seen as time permits around scheduled appointments.

CASUAL BOARD ACCESS

In order to be placed on the Casual Board Access, you must attend the ADA JPLRC.  ADA JPLRC meetings are scheduled on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. (See above information).

CLRC Meeting Minutes No. 28-13, December 17, 2013, Item 4. Casual Board Access Restricted to those w/ADA Policy Accommodations; Alternatives for Short-Term Impairments  

Prospectively, access to the Casual Board shall only be available to Longshore workers who have requested reasonable accommodations in accordance with CLRC Policy on ADA Compliance and Reasonable Accommodation (“Policy”) and who have been granted access to the Casual Board as an accommodation pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Policy (temporary or otherwise).

Grandfathering:  Individuals on the Casual Board on the date these minutes take effect (January 2, 2014) who have not been granted access to the Casual Board as part of the procedures set forth in the Policy shall be permitted to remain on the Casual Board until their access expires.

A worker who has a short term impairment (90 days or less) and elects not to request an accommodation under the Policy may be permitted to stay on or choose his or her board according to seniority and qualifications while avoiding a flop penalty for rejecting jobs that he or she is unable to perform due to his or her condition or injury as evidence by appropriate documentation from his or her medical provider.

(Over)

ADA

(American Disability Act)

ADA JPLRC meeting is scheduled 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at Pacific Maritime Association, 300 Oceangate, 12th Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802 (no parking validation). IMPORTANT NOTE: ADA LRC Originally scheduled on 12/16/14 has been rescheduled to: 12/30/14

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Attend your membership meetings, read your UNION Bulletins. DO NOT LISTEN TO RUMORS! Hear it first hand from your Officers and Caucus Delegates! We must support our Negotiating Committee and our Caucus Delegates.

SAFETY TIP

“The Union and the Employers will abide by the rules set forth in the existing Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code which shall be applicable in all ports covered by the Agreement.” – Section 16.11 of the Pacific Coast Longshore Contract Document, 2008-2014 and the Pacific Coast Clerks’ Contract Document, 2008-2014.

HEALTH TIP

(Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Information about Ebola

(Source: cdc.gov) Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with a strain of Ebola virus. The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history, affecting multiple countries in West Africa.  The risk of an Ebola outbreak affecting multiple people in the U.S. is very low

What you need to know:  Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood and body fluids of a person infected by an already showing symptoms of Ebola.  Ebola is not spread through the air, water, food, or mosquitoes.

Online resources about Ebola: Ebola information cdc.gov; Ebola Q&A cdc.gov; Global response for Ebola who.int.

APPOINTMENT WITH THE HEALTH BENEFITS OFFICER

The Health Benefits Officer maintains an open door policy, however, if you need special assistance, (i.e. retirement, disability or personal matter) we recommend that you schedule an appointment with Jerry Avila at (310) 830-6116.

In Solidarity,

Jerry Avila

Health Benefits Officer

ILWU Local 13

OPEIU #537/mv

HB Bulletin #38-14