Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Frequently Asked Health Care Questions


Q. Who are my eligible dependents?
A.
  • Your lawful spouse
  • Your Registered Domestic Partner
  • Your natural children up to age 26
  • Your legally adopted children up to age 26
  • Your step-children up to age 26
  • Your Registered Domestic Partner’s children up to age 26


Note: A dependent who is in the service of the armed forces is not an eligible dependent
Q. When do I become eligible for benefits?
A. You become eligible for benefits on the first day of the month in which the third contribution is paid by the Employer on your behalf. These three (3) qualifying contributions must be made during a period of six (6) consecutive months.

Example: If you are hired on November 20 and your Employer is required to make a contribution on your behalf for December, January and February, you will be eligible for coverage as of February 1, with the third contribution made within a period of six (6) months.

IMPORTANT NOTE: EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY SATISFY THE VARIOUS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, YOUR COVERAGE CANNOT BECOME EFFECTIVE UNTIL YOU HAVE FILED A COMPLETED ENROLLMENT CARD WITH THE TRUST FUND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE.
Q. How do I maintain my monthly Health Care coverage?
A. After initially qualifying for benefits, you will remain eligible until you lose eligibility for one of the reasons specified in Question 4.
Q. When will my eligibility terminate (Loss of Eligibility)?
A. Your eligibility will terminate on the earliest of the following dates:
  1. The date your employer ceases to provide coverage in this plan under a collective bargaining agreement.
  2. Date you enter into full-time military service for over 31 days.
  3. End of the month in which you quit, are discharged or retire.
  4. End of the 2nd month following your lay-off, leave of absence or disability.
  5. Date plan is terminated or particular benefit/coverage is terminated.
  6. End of the 2nd month following a Total Disability extension.
Q. What if I become Disabled?
A. If you are absent from work because of a non-occupational illness or injury, your benefits will be continued during each month of Total Disability for a period not to exceed three (3) months or the date of recovery from such illness or injury, whichever occurs first. Your Employer is not required to make any contributions for this extension of coverage, but you must apply and qualify for such extension of coverage.

You must present certification of your Total Disability to the Trust Administrative Office by submitting a written certification by a licensed Physician on a form provided by the Trust. The required form may be obtained from the Trust Administrative Office or downloaded from the Trust website at www.teamstersfood.org. If you are unable to return to work at the end of the three (3) month extension period, you may qualify for an additional 2 months of coverage based on the Trust’s Loss of Eligibility Rules. You may then extend your eligibility for benefits further by electing and making a monthly payments for COBRA Continuation Coverage.
Q. What if I get called to Active Military Duty?
A. You may elect to continue coverage for yourself and your eligible dependents by paying COBRA for up to 24 months. However, no payment will be required if your period of service is less than 31 days.
Q. How do I add my new baby or spouse to my insurance plan?
A. You must submit other legal documentation to the Benefit office along with a completed Enrollment Form. You can download the Enrollment Form off of this website located under "Forms" and mail it into the Benefit Fund Office or submit documentation online by my benefits tab, click on the Documents to Submit link.
Q. Whom should I contact if I'm getting a divorce and what documents do I need to submit?
A. Please call the Benefit Fund Office and advise the Eligibility and Pension Departments that you are getting a divorce or have already gotten divorced. You will also need to submit a FULL copy of your Dissolution of Marriage Judgment and QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) to this office.
Q. How do I obtain a replacement Prescription Card?
A. Please send an email to staff@teamstersfood.org or contact the Benefit Fund Office at: (855) 866-0942
Q. How do I obtain a replacement Medical Card?
A. Please send an email to staff@teamstersfood.org or contact the Benefit Fund Office at: (855) 866-0942
Q. Whom should I call if I have questions about my eligibility?
A. Please send an email to staff@teamstersfood.org or contact the Benefit Fund Office at: (855) 866-0942
Q. What if my coverage terminates?
A. If you lose coverage under the Plan as a result of a Qualifying Event, coverage for you and your eligible dependents may be continued for a limited period under COBRA by making monthly payments. Please refer to the Summary Plan Description booklet for more information regarding Qualifying Events.
Q. Will my child(ren) who is/are age 19 through age 26 be covered under the Plan?
A. Yes. Due to the new Health Care Reform Act, dependent children are now eligible to remain on the coverage until the age of 26, regardless of student status.
Q. Whom should I contact for Family Medical Leave (FMLA)?
A. You should contact your employer. If your employer approves a leave under the terms of FMLA, coverage for you and your eligible dependents will continue until the expiration of the FMLA leave or date you give notice to your employer that you do not intend to return to work at the end of the leave.