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What is the Western States Insulators and Allied Workers’ Health Plan (WSIAWHP)?

The Western States Insulators and Allied Workers’ Health Plan (WSIAWHP) provides free medical examinations to eligible employees and retirees. The examination includes specified diagnostic tests which vary depending on the age of the individual. Test results are reviewed by the Plan’s medical consultant, who provides the individual with a confidential written evaluation. These tests are meant to supplement your normal medical care and not to replace your need for a personal physician. The examinations are performed by specified local medical providers who contract with the Plan to provide the service at a fixed fee. The Plan does not pay for tests obtained at other facilities or tests performed more frequently than the Plan allows. The Plan does not pay for any test performed during the examination which is not specifically included under this program.

Who is eligible to participate in the Plan?

You are eligible for the medical examination program if (1) you worked at least 350 hours in covered employment during the current or two preceding calendar years, or (2) you are retired and receiving pension benefits from the Western States Insulators and Allied Workers’ Pension Plan. Covered employment means work under a collective bargaining agreement requiring contributions to this Plan. Children born to a participant before January 1, 1986, or a current spouse of a participant married before January 1, 1986, are eligible for a medical examination and optional CT Scan, to the same extent as a current participant, through December 31, 2022. To be eligible, the participant must have begun participation in the Plan prior to January 1, 1986. If such benefit coverage for eligible children exceeds 3% of the annual Plan benefits in any applicable calendar year from 2020 to 2022, then their examination will be deferred to the following calendar year.+

Why should you have a WSIAWHP examination?

Insulators and Allied workers are at an increased risk for developing certain illnesses including asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer and mesothelioma. In addition, the WSIAWHP examinations are designed to detect other common medical conditions at an early stage (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol in the blood). Male participants above age fifty are screened for prostate cancer.

What is WorkCare and what are its responsibilities?

WorkCare, Inc. (“WorkCare”) is the medical advisor to the program. As the medical advisor, it coordinates the activities of the physicians who perform the actual examinations, reviews the test results of all examinations and writes letters to each participant summarizing his/her examination results. Finally and very importantly, WorkCare has the responsibility for permanently retaining March 2020 4 both the medical records and chest x-rays for each participant, but does not have the responsibility for your medical care.

What kind of examination is performed?

The type of examination you receive will depend on your age. The basic examination will include a complete history and physical examination, chest x-ray(s), lung function test, blood and urine test, a vision and a hearing test. CT scans can be substituted for the basic examination once every 5 years, or as clinically indicated. In addition, counseling will be given at the time of the exam to include findings from these tests and, when appropriate, issues of tobacco use, smoking, alcohol/drug abuse, obesity, nutrition, misuse or nonuse of seat belts, female breast self-examination, exercise, sexual behavior, and dental care. For Participants age fifty and older a resting electrocardiogram (EKG) and prostatic specific antigen are added.

How often can I receive an examination under this program?

The Plan will not cover examinations received more frequently than this schedule permits. You may contact the Administrative Office or WorkCare to find out the date of your last examination.