The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce an expansion of your Health and Benefit Plan coverage to include the following:
- Prescription contraceptives, including patches, rings, FDA-approved injectable contraceptives, pills, IUDs, and implants.
- Emergency Contraception - The Plan covers prescribed, FDA-approved pills such as Ella.
However, if your “Plan B” is literally Plan B (One-Step), please note that it is sold over the counter and therefore not reimbursable under the Plan’s pharmacy or health benefits. The good news: it is an eligible reimbursable expense under the Plan’s HRA program.
And just to be clear: you could always practice abstinence or just deploy the oldest oral contraceptive in history—a firm, unapologetic NO. Both are free and unlike the aforementioned benefits, require no cost share on your part!
That said, let’s get one thing straight: the Fund will neither reimburse you for abstinence nor for deploying a firm NO. Spoiler alert: This also means no ribbons, medals, or polite nods of recognition. Yes, we get it—you grew up in the golden age of participation trophies, where existing near a soccer ball earned a ribbon and “not crying during the fire drill” got a certificate. But this isn’t that world. Simply existing? Doesn’t count. Not stepping up. Not a triumph of the human spirit. Just…existing.
What’s Not Covered:
- Over-the-counter items like condoms or spermicides (unless specified otherwise within the Health and Benefit Plan’s Summary Plan Description Book).
- Fertility treatments, IVF, or medications to help with conception.
- Prescriptions for cosmetic or off-label purposes (such as acne or hormone balance), unless otherwise indicated within the Health and Benefit Plan’s Summary Plan Description book.
- Counseling on birth control methods.
For complete details, please review the Plan’s Summary Plan Description (SPD) book or contact the Fund Office.