Plan Updates for 2027

An overview of benefit changes beginning January 1, 2027.

Seattle Area Plumbing & Pipefitting Industry Health Trust provides high-quality, affordable health benefits to Local 32 members. In recent years the Plan has seen a notable reduction in hours worked by members. This, coupled with a dramatic increase in national healthcare costs, claims, and out-of-network charges, has caused low Plan reserves. To ensure that the Trust can continue to offer health and wellness benefits — now and in the future — several changes that will go into effect January 1, 2027.

2027 Benefit Changes

The majority of PPO Plan benefits, wellness offerings and services will not change. The changes being made include:

New multi-tier PPO network

PPO Plan members now have access to two Aetna networks – Aetna Premier Care Network Plus (Tier One) and the Aetna Choice POS II Network (Tier Two). With an extensive network of providers to choose from, members will have greater flexibility and options when seeking care.

IN-NETWORK TIER ONE is made up of providers and facilities that are within the Aetna Premier Care Network (ACPN Plus). Using a Tier One provider will give you the most cost savings and reduce your co-insurance cost.
IN-NETWORK TIER TWO is the broader Aetna Choice POS II Network. For these providers, you will pay a slightly higher amount than Tier One.
OUT-OF-NETWORK providers are not within the Aetna network and incur the highest costs. These costs can be significantly higher as there is no longer an out-of-pocket maximum when using providers outside the network. Members are strongly encouraged to visit providers and facilities within the Aetna network.

Examples of Tier One and Two Facilities:

IN-NETWORK PPO TIER ONE Aetna Premier Care Network ACPN Plus	IN-NETWORK PPO TIER TWO Aetna Broad Choice POS II
Providence/Swedish*	MultiCare / Tacoma General Hospital
Rainier Health Network/CHI Franciscan*	Virginia Mason Medical Center
Evergreen*	UW Medical Center
Optum (Polyclinic)*	Western WA Medical Clinics
Seattle Children’s Hospital*	Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Overlake Hospital and Medical Clinics	Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health

*Top PPO Plan providers by number of users. Please note this list is not comprehensive.

Updates to PPO Medical Plan costs

Trust PPO Medical Plan member costs have remained the same for more than a decade without an increase since 2015. To account for rising healthcare costs incurred by the Plan, and integrate with the new multi-tier network, member costs will increase as of January 1, 2027.

Download the Benefits Overview PDF

Aetna Plan PPO Medical Plan Overview: In-Network

	2026	2027
Annual Deductible	In-Network: $300 person / $900 family per calendar year	Tier One: $400 person / $1,200 family per calendar year Tier Two: $600 person / $1,800 family per calendar year
Coinsurance	In-Network: 20% Max: $2,000 person / $4,000 family	Tier One: 10% Max: $2,000 person / $4,000 family Tier Two: 25% Max: $4,000 person / $8,000 family
Co-pays	In-Network: $20 per visit Emergency Room: $100	Tier One: $20 per visit Emergency Room: $100 Tier Two: $40 per visit Emergency Room: $200
Out-of-Pocket Maximum	In-Network: $2,000 person / $4,000 family	Either In-Network Tier: $8,000 person / $16,000 family

Aetna Plan PPO Medical Plan Overview: Out-of-Network

	2026	2027
Annual Deductible	Out-of-Network: $1,000 person / $3,000 family per calendar year	Out-of-Network: $2,500 person / $7,500 family per calendar year
Coinsurance	Out-of-Network: 40% Max: $4,000 person / $8,000 family	Out-of-Network: 40% Max: $5,000 person / $10,000 family
Co-pays	Out-of-Network: $40 per visit Emergency Room: $100 In-patient hospital: $100	Out-of-Network: $60 per visit Emergency Room: $200 In-patient hospital: $500 + coinsurance
Out-of-Pocket Maximum	Out-of-Network: $5,000 person / $10,000 per family	Out-of-Network: No out-of-pocket maximum

Vera Whole Health Clinics

Get $0 copay office visits when you visit a Vera Whole Health clinic. Appointments are offered to participants over 3 years of age and do not require coinsurance or a deductible for the visit. To find a location near you and make an appointment visit Vera Whole Healthh or call (206) 337-6080.

Updates to PPO Plan prescription copays

Prescription Benefits

The cost for a 30-day supply of generic medications has remained the same for 15 years. Starting in 2027, Rx costs will increase to accommodate rising prescription drug costs.

	2026	2027
In-Network Pharmacy	A 30-day supply: Generic: $8 Preferred Brand: $40 Non-preferred brand: $55	A 30-day supply: Generic: $20 Preferred Brand: $60 Non-preferred brand: $75
Mail Order Pharmacy	A 90-day supply: Generic: $20 Preferred Brand: $100 Non-preferred brand: $137.50	A 90-day supply: Generic: $50 Preferred Brand: $150 Non-preferred brand: $187.50
Specialty	30% coinsurance	30% coinsurance
Deductible	None	None

Change to dollar bank maximum

Previously, members could bank up to 5 months of future coverage. Going forward, members will be able to bank up to 3 months. As of January 1, 2027 all new and existing dollar banks will be set to a 3 month maximum. Learn more about your dollar bank.

Increase contribution amounts

The current Local 32 employer contribution rate of 15% of the taxable wage is below the national average of other UA locals who are between 20% and 30%. New funding contributions will begin in 2027 to help improve reserves and contributions may increase further based on the health of Plan reserves.

Disability and maternity benefits update

Beginning January 1, 2027, Short-Term Disability and Maternity benefits will be paid out only after WA Paid Family Medical Leave has been exhausted. Benefit amounts will not change.

Dependent Audit

In 2027 the Health Plan will conduct a dependent audit to ensure all covered dependents meet eligibility requirements. Dependents or former spouses that may still be covered due to members not notifying the Trust of family changes may be removed from the plan if dependents are not currently eligible for coverage.