-FOR OUR MEMBERS COVERED UNDER THE RAILROAD EMPLOYEES NATIONAL HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN-
We don't have a crystal ball here at the System Division office, so we can't make guesses at how the Carriers will choose to act as they continue to cut their costs. However, many of our members can expect to be furloughed later this year, and we want to ensure you have as much information as we can provide to help you make good choices for you and your family.
As we get questions from you, and as we see the situation for our members develop on their specific roads, we will work to keep pushing out information you can use.
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SOME POINTS ON HEALTHCARE COVERAGE UNDER RR EMPLOYEES NATIONAL HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN WHILE ON FURLOUGH
If a member covered under the Railroad Employee’s National Health and Welfare Plan is in furlough status, there are a few things to remember about their healthcare coverage and the requirement for an employee contribution.
Not all situations are addressed below. If you experience an extended furlough or have questions on your coverage, contact your System officers or the Burlington System Division office.
· Coverage under the Plan for furloughed employees will stop after the end of the 4th month AFTER the month the employee last rendered compensated service. (Employees furloughed in January are covered through May)
· If an employee returns to service after that 4th month, they must render the Requisite Amount of Compensated Service (7-day Rule), they will resume coverage the month AFTER the month they rendered compensated service (Employee furloughed in January, returns to work in June and works 7 days or more. Coverage ended in May. Coverage won’t resume until July)
· Vacation days used AFTER the Employee is furloughed DO NOT COUNT toward the 7-day Rule for compensated service and WILL NOT extend the 4-month furloughed worker coverage.
· Coverage for furloughed employees will reset after rendering compensated service. (An employee is furloughed in January but works 1 day in March. The employee’s 4-month coverage resets to the date they worked in March)
