Get free at-home COVID tests from the federal government
Starting January 19, 2022, all households can order free at-home rapid antigen tests without shipping fees, from the federal government. For more information visit:
covidtests.gov
ATTENTION: Over-the-Counter COVID Self-Tests
The UEBT and UCBT will begin to cover the cost of over-the-counter ("OTC") COVID self-tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022, as required by law.
Recently issued guidance from the federal government requires group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter ("OTC") COVID self-tests that are purchased on or after January 15, 2022, without a doctor's note, individualized health assessment or prior authorization. Participants and dependents should keep both the UPC code and accompanying purchase receipt for OTC COVID self-tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022, in order to submit and receive reimbursement for up to 8 individual tests (4 two-test kits) per participant per month.
Which medical carrier you are enrolled in will determine where and what you will need to submit for reimbursement.
- For Kaiser Active Members and Retirees: CLICK HERE to submit a reimbursement claim with Kaiser Permanente.
- Blue Shield CA Active Members and Early Retirees: Coming shortly
- Medicare Crossover Retirees: Coming shortly
You may experience a slight administrative delay in receiving reimbursements for tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022, until we can get our internal new processes up and running.
Please note that as is the case with COVID tests ordered by a doctor, the new guidance does not require plans like UEBT and UCBT to cover the costs of OTC COVID self-tests purchased for employment/surveillance purposes. You will be requested to attest that the OTC COVID self-tests submitted for the reimbursement were not purchased for employment testing purposes.
Please look out for future communications from the TFO, as we will be providing you with more information on this topic as it becomes available.
Trust Fund Office Walk-In Lobby Closures
For the health and safety of our Members, the Trust Fund Office walk-in lobbies in Concord and Roseville
will be temporarily closed until further notice. If you need to submit documents, you can:
Email to: TFOdocuments@ufcwtrust.com OR
Mail documents to:
UFCW & Employers Trust
P.O. Box 4100
Concord, CA 94524-4100
Attention Joint IAP Participants:
Please be aware the IAP Statement meant for Plan Year 2020, mailed to you on Friday, December 17, 2021 was printed with 2019 dates and assets allocations
in error. The earnings and balance information is correct.
A new corrected 2020 statement will be mailed to you in the coming weeks.There is no need to contact the Trust Fund Office at this time.
Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills - Active Members
Starting on January 1, 2022, when you get certain emergency care (other than ground ambulance services) or get certain treatment by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you may be protected from
surprise billing or
balance billing.
Click here for the full detailsActive Members - New Benefit Cards 2022
A new law requires changes to your
UEBT Active Member insurance card. Beginning January 1, 2022, you will notice the following new information added to your medical benefits card that will be specific to your plan of benefits:
- Deductibles, including in-network and out-of-network deductible amounts, as applicable.
- Maximum limits on out-of-pocket costs, including in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket cost limits, as applicable.
New medical benefit cards will be available
electronically beginning January 1, 2022, in your TFO In-box.
Annual Pension Payment Verifications Have Resumed
In April 2020 due to the
COVID 19 pandemic, the Boards of Trustees of the UFCW Northern California
Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund, the UFCW Pharmacists, Clerks and Drug
Employers Pension Plan, and the Retail Clerks Specialty Stores Pension Fund temporarily
suspended the routine completion and submission requirement of Pension Payment
Verification (PPV) forms until June 30, 2021. There has been no suspension of
pension benefits during this period.
On July 1, 2021, the Board
of Trustees of your Pension Plan resumed the annual Pension Payment
Verification process. PPV Forms will be
mailed on a monthly basis to Retirees with upcoming birthdays. Please note, you are required to submit this document to the
Trust Fund Office within 75 days of initial mailing to ensure monthly pension
benefits are rightfully paid as entitled. There is no need to
contact the Trust Fund Office at this time.
Happy Birthday in advance from the Trust Fund Office.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Latest Updates
Members can continue to submit their COVID-19 Sick Leave Requests electronically, by logging into their website account and clicking on the red COVID-19 Sick Leave button. For more details on how COVID-19 has impacted Sick Leave Rules, please click on the link below.
EXTENDED: COVID-19 Sick Leave Rules for UEBT/UCBT eff. 3/20/2020 and will end on March 31, 2022.
Send documents by:
Email:TFOdocuments@ufcwtrust.comMail:UFCW & Employers TrustP.O. Box 4100Concord, CA 94524-4100Call:1-800-552-2400Pensioners! Food and drug store employers are hiring!
Effective immediately, the Board of Trustees of the Pension Plan has approved a temporary removal of work restrictions for Retirees returning to work for a Contributing Employer of the UFCW Northern California Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund or the UFCW Pharmacists, Clerks and Drug Employers Pension Plan.
This temporary removal of work restrictions will remain in place during the period that a state of emergency has been declared in California due to COVID. Retirees will continue receiving full pension benefits while working for a Contributing Employer during this time of need. No preapproval needed from the Trust Fund Office.
If you are healthy, have no underlying or chronic medical conditions, and have had no exposure to COVID-19, Contributing Employers from our industry are hiring! Please contact the Employer directly.
List of Joint Pension Fund Contributing EmployersList of Pharmacists, Clerks and Drug Employers Pension Plan Contributing Employers
IMPORTANT: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information
Here at the TFO, we understand the growing concerns about
COVID-19. We cannot offer medical advice. Use these resource links below as a starting point, to help you find answers to your questions.
www.cdc.gov/COVID19NorCal COVID-19 Resources
Medicare Expands Use of Telehealth for COVID-19
Your 2020 IRS Form 1095-B is now available online!
You can view, download and print this form by checking your TFO lnbox, located behind your personalized login.
To electronically request a paper copy be mailed to you:
- Log in above (Register Now if it’s your first time on our site
- Go to About Us
- Select Questions
- For Subject: select Eligibility/Benefits
- Under User Comments: Mail 2020 1095-B Form.
- Click Submit. A secure email will be sent to the Trust Fund Office.
- Form will be mailed to your address on file with the Trust Fund Office. (Please verify the Trust Fund Office has your correct mailing address/”My Contact Info” button at the bottom of the MY INFO page)
- Please allow 5-10 business days for mailing
Note: We will only mail the form to the address we have on file.
Additional Info on filing for 2020 Taxes:
https://www.healthcare.gov/taxes/other-health-coverage/
UEBT & UCBT Sick Leave Payout Checks
UEBT and UCBT Sick Leave Payout Checks for 2020 will mail on 02/22/2021. Please allow 5-10 business days for this mailing to arrive.
Members who
did not complete 2020 Open Enrollment
will not receive 2020 Annual Sick Leave Payout. You may fill out an Active Annual Verification Enrollment Form (Under Resources) and
write "2020 AV" at the top and return to the TFO for processing. Please allow 7-10 business days for processing, and then we will mail your Annual Sick Leave Payout.
You can read Frequently Asked Questions by
clicking here.Mobile Optimized Enrollment Site!
Click bit.ly/ufcwtrust.com
Or, you can download a website optimization link to your Android or Apple iOS device. Click on your preferred device's instructions to get started now!
