Enrollment

When Coverage Begins and Ends
The Cost of Benefits
Making Changes

Enrollment

PLEASE NOTE: UNUM CANCELLED THE GROUP LONG TERM CARE PLAN ON MARCH 31, 2018

When you are first eligible to enroll as an active employee, you can enroll for coverage without evidence of insurability. After the initial 31-day enrollment period, you can apply for coverage during the regular Open Enrollment, although evidence of insurability (proof of good health) is required.

Eligible dependents may be enrolled even if you are not enrolled. Your spouse/domestic partner can apply for coverage during your initial eligibility or during a future Open Enrollment. Extended family members may apply anytime throughout the plan year. To request an enrollment packet, they should call UNUM Provident at 800-227-4165. If approved, UNUM will bill them directly.

The only other time you may make changes to your coverage is if you have a qualified status change as defined by the IRS. The following events qualify as a change in your status:

Marriage, divorce, or legal separation
Formation or dissolution of a domestic partnership
Birth or legal adoption of a child
Death of a spouse/domestic partner or child
A change in your or your spouse's employment, resulting in a loss of coverage
A reduction or increase in the hours of employment

Evidence of insurability will be required for all dependent coverage.

To enroll yourself, your spouse/domestic partner, or your children, complete the Long Term Care Insurance Enrollment Form. Each family member must complete an enrollment form and an evidence of insurability (proof of good health) form and be approved by UNUM.

Under California law, you are entitled to examine a copy of the policy during regular office hours at the policyholder's place of business. You have a 30-day right to examine the policy. If, after examining the policy, you are not satisfied for any reason, you may withdraw your enrollment in this plan within 30 days of the date coverage begins. The policy, together with a written request for withdrawal from the plan, must be sent to the Benefits Department.

When Coverage Begins and Ends

If you apply for coverage within the initial enrollment period, your coverage will begin at 12:01 a.m. on the later of:

The policy effective date, or
The first day of the month coinciding with or next following the month you apply for coverage.

If you apply for coverage after your initial enrollment period, it will begin at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the month in which the insurance company approves your application.

For your eligible dependents who apply for coverage, it will begin at 12:01 a.m. on the later of:

The policy effective date (if the insurance company approves the application on or before that date), or
The first day of the month coinciding with or next following the month in which the insurance company approves the application.

Your coverage will end on the earliest of these dates:

The date your total benefit payment equals your lifetime maximum benefit
The date the policy ends
The date you are no longer an active employee with the policyholder
The date you no longer work for the policyholder
The end of the period for which premiums were last paid to the insurance company for your coverage
The date you die

The Cost of Benefits

When you enroll in the Long Term Care Plan, you are required to make regular, semi-monthly premium contributions. These are made in the form of after-tax payroll deductions for you and your spouse/domestic partner. Extended family members will be billed separately, and must make premium payments directly to the insurance company.

Your cost is based on your age, the plan you elect, and the additional features you choose at the time coverage is effective. Calculate your cost at Unum's website using their long term care calculator.

Your premiums do not increase unless you increase your benefit coverage at a later date or if the plan is amended for everyone in an eligible class.

Making Changes

You can elect increased coverage under the Long Term Care Plan during each Open Enrollment and choose one or more of the buy up options. You may also switch from one LTC plan to another, for example, from the Low Option to the High Option during Open Enrollment. Your new premium will be based on your age at the time of the increase.

You may also lower your premium by reducing the level of coverage, or discontinuing home care coverage, at any time after your first year of participation in the plan.

You can apply for a change in coverage by filling out a new Long Term Care Insurance Enrollment Form (and an evidence of insurability (proof of good health) form if you are applying for an increase). The new coverage will take effect on the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the month in which the insurance company approves your forms.

The only time you may change your coverage outside of your initial eligibility or during Open Enrollment is if you experience a "status change." The following events qualify as a change in your status:

Marriage, divorce, or legal separation
Formation or dissolution of a domestic partnership
Birth or legal adoption of a child
Death of a spouse/domestic partner or child
A change in your employment status such that you are no longer regularly scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week

If you experience a status change, you may enroll in, make changes to, or drop existing Long Term Care coverage. You must notify the Benefits Department within 31 days of the event, and you must go through the normal insurance company requirements (such as providing evidence of insurability for first-time enrollments).