Our workers can apply for access by following these steps:

In the upper right hand corner select REGISTER

It will ask you for some information to verify that you are an active worker on our Referral list.

**Note Meeting Minutes are only for Local 26 members**

Once you have been given access, you will have to login.

It will give you access to the contracts…

You can select which to download from the dropdown menu…

or select the icon of the contract.

It will automatically go into your download folder.

Also available are the billing templates needed for our Stewards/Department heads…

Scroll down to see additional resources…

The Local 26 office will answer any job related questions and last minute agreements that may not have been updated yet.

https://www.iatse26.org/contact/

The post Local 26 Website Access appeared first on IATSE 26.

We all experience stress, it seems like a good time to change our mindset and try to do better by ourselves.

One way to do that is to check out the incredible variety of resources available through the IA and other organizations specifically designed to help displaced workers get through any mental issues they may currently be experiencing and also ways to deal with problems that may occur when working. The workshop provided a gigantic list of links to resources, which I will try to post a short explanation for each one (most will be quotes from their websites) so you have an idea if each one will help you or not.

Behind the Scenes Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative: “Many people have become increasingly concerned about the rising number of suicides and the prevalence of alcohol/substance misuse within the entertainment industry. By its very nature our industry can impact your physical and emotional health due to long hours, pressure to push your body, and high workplace stress. In response, Behind the Scenes and other individuals and organizations have come together to create this initiative.”

HelpPro: Has created a searchable list of mental health professionals who either work (or have worked) in the entertainment industry themselves, or who have experience in counseling those who work in the industry.

iRel8 and Behind the Scenes: Partnership that produced “a mobile application that gives users an open and anonymous platform to receive mental health help, provide relevant advice to others, and relate to a larger community – all in a safe and non-identifiable way so a user’s reputation is not compromised in any way with friends, family members, or work colleagues.”

IATSE Education for All Webinar Channel: IATSE has recorded webinars on many helpful courses to help with your physical and mental needs, interpersonal relationships, and financial wellness. Much of our work is concentrated bursts of activity mixed with long periods of waiting. Mindful Muscle Memory help relieve the strain and strengthen your body. Also check out the Anxiety Toolbox, Beginner’s Guide to Therapy, and the Mental Health Toolbox. For those wanting to change the culture that is stressing them out, check out Straight Talk about Gay Pride, Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions, 60 to Zero in 60 Seconds: De-escalating Difficult Situations, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Basics.

IATSE Local 26 is committed to protecting it’s workers. Please review the Workplace Behavior post. The Executive Board can only help with a situation or correct behavior if they know the problem exists.

For those that have applied for a (free to everyone on our referral list) IATSE Training Trust Courses and Resources account, you have access to craft skills courses on Customer Service for the Live Events Industry, Professional Etiquette, and STEP UP: Respect in the Workplace.

For those that have applied for a (free to everyone on our referral list) IATSE Training Trust’s LinkedIn Learning account, IATSE has several courses and learning paths available on teamwork, building an inclusive culture, managing your emotional response to workplace stress, and more. If you search for IATSE 26, there will be a learning path for conflict resolution. Try searching IATSE women, IATSE DEI, and/or IATSE Financial Wellness to see more options to empower yourself and those around you.

The Entertainment Community Fund: “Founded in 1882, The Actors Fund is a national human services organization here to meet the needs of our entertainment community with a unique understanding of the challenges involved in a life in the arts. Services include emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, senior care, secondary career development and more.”

Behind the Scenes Foundation: “Behind the Scenes was founded to provide assistance to entertainment technology professionals in need, no matter what color their skin, the language they speak, the religion they follow, or gender or sexuality they identify as. Our motto is, “Don’t leave your colleagues in the dark.” We want to shine a light into the dark corners of violence, hatred and injustice. We want to shine a light on this moment and the opportunity it represents; to become a better world that respects and protects the rights of every individual. A world that provides equal access to justice, economic opportunity, health care, and all-embracing social freedom.”

MusiCares: “MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly influence the health and welfare of the music community.”

Music Health Alliance: “Music Health Alliance serves all persons in the entertainment business nationwide in all genres of music who need assistance with medical bills or health guidance that includes finding doctors or prescription medicine, finding financial grants while recovering from a serious health issue, affordable health insurance, or answers to Medicare questions.”

American Psychological Association: Offers an extensive list of “COVID-19 resources for psychologists, health-care workers and the public.”

American Psychiatric Association : Provides resources for Patients and Families to “Learn about common mental disorders, including symptoms, risk factors and treatment options. Find answers to your questions written by leading psychiatrists, stories from people living with mental illness and links to additional resources.”

MentalHelp.net: “We’ve here collected resources concerned with helping people to manage disabilities. Given our psychological bent, where we’ve generated resources ourselves, they will focus on mental health in disability, although we’ve been much broader in selecting outside resources. We hope you’ll find this resource useful.”

Therapy for Black Girls: “The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.”

LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color (QTOC): “QTOC is a San Francisco/Bay Area grassroots, volunteer-led group providing support, networking, leadership development, and community building opportunities for LGBTQs of Color in Psychology, Social Work, and Counseling.” While they are in the SF/Bay Area, they do offer virtual services.

Mental Health America: Mental Health America is the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and condition prevention. MHA has compiled a range of resources and information. They have resources for different segments of the population to concentrate on their specific individual needs.

Drugwatch has published a guide on anxiety that covers: causes, common types, symptoms and tips for management/prevention titled “How to Deal with Anxiety”. It covers many reasons a person could feel anxiety, of course due to COVID-19, but also in general.

In Determining If You Need Drug Rehab Rehab Spot takes a look at the difference between tolerance, dependence, and addiction to drugs both legal and illegal, and offers several ways to get in touch with a rehab counselor should you feel you need one.

Social Work License Map has pulled together a collection of 60 digital resources for mental health help that “spans diagnostic tools, research portals, government organizations, nonprofits, blogs, and phone hotlines devoted to addressing issues ranging from general mental illnesses and disorders such as autism, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse, to the specific needs of diverse populations, including LGBTQ youth, minorities, women, and veterans.”

The Addiction Center recently published an article explaining how depression affects addiction, and also explains the difference between the different types of depression. Additionally, their website features many other sections about mental health and addiction.

Nurse Practitioners Online Improving Prevention and Survivor Outcomes: Resources for Human Trafficking Victims, Healthcare Workers and Colleges

There are also several phone numbers (and some you can text) for help dealing with whatever is bothering you. Sometimes it’s easier to reach out to someone anonymously over the phone or by text than to talk to someone you know or with whom you are face to face. However you feel comfortable talking to someone, please do so.

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788
• Crisis Text Line: Text REASON to 741741
• National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency: 1-800-622-2255
• LGBT Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
• The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678 (Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning—LGBTQ—young people under 25.)
• Mental Health America Hotline: Text MHA to 741741
• The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: (888) 721-3166
• Rape, Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): (800) 656-HOPE or text HOPE to 64673
• Crisis Text Line From US & Canada: text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor

We are all in this together, but we are all at different places mentally, financially, and physically. Please don’t feel you are alone, and please don’t feel you just need to “tough it out”. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… THERE IS NO SHAME IN NEEDING HELP. Reach out. There is help available, a lot of it for free. Don’t try to go it alone; there’s no need. Self-care is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Even if you don’t currently experience issues with depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm, talking to someone can make you feel less disconnected from the world while we are out of work. A friend has called me a couple of times just to chat and see how I’m doing, and it’s made a huge difference in how I feel. And a lot of these resources will be helpful when we do get back to work, whenever that may be.

Now, what do we say?

Be safe. Be well. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!

The post Stress, Mental Health, Harassment, & Bullying Hazard Awareness Resources (2026 Update) appeared first on IATSE 26.

ALL of our Venues are non-smoking and non-vaping facilities.  Employers do have the right to discipline you for smoking, vaping, and/or using marijuana products on their properties.

Smoking is not allowed within 25 feet of any entrance, window, or ventilation system of worksites and public places where smoking is prohibited.

Guests have complained to venues about entering through clouds of smoke.

Smokers do not get more or longer breaks.

For advice on how to quit, visit Smokefree.gov

DeVos Place Specific Guidelines:

The post Smoking Policy appeared first on IATSE 26.

As workers apply to the referral list at the IATSE Local 26 office they are assigned a Probation Number. Probation is not a punishment, it is a chance for both sides to decide if this industry is a good fit for you.

Workers with previous industry experience are placed on the Probation list with a number between 7000 and 7999.

Workers with no previous industry experience are placed on the Probation list with a number between 8000 and 8999.

If you feel you were incorrectly sorted contact the office via mail@iatse26.org.

Workers are placed on these lists in the order in which they applied to the referral list at our office. As workers complete probation or are removed for other reasons, many probation numbers no longer have names attached. This leaves large gaps in the numbering system.

Example:

8000 Delores Huerta

8001 (Removed applicant)

8002 Francis Perkins

…..(Several removed applicants)

8050 Ruth Bader Ginsberg

New Numbers

8000 Delores Huerta

8001 Francis Perkins

8003 Ruth Bader Ginsberg

As of March 2025, there are around 180 workers on probation and yet the last used Probation Number is 8906. We will be performing maintenance on our probation list to remove the gaps in numbers. As a result, your Probation Number will be getting changed. You may see it move from 8864 to 8036. If it still starts with a 7 or 8 in the thousands place, you are still on probation.

When you have completed the Probation Process, you will be assigned by vote of the Executive Board a Seniority Number with a 4 in the thousands place.

Where you start does not determine your success in this industry or in this Local. Everyone has the ability to grow and improve throughout their career.

Remember Probation Evaluations can be done online: https://www.iatse26.org/evaluation-form/

Seniority Numbers

A list 1000s

B list 2000s

C list 3000s

D list 4000s

Probation (with Industry experience) 7000s

Probation (without Industry experience) 8000s

Wardrobe Only 5000-5499

Wardrobe Only Probation 5500-5999

Our complete Referral Procedure may be obtained by requesting a copy from the office or requesting a log in to this website and finding it in the documents section.

The post Probation Number Cleanup appeared first on IATSE 26.

This report was generated by the International Women’s Committee. If you have questions or would like to be involved in Women’s Committee projects, please reach out to Jessica Westra at nwmwregionalwomen@gmail.com. Please note this address may change soon as the IWC is setting up an Action Network.

International Woman’s Committee Mission Statement

The IATSE Women’s Committee provides networking and mentorship opportunities for all women of the IATSE, recognizing that IATSE sisters come in all shapes, colors, and identities, with their own unique stories. We promote education & training, activism & community engagement. We endeavor to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to celebrate the unlimited potential of IATSE women, to support strength and success in our Union, in our workplaces, our families and in our communities at large. Welcome!

IWC Leadership

• Chair – Colleen Glynn, 6th International Vice-President, Local 11 Business Representative

Executive Committee

• Apple Thorne, 10th International Vice-President, Local 720 Business Representative
• Stasia Savage, Assistant Director of Stagecraft
• Cindy Jennings, International Representative

Introducing New IWC Regional Networking Teams

The goal is to build and connect a powerful network of IATSE Woman!

Updated Sub-Committees

• Activism: focuses on identifying issues that can provide opportunities for women to become fully engaged in their locals and their communities. These may include work and family issues, women’s health initiatives, political activities, and education. May also provide resources for educational opportunities in the larger union community.
• Event Planning: coordinates all logistics, guest speakers, or other activities to take place at the General Executive Board (GEB) Meetings twice a year. May be involved in other networking opportunities that may arise.
• Communication: works to coordinate information across the regions, districts and local unions. Including the quarterly Bulletin articles.

Committees meet both in person and virtually throughout the year.

Upcoming Events/Projects

• Coffee Klatch Meetings
• International Women’s Day Social Media Campaign
• IATSE Women’s Committee LinkedIn Learning Path
• Submit your Women’s Committee Pictures
• IWC Sister Spotlight Project
• OLA GEB Charity – Krewe de Pink

Coffee Klatch Meetings

IATSE Canadian sisters have taken to meeting one Sunday a quarter on Zoom to talk about what Sisters are working on, sharing ideas, co-ordinate projects and campaigns. Known as the Coffee Klatch, these informal meetings began as a way for Local committee chairs and district coordinators to get better acquainted but have grown to include interested women without access to a committee at their Local. The IWC will be expanding this idea and launching a US version of the Coffee Klatch Meetings in 2025. These quarterly meetings will offer Committee members and interested women who are unable to travel to the GEB meetings an opportunity to connect, network, discuss issues and share resources.

International Women’s Day

Saturday March 8th marks International Women’s Day (IWD). The first time IWD was honored in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland in March 1911. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. Shortly following on March 25, the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in ew York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labor legislation in the United States that became a focus of

subsequent International Women’s Day events.

The intention of International Women’s Day is to:

• Celebrating women’s accomplishments
• Breaking down gender barriers
• Discouraging discrimination
• Promoting women’s rights activism
• Encouraging Allyship

Insert from IATSE 26: Our 1st Vice President Jessica Westra is among the people speaking at the Unite and Resist International Women’s Day rally at Rosa Parks Circle Saturday March 8th from 12pm-3:30pm.

This year the International Women’s Day campaign is “Accelerate Action.” According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take 134 years, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity globally in 2158.

Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. The IATSE Women’s committee is supporting IWD by encouraging everyone to post photos of IATSE members showing the strength of women on social media on March 8 with the hashtags #AccelerateAction and #iatseWomenUp

IATSE Women’s Committee LinkedIn Learning Path:

The IWC has teamed up with the IATSE TTF to put together a suite of classes is designed to address the unique challenges of Women’s leadership and workplace integration. There are sixteen courses will help learners develop skills in Women’s Empowerment, Women’s leadership Development, Gender inclusivity and Allyship.

Women Supporting Women

• Strategies for Female Empowerment
• Fighting Gender Bias in the Workplace
• Building a ew Leadership Ladder: Support Women on the Rise
• Advancing Women of Color: Go from the First and Few to Many
• Menopause in the Workplace: A Guide to Supporting Your Colleagues

Women in Leadership

• Leadership Strategies for Women
• Using Gender Inclusive Language
• Inclusive Female Leadership
• Getting a Seat at the Table and Making It Count

Navigating the Workplace

• The Four Phases of Women’s Careers
• Creating Your Dream Career: A Transformative Guide for Women
• Career Strategies for Women Re-Entering the Workforce
• Own It: The Power of Women at Work

Nano Tips

These are groups of one-minute videos that address topics impacting women in the workplace.

• Identifying and Overcoming Unconscious Bias in the Workplace
• Topics include the:
• Double Bind

• Concrete Ceiling
• Punishment Gap
• Creating Equitable Workplaces for Working Mothers
• Topics include the:
• Motherhood Penalty
• Burnout

Additional Resources

• Skills for Advancing as a Woman in Leadership Learning Path
• In this learning path, you will build foundational skills to advance as a woman in leadership. Learn how to use gender-inclusive language, develop leadership presence, persuade others, negotiate effectively, lead boldly and with confidence, and lift others up as you rise.
• Power Her in Unity for Women’s History Month Learning Path
• These six courses will inspire you to action and help you harness the collective strength and unity of women across generations, identities, and geographies.

IWC Sister Spotlight Project:

The sister spotlight project continues, highlighting remarkable IATSE women profiled in the IATSE Bulletin each quarter. The IWC encourages members to identify the amazing women in your local and nominate them for a Sister spotlight at https://iatse.net/take-action/women/sister-spotlight-form/or use the QR code:

INTERNATIONAL WOMANS COMMITTEE

NOLA 1.29.2025

NOLA GEB Charity Krewe de Pink

The IWC supported Krew De Pink at the mid-winter GEB. Everyone has been touched by someone who has battled breast cancer, many have won the fight and unfortunately some have not. Krewe de Pink is an all-volunteer organization that raises money for breast cancer research and donates it to Tulane Cancer Center. They formed in 2011, partnered with the researchers at Tulane to help them find innovative research ideas. The funds donated by Krewe de Pink are unrestricted so they can try innovative ideas then get the big grant money to dive deeper. Please consider a donation.

The post IATSE Women’s Committee Mid Winter Update appeared first on IATSE 26.

Nearly 34,000 UAW members are participating in a strike against the Detroit Three automakers. The strike began on Sept. 15 with 13,000 workers. Ford, GM and Stellantis made a combined QUARTER-TRILLION DOLLARS in North American profits over the last decade. But UAW members never got their fair share. Autoworkers are standing up to raise standards at the Big Three and for every worker. We are asking you to support the fight against greedy bosses. Workers want a fair share of the wealth that they help to create.

The bosses think they can starve Unions out. Their hope is that the striking workers will become so desperate for money that they will have to give up their demands and return to work. Show them that Union workers will not break. Show them the strength that comes from Union Solidarity.

“This is our generation’s defining moment. What we win will set the standard not only for our members, but for the entire working class. This is our time to fight; for our families, for our communities, and for working people everywhere.” – Shawn Fain UAW President

If you are in able to, please donate to our collection drive for striking UAW workers. Collection boxes are located at our Local’s office and backstage at the Van Andel Arena.

REQUESTED ITEMS:

Diapers

Wipes

Pull-ups of all sizes

Paper Towels

Toilet Tissue

Body Wash

Bar Soap

Personal Hygiene Products

Toiletries

Cough Medicine

Coffee Cups with Lids

Canned Fruit

Canned Vegetables

Non-Perishable Food

Soda

We will deliver all collected items to the striking workers.

Other Ways to Help

• Sign the “All In with UAW” online petition and share it on social media #StandUpUAW

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/big-3-ceo-petition-1

• Find a picket line near you and walk the picket line.

https://uaw.org/standwithus/

• For those near Grand Rapids, remember the UAW also represents workers at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. You can walk the line at 86 Monroe St NW. It is conveniently located between our two busiest venues for those that want to drop in.

• Call 1-318-300-1249 to leave a message for the CEOs of Ford, GM, and Stellantis and tell them UAW members deserve the same 40% raise they got over the last four years

Union support has never been stronger. That’s because Americans know that when workers join together and fight for what they deserve, they’re unstoppable.

When we Fight, WE WIN!

The post StandUpUAW Strike Support Drive appeared first on IATSE 26.

We cannot stress enough how important it is for every member and referent to read and adhere to the message below. While this may come as “new” information to some, it has always been in place and will continue to be in place.

Everyone should be treated with respect and professionalism.

You should refer to someone by name, title, or stated pronoun.

From time-to-time physical contact with another worker will happen given our jobs however everyone should feel comfortable and safe at our workplace. Using unnecessary force or purposefully continuing to touch someone after they have told you to stop is considered harassment regardless of your intent. No means no.

You have the freedom of speech not the freedom from consequences.

Local 26 does not tolerate retaliation for complaints and if you are found guilty of retaliation you could be barred from the local.

The employer may take their own action in all workplace rules/laws.  We will always represent our members and referents to make sure all punishments are fair, for just cause, and proportionate to the offense.

If you have any question as to if any actions could violate the above guidelines, please reach out to any department head/steward, the employer, the local’s office, the executive board, or the international at the soonest time you feel safe to speak to someone about it.  If you need to remove yourself from the situation to feel safe do so, but do not leave the job site.

Local 26 is taking steps to stop sexual harassment in the workplace.

If you feel unsafe in our workplace because of the actions of an individual, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Department Heads, the Employer, Executive Board or the IATSE’s Hotline 844-422-9273. If you have travelled outside of our jurisdiction to work for another Local, the hotline or the IATSE Safety app can connect you with the leadership of that jurisdiction. It is available through the Apple and Android.

We want every referent and member to have a safe place to work.

IATSE Local 26’s nondiscrimination and misconduct policies apply to all members, referents, probationary referents, and office staff. Stagehands refers to this collective group. We cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to feel safe, respected, and protected by Local 26.

Misconduct will not be tolerated be it from a stagehand, Employer, Vendor, or anyone else on the jobsite.  Local 26 will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports or provides information about suspected misconduct.

Any stagehand who retaliates against anyone involved in an investigation will be subjected to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from the Referral List.

Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Misconduct should be reported as the safety issues that they are.

The following is a list of FAQ. We will do our best to update as more questions arise.

The post Workplace Behavior appeared first on IATSE 26.

Written by Jessica Westra (callsteward user since 2013)

Posted by Beth Snyder because technology is not always agreeable

The first thing to do is get yourself logged in. The identity system is based on email addresses. The email address you provided on your application for the referral list is used to create your profile. If you have not applied to the list, you cannot access the system. Please note this tutorial uses screen captures from a desktop web browser. Things will look different on a handheld device or app but the functions will be the same.

To access your account, go to https://login.callsteward.com and select “Get New Password”.  It will send you an email from iatse26@mg.callsteward3.com with a link to set a new password. Please also tell your mail server that the email address it came from is not junk email.

If that does not work, chances are that your email is incorrectly listed at the office. We can fix that. Send an email to mail@iatse26.org from the email address you want associated with your profile letting us know the issue. We can save your updated email address and send you a reset link from iatse26@mg.callsteward3.com We CANNOT create a password for you.

By default, the site will SMS (text) you job offers. You can choose email if you prefer it (or your phone is broken). This is completely your choice. Either way you have 12 hours to respond to a job offer that is more than 48 hours from the start time or deadline to fill. The first time the call steward sends you a message from CS3 it will be followed up by a text from the call steward phone 616-808-1892. Once we have confirmed you are getting the messages, we will only notify you from CS3. Please review the IATSE Local 26 Referral Procedure. Changes were made in 2021 regarding response time and several other things.

Note from Beth: If you cannot open the link to the Referral Procedure, you do not have an account for the IA26 website. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Request Account”. We will approve you for a login as soon as possible. Logins are available to all members and referents who have worked at least one call.

Reach out if you are having trouble maneuvering the site.  This is new for all of us.

From Beth: You should be used to seeing this, and it still holds true… Be safe. Be well. And as always… WASH YOUR HANDS!

The post CallSteward 3.0 Tutorial appeared first on IATSE 26.

In this installment, we’re going to concentrate on who you should call for what kind of help. Your health insurance company is an invaluable resource, but they can’t help you with everything. Knowing when to call them, when to call the National Benefit Fund, and when to call your doctor will save everyone time and frustration.

Things you should call your health insurance company about:

• Questions on medical benefits
• Questions about claims
• If you acquire another health insurance policy that will be primary to the one you have through the IA
• Whether or not a certain procedure is covered (always get a procedure code from your doctor!)
• Whether or not a prior authorization has been received and/or approved for a procedure such as an MRI
• If a certain provider is participating in network
• If you receive an Explanation of Benefits for a medical procedure you do not remember having

Things you should call the National Benefit Fund about:

• Adding/deleting someone to or from your policy
• Questions about premium payments or to make a premium payment
• What benefits are offered and how much they will cost you
• When you become eligible for health insurance
• When you are allowed to make changes to your policy

Things you should call your doctor (or a hospital) about:

• Anything to do with medical billing, paying medical bills, or making payment arrangements
• Why certain tests were ordered or performed
• If you need refills on your medications
• Making appointments for medical services

It’s important to know that your insurance company has no way to see how much if anything you have paid toward a medical bill. All they can see is what your responsibility as a member will be for any given claim. When you receive an Explanation of Benefits from your insurance company, it is not a bill. It is simply a statement detailing how much the provider charges without insurance, how much the negotiated discount for those who do have insurance is, how much (if anything) the insurance company paid the provider, and how much (if anything) you as the patient are responsible for paying.

For example: You see your doctor because you hit your thumb with a hammer. The doctor charges $200 for that office visit if you don’t have insurance. Because you do have insurance, the negotiated rate (which the doctor is required to accept as payment in full) is $150. Under your policy, you have a deductible and coinsurance as we discussed in the first installment of this series. Let’s say you’ve met your deductible already, so you’re paying 20% coinsurance. You are responsible for paying the doctor 20% of $150, or $30. The insurance company pays the remaining $120 to the doctor.

If you paid the doctor $30 at the time of the office visit, your insurance company does not know that. So you will receive an EOB stating your member liability is $30. Since you already paid that, great! File the EOB and go on with your life. But if you paid nothing at the time of service, this is your heads up you will be receiving a bill from the doctor soon.

If you are going to call your insurance company about a claim you see on an EOB, make sure you know the date of service! The statement date on the EOB is sort of helpful, but the customer service representative on the phone must look up claims by date of service. The first page of your EOB is a summary. The following pages are details of each claim that has processed since your last statement. Go to those details for the information your insurance company needs to help you.

You should also be aware that providers may bill you on a monthly basis, but they submit claims to the insurance company by date of service for the most part. So you may be looking at a bill that says you owe $174.38, but your insurance company has three claims for three different dates of service that together add up to that total amount. They also cannot see the bill you were sent, as that is purely between you and your provider.

The I.A.T.S.E. National Benefit Funds are the organization that oversees your health insurance policy among other things. They are who put together the packages from which you may choose your level of coverage. They are who informs the insurance company what package you’ve chosen and how many people are on your policy along with their personal information. They are who you must contact to change your address, to add a new person to your policy, to remove a person from your policy, and to pay your insurance premium.

Anything to do with your policy itself must be addressed with the NBF. There is a link to their website at the bottom of every page of this website.

Each of our employers pay a percentage on top of your gross wages into the Benefit Funds according to their collective bargaining agreement, or in the case of those who use an outside payroll company such as UTP, the payroll company contributes through its agreement with the Funds. When it comes time to pay your quarterly premium, the NBF sends you a statement detailing how much money has been contributed on your behalf and how much (if any) you will need to pay for the premium cost at your chosen level of insurance coverage.

Your insurance company itself has nothing whatsoever to do with what benefit packages are available to you, how much they cost, or what is covered under them. Think of it like this: When you go grocery shopping for your family, the grocery store offers a wide variety of options. You choose food for your family from what is available, pay the price the store charges, and feed your family. It’s up to you if you charge anyone for that food or not, or how much you will charge. Same thing when the NBF (or any employer) shops at the insurance company.

One last thing for this installment… coverage options.

National Health Care Reform says all health insurance policies offered by employers must have a basic minimum level of coverage. Anything more than that is up to the employer (in our case, the NBF) to offer and decide how much it will cost. A basic health insurance policy will have professional (doctors) and facility (hospitals). From there, pharmacy (prescription), dental, vision, hearing, and a variety of other options can be added, most often at additional cost.

Some employers choose to have all forms of coverage through a single insurance company. Others choose different companies for different types of insurance. And even if a health insurance company handles all the types of insurance on your policy, they often have benefit managers for specific items.

For example, with our policies. Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield carries our professional and facility insurance. CVS/Caremark has our pharmacy coverage. I’m a little fuzzy on the names for our vision and dental coverage because I never had them, but I know they are through other companies as well.

Where I have my current insurance, my professional, facility, pharmacy, dental, and vision insurance are all covered under the same insurance company’s umbrella and I use the same card for each of them, but there are benefit managers for the different types. So while my prescription coverage is through my health insurance (Company A) the actual benefit is managed by Company B. Likewise my dental is managed by Company C, and my vision by Company D. If your employer, as the NBF has, chooses to use different insurance companies for the various types, you may have several different insurance cards (for example, the CVS/Caremark card for prescriptions).

It can be confusing, but the good news is if you’re not sure who exactly has your coverage for a certain category you can call the NBF to find out. Your health insurance company may or may not know, so it’s best to check with the NBF to save time and phone calls.

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What is health insurance?

It seems like this is a silly question, but it’s really not. Health insurance is something everyone should have, many people need, and not everyone has access to. It’s a contract typically between an employer and an insurance company under which employees can have various medical procedures paid in part by the insurance company in exchange for paying a set amount for the policy.

Clear as mud, right? Let’s try to make that easier. We are going to concentrate on employer policies in this series since that is where the workers of Local 26 get their insurance, although there are certainly individually purchased policies as well.

Insurance companies offer a wide variety of options to employers to choose when putting together a benefit package for their employees. Depending on what choices the employer makes, those options are bundled into policies employees can choose during open enrollment or after a significant life event (birth, death, adoption, marriage, etc.). The insurance company does not tell the employer which options they may choose; all options are on the table. It just depends on how much an employer is willing to offer (and of course how much they are willing to pay) for those options.

Once an employer chooses which benefit package(s) they are going to offer their employees, the employee is given a list of those packages from which to choose. Some include nothing but medical (both doctors and facilities), some also add prescription, vision, dental, and/or hearing coverage. Usually adding more options to a policy costs more for the employee. The employer determines how much each employee will pay for their insurance premium and how much the employer is willing to pay on the employee’s behalf. Under union-negotiated collective bargaining agreements, usually those amounts are a large part of negotiations in addition to wages and working conditions.

Premiums can be either entirely employer contributed (as is the case with most of Local 26’s agreements) or partially paid by employees either through payroll deduction or direct payment. Sometimes it’s a combination of both such as when employer contributions do not equal the price of a premium, as often happens with stagehands.

Many factors go into determining how much your health insurance premium will be. Not all factors affect all premiums, especially in union-negotiated contracts. But certainly state and federal laws, what type of insurance, employer size, state and county of residence, and plan type are factors. As all prices change depending on those factors, so too does the cost of insurance.

Another factor is often what deductible a policy carries. High deductible policies tend to carry much lower premiums. This is because the employee takes the risk that they will not end up needing to use their health insurance for much so they pay less for the policy in exchange for having to pay more medical expenses out of pocket. On the flip side, policies with a high premium typically have a lower deductible. These policies are good for those who know they will have considerable medical expense and won’t be able to afford much up front.

It’s important to note the employer also determines what packages they offer will charge for a deductible. They also choose how much of a percentage in coinsurance an employee pays, and how much their out of pocket maximum will be per year.

I’m throwing too many phrases out there that many folks don’t understand. Let me put this simply:

Premium = how much it costs for your insurance policy.

Deductible = how much you pay for medical expenses up front before your health insurance starts paying anything.

Coinsurance = the percentage split between your responsibility and what the insurance company pays.

Out of Pocket Maximum = The highest amount you will pay for medical expenses in a calendar year, after which your insurance company pays everything.

Those are very simplified and of course there are factors that affect them as well, but they are the basic definitions.

For example: Sally Smith has an insurance policy, and their premium is $1300 per quarter. That is how much Sally must pay (or their employer must contribute) in order for them to have insurance coverage every three months.

Sally’s deductible is $1000, meaning the first $1000 of any medical services Sally receives must be paid by them entirely with no help from their insurance.

Once that deductible is met, Sally’s policy becomes 80/20. This means Sally’s insurance company pays 80% of medical expenses and Sally is responsible for 20%.

Sally’s out of pocket maximum is $3000. This means Sally continues to pay 20% of all medical expenses until they have paid a total of $3000 for all medical services received that year. Once that out of pocket maximum is met, Sally’s insurance company pays 100% of medical services until January 1st of the next year. On January 1st, all those numbers are reset to zero and Sally must once again meet the deductible before insurance starts paying, and so on.

Another term you need to know is Copay. A copay is a set amount of money for specific services. For example, a doctor’s office visit carries a $30 copay. Copays are entirely your responsibility until you reach your out of pocket maximum for the year and are not figured into deductible or coinsurance. So in our Sally example above, Sally will pay a $30 copay for each doctor’s visit they have until they meet their out of pocket maximum.

While copays do not contribute to deductible or coinsurance, they DO contribute to out of pocket maximum in most cases. So it’s entirely possible Sally will not have to pay 20% of ALL medical services if they have numerous copays that contribute to their out of pocket maximum.

Altogether, the deductible, coinsurance, copays, and out of pocket maximum are called Cost Share. Simple way to think of it: Cost Share is the amount an employee is responsible for paying for their medical services.

Another important thing to know is the difference between In Network providers and Out of Network providers. In Network providers (doctors, facilities, etc.) have agreed to accept an insurance company’s negotiated discount as full payment for their services. Out of Network providers are under no obligation to accept the lesser amount as full payment.

For example: Sally goes to an in network doctor. That doctor charges $350 for the services performed, but Sally’s insurance company has negotiated with the doctor for a maximum payment of $175. The most that doctor can legally be paid for those services is $175, and they cannot bill anyone for the remaining $175.

If, however, Sally went to an out of network doctor, the rules change. The doctor will still charge $350 for the services, and Sally’s insurance will still allow a maximum payment of $175. That stays the same. But the doctor can then bill Sally for the remaining $175 and they will be responsible for paying it.

This is the difference between Charged Amount and Allowed Amount.

Charged Amount = what a provider charges for a medical service.

Allowed Amount = what an insurance company is willing to pay for that service.

In network providers must accept the allowed amount as full payment. Out of network (also known as non-participating) providers can balance bill (also known as surprise bill) the patient for the remainder.

It is always best to go to in network providers whenever possible. You will be guaranteed the best available rates that way with no surprise bills later. A person’s cost share is figured on the insurance company’s allowed amounts for services. There are typically higher dollar amounts for deductible and a higher percentage of coinsurance out of network as well.

Using our Sally example, their in-network deductible is $1000, but their out of network deductible could be $2500. Their in-network coinsurance is 80/20, but their out of network coinsurance could be 60/40. And their out of pocket maximum could be anything including not having a maximum at all out of network.

The last thing I want to touch on today is the information you should have available when contacting your health insurance company about benefits or claims.

ALWAYS have your insurance card with you when you call! Under very stringent federal and other privacy laws (I’m sure you’ve heard of HIPAA), they must verify who they are speaking with to determine how much, if any, information can be given. They are absolutely not allowed to discuss more than general information with anyone unless you give your express permission, even your spouse. Some aspects of your medical treatment (sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy-related services, mental health and substance abuse treatment to name the most common) they are not allowed to discuss with anyone but you period. You can give your permission to discuss those things, but it will have to be done on each phone call.

They will need your subscriber ID (sometimes called an enrollee ID), full name, birth date, address and/or ZIP code, and a phone number where you can be reached. If you are calling about someone else on your policy, they will need their full name and birthdate as well. They need this before they can even see your policy to answer questions. Conveniently, the number you need to call to ask questions is located on your card, so you’ll probably have it out anyway.

Depending on what you’re asking, they will need further information, but I’ll get into that in future posts in this series. The goal is not to overwhelm anyone with information, but to make it easier to understand health insurance!

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