"A.B.A. PLUS PLAN"
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE BOSTON METRO LOCAL A.P.W.U.,
YOU AUTOMATICALLY BELONG TO THE
ACCIDENT BENEFIT ASSOCIATION (ABA)
A.B.A. VALUE PLAN
As a member of the American Postal Workers Union, you are covered for LOW OPTION (the ABA Value Plan) in the Accident Benefit Association (ABA) -- AT NO COST TO YOU; and you are eligible to collect $12 per day (7 days a week) for injuries due to an accident.
A.B.A. ADVANTAGE PLAN
You can also be covered for HIGH OPTION (the ABA Advantage Plan) for an additional $1.34 per pay period, and the High Option pays you $24 per day. A member may enroll his/her spouse in this benefit program – under either the Value Plan or the Advantage Plan (the spouse's payment will be added to the member's payroll dues deduction.) You can obtain forms to enroll a spouse or change to High Option (the ABA Advantage Plan) by calling the union office.
I would advise all members to put in for HIGH OPTION (the Advantage Plan). Bi-weekly dues deductions (which include the regular dues, $22.19, plus ABA amount) are as follows:
Dues Deduction
MEMBER - High Option ABA (add $1.34) - $23.53
MEMBER & SPOUSE - High Option (add $3.26) - $25.45
MEMBER & SPOUSE - Low Option (add $ .58) - $22.77
MEMBER/High - SPOUSE/Low (add $1.92) - $24.11
FAMILY BENEFIT PROVISION
The FAMILY BENEFIT PROVISION is also included with your ABA benefits - AT NO EXTRA COST. The Family Benefit Provision provides a $2,000 accidental death benefit for the spouse of an ABA member (provided the spouse is not already covered as an ABA member); and also a $2,000 accidental death benefit for all unmarried dependent children (up to and including the age of 18) of an ABA member.
The filing of all A.B.A. claim forms, the High Option/Advantage Plan and "A.B.A. PLUS PLAN" forms, should be done through the BOSTON METRO LOCAL office. Send to the attention of Bob Dempsey, V.P./Treasurer.
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A.B.A. PLUS PLAN*
As a member of the A.B.A., you can now increase your ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFITS COVERAGE to a total of $50,000, $75,000, or $100,000, under the "A.B.A. PLUS PLAN".
Coverage You Pay
$50,000 - 60Ë per Pay Period
$75,000 - 85Ë per Pay Period
$100,000 - $1.10 per Pay Period
You can also enroll your spouse in the ABA PLUS PLAN if he/she is already a member of the ABA through your dues deduction. They are eligible for a $50,000 Accidental Death Benefit at a cost of 60Ë per Pay Period. If you have any questions regarding this benefit, or wish to receive forms, call the union office at (617)-423-2798.
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ACCIDENT BENEFIT ASSOCIATION (ABA)
A UNION BENEFIT
As a member of the American Postal Workers Union, you are covered for LOW OPTION (the ABA Value Plan) in the Accident Benefit Association (ABA) -- at no cost to you; and are eligible to collect $12 per day (7 days a week) for injuries due to an accident - on or off the job. You can also be covered for HIGH OPTION (the ABA Advantage Plan) for an additional $1.34 per pay period, and HIGH OPTION pays you $24 per day.
A member may enroll his/her spouse in this benefit program (the spouse's payment will be added to the member's payroll dues deduction). You can obtain the form to enroll a spouse, change to HIGH OPTION, or designate your beneficiary, by calling the union office.
Injury due to an accident is defined as a break of the skin and flesh or other condition of the body. It must be identifiable as to time and place of occurrence and body member or function of the body affected. It must be the result of a specific event or incident. Total loss of time must begin within 60 days after the accident happens that caused the disability.
The daily benefit will begin on the day disability first arises. It shall continue for such period as he/she cannot perform service as a Postal employee or follow any other employment. All members are reminded that the A.B.A. insurance contract does not pay on disabilities caused by lifting, stress, strain or over-exertion.
I would advise all members to put in for HIGH OPTION (Advantage Plan). It only costs you $1.34 per pay period and pays you $12 more per day than the low option if you have an accident. Bi-weekly dues deductions -- which includes regular dues of $22.19 & ABA amount below -- are as follows:
Dues Deduction
MEMBER - High Option ABA (add $1.34) - $23.53
MEMBER & SPOUSE - High Option (add $3.26) - $25.45
MEMBER & SPOUSE - Low Option (add .58) - $22.77
MEMBER/High & SPOUSE/Low (add $1.92) - $24.11
A Family Benefit Provision is included with your ABA benefits - AT NO EXTRA COST to you. The Family Benefit Provision provides a $2,000 accidental death benefit for the spouse of an ABA member (provided the spouse is not already covered as an ABA member); and also a $2,000 accidental death benefit for all unmarried dependent children (up to and including the age of 18) of an ABA member.
Under the "ABA PLUS PLAN" you can increase your ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFIT coverage to a total of $50,000, $75,000, or $100,000 under this plan. For 60¢ per Pay Period, you can increase your coverage to $50,000; for 85¢ per Pay Period, you can increase your coverage to $75,000; and for $1.10, you can increase your coverage to $100,000.
Also, if your spouse is member of A.B.A. through your payroll deductions, they can also enroll in the ABA PLUS PLAN (at a cost of 60¢ per Pay Period) but are limited to a $50,000 Accidental Death Benefit coverage.
The filing of all A.B.A. APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS claim forms, High Option request forms, and ABA PLUS PLAN forms, should be done through the Boston Metro Local office. Send to the attention of Bob Dempsey, V.P./Treasurer.
The "APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS" form must be filed within ninety (90) days after the disability ceases or claimant returns to work, whichever date occurs first. In the case of anticipated prolonged disability, the injured member may make claim for partial payments, BUT NOT MORE OFTEN THAN EACH THIRTY (30) DAYS. If you have any questions regarding this benefit or wish to receive a copy of the A.B.A. insurance contract, call Bob at (617)-423-2798.
FILING A.B.A. CLAIM FORMS
Filing ABA claims should be done through the Local Union office - whenever you have an accident - on or off the job - OR if your spouse is enrolled and has an accident. All completed forms should be sent to my attention for review and signature. I will then forward them to the A.B.A. office. There is one A.B.A. claim form, the APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS form.
You can notify us and apply for benefits up to ninety (90) days after the disability ceases or you return to work, whichever date occurs first. Disability must take place within 60 days of the date of the accident. In case of anticipated prolonged disability, the injured member may make claim for partial payments, but not more often than each thirty (30) days. Recurring disability benefits are payable if recurrence takes place within 52 weeks of original injury.
The APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS form must be filled in on the front side by you or your spouse, answering every question or noting "N.A." (Not Applicable). Be sure to explain where necessary. Have your physician complete the backside, documenting your injury, treatment of same, and duration of disability. (Also, postal employees must submit 3971s, 3972, or TAC rings, with their application.) Failure to comply with any of these regulations could delay your payment. If you have any questions on filing a claim, call Bob Dempsey at (617)-423-2798.
Members are reminded that *injuries that result from an accident caused by disease, physical defect or bodily infirmity, are not covered under the Accident Benefit plan. For example: if you have a heart attack or faint FIRST, then fall and break your arm, you would not be covered. If you fall or injure yourself in an accident, & then suffer a heart attack, you would be covered.
* Injury due to an accident is defined as a break of the skin and flesh or other condition of the body. It must be identifiable as to time and place of occurrence and body member or function of the body affected. It must be the result of a specific event or incident.
PLEASE NOTE: As described in Section 4.C.2. Exceptions and Reductions, (pg. 51) of the ABA contract, "Benefits for injury due to an accident to the spine and its muscle system cannot exceed a lifetime total of 90 days. Benefits for disabilities caused as described above resulting in herniated or ruptured discs, the lifetime total cannot exceed 180 days.
Cases of traumatic fracture, parted or severed spinal cords shall not be subject to these limitations. (Section 4.C.1. - pg. 50) Disability or death caused by herniorrhaphy on inguinal and femoral type hernias ONLY shall be compensated. Benefits shall be $400 for low option, and $600 for high option for herniorrhaphy, & shall be paid in all cases except recurrent hernia; provided further that repair be made within 52 weeks after diagnosis & recommendation for surgery by physician." (See Contract for other exceptions.)
ALSO, THE A.B.A. INSURANCE CONTRACT DOES NOT PAY ON DISABILITIES CAUSED BY LIFTING, STRESS, STRAIN OR OVER-EXERTION.
PLEASE CALL THE BOSTON METRO UNION OFFICE AT (617)-423-2798 TO REQUEST CLAIM FORMS OR FORMS TO CHANGE TO HIGHER OPTION FOR YOU OR YOUR SPOUSE, OR FORM TO JOIN THE "ABA PLUS PLAN".
PLEASE NOTE: All claim forms and changes in membership for the A.B.A. should be sent to the local union office for processing. Do not send directly to the New Hampshire office. Mail to: Bob Dempsey, V.P./Treasurer, Boston Metro A.P.W.U., 137 South Street, Boston, MA 02111.
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ACCIDENT BENEFIT ASSOCIATION - WHEN YOU RETIRE
If you are a member of the American Postal Workers Accident Benefit Plan, YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR MEMBERSHIP AFTER YOU RETIRE.
You will receive a letter from the A.B.A. advising you of the procedure to follow in order to continue your coverage. DO NOT LOSE THIS VALUABLE BENEFIT!
For more information, contact the Accident Benefit Plan at P. O. Box 120, Rochester, New Hampshire 03866-0120. Phone #: 1-603-330-0282.
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YOU CAN GO TO THE "LINKS" PAGE IN THIS WEBSITE TO BE LINKED TO THE A.B.A. WEBSITE.
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