Welfare
The Mason Tenders’ District Council Welfare Fund provides health care and other welfare benefits for eligible active and retired participants and their eligible dependents.
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Eligibility | Medical | Prescription Drugs | Dental | Vision | Member Assistance Program | Other Benefits
Eligibility
Coverage under the Fund begins when you satisfy the Fund’s eligibility requirements. Check with the Fund Office on your coverage start date. Review the Summary Plan Description (SPD) on the Member Portal for eligibility requirements and details on when coverage starts and ends.
Medical
The Fund provides comprehensive medical benefits administered by Aetna, the Fund’s network provider and third-party claims administrator.
If you receive covered services or supplies from a provider that is contracted with Aetna, these services are considered in-network. That means you will typically pay less money out of your pocket for the services.
Health care providers, hospitals and other facilities that are under contract with the Aetna network have agreed to accept the discounted amount the medical plan pays for covered services as payment in full (plus any applicable copayment or other cost-sharing the covered individual is responsible for paying).
While the Fund gives you the option to use a provider that does not participate in Aetna’s network, you’ll pay more out of pocket for covered services if you use an out-of-network provider.
How to Find an In-network Medical Provider
You can search for an in-network provider by name, specialty or zip code using Aetna’s online provider directory. For personalized results, log in to your secure Aetna member website and then search. You can also speak with Aetna by calling the number on the back of your member ID card.
Transparency In Coverage
The Fund is required to post certain information on a public website pursuant to the Federal Transparency in Coverage Final Rule published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2020. Review details about the Transparency Rule on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
The Transparency Rule is intended to make information about the prices charged for health care available to the general public, particularly researchers. These experts can use pricing information from the Fund and other health plans to better understand the health care system and its costs and, hopefully, create new policies that improve competition and lower health care spending.
The Transparency Rule requires that the Fund must post links to machine-readable files that contain information about the price of health care services. A machine-readable file is written in computer code and is an extremely large file. It is not intended to be downloaded or read by participants but to be used in research studies. The files do not contain Protected Health Information (PHI) about you or your family. You can access the required machine-readable files on Aetna’s website.
Links on the Aetna site provide machine-readable files for the Fund’s in-network negotiated rates and historical allowed amounts for out-of-network charges. The files attached to the links are maintained by Aetna, and Aetna will update the files attached to the links automatically each month.
Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
You can find more information about your rights and protections against surprise medical bills on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.
Prescription Drugs
The Fund provides comprehensive prescription drug benefits through Aetna/CVS Caremark, the Fund’s prescription benefit manager.
The Aetna/CVS Caremark network includes most nationwide retail drugstore chains as well as thousands of independent retail pharmacies, plus a mail-order service so you can save on prescriptions you take regularly.
When covered participants and family members fill prescriptions at a participating Aetna/CVS Caremark pharmacy, they’ll save money on prescription costs. Using a pharmacy that does not participate in the network generally means you will pay more out of pocket for covered prescriptions.
Coverage Details
Log in to the Aetna member website for information about the drug formulary, network retail pharmacies, and setting up mail-order delivery.
Dental
The Fund provides dental coverage through Aetna’s preferred provider organization (PPO). Aetna’s dental PPO network gives you flexibility to use any dentist you choose.
If you use a dentist that does not participate in the Aetna dental PPO, you’ll pay more out of pocket for covered dental services.
How to Find an In-network Dental Provider
For personalized results, first log in to your secure Aetna member website. You can search for a dentist by name, specialty, zip code or the number of miles you are willing to travel. You also may call Aetna at 877-238-6200 to speak with a customer representative.
Vision
The Fund offers in-network vision benefits through one of three network providers:
When you’re ready to schedule a vision appointment, contact one of the three network providers and the provider will check your eligibility and assist you.
If you prefer to use a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist who is not a network provider, contact the Fund Office for more information.
Member Assistance Program
The Member Assistance Program (MAP) is administered by Spring Health and offers free, confidential, voluntary personalized care, assistance, and resources to provide support through life’s challenges.
The MAP also includes an enhanced substance use disorder benefit to assist participants and their families struggling with substance use challenges.
Labor Helping Labor (LHL) is another resource available to participants and family members dealing with substance use disorders. LHL offers peer recovery support and other services. Call LHL at 888-545-8728.
Get Started with Spring Health
Visit the Fund’s Spring Health site to create an account or download the app (App Store or Google Play). You also may call member support at 855-585-1867 and press 3.
Crisis Support 24/7
Spring Health and LHL offer crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week whenever you need immediate assistance, life-threatening or not.
Call Spring Health at 855-585-1867 and press 2, or call LHL at 888-545-8728.
If you need immediate emergency assistance, call 911.
Need Help Now?
If you or a loved one is in distress, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support, as well as prevention and crisis resources.
Other Benefits
The Fund also provides additional benefits for your wellbeing.
- Weekly accident and sickness benefit
- New York State Paid Family Leave
- Annual vacation account (Local 78 and Local 79 members)
- Death and gravesite benefit
Get Details About All Your Benefits
Access the Member Portal for personalized information and Plan eligibility, enrollment and coverage information.