Jay Wedman Q&A: M.E.B.A. Medical Benefits

Here, I will like to address some of the questions I have been getting about M.E.B.A. Medical Benefits.

Q: What kind of medical coverage does M.E.B.A. have?

A: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for Medical, and OptumRx to provide you with prescription drug benefits, you can look at www.mebaorganizing.com for a list of different coverages. It includes Dental, Hearing, and Vision coverage.

Q: What is the cost of the medical coverage?

A: The medical coverage is built into our contracts as a benefit, at no cost to you and fully covers you and all your dependents/spouse. The Medical Plan generally pays 80% of covered expenses for in network providers.

Q: Is there a total out of pocket maximum per year?

A: If you and your qualified dependents incur $3,500 in “out of pocket” medical costs or $1,500 dollars towards prescriptions in a calendar year, the Medical Plan then pays 100% of future covered expenses in those categories for your family for the remainder of that calendar year. I.e. for covered benefits, maximum Medical out of pocket is $3,500 per year for the family and maximum Prescription out of pocket is $1,500 per year for the family.

Q: What is the cost for additional dependents and is there a limit to the number of dependents I can have?

A: There is no additional cost to the member for eligible dependents and no limit to the number of eligible dependents you can have.

Q: Once we have voted for M.E.B.A., how do I get my medical coverage?

A: You and your eligible dependents become covered under the Medical Plan on the date you complete 30 days of covered employment in any 6 consecutive calendar months.

Q: What is covered employment?

A: Covered employment is any of the following: work onboard a vessel or in a covered shoreside unit, vacation days, converted OT vacation days, or days attending the training school.

Continued thanks for these questions - keep them coming and I look forward to seeing you in person the next time I am out on your vessel.

Captain Jay R. Wedman

Be safe out there and keep it between the Anchors!

‍