General Plan Overview

IEC Power Plus (also known as the IEC Group Benefit Trust) is a welfare benefit trust established and controlled by the elected Trustees of member employers of IEC (formally known as the Independent Electrical Contractors). IEC Power Plus was established to secure the benefits provided employees and dependents of member employers of the IEC Association. Participation in IEC Power Plus is contingent upon the employer maintaining membership in IEC.

IEC Power Plus provides major medical, prescription drug, dental, vision and short term disability coverage benefits for the employees and dependents of IEC member employers. All benefits provided under IEC Power Plus are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 as amended including such provisions for COBRA and HIPAA and all other federal benefit mandates. Each employer may select and provide the benefit plan that fits their pocketbook and the needs of their employees and dependents.

Group healthcare rates for each participating employer group are based on the discounted cost of benefits in the geographic area where the employees and dependents reside, their actual age, sex, family status and the general medical condition of the employer group. Each participating employee receives a Summary Plan Description (rather than an insurance certificate or policy) describing all the benefits provided. Each employee receives an identification card showing the selected preferred provider.

IEC Power Plus is not in and of itself deemed to be insurance. The Trustees of the healthcare plan however, purchase insurance direct from the world insurance market under one policy to further secure the benefits provided. Under this insurance arrangment all eligible medical benefits are guaranteed from the first eligible dollar to the limits set forth in the Summary Plan Description by qualified “A” rated Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London. There is no need for a primary domestic insurer, a major savings in itself. While the Plan is not covered by any state GUARANTY association, the insurers are required to guarantee the full amount of all outstanding U.S. claims with security held in a trust in the United States.

The insurance provided by certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London for the healthcare portion of the Plan is provided through R. J. Wilson & Associates Ltd., a reinsurance brokerage house and direct correspondent with Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London. This is placed net of any commission or remuneration to R. J. Wilson & Associates Ltd.

Dayspring Management LLC is a national management, consulting and administrative firm providing services for national trade associations. Dayspring has been engaged by IEC as the "Plan Administrator" and manager of IEC Power Plus. Dayspring currently provides services for several national employer associations. Dayspring assists the Trustees with all federal filing requirements.

Medical Benefits Administrators of MD, Inc (MBA) is the "Claims Administrator" of IEC Power Plus, appointed by Dayspring. MBA provides claims adjudication and processing services on behalf of IEC Power Plus. MBA, a well known Claims Administrator employs the latest state-of-the-art information and benefit processing systems.

Major Plan Features

Major Medical

Comprehensive Major Medical Benefits are provided for up to $1,000,000 per employee (and dependents) on a per person, per year basis, with a lifetime maximum of $2,000,000 per person, per year. Benefits under the plan are subject to all federal provisions, regulations and mandates such as "ERISA", "COBRA", and "HIPAA." Employer group rates are established actuarially based on the demographics of the specific group. Absent general group claims experience, individual medical information may be required at inception but such information is used for group rating purposes only. Additional new employees will be added subject to the rules of HIPAA.

Fully Insured

All healthcare claims are fully guaranteed by certain qualified “A” rated Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London. Under the insurance arrangement the insurers become directly liable to the eligible employee or dependent for the full amount of any eligible claim incurred during the Period of Insurance if the claim is not paid within 30 days of final determination under the claims procedures established per ERISA guidelines and set forth in the Summary Plan Description.

Contributions

The rates are based on the current geographical cost of medical services in the specific zip code of the employees and dependents, modified by the other demographics of the employer group. Overall rates may be adjusted up or down each six months to allow for more accurate trending of the cost of medical services and avoid overly conservative long term trend factors and double digit rate increases at renewal.

Preferred Providers

Before you change doctors, we’ll change networks. IEC Power Plus has access to several National & Regional PPO networks. To see a complete list go to our PPO list.

Utilization

Each employee has access to a toll free line that they may call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for pre-certification of inpatient, outpatient, elective procedures, diagnostics, therapies, network guidance, and other needs. The utilization program includes concurrent, and retrospective review, as well as a second opinion program. The benefit plan also includes large claim management services with a focus to facilitate more individualized and coordinated care.

Claims Administrator

All claims administration services are provided by or through MBA for one level management fee to reduce cost. MBA adjudicates and processes all claims on behalf of the Plan.

MBA utilizes the state of the art Trizetto Quiclink System (formerly known as Resource Information Management or “RIMS”) in the management of benefit claims. MBA also employs Solucient Auto Audit and other similar systems as well as INGENIX (formerly Medicode) in the administration of claims.

Other Benefits

Optional dental and vision coverage is also available. IEC Power Plus also provides a selection of fully insured group life, accidental death and dismemberment coverage written on a true group basis for groups of ten or more. Group Life AD&D claims are handled direct by the group life insurance company.