When You Become Covered Under the Plan
Active Members who have received the required number of credited hours during the contract year that ended on September 30th of the prior calendar year will be covered on January 1.
The number of credited hours required for coverage under the three benefit Plans are as follows:
| Credited Hour Requirements |
|
1,300 or More Hours |
|
|
1,000 - 1,299 Hours |
|
|
700 - 999 Hours |
|
A contract year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th. For example: If you received 1,250 credited hours during the contract year, you would be covered by the Basic Plan in the following calendar year. However, if you received 1,300 or more credited hours during the contract year, you would be covered by the Premier Plan.
If the contribution rate in a local collective bargaining agreement is lower than the rate required in the Master Contract, the number of hours worked which are required to receive one credited hour will be proportionately higher, based on the level of contributions actually made to MILA. For example, if you worked in covered employment where your employer was required to contribute $2.50 per hour when the Master Contract rate was $5.00, you would receive one credited hour for each two hours of work.
Coverage for your eligible dependents starts when your coverage does or when they first become eligible to participate under the terms of the Plan. For example, if you get married while you are covered under the Plan, your spouse’s coverage will start on the date you marry. However, you must enroll each eligible dependent with your local Port Administrator or with MILA within 31 days of the date coverage would ordinarily begin. Otherwise, coverage will not begin for the person who is not enrolled until you do enroll him or her.
