If you get injured off the job, you have to go through your health insurance, as opposed to getting injured on the job when you are covered by worker’s comp.
 
Don’t let the company confuse you, if you are injured on the job, get your steward involved, report it to your supervisor, get a worker’s compensation representative and follow the guide to what to do if you are injured on the job. See the above section on on-the-job injuries for more details.

If your injury happened off the job, follow the tips below. Still get your steward and your Business Agent involved for guidance.

Full-Timers

If you are full time with six months or more seniority, you are covered through the Local 804 Health and Welfare fund. The telephone # is (718) 786-5410 and they can be reached M-F from 9am to 4pm. They can guide you on what doctor to see, what urgent care centers are near you, and which hospitals are in network.
 
It is very important to stay in network to avoid extra medical costs to you. You have the right to choose whatever doctor you want, but if they do not have a contract with the existing plan, currently Anthem Blue Cross, you can be charged more than what the plan agreed to.

Part-Timers

If you are part time with one year or more seniority, you are covered through TeamCare. The telephone # is 1-800-323-5000 and they can be reached Monday thru Friday 8am to 6pm CST. They can guide you on what doctor to see, what urgent care centers are near you, and which hospitals are in network.

It is very important to stay in network to avoid extra medical costs to you. You have the right to choose whatever doctor you want, but if they do not have a contract with the existing plan, currently Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, you can be charged more than what the plan agreed to.

Disability Leave

If you will be out of work because of disability leave, you have to tell the company whether you are part time or full time. Let your supervisor and/or manager know you will be absent. Call the nationwide human resources service center (HRSC) at 1-855-877-4772 to let them know you will be out of work due to disability.

This is very important to do, because local supervision often forgets to report your work status to human resources. In order to avoid lapses in health coverage, HRSC should know you are on disability for reporting purposes to the appropriate benefit fund. If you are part time and will be out of work for 5 consecutive working days in a single week (M-F), you must apply for short term disability (STD). You must have a medical note from your doctor stating that you will be out of work. You should do this as soon as possible.

After you’ve seen your doctor, and told HRSC, make sure you tell your appropriate fund that you will be out on disability.

Full timers call Local 804 Health and Welfare fund. The telephone # is (718) 786-5410. Part-timers should go through TeamCare. The telephone # is 1-800-323-5000.

Keep in touch with your Steward and Business Agent to keep them updated on your status, once a week should be fine. Immediately call them upon receipt of any paperwork from the company while you are out. Rest up, recover, and get guidance on prescriptions from your health care network!