Frequently asked questions

Health & Welfare FAQ

Your medical and dental 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. Medical and dental benefits (other than Retiree benefits obtained through TEAMStar) are not paid by an insurance company; they are paid directly by the Plan.

Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust
520 E. 34th Avenue, Ste. 107
Anchorage, AK 99503-4116

The group and ID numbers for your medical, dental and prescription drug benefits are now on your ID card. Please refer to your medical/dental card for your medical and dental ID numbers.

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. The Plan will not pay charges above the “Usual, Customary and Reasonable” rate for medical services or supplies. A charge that does not meet all three of those requirements – by being “usual,” “customary,” and “reasonable” – will be adjusted by the Plan or eliminated. A charge is “usual” if it is no more than the charge that the medical provider most frequently makes to its patients for that service or supply. A charge is “customary” if it is equal to or less than the 85th percentile rate established for the geographic area by the Plan’s third party service, which analyzes appropriate health care charges, and does not exceed Medicare’s allowed amount for end-stage renal disease charges. A charge is “reasonable” if the service or supply is justified by the circumstances, and is not performed too frequently or at an unreasonable time.

An Active Employee who has met the initial eligibility requirements will be automatically enrolled in Employee-Only coverage. Enrollment of a spouse and/or children under the Employee-Plus or Family coverage levels requires a timely and properly-completed enrollment form. Otherwise, the Eligible Employee will remain enrolled in Employee-Only coverage until a change at the Plan’s next Open Enrollment or (if available) a change at Special Enrollment. Enrollment forms are available online and from the Trust Customer Service Office.

The annual medical deductible for Eligible Employees and their Dependents is $750.00 per active member and $2,250 per family. For Retired Participants and their Dependents with Medicare, see the TEAMStar Retiree Booklet.

This happens when your physician has indicated on the billing statement that your examination was for a specific symptom or complaint. The billing statement must reflect that the primary purpose for your visit was for preventive care. The Plan and Trust cannot change the physician’s billing statement; you will need to contact your physician.

Benefits are extended for Hospital outpatient emergency room care when required for Emergency treatment of an Illness or Injury.

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.

Retail outlets are for prescription medications which require immediate use. Mail order is for long-term maintenance prescriptions; up to a 90-day supply through the Preferred Participating Mail Order Pharmacy program for direct delivery to your home.

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.

Yes, there is a $75.00 annual deductible on basic and major dental work (waived for Diagnostic, Preventive, and Orthodontics only).

Payment is made on the preparation date for Class III – Dental Services.

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.