Last
update: 4/7/10
Rev
1-10
Highlights
of the TeamstersCare 2010 Healthy Incentive Program (HIP)
Click
here for the list of HIP 2010 Healthy Activities that earn
HIP reimbursement dollars.
Click
here for a list of HIP reimbursable expenses.
Our campaign for Healthier TeamstersCare Families continues...the
Trustees have approved the continuation of the Healthy Incentive
Program (HIP) for 2010. During 2010, the Healthy Incentive Program
has been expanded so that both members and
their spouses may complete an activity and we have
added additional
health promoting activities that will
allow you to earn HIP dollars.
Earning HIP dollars
For 2010, each eligible member and/or spouse has the ability to earn up to a
combined maximum of $300 per family in their HIP account for reimbursement of
certain out-of-pocket health care expenses. Note
that in 2010 there is no automatic access to HIP dollars.
HIP dollars are earned by you and/or your spouse when you complete Healthy Incentive
Program activities during 2010.
For the list of 2010 Healthy Incentive Program activities, refer
to the front page of the HIP Claim
Form.
Whose Expenses can be Reimbursed with HIP dollars?
You can use your HIP dollars to pay for certain out-of-pocket
qualified healthcare expenses incurred by you, your spouse, or
your eligible dependents enrolled in TeamstersCare. Members with
dependent families can apply HIP dollars to expenses incurred
by any eligible dependent, up to the combined family annual total.
What Expenses can be Reimbursed with HIP dollars?
There are certain legal restrictions governing the kind of
expenses that can be covered by the Healthy Incentive Program.
Generally, you can draw on your account to pay for any out-of-pocket
medical, pharmacy or dental expenses that would normally be
tax deductible. This includes any money you would otherwise
have to spend out-of-pocket for deductibles, copays, or for
health services beyond normal TeamstersCare limits. Click
here for a list of HIP reimbursable expenses.
To be eligible, the expenses must be for services that are medically
necessary and that are not currently covered at 100% by TeamstersCare
or by any other medical insurance you may have. Also, the expense
has to be incurred during a time when you are an eligible TeamstersCare
participant.
Your TeamstersCare Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) can be used
to pay for copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. But that’s
not all - you can use your HIP dollars for medical expenses incurred
in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention
of disease, and the costs for treatment affecting any part or
function of the body. The medical care expenses must be primarily
to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness.
For a more detailed list of eligible expenses, visit the TeamstersCare
web site at www.teamsterscare.com.
How Is the Healthy Incentive Program Administered?
The Healthy Incentive Program operates on a “use-it-or-lose-it” basis.
This means you have to apply the dollars earned by you and/or your spouse toward
eligible expenses incurred within that plan year. You cannot carry over from
one year to the next year any unspent “balance.”
When you and/or your spouse have completed a Healthy Incentive
Program activity and incurred a health care expense, you will
need to submit a claim. You do this by completing and submitting
a HIP Claim Form, along with copies of the receipts or bills
identifying the specific healthcare expenses, to TeamstersCare.
We must receive the HIP Claim Form and the appropriate documentation
within 90 days from the end of the calendar year in which you
incur the expense (or by March 31st of the following year).
TeamstersCare will issue HIP checks to members only. Checks will
be issued six times per year (January 31, March 31, May 31, July
31, September 30 and November 30). You should accumulate your
bills or receipts and then submit them together as a single claim.
How to Receive Reimbursement
According to IRS guidelines, you're entitled to reimbursement
of eligible expenses incurred during your period of eligibility
with TeamstersCare. The IRS defines "incurred" as
when the service was provided, not when you were billed, charged,
or paid for the service.
Submit a HIP Claim Form with legible copies of your itemized
bills or receipts to TeamstersCare Member Services (cancelled
checks, charge card or cash receipts are not valid). Itemized
bills must
include:
- Name of person receiving
the service/supplies
- Name of person/organization providing
the service/supplies
- Date the service/supplies were provided
- Description of service/supplies (if
prescription drugs, receipt should include prescription number,
name of medication, date of purchase, and name of prescribing
physician)
- Total charge for the service/supplies
(amount for which you are requesting reimbursement)
- If expenses
were first submitted to another benefit plan, such as Delta
Dental, attach the Explanation of Benefits (EOB form) from
the plan that shows the amount paid or reimbursed
- Keep your
original bills and proofs of payment for your records
How does HIP Work for Newly Eligible Members?
In any given year, newly eligible members will qualify for HIP
dollars available for that particular year. The account takes
effect on the first day of eligibility.
What Happens if You Lose Eligibility?
If you become ineligible for TeamstersCare benefits, you can
file a HIP claim for any service you received while still eligible,
but you must file no later than March 31st after the end of the
year in which you become ineligible.
If you lose eligibility and are then reinstated by working
400 hours (225 hours for part-time UPS members) in three consecutive
months, the status of your HIP account depends on the timing
of your reinstatement. If you reinstate in the same plan year
as when you lost eligibility, you also “reinstate” the
balance of your HIP dollars for that year. However, if you
reinstate after the start of a new plan year, your account
is established as though you were newly eligible.
If you lose TeamstersCare eligibility and continue coverage under
COBRA, you can continue to earn and spend your HIP dollars.
HIP Claim Forms are available at the TeamstersCare web site www.teamsterscare.com,
at all TeamstersCare facilities, or by calling TeamstersCare
Member Services at 617-241-9220 ext 2.
Mail HIP Claim Form To: TeamstersCare, 16 Sever Street, Charlestown,
MA 02129-1305.
Rev 1-10
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