Frequently Asked Questions

Once you have satisfied your plan specific eligibility requirements, the Northwest Sheet Metal Workers Trust will mail you a packet containing an enrollment form and Medical ID cards. Complete and return the form to the address listed below. You will not be allowed to use the benefits until you have returned the enrollment forms. Social Security numbers are required for all individuals enrolled in the plan, including your spouse and dependent(s)

The best document to provide is a marriage certificate. However, any legal document (such as a tax return) is sufficient.

The best documentation is a birth certificate for children showing you as their legal guardian. If you do not have the birth certificate, any legal document (such as a tax return) showing you as the legal guardian and them as your dependent is adequate.

You are able to add your spouse or dependent(s) at any time. You must complete the?Enrollment, Address change, Beneficiary Designation form?and submit the proper documentation to the NWSMW Trust Office.

Contact the NWSMW Trust Office at 509.534.0600 or 800.872.8979 or email:nwsmw@rehnonline.com and the Trust will verify your address and send them to you.
You can request replacement cards or print a temporary ID card from your Participant Profile Page.

NWSMW Welfare Trust
PO Box 5433
Spokane WA 99205

N 1322 Post Place
Spokane, WA 99201

Aetna Life Insurance Company
PO Box 981106
El Paso, TX 79998-1106

Delta Dental of Washington
PO Box 75983
Seattle, WA 98175-0688

The Trust has teamed up with Fully Effective Employees, Inc. to help you when you have a personal problem that is beginning to affect your health, job performance or general well-being. Some problems include faltering marriage or divorce, spouse who over drinks, teenager using drugs, overwhelming number of debts, anxiety, depression, stress, or an adolescent threatening to leave home. Call 800-648-5834.

The VEBA Plan is a pre- and post- retirement medical expense reimbursement account, available to Northwest Sheet Metal Workers participants. This Plan is an additional benefit to you negotiated under your Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This Account provides TAX FREE funds to compensate your out of pocket medical, dental, vision and insurance premium expenses incurred by yourself, your spouse and or your qualified dependents. Medical Expenses that are incurred after retirement continue to rise. This benefit will help you offset your out-of-pocket expenses related to medical services.

All VEBA funds are invested in a mixed Portfolio selected by the Board of Trustees. You will see tax-free earnings posted to your VEBA account monthly.

Your account is open as soon as your employer makes the first contribution to it. The current contribution rate is the amount negotiated in your collective bargaining agreement, and money will be accumulated in your individual account.
Although this benefit is intended for postretirement use, whenever you experience an out of pocket medical expense, you may submit for reimbursement for that expense.
You may file claims for any amount. Benefits will be paid until your account is used up.

To receive money from your account, you must first fill out a claim form and submit it along with a detailed itemized statement showing date of service, description, breakdown of services rendered and patient responsibility or Explanation of Benefits to:

VEBA NWSMW PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
c/o REHN & ASSOCIATES
PO Box 5433
Spokane WA 99205-5433

Phone: 800-872-8979 or 509-534-0600
Email: veba@rehnonline.com

Claim forms can be downloaded from the Documents tab on the www.nwsmwbenefits.com web site.
Claims payment is efficient and hassle free.

NOTE: Reimbursable health related benefits must be for expenses incurred after your VEBA account FIRST OPENED. Withdrawals from your VEBA account may be made only for qualified medical, dental or vision expenses and premiums. Qualified expenses are outlined in IRS Publication 502. You may obtain IRS publications by calling 1-800-TAX FORM or on the internet at www.irs.gov.

You will receive a semi-annual statement detailing all activity in your account. You may access your account statements online at www.nwsmwbenefits.com under the Documents Tab. You may also call and request additional statements at any time.

If you are survived by a spouse or dependent children (or other dependents as defined by the IRS) they will continue to receive this benefit until your account is used up. If you have no eligible dependents, the funds remaining in your account will be forfeited.

With a completed claim form and eligible documentation, reimbursements will be made directly to the participant in the form of a check or direct deposit. The direct deposit enrollment form is available under the Documents tab at www.nwsmwbenefits.com and must be completed and signed by the member.

Each account will be charged a monthly fee of $1.50 to offset the administrative costs of the benefit plan.