CLEVELAND, June 29 — In order to comply with new federal regulations, all railroad workers covered under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (GA-23000) and the National Railway Carriers/United Transportation Union Health and Welfare Plan (GA-690100) must provide Social Security Numbers for their dependents.
Failure to comply will result in the dependent(s) disenrollment from healthcare coverage under the Plan.
Federal Law now requires the reporting of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for covered dependents to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In addition, if a covered dependent is eligible for Medicare, then the Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) is also required.
In order to comply with these reporting requirements, Railroad Enrollment Services has mailed a final notice to those members identified with missing dependent SSNs and/or HICNs. If you have received a notice from Railroad Enrollment Services, please provide the SSN and/or HICN for any dependent who is listed as missing this information. Please be sure to sign, date and return the Social Security Reporting Form by the requested return date to the address provided.
The following will occur if the requested SSNs are not provided:
• For any dependent who was newly added to the Plan between January 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010:
If Railroad Enrollment Services does not receive the Social Security Number for any newly added 2009/2010 dependent whose SSN is missing by July 31, 2010, the dependent(s) will be disenrolled from healthcare coverage provided under the Plan effective July 31, 2010.
• For any dependent who was added to the Plan before January 1, 2009:
If Railroad Enrollment Services does not receive the Social Security Number for any dependent whose SSN is missing by January 31, 2011, the dependent(s) will be disenrolled from healthcare coverage provided under the Plan effective January 31, 2011.
NOTE: If you do not receive a notice requesting missing dependent SSNs and/or HICNs, then you do not need to take any action.
Please be assured that when Railroad Enrollment Services transmits the SSNs and/or HICNs to CMS, they will maintain all physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information. For additional information regarding the new CMS federal law pertaining to this requirement, visit:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MandatoryInsRep
The Plans greatly appreciate your support in providing this information.