Eligibility

Your Eligibility

You become eligible for Health Fund benefits after you work at least 800 hours for a contributing employer during a 12-month eligibility period.

What Is a Contributing Employer?

Contributing employers are those included under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between local unions affiliated with the RI Laborers’ District Council, AFL-CIO, and the Rhode Island Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, Inc., or the Construction Industries of Rhode Island.

When Coverage Begins

Coverage for you and your eligible family members begins one month after you meet the minimum-hours eligibility requirement. For example, if you work 800 hours from January 2022 through December 2022, you are eligible for coverage starting February 1, 2023.

Dependent eligibility

Once you are eligible for coverage, your spouse and children* (biological, adopted, stepchildren, and those for whom you are the legal guardian) are also eligible.

Children are covered until the last day of the month in which they reach age 26. Children who are totally disabled are eligible for extended coverage.

* Special rules apply for covering stepchildren and children for whom you are a legal guardian. See the Health Fund Summary Plan Description (SPD) for details.

When Coverage Ends

Your coverage under the Rhode Island Laborers’ Health Fund ends when you don’t meet the eligibility requirements or your employer stops participating in the Health Fund.

When dependent coverage ends

Dependent coverage ends when yours does, when a child reaches the age 26 limit for coverage (unless the child is permanently and totally disabled), if you divorce (for your spouse), or if your stepchild or child under age 26 for whom you are a legal guardian marries.

When you retire

The Health Fund does not cover retirees and their families. However, if you retire while you are a covered active member, your coverage continues if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Continuing coverage under COBRA

When your coverage under the Health Fund ends (for example, you retire), you and your eligible dependents may be eligible to continue some of the same coverage for a limited time under COBRA. See the Health Fund SPD for details.

Restarting coverage

You can regain coverage eligibility by working at least 800 hours for a contributing employer during a new 12-month eligibility period. Coverage will restart one month after you meet the hours requirement.

Enrolling in Coverage

How to enroll if you are a new member

If you’re a new member, you’ll need a social security number for yourself and each dependent you wish to enroll. You’ll need to complete an enrollment form and provide documentation that verifies your dependent’s eligibility for coverage, such as a marriage or birth certificate.

Life event changes

Contact the Fund Office within 30 days after a life event to add or remove a dependent from your coverage. Life events include marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, and legal guardianship. See the Health Fund SPD for details.

Coverage for newly eligible dependents is retroactive to the date of the event, provided your enrollment forms are submitted within 30 days of the event.

Questions?

Contact the Fund Office.

Fund Office
200 Midway Road
Cranston, RI 02920
401-942-8690