Northwest Carpenters Health and Security Plan

Special Enrollment Rights 

Most retirees and dependents who satisfy the eligibility requirements of this plan enroll directly in Retiree Coverage as described above. Special enrollment is also allowed if certain requirements are met.

Loss of Other Health Care Coverage

You or your dependents who are otherwise eligible for Retiree Coverage but not enrolled may enroll for coverage if all of the following requirements are met:

  • Enrollment in Retiree Coverage was declined because you or your dependents were covered under another group health plan or other health insurance coverage.
  • The other health care coverage terminated due to (1) loss of eligibility including loss due to legal separation, divorce, death, termination of employment or reduction in work hours; (2) termination of employer contributions; (3) disenrollment from another group health plan or other health insurance coverage. Loss of eligibility does not include a loss due to failure to pay premiums on a timely basis or termination of coverage for cause, such as making a fraudulent claim or an intentional misrepresentation of a material fact in connection with the plan.

To enroll, you must complete and submit a Retiree Coverage Application for you and/or your dependents no later than 60 days after your and/or your dependents’ other health care coverage terminates. If the completed application and required documentation is not received within 60 days, the right to enroll is forfeited. A copy of the other plan’s termination of coverage notice must be provided to Northwest Carpenters Trusts with your application. You cannot have a gap in coverage.

If you do not meet all of these criteria, you permanently forfeit your right to Retiree Coverage.

Dependents of Retirees

Eligibility and enrollment for dependents of retirees is the same as for active participants. Please see dependent eligibility and enrollment.

Disenrollment and Reenrollment

If you are covered under Retiree Coverage, you may disenroll from Retiree Coverage and reenroll in Retiree Coverage at a later time if you meet all of the following requirements:

  • You are covered under another group health plan or other health insurance coverage when you disenroll.
  • Coverage between Retiree Coverage and the other group health plan or other health insurance coverage was continuous from the original date of disenrollment from Retiree Coverage to reenrollment in Retiree Coverage. There can be no gap in coverage.
  • You are otherwise eligible for Retiree Coverage.

To reenroll in Retiree Coverage, you must complete a Retiree Coverage Application and submit it to Northwest Carpenters Trusts within 60 days after your or your dependent’s coverage under the other group health plan or other health insurance coverage terminates. A copy of the other plan’s termination of coverage notice must be provided to Northwest Carpenters Trusts with your application. Coverage must be reinstated the first day of the month immediately following the month coverage was terminated under the other plan and can only be reinstated if the appropriate monthly contribution is made. There can be no gap in coverage.

If you or a dependent voluntarily leave Retiree Coverage and cannot meet all the reenrollment requirements described above, you or your dependent forfeit your right to reenroll in Retiree Coverage.

Last Updated: 10/30/2023