26 Preferred Provider Organization The Plan contracts with Cigna Healthcare (Cigna) for access to a nationwide preferred provider network (PPO). If you utilize services provided by physicians, other health care professionals, hospitals, or other health care facilities in the Cigna Open Access Plus PPO Network (OAP) this will result in less cost to you and the Plan. Cigna participating providers have agreed, by contract, to accept payments from the Plan for services and benefits at discounted levels negotiated by Cigna. When you are seeking services from a pro vider, please present your medical ID card at each visit. The card identifies you as a Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP) network participant, and gives the participating provider necessary billing information for purposes of submitting your claims. Note: you are not required to use an OAP provider. It is your choice. However, the Plan will not cover any services obtained outside the OAP network except as specifically noted . Participating providers in the Cigna OAP Network include physicians, hospitals, other health care professionals, and other health care facilities. To find parti cipating providers in the Cigna OAP network, please access the Plan’s website at www.iambtf.org , or register on Cigna’s website at www.mycigna.com . You also may get OAP provider information by calling the toll - free number shown on the back of your identification card, 800 - 244 - 6224 or 800 - Cigna 24. We recommend that you confirm a provider’s current par ticipation in the OAP network by calling Cigna directly before treatment. If y ou would like a paper directory of providers, please contact Cigna at the number on your medical identification card to request a copy for your zip code area. If you need assista nce, please contact the Fund Office at 202 - 785 - 8148 or 800 - 457 - 3481. Applicability of In - Network Benefits You must utilize a Cigna Open Access Plus network provider to obtain in - network benefits with the accompanying financial advantages. The followi ng are exceptions to this rule: Emergency Medical Care Whenever possible, you should request treatment from Open Access Plus providers. However, benefits will be provided at the in - network level for all medically necessary Emergency Services associated with true medical Emergencies that are received in the Emergency Room of both in - network and out - of - network hospitals (even if out - of - network services are not otherwise covered) . C harges for use of an out - of - network Emergency Room for services that are not true med ical Emergencies will be subject to denial by the Plan. If You’re Not Able to Access an In - Network Provider Except where benefits are specifically limited to in - network providers, if there are no Cigna Open Access Plus providers within a 25 - mile radius of your home, benefits will be provided at the in - network level for any c overed provider that is located with in the 25 - mile radius of your home , regardless of network participation of the provider. Outside the 25 - mile radius surrounding your home, the normal in - network and out - of - network rules will apply based on the provider’s network status . You may want to inquire of the provider’s status before obtaining services outside the 25 - mile radius, because services obtained from an o ut - of - network provider will not be covered by the Plan. Hospital Assigned Services Whenever possible, you should advise your hospital and your attending physician or Allied Health Professional of your need to use Open Access Plus providers for all referral services. However, if you rece ive services from a Cigna Open Access Plus participating hospital, and the hospital makes a referral to a non - participating provider, benefits for covered services will be provided at the in - network level.