FAQ’s about your Annual Health Insurance enrollment & Dec. 1 deadline
Posted: November 22, 2011

A number of Guild members have raised questions about the annual health insurance enrollment forms that have recently been mailed to their homes. Here are some answers on where to go for help regarding any changes you wish to make concerning your health and dental coverage:

What is NEHP? I thought my health insurance was with Blue Care Network?
NEHP stands for National Employees Health Plan, which is administered nationally by the Teamsters Union. NEHP negotiates rates and coverage amounts for plans such as Blue Care Network (BCN), which is the health insurance carrier for all union-represented employees at Independent Newspapers (Macomb Daily & Daily Tribune). Delta Dental is the current dental insurance provider. I tossed out the enrollment form I received thinking it was junk mail. How do I get a new form? I also have some questions about information I should provide. Where do I go for information and forms?

Guild members should call Steve Nobles, who is our local liaison for NEHP. Nobles is President of District Council 3 of the Graphic Communications Conference/International Brotherhood of Teamsters (DC-3). You can reach Nobles at his Warren HQ: 1-586-755-8041; Fax 1-586-755-8042; E-mail: gciu2289@sbcglobal.net. Toll Free Phone: 1-800-797-2289. The mailing address is: Steve Nobles, District Council 3, 11420 E. Nine Mile Rd., Warren, MI 48089.

I thought the health and dental insurance was a company responsibility based on our union contracts? It is. The unions that comprise the Metro Council of Newspaper Unions bargain with the company regarding the amount of benefits and how much of the cost must be borne by the company and the union employee. The unions ultimately chose Blue Care Network and Delta Dental through NEHP as the best option for our members.