Fall 2016

Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Welfare and Pension Funds

Don’t Leave the Important Choices to Someone ElseWhat if you were in an accident — a life or death situation — and you were rushed to the hospital, unable to communicate your wishes? Would you want the tough medical decisions (treatment options, organ donation) to be left up to your family members? If you don’t share your medical decisions, will your loved ones know what to do?

You can ease a lot of the stress and anxiety associated with a difficult situation like this by preparing a living will.

What is a Living Will?A living will (also called a “medical directive”) is a legal document that clearly spells out your directions regarding medical treatment. A living will is not like a last will and testament— it does not affect or address distribution of assets, inheritance, guardianship of children or any other legal issues beyond health care.

It is important to prepare a living will, especially if you have strong feelings about what medical treatments you want or don’t want. Your physician must honor the instructions you provide in your living will. For example, your living will may specify that you do not wish (or you do wish) to be kept alive by artificial means, like a breathing tube, if you are in a coma or vegetative state.

Some instructions that are frequently covered in living wills include:

●● Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders. A DNR instructs medical professionals and emergency personnel not to revive you if you stop breathing or your heart stops;

●● Your wishes about being connected to machines to keep you alive;

●● Your wishes about having surgery; and/or

●● Your wishes about donating organs.

Some Things to ConsiderWhen preparing your living will, you should be specific. It will be more effective if your instructions are very clear about the treatment decisions that must be made. For example, you should describe the circumstances under which you would refuse certain treatment, such as when you are permanently unconscious with no hope of recovering.

Once finalized (and notarized), give a copy of your living will to your health care provider, a close family member or trusted friend and then file it in a safe, easy-to-find place. Of course, you can revoke or change your living will at any time—just be sure to inform those you’ve trusted with a copy, and destroy any previous versions.

Union Trustees Frank T. Libby Jeffrey Isaacson Gary Perinar, Jr. Keith Jutkins Joseph Pastorino Bruce WerningEmployer Trustees Paul R. Hellermann Gerald W. Thiel, Jr. Mike Forest George Tuhowski Kevin Geshwender

Keep ControlKeeping a living will means you get to keep control. If you lose your ability to make decisions for yourself, you have a document that guarantees your wishes are known and will be honored. Your living will only goes into effect when you are not expected to recover from a medical condition and you cannot express your wishes.

Did you know that you can create your own legally binding living will — online — for just $14.99 through Guidance Resources?

Just visit www.guidanceresources.com and log in with your user name and password or register with the Web ID: CRCC. Once logged in, on the left hand side under “I’m Looking For,” select “Discounts.” Click on “Estate Guidance” and fill out the easy-to-complete application/questionnaire. Once complete, you’ll have a legally binding living will that you can print from home or request to have a copy mailed to you.

Need Help Preparing Your Living Will?If you have questions or need assistance creating a living will, you can call Guidance Resources at 888-860-1566 for a telephonic consultation with an attorney. If you’d prefer to work with a local attorney, Guidance Resources can help you find one in your area. Your benefits include a 30-minute consultation at no cost, and if you retain the attorney or would like the attorney to prepare your living will, you’ll receive a 25% discount on customary fees.

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E-Cigarettes:

New Ban to

Discourage Teen Usage

In August, the sale of e-cigarettes to minors was officially banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new rules stop the sale of e-cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, pipe tobacco, vape pens and other related electronic devices that are considered “tobacco products” and require photo ID for purchase.

Why the Ban?Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices designed to create an aerosol that delivers nicotine, flavor and other chemicals when inhaled by the user. Manufacturers have marketed the products as a way to help smokers quit cigarettes. However, many agree that the heavy dose of nicotine in e-cigarettes actually encourages people — especially teenagers —to pick up the smoking habit.

According to the national president and CEO of the American Lung Association, “Youth use e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product on the market today, serving as an entry point to more traditional tobacco products and placing kids at risk to the harms and addiction of nicotine and other tobacco products.” He goes on to say that “ending the tobacco epidemic is more urgent than ever, and can only happen if the FDA acts aggressively and broadly to protect all Americans from all tobacco products.”

Don’t Leave the Important Choices to Someone ElseContinued from page 1.

E-Cigarettes:

New Ban to

Discourage Teen Usage

In August, the sale of e-cigarettes to minors was officially banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new rules stop the sale of e-cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, pipe tobacco, vape pens and other related electronic devices that are considered “tobacco products” and require photo ID for purchase.

Why the Ban?Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices designed to create an aerosol that delivers nicotine, flavor and other chemicals when inhaled by the user. Manufacturers have marketed the products as a way to help smokers quit cigarettes. However, many agree that the heavy dose of nicotine in e-cigarettes actually encourages people — especially teenagers —to pick up the smoking habit.

According to the national president and CEO of the American Lung Association, “Youth use e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product on the market today, serving as an entry point to more traditional tobacco products and placing kids at risk to the harms and addiction of nicotine and other tobacco products.” He goes on to say that “ending the tobacco epidemic is more urgent than ever, and can only happen if the FDA acts aggressively and broadly to protect all Americans from all tobacco products.”

Myths and Facts About E-cigarettesHere are some myths dispelled by lung.org:

MYTH: E-cigarettes are safe.FACT: E-cigarettes are unregulated tobacco products.

Nearly 500 brands and 7,700 flavors of e-cigarettes are on the market and none of them has been evaluated by the FDA. We don’t know for sure what’s in them. Studies have found toxic chemicals, including an ingredient used in antifreeze and formaldehyde in e-cigarettes. Because the FDA doesn’t regulate these products, there aren’t requirements around ingredient disclosure, warning labels or youth access restrictions.

MYTH: E-cigarettes don’t have nicotine.FACT: Almost all e-cigarettes contain nicotine—including many that claim they are nicotine-free.

A 2014 study showed wide-ranging nicotine levels in e-cigarettes and inconsistencies between listed and actual nicotine levels in these products. Nicotine is an addictive substance that can have negative health impacts, including on adolescent brain development. The more nicotine a person uses, the greater the potential for addiction.

MYTH: E-cigarettes can help smokers quit.FACT: Studies show you may be less likely to quit tobacco if you use e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes containing nicotine can keep users addicted, which may lead to increased e-cigarette usage or a need for higher amounts of nicotine, such as the amounts found in traditional cigarettes. In fact, smoking e-cigarettes may be a gateway to regular cigarettes. Another study found that teen e-cigarette users were more than three times as likely to have begun smoking traditional cigarettes by the next year compared with those who never smoked at all.

MYTH: E-cigarettes aren’t marketed to kids.FACT: In fact, E-cigarette use among middle and high school students tripled from 2011 to 2013 due to aggressive industry tactics such as cartoon characters and candy flavors including bubble gum, fruit loops, chocolate and strawberry, it’s no surprise studies show a dramatic increase in kids using e-cigarettes. For the first time ever, teens are smoking e-cigarettes more than traditional cigarettes.

MYTH: There’s no secondhand emissions from e-cigarettes.FACT: E-cigarettes do expose others to secondhand emissions.

The aerosol (vapor) emitted by e-cigarettes and exhaled by users contains carcinogens, such as formaldehyde, according to early studies. Little is known about these emissions or the potential harm they can cause. Manufacturers of e-cigarettes also will be required to submit new and existing products to the FDA for review and evaluation, unless the product was sold prior to Feb. 15, 2007.

If you use tobacco products of any kind and would like help quitting, you’ve got free access to 24/7 support. The Quit For Life® Program is available to you and your eligible dependents age 18 and older as part of your benefits package. To register, call 866-QUIT-4-LIFE (866-784-8454) and tell them you’re a member of the Chicago Carpenters. You can also enroll online at www.quitnow.net/crcc. Select “Enroll online now” to begin the registration process.

Studies have shown that as many as 70%

of current adult e-cigarette users also continue to smoke tobacco

cigarettes.

The information provided in on the LEVEL is of a general nature only and does not replace or alter the official rules and policies contained in the official plan documents that legally govern the terms and operation of the Welfare Fund. If this newsletter differs in any way from the official plan documents, the official plan documents always govern. Receipt of this newsletter does not guarantee eligibility for benefits. The Trustees have the right to modify benefits at any time.

Participant Services

Health Benefits: Phone: 312-787-9455/Option 3 Fax: 312-951-1515

Retirement Benefits: Phone: 312-787-9455/Option 4 Fax: 312-951-3986

Contributions & Collections: Phone: 312-787-9455/Option 5 Fax: 312-787-3212

Administration: Phone: 312-787-9455/Option 7 Fax: 312-951-2996

Website: www.crccbenefits.org TRADES COUNCILALLI

ED PRINTING

212CHICAGO, IL

® UNIONLABEL

What’s Better Than Free?We all know the high costs associated with health care — co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance, but did you know that many programs and services are available to you, free of charge? That’s right. From an in-network preventive care annual physical to around-the-clock assistance with stress, financial issues and/or substance abuse, you’ve got plenty of services that won’t cost you a dime, but can help you feel your best.

Member Assistance Program●● Your Plan includes a Member Assistance Program (MAP) through ComPsych. When

you need help with work/life issues, support is just a phone call away. You and your covered dependents can receive five FREE confidential counseling sessions with a counselor who will listen objectively, guide you to solutions or refer you to another professional to help you. Call ComPsych at 888-860-1566, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day when you need support. (This program does not apply to retired participants.)

Smoking Cessation●● Quitting tobacco is not an easy feat for most people. Studies show that you’re much more

likely to be successful with support. Quit For Life® was designed to help people overcome their physical, psychological and behavioral addiction to tobacco using a combination of medication support, coaching by phone and web-based learning and social support. Even if you’re just thinking about quitting, call “Quit For Life®” at 866-QUIT-4-LIFE (866-784-8454) or enroll online at www.quitnow.net/crcc to get information on how a customized plan may help you quit for life.

Health Dynamics●● September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month. Have your cholesterol numbers checked at no cost as part of

the Health Dynamics comprehensive preventive care exam. Health Dynamics offers a preventive care exam for you and your spouse, free of charge, that can measure your risks and screen for certain conditions. The exam includes a health history questionnaire, a thorough blood chemistry analysis, screenings for prostate or breast cancer, a complete physician-directed physical and much more. To locate a Health Dynamics provider call 414-443-0200 or go to their website at www.hdhelpsu.com (username: hdhelpsu and password: hdhelpsu). Representatives are available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT).

Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act Of 1998 (WHCRA) Annual Notice ReminderYou or your dependents may be entitled to certain benefits under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA). For individuals receiving mastectomy-related benefits, coverage will be provided in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the patient for:●● All stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed;●● Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance;●● Prostheses; and●● Treatment of physical complications of the mastectomy, including lymphedema.

Plan limits, deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance apply to these benefits. For more information on WHCRA benefits, contact the Health Benefits Department at 312-787-9455, menu option 3.