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Home → Welfare Trust → FAQs 
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Why does the claims office require a completed Enrollment Form for each family member every twelve months?
I am confused about how my benefits are coordinated with Medicare.
I understood that my plan would pay up to $300 for one physical examination per calendar year. The explanation of benefits I received shows that you applied part of the charges to my deductible and only paid 70% of the balance.
What is the name of our insurance company?
Will the Plan cover 100% of all my bills?
Will the Plan cover my dependents automatically or must I pay for that coverage?
The doctor's office needs my group number and identification number to file my claim.
Is it important that I advise the eye doctor I have VSP coverage?
What is the difference between getting prescriptions filled through a mail order facility versus a retail outlet?
Is there an annual dental deductible?
Is payment for Class III - Dental Services made on the preparation date or the seat date?
What is the annual medical deductible?
Where should claims be sent?
Should my doctor send my lab work to Alaska Regional Hospital as the preferred provider facility under the Plan rather than Providence Hospital?
Is Alaska Regional Hospital still the PPO hospital facility in Anchorage?
I went to the emergency room and the bill wasn't paid at 100% - why not?
Is it important to take my pharmacy card with me when I get my prescriptions filled?
How do I determine which eye doctors participate in the Vision Service Plan (VSP) program?
What are the benefits if I use providers in the network versus out of the network?
Will I have to change doctors?
How do I find out if my doctor is in the network or find a new doctor?
Will I be mailed a directory?
What if I do not live near a Beech Street PPO Provider?
Is it possible to add my doctor to the network if they are not listed as a Beech Street PPO Provider?
QUESTION: Why does the claims office require a completed Enrollment Form for each family member every twelve months?
ANSWER: To verify that the address we have on file is current and accurate.
Also to determine whether you or your dependents are covered by other health insurance. Records are updated annually and your current signature is needed:
for the certification and release of information, and/or to authorize payment to be made directly to the provider of services.
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QUESTION: I am confused about how my benefits are coordinated with Medicare.
ANSWER: Coordination Where Benefits are "Primary." When Medicare benefits are primary to any benefits under the Plan, Medicare benefits are paid first, and the payment of Plan benefits, if any, occurs second based on what Medicare has paid and other rules. For example, Medicare is primary to Plan benefits if you are eligible for Medicare based on age or disability and your coverage under the Plan is not based on current employment (as in the case of coverage for Retired Participants and their Dependents and certain "COBRA" coverage). In cases where Medicare coverage is primary, the Plan coordinates benefits with Medicare on a "carve-out" basis.
Covered Expenses must first be submitted to Medicare. When you receive the "Explanation of Medicare Benefits" (EOMB) statement which shows how much Medicare paid, submit a copy of the Covered Expenses together with a copy of the Medicare EOMB statement to the Plan.
First, the Plan will calculate what our "normal benefit payable" would be in the absence of Medicare coverage. Then, from our "normal benefit payable," we will deduct the benefit paid by Medicare and then also deduct the annual out of pocket deductible and out of pocket limits that apply under this Plan. The out of pocket limit will not be charged against inpatient hospital stays. For an inpatient hospital stay, once your $200 deductible is met under the Plan, the Plan will then pay 80% of the Medicare inpatient deductible. The Plan will pay only the difference between our "normal benefit payable" and the benefit paid by Medicare.
It is important to remember that the Plan will not pay more than our "normal benefit payable," which is the amount the Plan would have paid in the absence of Medicare coverage. If the Plan's "normal benefit payable" and the benefit paid by Medicare are the same amounts, or if the benefit paid by Medicare is more than the Plan's "normal benefit payable," the Plan will not pay any additional benefits. The combination of the Plan's "normal benefit payable" and the benefit paid by Medicare will never exceed what the Plan would have paid in the absence of Medicare coverage.
Please refer to the Summary Plan Description for further details.
Coordination Where Medicare Benefits are "Secondary." Medicare benefits are sometimes "secondary" to those under the Plan, meaning that Plan benefits are paid first and Medicare benefits, if any, are paid second.
Further Discussion of Coordination of Plan Benefits with Medicare. For an explanation of the rules on coordination of Plan benefits with Medicare go to the "Retiree Rules" BenefitTab.
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QUESTION: I understood that my plan would pay up to $300 for one physical examination per calendar year. The explanation of benefits I received shows that you applied part of the charges to my deductible and only paid 70% of the balance.
ANSWER: This happens when your physician has indicated on the billing statement that your examination was for a specific symptom or complaint. The diagnosis on the billing statement must state that the reason for your visit was for a routine physical examination. The Plan and Trust cannot change the physician's diagnosis; you will need to contact your physician.
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QUESTION: What is the name of our insurance company?
ANSWER: Your benefit coverage is provided through the Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust, which is a multi-employer employee benefit plan governed by a federal law called ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
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QUESTION: Will the Plan cover 100% of all my bills?
ANSWER: The Board of Trustees has designed a comprehensive program of Health Plan benefits for you and your eligible dependents. However, not all services you receive are covered by the Plan. For covered services, you will be responsible for deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance amounts. You may also be responsible for amounts above the Plan's allowance. If your doctor performs services that the Plan does not cover or if you receive treatment from a health care provider not recognized under the terms of the plan, you are responsible for the entire bill. It is not the intent of the Health Plan to dictate what type of treatment is appropriate for a patient, nor do we wish to imply that a specific treatment is not beneficial to your condition, but rather that, benefits can only be extended within the provisions and limitations of the Plan.
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QUESTION: Will the Plan cover my dependents automatically or must I pay for that coverage?
ANSWER: Once you meet the eligibility requirement, the Health Plan will cover your qualified dependents at no charge to you. Coverage will begin once you enroll all your eligible dependents.
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QUESTION: The doctor's office needs my group number and identification number to file my claim.
ANSWER: The Plan has no group number. The Eligible Employee's or Retired Participant's social security number is the identification number.
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QUESTION: Is it important that I advise the eye doctor I have VSP coverage?
ANSWER: Yes. Your benefit coverage is determined based on the preferred provider agreement with VSP. If you do not advise the doctor's office at the time the appointment is made, you may end up paying more out of pocket.
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QUESTION: What is the difference between getting prescriptions filled through a mail order facility versus a retail outlet?
ANSWER: Retail outlets are for prescription medications which require immediate use. Mail order is for long-term maintenance prescriptions; up to 3 months supply. When you order your prescription through the mail order facility, you will be sent a statement regarding any co-payment you owe in the mail along with the prescription medication.
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QUESTION: Is there an annual dental deductible?
ANSWER: Yes, there is a $75.00 annual deductible on preventive, basic and major dental work.
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QUESTION: Is payment for Class III - Dental Services made on the preparation date or the seat date?
ANSWER: Payment is made on the preparation date for Class III - Dental Services.
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QUESTION: What is the annual medical deductible?
ANSWER: The annual medical deductible is $100.00 per active member and $200.00 per family. For retirees under 65, the annual medical deductible is $2,000.00. For retirees with Medicare, the annual deductible is $200.00.
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QUESTION: Where should claims be sent?
ANSWER: Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust
520 E. 34th Avenue, Ste. 107
Anchorage, AK 99503-4116
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QUESTION: Should my doctor send my lab work to Alaska Regional Hospital as the preferred provider facility under the Plan rather than Providence Hospital?
ANSWER: Yes. You should request to have your lab work done at
Alaska Regional Hospital. Even though your doctor's office may be located in the Providence Hospital Medical Center, you will pay less out of pocket if have the lab work done at Alaska Regional.
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QUESTION: Is Alaska Regional Hospital still the PPO hospital facility in Anchorage?
ANSWER: Yes. Services rendered elsewhere when they could have been provided at Alaska Regional Hospital will be penalized.
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QUESTION: I went to the emergency room and the bill wasn't paid at 100% - why not?
ANSWER: Hospital Emergency room benefits are extended for Hospital outpatient emergency room care when required for Emergency treatment of an Illness or Injury. They are subject to your deductible, then paid at 80% if treatment was done at a PPO facility, or 70% if treatment was done at a non- PPO facility. No benefits will be extended for emergency room care that is not related to an Emergency and/or could have been provided in a Physician's office, an outpatient clinic or urgent care center.
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QUESTION: Is it important to take my pharmacy card with me when I get my prescriptions filled?
ANSWER: Yes. Pharmacists at any of the in-network pharmacies need the information off your prescription card to ensure you get the proper benefit coverage under the Plan.
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QUESTION: How do I determine which eye doctors participate in the Vision Service Plan (VSP) program?
ANSWER: Check out the web site at www.vsp.com or you call VSP at (800) 877-7195 to verify which doctors in your area are VSP Providers. If you have questions, you can also contact the Trust Customer Service office at (907) 565-8300 or (800) 478-4450.
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QUESTION: What are the benefits if I use providers in the network versus out of the network?
ANSWER: The plan pays 80% of your claim (after deductible) if you use a provider in the network. In addition, both you and the plan enjoy discounts from the provider. Otherwise, the plan pays 70% of your claim (after deductible) if you use a provider out of the network. Benefit plan details are available in your benefit book or online at the Trust website, www.959trusts.com.
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QUESTION: Will I have to change doctors?
ANSWER: The network of providers under the Beech Street PPO Network is comprehensive with more than 3,800 hospitals and 400,000 providers nationwide. If you find your provider is not in the new network you will need to select a new doctor if you wish to receive the highest possible benefits from your health insurance.
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QUESTION: How do I find out if my doctor is in the network or find a new doctor?
ANSWER: To access provider information, please go online to www.959trusts.com. Click on ‘’ Find Network Providers “
In addition to the website, the phone number for Alaska Teamsters Trust Customer Service Office is (907) 565- 8300 or 1-800-478-4450 (toll free).
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QUESTION: Will I be mailed a directory?
ANSWER:
No. Printed directories are never as up to date as the 800 number or the searchable directory on the website and are very expensive to print and mail. Fortunately, you obtain a directory from the Alaska Teamsters website, www.959trusts.com.
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QUESTION: What if I do not live near a Beech Street PPO Provider?
ANSWER: While we encourage our members to use the Beech Street PPO, we understand that Beech Street providers are not available everywhere. If you live in a rural area that does not have access to primary care physicians in the network, your benefits remain unchanged. If you travel for health services, look for a PPO provider.
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QUESTION: Is it possible to add my doctor to the network if they are not listed as a Beech Street PPO Provider?
ANSWER: Yes. If you would like to endorse a doctor or practitioner for participation in the Beech Street network, you may submit your request form online. The application process is easy.
- Go to www.beechstreet.com
- Click on the “Providers” section
- Click on the “Join the Network” link
- Click on “Join Now!”
- Fill out the requested information* and click “Submit Form”
*Completion of this form is for nomination purposes only and does not guarantee membership.
Beech Street’s credentialing process takes 90 to 120 days once the application is received.
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