Benefit Options

The Steelworkers Health and Welfare Fund offers a wide range of benefit plans designed to meet the needs of members nationwide, including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and short-term disability coverage. Coverage is available for both active and retired employees and their eligible dependents, and can be extended to cover non-USW represented employees of a participating employer.  

Individual (non-group) coverage is not available.

The fund has partnered with several of the nation’s most reputable insurance companies to provide benefit plans that are competitively priced and offer our members excellent customer service. Medical and prescription drug coverage is insured by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Dental benefits are provided by United Concordia Companies. Vision benefits are provided by Davis Vision. Life and short-term disability coverages are insured with The Hartford. 

Fund Participation Guidelines:

• Fund participation is determined through collective bargaining between an Employer and the USW or other labor organization.
• The Employer and the union must sign a Fund Participation Agreement.
• Fund coverage may be extended, under certain conditions, to non-represented and management employees.

Small Group Programs

While many large bargaining units participate in the fund, we have developed a full range of benefit plans specifically tailored to meet the needs of smaller groups covering less than 100 members. By offering standardized benefit plans and through pooling of claims costs, the same advantages of competitive rates and comprehensive coverage enjoyed by large groups can be extended to all Steelworkers. Small employers also benefit from the fact that the Fund performs all administrative services, including COBRA, HIPAA, legal compliance and government reporting.

Medical Plan Options

The fund offers Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans with flexible benefit levels for both small (fewer than 100 employees) and large (100 or more employees) groups.

The PPO plan utilizes a network of participating hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers.  When PPO network providers are used, the plan pays higher benefits. Members may also choose non-participating providers and receive a lower level of benefits.  The fund is able to offer PPO coverage nationwide by accessing the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Blue Card program.

There are three standard PPO plan designs that provide the following reimbursement levels for in-network/out-of-network covered services:

1. PPO 100/80
2. PPO 90/70
3. PPO 80/60

Prescription Drug Options

All fund medical plans include coverage for prescription drugs when purchased through a pharmacy network consisting of national and local chains, and many independent pharmacies.  The member is responsible for a copayment for each prescription or refill.

A mail-order feature is also available for maintenance medications.

There are five standard prescription drug plans:

• $5/$10 Retail; $10/$20 Mail Order
• $5/$15 Retail; $10/$30 Mail Order      
• $10/$20 Retail;$20/$40 Mail Order
• $10/$20/$35 Retail; $20/$40/$70 Mail Order
• $15/$30/$45 Retail; $30/$60/$90 Mail Order

Dental Plans

The fund offers five standard dental plan designs that cover most dental services, including routine diagnostic and preventative care, basic restorative care, bridgework, dentures, and orthodontics. Participating dentists will accept the plan's allowance for covered dental services, less any deductibles or coinsurance. To view the standard dental plans, click here.

The standard dental plans can be customized for groups with more than 100 employees.

Vision Plans

Vision plan options include network-based plans that provide coverage for eye exams, frames, lenses and contact lenses at participating providers. Out-of-pocket expenses are reduced or eliminated when covered services are received from network providers. To view the vision plan options, click here.

Life/AD&D Coverage

Group life insurance coverage is available for both active and retired Fund members. Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage is also available for active employees. The group life insurance plans are designed to provide flexible benefit levels, competitive rates and guaranteed issue amounts.

Dependent life coverage is also available for spouses and dependent children.

Short Term Disability Benefits

Short term disability (STD) benefits are available to members who are unable to work due to a non-occupational illness or injury. STD plans pay weekly benefits up to 60% of average earnings for a maximum duration of either 26 or 52 weeks.