Accident & Sickness Weekly Income Benefits

Accident and Sickness Weekly Income Benefits give you and your family financial security by helping to cover the loss of your income if you are unable to work due to a short-term disability. 

• Active Employees are eligible for this benefit.
• Retiree members are not eligible for this benefit.
• This benefit is provided by The Bledsoe Health Trust and administered through the Administrative Office (Northwest Administrators).

For each week you are unable to work because of an non-work related accident, sickness or pregnancy, a weekly income benefit is payable, provided:

• The period of disability begins during a month when you are eligible for the Active Employee Plan, and
• You are under a physician’s care.

If a period of disability begins during a month in which you are not eligible for the Active Employee Plan, it is NOT covered, even though it may extend into a month in which you are eligible. 

Overview

This is an overview of benefits. For details, please refer to the Active Employee Plan Summary Plan Description.

Periods of Disability

Two periods of disability due to the same condition will be considered one period of disability unless: 

• For unrelated disabilities, the periods are separated by return to full-time active work for at least one day.
• For related disabilities, the periods are separated by return to full-time active work for at least two consecutive weeks. 

Exceptions

Weekly income benefits are not payable for any period of disability:

• Arising out of or in the course of employment covered by any worker's compensation or occupational disease policy or other similar coverage.
• During which you are not within the United States or Canada.

Weekly income benefits are not payable if the disability is caused or contributed to by: 

• War, declared or undeclared, or any act of war.
• Injuries intentionally inflicted by you while sane or insane. 

How to Submit a Claim

Complete the Accident and Sickness Weekly Income Benefit Claim form and submit it to the Trust Administrative Office. Upon approval, the benefit check will be mailed to you.

If your claim is denied, you may request an appeal of the claim. Submit a written request to the Trust Administrative Office for a review within 180 days of the date the claim was denied.