Eligibility & Enrollment

NWPP offers participants high-quality, affordable, and reliable benefits – coverage that carries over from participating UA employer to employer to support participant’s health and wellbeing at every step of their career.

This overview can help you better understand eligibility for NWPP health benefits but does not cover every scenario. Please contact your local union or the Administration Office at (866) 417-4240 if you have questions or refer to the most recent Summary Plan Description booklet for additional details.

Initial Eligibility

Once you meet the requirements in your employer’s collective bargaining agreement, consistent with NWPP guidelines, you will become eligible for contributions to be made to the Trust on your behalf. You must be an active employee with the minimum number of compensable hours or hours worked (usually 80) during a month for any one employer who makes Plan contributions.

Coverage is typically applied on the ‘lag month’ eligibility system. For example, if you first meet the minimum hours required in Month 1 of your employment, your employer will make a contribution in Month 2, and your coverage is available at the beginning of Month 3.

Here is what they may look like:

If you are a new employee and you work at least 140 hours within the initial 4-months of your employment

You will be eligible to enroll yourself and your eligible dependents in NWPP benefits

After a lag month (the month following your enrollment), your coverage will begin

Enrolling for coverage

When eligible to enroll you can enroll by completing an enrollment form and returning it with all required documents to the NWPP administration office.

Maintaining your coverage

Once enrolled, coverage is maintained if you work at least 140 hours per month.

  • If you work less than 140 hours and no hours are added for 12 months (unless due to active military service), you could forfeit your coverage
  • If you work for an employer who contributes at a different amount than required under the Master Labor Agreement, your hours are prorated
  • If you work in other jurisdictions outside of the covered Plan areas, under the UA Reciprocity Program contributions made will be sent back to NWPP to allow your coverage to be maintained. Please note there may be a delay in processing these contributions

Adding to your hour bank

If you work more than 140 hours in a month, those hours are saved in an hour bank to count toward your eligibility for coverage in future months. You can save up to a maximum of 700 hours. Having hours saved in your hour bank helps maintain coverage:

Icon: Meeting Hour Requirements

Meeting Hour Requirements

During slow work periods when it may be hard to get to the required 140 per month

Icon: Working in Other Jurisdictions

Working in Other Jurisdictions

If you traveled for work and there is a delay in your hours being processed

Icon: Leave or Other Absence

Leave or Other Absence

If you are suddenly unable to work due to family leave, illness or other reasons

Icon: Extended Coverage

Extended Coverage

When you retire, or after your last day worked, for up to 1-5 months depending on your hours saved

After initial eligibility has been established, if you do not meet the hour requirements or you do not have sufficient hours banked, you may self-pay for coverage. COBRA is also available if needed. Refer to the most recent Summary Plan Description booklet for additional details.

Checking your coverage

You can register with the administration office online to:

  • Check your eligibility for coverage
  • View your claims
  • Communicate with the NWPP Administrative Office
  • View and download important Plan information and forms