Statement of Purpose

Dear Participant and Family:

The Carpenters Health and Security Plan of Western Washington—For Employed Carpenters became effective January 1, 1960. The plan was designed to assist you and your eligible dependents with medically necessary expenses incurred as a result of a non-occupational illness or injury anywhere in the world. It was also designed to assist with many other health care needs you and your family may face, with special emphasis on the large and often unforeseen expenses associated with a prolonged illness or serious accident. The plan also assists with less serious medical expenses such as many physician services, prescription drugs, routine vision, dental and orthodontic benefits, as well as time loss and life insurance benefits.

Funds for this plan are provided by hourly contributions called for under collective bargaining. Health reimbursement accounts are funded by employer contributions paid on behalf of employed participants, and become available when the participant retires to help pay the monthly contributions under this plan. Funds are deposited into a tax exempt, nonprofit trust which is administered by the Board of Trustees. The benefits provided by the plan are self-insured, except for life insurance benefits which are insured with an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Washington. The risk of a large and unforeseen expense is shared with all plan participants. Since contributions and investment earnings are the only source of funds for plan benefits, the cost of this coverage now and in the future is directly related to the overall costs of health care and the overall cost of this plan. It is important, therefore, that everyone is a prudent user of health care services and that everyone avoid unnecessary services, when possible, to reduce the overall costs of the plan.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) requires the plan to provide you and your eligible dependents with this summary plan description. The plan's rules on eligibility, benefits, and the circumstances that may result in disqualification, ineligibility, denial, loss, forfeiture, or suspension of any plan benefits are described in the sections of this plan booklet. In all circumstances, the terms of this plan booklet govern. This restated plan booklet, which is effective October 1, 2009 (unless otherwise stated), incorporates new and revised federal laws including the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA), the Newborns and Mothers Health Protection Act of 1996, the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), as well as improved benefits adopted by the Board of Trustees. We encourage you to read this booklet carefully. Please contact the Trust Office if you have questions or concerns about the information you read.

Si tiene preguntas sobre esta información o sus beneficios; por favor, comuníquese a esta oficina al número telefónico arriba mencionado.

Board of Trustees Carpenters Health and Security Trust of Western Washington