Healthcare
Our Medical Plan is one of the best in the business and is part of our collective bargaining. As a member of M.E.B.A. you will get a better plan and nothing will come out of your paycheck to pay for it.
- Blue Cross Health Insurance: No Premiums for Member or Family
- Delta Dental: No Premiums for Member or Family
M.E.B.A. Medical and Benefits Plan
M.E.B.A. Medical and Benefits Plan provides top tier medical coverage to help combat the cost of health care for you and your entire family. The plan partners with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and OptumRx to provide you with prescription drug benefits.
Covered medical expenses include
- Hospital Room and Board
- Hospital Services and Supplies
- Outpatient Hospital-type Services
- Physician and Surgical Charges
- Nursing Care
- Mental and Nervous Disorders
- Alcohol, Drug and Other Substance Abuse
- Maternity Benefits
- Influenza Vaccination Benefits
- Well-Baby Visits
- Optical Expense Benefit
- Hearing Aid Benefits
- Prescription Drug Benefits
- Nurse Practitioners, Acupuncturists and Physicians’ Assistants
- Gynecological Benefits
- Mammograms
- Mastectomy/Mammoplasty
- Orthotics
- Immunizations
- Diabetes-related Benefits
- Hospice Care
- Bariatric Procedures
- Durable Medical Equipment
Highlights
- If you are a new M.E.B.A. member, you and your eligible dependents become covered under the Medical Plan on the date you complete 30 days of covered employment in any 6 consecutive calendar months; covered employment is any of the following: work onboard a vessel or in a covered shoreside unit, vacation days, converted OT vacation days, or days attending the training school.
- Afterwards you must have 60 days of covered employment within six consecutive calendar months;
- Medical plan coverage continues for six months following the last day of covered employment that was used to earn your eligibility. For example, 60 days of vacation grants you 6 months of medical benefits
- The Medical Plan generally covers you at 80% of covered expenses for network providers (in most cases there will be a higher co-insurance for out-of-network providers) or prescription drugs. Blue Cross Blue Shield contracted rates also generally decrease what hospitals, doctors, or dentists are even allowed to charge. Optum Rx contracted rates generally decrease what prescriptions cost.
- If you and your qualified dependents incur $3,500 in “out of pocket costs” in a calendar year, the Medical Plan pays 100% of covered expenses for your family for the remainder of that calendar year.
- If you and your qualified dependents incur $1,500 in “out of pocket costs” for prescription drugs in a calendar year, the Medical Plan pays 100% of covered prescription expenses for your family for the remainder of that calendar year.
Dental Coverage (Delta Dental)
- Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental.
- The annual deductible is $100 per calendar year per person, $300 per year per family.
- The Diagnostic and Preventative services (i.e., routine exams, cleanings, x-rays and sealants) are now covered at 100%, are not subject to the annual deductible, and do not count towards your annual maximum.
- The annual dental maximum (other than orthodontia) is $ 2,000 per person per calendar year. The maximum benefit is based on total payments for covered services to participant and non-participating dentists.
- Participating dentists bill Delta Dental directly
- Treatment from out of network dentists, will be reimbursed to you by Delta Dental at an amount equal to 80% of the Delta approved rates for services.
Orthodontic Coverage (Delta Dental)
- Orthodontic Coverage is provided by Delta Dental.
- Maximum lifetime orthodontia benefit is $2,250 per person.
Optical Benefit
- Medical Plan pays up to a total of $180 per calendar year for Optical examination, prescription eyeglasses, and contact lenses.
- If you do not use your annual benefit during a calendar year it can be carried over for two additional calendar years up to a maximum of three years benefit of $540.
- Refer to the attached Active SBC (page 5 of 9 for the optical coverage for dependent children coverage):
- Children over age 19 – same coverage as referenced above.
- Children under age 19 – limited to one exam and one pair of glasses or contacts per calendar year up to the usual, customary and reasonable charge.
Hearing Aid Benefit
- During any three consecutive calendar year period, Medical Plan pays:
- 80% of charges incurred up to a maximum of $3,000 for hearing aid instrument
- 80% of charges incurred up to a maximum of $75 for hearing related exam.
- For dependents younger than 19, the Medical Plan pays 80% of charges up to a maximum of $75 for a hearing related examination every calendar year.