Disclaimer


This is an "UNOFFICIAL" source of information for Mechanics and Related covered by the United Airlines CBA as represented by the IBT. Nothing on this blog should be considered as an official position or opinion of any Officer or Agent of the International or any Local. The opinions expressed here are the authors only.


Negotiations Update
October 5, 2015
UAL Medical Arbitration Update

Earlier this summer, a neutral arbitrator held that United violated the s-UAL Collective Bargaining Agreement by imposing a 90% co-insurance obligation on employees who participate in the HMOs, Aetna Select Plans and HMSA. The arbitrator directed the Company and the Union to negotiate an appropriate remedy, and she retained jurisdiction over the case in the event the parties were unable to reach an agreed-upon remedy. Recognizing the great length of time that it would take to secure an arbitration award if the parties had to go back to the arbitrator for a second hearing to determine the appropriate remedy, the Union entered into settlement negotiations with the Company. The Union’s objective was to ensure that: (1) the 100% co-insurance is restored; and (2) the employees who incurred costs on account of the Company’s violation of the CBA’s 100’s co-insurance obligation are fully reimbursed. After numerous meetings and discussions with the Company, the Union has secured both of those objectives.

The Company will soon be issuing a direct communication to the employees advising that the HMO/HMSA/Aetna Select 100% co-insurance obligation is being restored and that the employees who incurred costs having to pay 10% co-insurance will be fully reimbursed. The timing in which the various HMOs/HMSA/Aetna Select Plans restore the co-insurance, and the process by which the employees will be reimbursed does somewhat differ, however, depending on which Plan you were in.

Specifically: please note the following:

Aetna Select Participants
Beginning with claims for services incurred after October 1, 2015, the Aetna Select Plans’ 100% co-insurance will be reinstated. You will not be charged coinsurance for services received after October 1, 2015.
If you participated in an Aetna Select plan in 2014 or 2015 and paid coinsurance expenses to your medical provider, you will automatically receive a reimbursement for
coinsurance expenses paid in 2014 and/or 2015. You do not have to submit any receipts substantiating your coinsurance expenses. Initial reimbursements will be made within the next several weeks. You may receive multiple reimbursements as medical claims are processed and finalized.

Kaiser and Anthem HMO Colorado Participants
Beginning with claims for services incurred after January 1, 2016, the Kaiser and Anthem HMO Colorado 100% coinsurance will be reinstated. You will not be charged coinsurance for services received after January 1, 2016

If you participated in an Anthem HMO Colorado or Kaiser HMO plan in 2014 or 2015 and paid coinsurance expenses to your medical provider, you will automatically receive a reimbursement for coinsurance expenses paid in 2014 and/or 2015. You do not have to submit any receipts substantiating your coinsurance expenses. Initial reimbursements will be made within the next several weeks. You may receive multiple reimbursements as additional medical claims are processed and finalized.

Group Health Cooperative, HealthSpan Integrated Care and HMSA Participants
Beginning with claims for services incurred after January 1, 2016, the 100% coinsurance for these plans will be reinstated. You will not be charged coinsurance for services received after January 1, 2016

If you participated in one of the HMO plans mentioned above in 2014 or 2015 and paid coinsurance expenses to your medical provider, you must submit a reimbursement request to receive payment.

To process your reimbursement request, we will need the following:
1. A copy of your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your HMO showing the charges you were responsible for paying
2. Name
3. Employee ID
4. e-mail address
You will be asked to submit this information to:
United Airlines
Attn: H&W Finance – Willis Tower
233 S. Wacker Drive, 25th Floor – WHQHR
Chicago, Illinois 60606
You will also be advised that you can submit your reimbursement request via e-mail to HWFinance@united.com.
Please look for the Company’s direct communication for more details regarding this matter.

Resource Utilization Arbitration Update

Briefs from the IBT and the Company have been submitted to the Arbitrator. After the Arbitrator reviews the case he will set up an executive session of the tripartite panel. After the executive panel meets the Arbitrator will issue the ruling.