Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 to highlight what you need to know to about enrolling in the UAW Retirees Health Care Trust (URHCT) plan. If you have any questions, please 

. If not, you can get started by completing the 

Your coverage can begin as of the date you retire, if all necessary paperwork and forms are completed and returned by the deadline provided. You may also choose to delay coverage (see the “Delayed Enrollment” section of the 

For calendar year 2024, there is no monthly contribution required for coverage. Annually, all cost share amounts are reviewed. For 2024, you may be responsible for deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance when you receive care. Please see the benefit information section or contact CDS for information about current benefits and costs.

If you are retiring from the UAW, but have coverage through either another job or as a dependent under your spouse’s employer, you may delay your enrollment in the UAW Retiree Health Care Trust. Please notify CDS of your decision to delay enrollment within 30 days of the date you are initially eligible to enroll with the URHCT. When you are ready to enroll, the date you may start coverage with the URHCT depends on whether or not you had continuous qualified coverage. Please refer the Summary Plan Description for detailed information.

If you are a UAW Retiree and your Spouse is currently working and has health coverage through his or her employer, you do not have to enroll in your Spouse’s employment-based coverage (

 it is active coverage as a UAW employee). If your Spouse is working in UAW-represented employment, you must enroll in your Spouse’s health coverage if available to you – your Spouse’s plan would be your primary coverage and the URHCT Plan would be your secondary coverage.

If you enroll as a dependent under your spouse’s plan, the UAW Retirees Health Care Trust coverage will be primary for you and your spouse’s coverage will be secondary for you. If you elect to enroll both you and your Spouse in the URHCT, your spouse would be covered under the URHCT secondary to your Spouse’s active employer coverage. Please refer to the Summary Plan Description for detailed information on the Plan’s Coordination of Benefits Rules.

If you are a UAW Retiree and your Spouse is working in UAW-represented employment, you must enroll in your Spouse’s health coverage if available to you – your Spouse’s plan would be your primary coverage and the URHCT Plan would be your secondary coverage. If your spouse has other coverage that is not UAW represented employment, you may enroll with your spouse and waive your coverage under the URHCT.

 provides detailed information about dependent eligibility. If you have any questions, please 

Yes, if at the time of your death your spouse is enrolled, or is not enrolled but was eligible to enroll as a Spouse, your spouse may continue coverage after your death.

In general, if a UAW employee is eligible for coverage under this Plan when the UAW employee dies, even if that employee has not yet retired, the Surviving Spouse is eligible for coverage under this Plan if they were enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in the UAW employee's health care coverage at the time of death. If you are a Surviving Spouse, please 

The UAW Retirees Health Care Plan offers Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision and Hearing coverage for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents. Benefits are reviewed by the Committee on a regular basis and may be adjusted. Review the 

Yes, if you see an in-network provider. The plan reimburses the cost of the hearing exam, hearing aid evaluation and hearing aids received from an in-network provider only. For assistance with finding a network provider, please contact Blue Cross Blue Shield (see the 

Yes. You must enroll in Medicare as soon as you are eligible, unless you are currently covered under another Plan as an active member. Failure to enroll in both Medicare Parts A and B will result in termination of Plan coverage.

The UAW Retiree Health Care Plan may reimburse you monthly for the Medicare Part B premiums you pay (minus any reimbursement you receive from a Prior Employer). Your reimbursement level (and whether or not you are eligible for reimbursement of your Spouse’s premium as well) depend on your group, retirement date, and amount of service at retirement. 

 for eligibility details. You may choose to receive this reimbursement via direct deposit into your bank account rather than receiving a reimbursement check in the mail.

 if you have questions about Medicare Part B reimbursement benefits.

If your prior employer is a UAW-represented employer, you must enroll in any coverage offered to you as a result of your employment with them. You do not need to enroll in coverage available from your prior employer that is not UAW-represented. The coverage under this Plan is designed to pay 

 benefits are paid by any Prior UAW Employer Coverage.

You may be entitled to receive reimbursement of your out-of-pocket costs under that plan to ensure that you receive the level of coverage that you are entitled to under the Trust. The Trust provides secondary top-up coverage of health care expenses and reimbursement of Prior UAW Employer Coverage Premiums. Details on Top-Up Benefits can be found in the 

 in section A (How the Plan Works). A form to submit a Top Up Claim can be found 

 and a form to request reimbursement of your Prior UAW Employer premium 

If you have Prior Employer dental coverage, that plan pays first. The UAW Retirees Health Care Trust payment for covered services will equal the amount payable under the URHCT plan minus the amount paid by the primary coverage. In other words, the payments for the two plans combined will provide up to the amount that would have been paid by this plan if you had no other coverage.

You don’t have to enroll in other health care coverage, unless it’s “Prior UAW Employer Coverage.” CDS can help you determine whether or not you need to enroll in other coverage.

 and the UAW to report the death of a participant. If you are a Surviving Spouse or Dependent, CDS will also be able to help you with understanding your eligibility for coverage in the Plan.

To notify the UAW, please contact the UAW Employee Benefits and Pension Department at 313-926-5354.


 for assistance. To protect participants’ privacy and benefits, we may need authorization from the participant to share certain types of information or make changes. We are happy to assist you with getting the proper authorizations in place to ensure that you can help your loved one, as needed.

If you have a concern or believe that something was not handled correctly, we encourage you to follow up with the Carrier (insurance company) or CDS. If your concern cannot be resolved, please send your complaint to the Appeal Committee at:

If your benefit claim is not approved or the Carrier (insurance company) pays less than you think they should, you (or your authorized representative) have the right to appeal that adverse benefit determination.

The first step is to appeal the decision through the Carrier. This is what is known as an “internal” appeal. Call the toll-free customer service number on your ID card and let the representative know you want to file an appeal. See the 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Enrollment

Dependents

Health Care Benefits

Medicare

Other Coverage

For Caregivers and Family Members

Complaints and Appeals