Dear Participant:

This booklet summarizes the benefits provided to you by the U.A. Local 447 Health and Welfare Plan. You and your family members should become familiar with the eligibility rules and the different benefits provided under this Plan. Eligible employees and dependents may choose the Self- Funded Indemnity Medical Plan or the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan through Kaiser Permanente. You may change your medical coverage option once each year during the annual open enrollment period.

Only the full Board of Trustees is authorized to interpret the Plan. The Board has discretion to decide all questions about the Plan, including questions about your eligibility for benefits and the amount of any benefits payable to you. No individual Trustee, employer or union representative has authority to interpret this Plan on behalf of the Board or to act as an agent of the Board.

The Board has authorized the Administrative Office to respond in writing to your written questions. If you have a question about your benefits, you should write to the Administrative Office for a definitive answer.

As a courtesy to you, the Administrative Office also may respond informally to oral questions. However, oral information and answers are not binding upon the Board of Trustees and cannot be relied on in any dispute concerning your benefits.

This booklet details the Pipe Trades PPO Plus Self-Funded Indemnity Medical Plan, the Pipe Trades PPO Plus Self-Funded Indemnity Dental Plan, the hearing benefit, the prescription drug program, the vision program, the employee assistance program, expanded case management service, the pharmacy consultation program, the LASIK eye surgery benefit and the Life/AD&D insurance. Benefits offered by Kaiser are described in detail in a separate brochure prepared by Kaiser. The separate brochure, incorporated by reference in this booklet, is available from the Administrative Office and will be provided to you free of charge upon request.

Please remember that this booklet is only a summary. In the event of any dispute, the official language of the insurance policy or other Plan documents will be controlling. Policies and Plan documents are available for your review at the Administrative Office.

Plan rules and benefits may change from time to time. If this occurs, you will receive a written notice explaining the change. Please be sure to read all Plan communications and keep all amendments with this booklet.

Be sure to inform the Administrative Office if you change your address, change your family status (e.g., if you divorce) or if any of your family members become eligible for another group medical plan.