Eligible Participants

To be eligible for benefits, you must have enough money in your dollar bank account to purchase eligibility as described below. Associate employees are also subject to these eligibility rules.

Dollar Bank Account

If your current dollar bank deduction is $675, click here.

Under the dollar bank system, each participant has his or her own dollar bank account. Employer contributions made on your behalf to the Employee Health Plan will be added to your dollar bank account. Your current and future eligibility will be calculated based on the balance of this account.

Employer Contributions

Employers contribute to the Employee Health Plan for each compensable hour. The amount credited to your dollar bank account equals the hourly contribution received less the hourly amount credited to the Retiree Health Plan Reserve Fund. For example, the June 1, 2009 Area Master Agreement in Western Washington calls for an employer contribution of $6.91 per hour to the Employee Health Plan. Currently, $.60 per hour funds the Retiree Health Plan Reserve Fund leaving $6.31 per hour for your dollar bank account.

$6.91 hourly contribution - $ .60 retiree health plan reserve = $6.31 dollar bank account

If, for example, you work 120 hours in January for an employer who is signatory to the Western Washington Area Master Agreement, $829.20 is submitted to the Employee Health Plan on your behalf. Of that amount, $757.20 is contributed to your dollar bank account.

$6.91 hourly contribution x 120 hours = $829.20 total contribution

$6.31 hourly contribution x 120 hours = $757.20 dollar bank contribution

Remember, if you work under a different collective bargaining agreement, the hourly rate may be less than $6.91 per hour.

Initial Eligibility

If you are new to the Employee Health Plan or you have not had coverage under the dollar bank system for 12 months or more, you earn initial eligibility as follows. This process is also illustrated in the chart below:

• The hourly contributions from your employer(s) are added to your dollar bank account.
• At the current monthly deduction rate of $725, you must have $2,175 or more in your dollar bank account within a three month period for initial eligibility ($725 per month x 3 months = $2,175). At least $1.00 of contributions must be earned in the first month of the three-month period.
• The fourth month is the "lag month." This is the time required for your employer to send updated contribution records to the plan and the time required for the plan to process those records.
• You are then eligible for benefits beginning on the first day of the fifth month for a three-month period.

For example, if you work 115 hours per month in January, February and March and the contribution rate to your dollar bank is $6.31 per hour, your dollar bank will accumulate $2,176.95.

$6.31 hourly contribution x 115 hours x 3 months = $2,176.95

Because your dollar bank has at least $2,175, you will be eligible for a three-month period beginning on the first day of May. April is the lag month. After your three months of eligibility (May-July), you must have $725 in your dollar bank by July 31 to be eligible for the fourth month (August), and so on for future months.

Continuing Eligibility

The cost for one month of eligibility is currently $725. The monthly deduction from your dollar bank account is made the month before the month of eligibility. For example, the deduction for January eligibility is made no later than December 31.

Maximum Dollar Bank Amount

The maximum dollar amount you can have in your dollar bank account is currently $5,800. This amount currently provides eight months of future eligibility.

The hourly amount that funds the Retiree Health Plan Reserve Fund ($.60), the monthly dollar bank deduction ($725) and the maximum dollar bank balance ($5,800) are subject to change by the Board of Trustees and will typically be reviewed on an annual basis.

When Eligibility Ends

Your eligibility ends on the first day of any month your dollar bank account is less than the amount required to buy one month of eligibility (currently $725). For example, if you have less than $725 on May 31, you will not have eligibility in June. If you lose eligibility under the dollar bank system, you may still qualify for Self-Contribution Coverage or COBRA Continuation Coverage as described under "Self-Contribution Coverage" on pages 135-136 and "COBRA Continuation Coverage" on pages 136-141. The Enrollment/ Eligibility Department will automatically provide you with the appropriate notification and forms. If you are called to active duty in the military you may elect to freeze your dollar bank account under existing USERRA guidelines.

Reinstatement of Eligibility

If your eligibility ends because you have less than the amount required to buy one month of eligibility (currently $725), then the balance in your dollar bank account, if any, is carried for 12 months. If, during the next 12 months you work and add dollars to your account, your eligibility will be reinstated on the first day of the second month after your dollar bank account has the amount necessary for one month or more of eligibility at the current dollar bank deduction rate.

Forfeiture of Balances of Less Than the Monthly Dollar Bank Deduction Rate

If you do not become eligible for benefits under the dollar bank system for 12 consecutive months, any remaining balance in your dollar bank will be forfeited and you become subject to the "Initial Eligibility" provisions described above.