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HIPAA Privacy
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SUMMARY PLAN
DESCRIPTION
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   Information
Your ERISA Rights
Benefit Plans
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What's New at the Fund

CLAIM REVIEW AND APPEAL PROCEDURE

On January 1, 2003, the Welfare Fund, Highmark, UPMC, Health America and Vison Benefits began applying new Claim Review and Appeal Procedures required by regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. A copy of the new procedures is set forth in the Summary of Material Modifications ("SMM") mailed to all participants in early 2003. Additional copies can be downloaded from the Summary Plan Description Index item associated with your particular plan (i.e., 9B, 9C, Matrix, etc.). You will have to refer to both the main plan SPD and the additional material in the related SMM.

The Welfare Fund contracts with a number of different health care organizations for services on some of its benefit plans, including the initial review and processing of claims. Each of these entities have their own forms and follow-up information which you must adhere to when pursuing a claim or appealing an adverse benefit determination. THE TRUSTEES CONTINUALLY MONITOR THE WELFARE FUND'S CONTRACTORS AND, THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH A CONTRACTOR'S FINAL DECISION, YOU ARE PERMITTED TO ASK THE TRUSTEES TO UNDERTAKE A FURTHER REVIEW OF THE CONTRACTOR'S FINAL DECISION. THIS OPTIONAL REVIEW IS CALLED A "VOLUNTARY REVIEW" BECAUSE IT'S USE IS ENTIRELY AT YOUR OPTION AND YOUR RIGHT TO BRING A CIVIL ACTION IN FEDERAL COURT WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IF YOU CHOOSE TO SKIP THIS REVIEW STAGE.

HIPAA PRIVACY POLICY

On April 14, 2003, the Welfare Fund adopted strict new privacy practices spelled out it a written Privacy Policy. All participants were mailed a copy of the Welfare Fund's HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices and an electronic copy of the most up-to-date version is posted here on the Welfare Fund's Web site.

Effective January 1, 2000, the Welfare Fund has changed its name from "Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and Motor Carriers Welfare Fund" to:

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
TEAMSTERS AND EMPLOYERS
WELFARE FUND

The change was adopted to reflect the fact that over the years, as the Welfare Fund grew, employers engaged in other industries agreed to join the Fund.

What's Happening

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