Health & Welfare

There is nothing more important than keeping you and your family healthy. That is why IBEW Local 349 has full-family medical, dental, and vision for all of our members.

For questions, first read this Q&A, then contact the Local 349 benefits administrator:

• For Inside Wiremen information, go to:
• For questions Mon-Fri | 7:30am-4:00pm | Lynda Rodarte,
  
  
• For S&C/Residential/Material Handlers information: go to soundcommbenefits.com
• For questions Mon-Fri | 7:30am-4:00pm | Shandy Grace

Q: What are my benefits?

A: Though the Inside Wiremen contract has slightly different benefits than S&C/Residential/Material Handlers, all have the option of full-family medical insurance (including registered domestic partners) with either Blue Cross PPO or Kaiser HMO, dental, vision, life insurance, and an HRA card (health reimbursement account).

Q: What is the HRA card and how much is on it?

A: Your HRA card (health reimbursement account) can be used for co-pays, prescriptions, and any out-of-pocket costs for medical, dental, or vision. For Inside Wiremen, $2 per hour is loaded; for Residential/Material Handlers, 75¢ per hour is loaded; and for S&C, 65¢ per hour is loaded. It accumulates, and there is no maximum.

Q: When will I be eligible for health benefits?

• For Inside Wiremen to initially qualify for coverage, you must have worked roughly 244 hours. $14.15 goes into your bank per hour, and when you reach $3,450, your coverage will start one month after you qualify for coverage. If you work over 122 hours per month, it goes into your bank in case you fall short another month. It can accumulate for a maximum of 12 months.
• For S&C members, you must have worked a total of 132 hours in one month, then the coverage would start two months after. You can accumulate for up to 9 months so if you fall short one month, you can dip into your hours bank.
• For Residential members, you must have worked a total of 134 hours in one month, then the coverage would start two months after. You can accumulate for up to 9 months so if you fall short one month, you can dip into your hours bank.
• For Material Handlers, you must have worked a total of 141 hours in one month, then the coverage would start two months after. You can accumulate for up to 9 months so if you fall short one month, you can dip into your hours bank.

Q: How can I change my coverage?

A: For all Local 332 members, open enrollment takes place in November & December of each year for coverage effective January 1 of the following year.

Q: I was recently married. What do I need to do to get health insurance for my spouse?

A: You must add your new spouse within 30 days of the date of the marriage or wait until the next open enrollment period. Fill out the form that is available online. Coverage will commence the first of the month following the date of the marriage.

Q: Where can I get medical and dental forms, forms for change of address, adding a spouse, etc.?

A: Forms are available online. For inside wiremen, go to: https://ibew332benefits.com/. For Residential, S&C and Material Handlers, go to: soundcommbenefits.com

Q: Where can I get more information about dental coverage?

A: United Administrative Services (UAS) can answer any questions you may have regarding dental coverage. The direct dial number for the Dental Claims Department at UAS is (408) 288-4400, or you can go to https://ibew332benefits.com/.

Q: How can I get more information about vision coverage?

A: Vision coverage is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP). You can check for eligibility and a list of participating doctors online at www.vsp.com; you can call them at (800) 877-7195; or you can go to the benefits websites. For inside wiremen, go to: https://ibew332benefits.com/. For Residential, S&C and Material Handlers, go to: soundcommbenefits.com.

Q: I was laid off. How long will I continue to have health insurance coverage?

A: You will continue to have insurance as long as there are enough dollars in your “dollar bank” to purchase a month’s coverage. To find out how much is in your dollar bank, call Shandy at UAS at (408) 288-4452 for SC/RES/MH, and Lynda at UAS at (408) 288-4433. There are also COBRA options available when hours run out. For more information about COBRA, contact Shandy or Lynda.

Q: I am a traveler and have been working in Local 332’s jurisdiction for a while. Can I reciprocate my hours back to Local 332 when I leave?

A: No. Only Local 332 members can have hours reciprocated back to Local 332.