The Health Screening Research Program many SMART members are familiar with has finally arrived, but it looks different — and is more convenient — for members going forward.
The biggest update for health screenings is eligible members can now participate from anywhere in the country and at any time. For example, a retiree living in Florida, who is a member of SMART Local 20 in Indiana, can be screened for asbestos exposure and other lung conditions from their home in Florida. Members can visit SMOHIT’s website to check their eligibility status at any time.
Once approved by SMOHIT, members will then contact Chicago Med Group, the program’s medical partner, to schedule a telemedicine visit and survey. If they qualify for a lung screening, they will be referred for a chest X-ray and lung capacity exam in their city of residence. All follow-up visits with general physicians will continue from there.
All SMART building trades members with at least 20 years of service are eligible for this program every five years. Members have 90 days from the date of approval to schedule their appointment with Chicago Med Group.
After the screening, members will receive a summary of their results, and Chicago Med Group will retain the information, using a HIPAA-secure electronic storage system, and make all results available to primary physicians treating members as requested.
SMOHIT covers the cost of Chicago Med Group, the pulmonary function test, chest X-ray and B-reading of the chest X-ray, performed by a physician certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Any additional recommended testing — as well as annual exams, blood work and blood pressure — will go through the member’s medical insurance and local care team.
The main reason for this shift in protocol was low participation rates among local members. When past screenings were hosted in person at the local union halls, it was up to the member to attend during a specific time over a two-day period. Anyone who couldn’t make it for any reason would not have another chance until the next screening came around in five years, said Jeff Bradley, SMOHIT program administrator.
“We had very, very low participation. We hope, with this new model, we see participation rates increase to at least 20% or more,” Bradley said.
For additional information on the health screenings, or to fill out an eligibility form, visit the health screenings page on SMOHIT’s website.