Open Enrollment May 2-16, 2005

By Jennifer Hadley

Open Enrollment runs from May 2-16. This is your opportunity to make changes to your medical and dental plans. Each year, IBEW Local 18 strives to offer better benefits for our members; last year we added a Blue Cross PPO Medical Plan and a Body Scan Benefit.

In order to better accommodate our membership, we are implementing Blue Cross Behavioral Health Care, which offers open access to their network. This plan will replace the current coverage through The Holman Group. Furthermore, Blue Cross will provide a transitional benefit to help members currently utilizing The Holman Group.

In addition to the Blue Cross HMO and PPO medical plans, added benefits include an exceptional vision plan through VSP, chiropractic and acupuncture and body scan benefit. Local 18 continues to offer both a DHMO and PPO dental plans.

Prior to Open Enrollment, you will receive a lot of information from both Local 18 and the Department of Water and Power. I encourage you to read the DWP Options Guide; a comprehensive handbook comparing all Local 18-sponsored and DWP-sponsored plans.

Blue Cross site meetings have been scheduled starting in April. For information on locations and times, contact your Union rep. For additional information on Blue Cross Local 18-sponsored plans go to www.ibewlocal18.com (click on “Details About Local 18 Medical and Dental Plans”), or contact our Benefit Service Center at 800/842-6635.

Remember:

• Cigna Healthcare plan is not an option for Local 18 members. For our members in the new bargaining units, this will be the first official Open Enrollment where Cigna will not be offered to you. Please plan ahead.

• When changing plans, you must cancel your current plan. For canceling DWP-sponsored plans, contact the Health Plans Administration Office at 213/367-2023, or for Blue Cross Local 18-sponsored plans, contact our Benefit Service Center. If you fail to cancel a plan and enroll in another, you will be responsible to pay the premium cost.

Please plan ahead and take advantage of all the great benefits Local 18 offers!