Friday, February 20, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions


Health Care



Q.

What options do I have for medical coverage?

A.

The All Alaska Longshore Active Employee Benefit Plan makes available, the following health and welfare plan option to you and your dependents. Click on the underlined plan option to review details of that coverage. Click here to find out how to complete the enrollment process.

Plan Options Available

Trust PPO Plan

  • Medical,Rx, Dental &Vision through Trust (utilizing the Premera PPO network and the Moda Health/WDPD Pharmacy network)
  • Available to: Employee & Family
  • Service Area: All 50 States
  • Monthly Rate Effective 1/1/2017: Active Employee: $1,471 (paid by the Alaska Trust Plan) COBRA Med/Rx/Dental/Vision: $1,475 COBRA Med/Rx Only: $1,375

Time Loss

  • Available to: Employee Only
  • Service Area: All areas except California and Hawaii
  • Monthly Rate Effective 1/1/2017:Included in rate for selected medical option

Life Insurance

  • Available to: Employee Only
  • Service Area: Anywhere
  • Monthly Rate Effective 1/1/2017: Included in rate for selected medical option

Health Plan Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, and additional life insurance and time loss benefits are provided through the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific Health Trust Plan.

These benefits are described in the separate plan booklet for that Plan. You may access the IBU PPO Plan booklet through this website at www.ibu.aibpa.com/health or by contacting the Administrative office at 1-800-547-4457, extension #1922.

Please note that certain provisions of the IBU PPO Plan booklet do NOT apply to All Alaska Longshore Health Trust Participants. For eligibility, when coverage begins, COBRA, Coverage for Retired Employees, Supplemental Plan Account and Retiree Medical Plan, refer to this All Alaska Longshore Health & Welfare Trust Summary Plan Description only.

The PPO Network is the Premera PPO Network. For All Alaska Longshore Health Trust participants who reside in an area that is defined as under served by Blue Card PPO Network, when a PPO provider is not available to you, the in network level of benefits will be provided.

Q.

What doctors are covered by the medical plans?

A.

With the Trust Medical plan you are free to see any licensed provider however, the plan provides much higher benefits for those on the PPO plan when you see a provider in the Premera Blue Card network.

Q.

Are my dependents covered under my plan?

A.

Active employees have family coverage at no additional cost. A covered dependent is outlined below:

1. The lawful spouse of the employee. Your spouse is not eligible if you are legally separated. In the event of the employee’s death, the surviving spouse is eligible so long as they are not re-married.

2. Children under age 26 who depend on you for support and who are:

1. A natural child of either or both you or your spouse;

2. A legally adopted child of either or both you or your spouse; or

3. The unborn child of a deceased employee or retired employee.

4. A child "placed" with the employee for the purpose of legal adoption in accordance with state law. "Placed" for adoption means assumption and retention by the employee of a legal obligation for primary support of a child in anticipation of adoption of such child. However, if adoption is not finalized, the Trust reserves the right to request a refund of benefits already paid for said child.

3. Children who continue to depend on you for support can continue coverage after they reach age 26 if:

1. The child is enrolled in a recognized educational institution as a full time student (12 credit hours or equivalent, not less than 8 months of the year) and who has not attained the age of 26.

2. The dependent child cannot support him or herself because of a developmental or physical disability so long as all the following are met:

  • The child became disabled before reaching the limiting age; and
  • The child is incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of developmental disability or physical handicap; and
  • Within 31 days of the child reaching the limiting age, the employee furnishes proof of disability to the Trust Office. The Trust Office must approve the request for coverage to continue; and
  • At least once a year, and after the two year period following the child’s attainment of the limiting age, the employee provides the Trust Office with proof of the disability.

3. An employee’s grandchild who:

1. Meets the definition of a dependent child; and

2. For whom the employee is providing the major amount of support; and

3. For whom the employee has been named as legal guardian by a court of competent jurisdiction; and

4. Is in the physical custody of the employee. Dependent eligibility for HMO plans may vary, see the appropriate HMO Plan's benefit booklet.

Q.

When will I become eligible for coverage?

A.

A&I, maintains, reviews and tracks your eligibility in the All Alaska Longshore Health Fund for the Active and Retiree Benefit Plans. The following is an overview of how eligibility works. If after reviewing this information you need further assistance please contact us at A&I.

Eligibility for Employees

Annually, A&I reviews the work history of registered, steadyman, and casual Longshoremen to determine their eligibility for health coverage. The criteria for earning eligibility for health coverage are determined by the requirements specific to your classification.

If you work the required hours during one calendar year, you are entitled to coverage March 1 through February 28 (29) beginning the following year.

Registered Longshoremen: You are required to work a minimum of 800 hours during a calendar year (January - December) to be eligible for Health & Welfare Trust coverage fully paid by the Trust for the March 1 through February 28 (29) period beginning of the following year.

Example:

Worked 800 Hours During the Eligibility Period- January 1 - December 31, 2014

Waiting Period- January 1 - February 28, 2015

Coverage Period-  March 1, 2015 - February 28 (29), 2016

If during the eligibility period you do not accumulate enough hours to be eligible for coverage, you may self-pay the Health & Welfare Trust for the difference between the hours you worked and the 800-hour requirement. If you are eligible to self-pay, during February, before the March through February coverage period, you will receive a bill for coverage. You may pay in one lump-sum payment or in 12 equal payments in the form of an AutoPay deduction from a checking or savings account. You must send the Administrative Office the entire payment or the AutoPay form by the deadline on the bill. If you miss the deadline, you will not be covered during that March through February coverage period.

You may earn the hours to meet the 800-hour requirement at your home port or as a visitor or traveler at another port.

Casual Employees- A casual employee is an eligible employee who is not a registered longshoremen or steadyman. If you are a casual employee, you are eligible for coverage from March 1 to February 28 (29) if, as of the March 1 your coverage starts:

  • You are not jointly registered, either fully or partially; and
  • You worked at least 1,600 hours in employment requiring a Health & Welfare Trust contribution during the previous calendar year; and
  • You are regularly available for Longshore employment during your eligibility period.

Each August your eligibility will be reviewed. If your port’s Joint Labor Relations Committee determines that you are not regularly available for work, your coverage ends that August 31. If this happens, your eligibility cannot be re-established until the March 1 following a calendar year in which you are employed at least 1,600 hours.

Steadymen- If you are classified as a “steadyman” under your collective bargaining agreement, your initial coverage will begin on the first of the month following the sixth month for which employer contributions have been made on your behalf, provided that contributions have been made for at least 800 hours. Once you have attained initial eligibility under this rule, your eligibility for future coverage will be determined under the same rules that apply to registered longshoremen. If you attain initial eligibility as a steadyman and your employment as a steadyman is later terminated, your eligibility for coverage will terminate on the last day of the sixth month following the termination of your employment unless you have qualified for continued coverage under the rules that apply to registered longshoremen.

For additional information on eligibility requirements, please refer to pages 4 and 5 of the Summary Plan Description booklet.

 

Eligibility for Dependents 

Spouse and Dependent Children of Active Employees

If you are an eligible, active employee (meaning a registered longshoreman, casual, casual ID or steadyman employee) currently participating in the Health & Welfare Trust, the Trust will provide medical, prescription drug, dental, vision and transportation benefits to your legal spouse and dependent children effective with the date of your eligibility.

You may add other dependents, effective the date of the following qualifying events:

  • Your marriage, birth of a child, adoption and granting of legal custody.

Simply complete the enrollment form to enroll your dependents and submit along with a copy of the marriage certificate, birth certificate or court papers.

Please refer to pages 6 through 8 of your Summary Plan Description booklet for additional information on eligibility and loss of eligibility.

Self-Payments  

If during the eligibility period you do not accumulate enough hours to be eligible for coverage, you may self-pay the Health & Welfare Trust for the difference between the hours you worked and the hour requirement for your classification (registered, long term casual, casual or steadyman). 

If you are eligible to self-pay, during February, before the March through February coverage period, you will receive a bill for coverage.  You may pay in one lump-sum payment or 12 equal payments in the form of an auto-pay deduction from a checking or savings account.  You must send the Administrative Office the entire year's payment or the auto-pay form by the deadline on the bill.  If you miss the deadline, you will not be covered during that July through June period.  

Q.

Where can I get my prescription and how much do I pay?

A.

no answer available 

Q.

Have my doctor bills been paid?

A.

If you are enrolled in the Trust Medical plan, your doctor bills are paid by the Trust while utilizing the Premera PPO Network of Providers. To find a doctor nearest you, information is accessible online at www.premera.com.

Q.

How do I file a claim?

A.

When you receive care, your doctor's office usually takes care of filing your claim. However, to ensure your claim is sent to the proper address you must show your doctor's receptionist or billing department your ID card. It is important that you ask that they update their computer records with the claim address information shown on the card. If you are covered under the Trust Medical Plan and seek services from a PPO Provider, your provider will file the claim. If you seek services from a non-PPO Provider, and need to file a claim, you may print a claim form, and send it to: Premera Blue Cross Claims Department PO Box 91059 Seattle, WA 98111-9159

Q.

How do I get a replacement ID card?

A.

If you are covered under the Trust Plan, contact us at 1-800-547-4457 for Medical/Rx/dental/vision ID cards.

Q.

Is my doctor under the PPO?

A.

Please contact Premera Blue Card network by calling their toll free phone number 1-800-810 (BLUE)-2583 or visit the Premera web site, Click on the 'Find a Doctor" link, then follow the prompts. Please be sure to verify with the provider that the provider or facility is currently a preferred provider.

Q.

How do I get a PPO provider for Dental or vision?

A.

If you are on the Trust plan you have the freedom of choice for dental or vision providers. The PPO network is for medical and pharmacy only. It is up to the dental or vision provider whether they bill insurance or will require payment at the time of services and you must bill their own insurance.

Q.

Can I cover my significant other if we are not married?

A.

Yes. You may apply for coverage for your domestic partner of the same or different gender. You and your domestic partner must submit an affidavit and declaration that is signed and notarized. There is a monthly cost that will be deducted as an autopay from your checking or savings account. At the end of each year you will receive a W-2 with amounts to be claimed on your income taxes, as earnings. For more information see the domestic partner web page.



Pension



Q.

How do I become vested for benefits?

A.

You become vested after you have earned ten (10) or more years of credited service, without a break-in-service;OR you earned five (5) years of credited service and you have worked at least 200 hours in any plan year (January 1 through December 31) after January 1, 1991. Please refer to the Plan booklet for clarification on credited service, break-in-service, and how you can lose any pension benefits accumulated under this pension plan.

Q.

I am ready to retire, what do I need to do?

A.

At least 60 days prior to your desired retirement date, please contact the Trust office and request the retirement application. Retirement dates are always the first of a month. You will need to fill out the forms and provide a copy of your birth certificate, your spouse’s birth certificate (if married), your marriage certificate (if married), and any divorce decrees and QDROs (if ever divorced).

Q.

How soon can I retire if I and to retire before age 65?

A.

You must be at least age 55 and vested in order to elect early retirement.

Q.

Can I put money into my pension plan?

A.

This Plan is funded through employer contributions. Your employer pays contributions, per a collective bargaining agreement, to finance the Plan. No contributions are required by or permitted from you.

Q.

Is my retirement benefit reduced if I retire early?

A.

Yes, the benefit is reduced by one quarter of one percent for each month that your retirement precedes age 62. If you have fifteen (15) or more years of credited service, and 200 hours of service in the 24-month period immediately before the date of your early retirement, your monthly benefit is reduced by one twelfth of one percent for each month your retirement date is before age 62.

Q.

How often will I receive a Pension Statement from the Plan Administrator?

A.

Annually, usually in April, or you may receive a statement anytime upon request, simply call or send an email to A&I, your Trust Administrator.

Q.

If I receive a Social Security award under the Federal Social Security Act does that make me eligible for disability pension through Alaska Longshore?

A.

A participant is considered totally and permanently disabled for a disability pension if the plan requirements for a disability retirement are met. You must be totally and permanently disabled before your 62nd birthday; and you have earned five (5) years of credited service; and you have been credited with at least 200 hours of service in the 24-month period immediately before your total and permanent disability begins. Definition of total and permanent disability – you must be disabled by bodily injury or disease and not be able to perform job duties for any occupation you are qualified for. The disability must be permanent and continuous during your lifetime. This is further defined in Section 3.3 of the Plan Document.

Q.

If I die prior to retirement is there a payable benefit?

A.

If you were vested and married for more than one year when you died, your surviving spouse will receive a monthly joint and survivor pension equal to 50% of the benefit you had earned to the date of your death; OR a lump-sum payment equal to the total non-forfeited employer contributions that have been made to the plan on your behalf. If you were not married or not vested, your beneficiary will receive a lump-sum benefit equal to the total non-forfeited employer contributions that have been made to the plan on your behalf.

Q.

Once I retire can I return to work?

A.

If you return to work as a Longshoreman under this Plan after having been retired, you will not be eligible to receive your retirement income for any month in which you work 40 or more hours. Your benefit will be “suspended”.