Benefits Administration Manual Training Benefits Program Analyst Monica

Benefits Administration Manual Training Benefits Program Analyst Monica Hernandez (916) 324 -0533 (855)238 -3276 Fax monica. hernandez@calhr. ca. gov

Introduction We will go over the following programs: • Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance • Group Term Life Insurance • Long Term Disability

Eligibility These programs are for designated excluded employees. Please visit the BAM section for each program to find more information on eligibility.

COMMON CARRIER TRAVEL and ACCIDENT INSURANCE Section 801. 1

801. 1 General Information A state-paid benefit provided for managers, supervisors, confidential, and other specified excluded employees that are required to travel on state business away from the premises where he/she is permanently assigned. STARR Indemnity & Liability is the current carrier for this program.

801. 2 Eligibility Employees designated managerial, supervisory, confidential, and other specified excluded employees. Please visit the BAM Section for more information.

801. 5 Level of Coverage Eligible employees are covered up to $150, 000 for accidental death and dismemberment. If an insured employee suffers more than one loss as a result of an injury and the loss occurred within one year after the date of the accident, only the larger of the sums will be paid.

801. 6 Exclusions Benefits will not be paid for a loss that is caused by or results from: • Intentionally self-inflicted injuries • Suicide or any attempted threat More information found in the BAM.

801. 7 Enrollment is automatic, once the employee’s PAR has been keyed and the information has been submitted to State Controller’s Office. The effective date of coverage is the date the employee is appointed to an eligible classification.

801. 8 Beneficiary Designation Benefits payable under this program will be paid according to the standard order of beneficiary. For additional information please contact: Department of General Services Office of Insurance and Risk Management (ORIM) (916) 376 -5278

Reporting a Covered Loss Department personnel offices are responsible for immediately reporting the death or a covered loss of an insured employee to: Department of General Services Office of Insurance and Risk Management (ORIM) (916) 376 -5278

For more information Review BAM Section 801. 1 Common Carrier Travel & Accident Insurance http: //www. calhr. ca. gov/state-hr-professionals Contact DGS, Office of Risk Management (ORIM) (916) 376 -5278 Cal. HR (916) 324 -0533

BASIC GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE Section 801

801 General Information A state-paid benefit provided for managers, supervisors, confidential, and other eligible excluded employees. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Met. Life) is the carrier for this program.

802 Eligibility Is designated managerial, supervisory, confidential, and other eligible excluded employees. More information on the eligibility criteria is listed in the BAM.

803 Level of Coverage Managers: $50, 000 policy with Accidental Death and Dismemberment Supervisors, Confidential, and Specified Excluded: $25, 000 policy with Accidental Death and Dismemberment

804 Enrollment is automatic, once the employee’s PAR has been keyed and the information has been submitted to The State Controller’s Office. To be effective the 1 st of the following month, the PAR must be keyed by the 10 th of the month.

Age 70 The policy for active enrolled excluded employees, when they reach age 70, their employer-paid life insurance premium and benefit will be reduced by 50% on January 1 of the following year. $50, 000 will reduce to $25, 000 will reduce to $12, 500

805 Supplemental Coverage Employees may elect coverage amounts in increments of $10, 000 up to eight (8) times their basic annual earnings, not to exceed $750, 000, whichever is less. Monthly premiums are based on an employee’s age and are adjusted annually on January 1 of each contract year.

805 Continuation of Supplemental Coverage Employees can also purchase dependent coverage for their spouse or registered domestic partner and unmarried dependent child(ren) up to age 23, at a flat monthly rate based on employee’s age Eligible dependent child(ren) from birth to six months are insured in the amount of $750.

Purchasing Supplemental Insurance Employees interested in purchasing supplemental life insurance coverage should contact: Met. Life (800) 252 -8524 An administrative fee of 50 cents is added to supplemental.

Cancellation of Supplemental Coverage Employees may cancel their supplemental coverage at any time by submitting a written request to: Met. Life Attn: Group Policy #74503 425 Market Street, Ste. 970 San Francisco, CA 94105

806 Accelerated Benefit Option Allows an employee who suffers from a terminal illness to receive partial payment of the insurance benefit prior to death. Employees should contact: Met. Life (800) 252 -8524

807 Assignment Eligible employees are able to assign their Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Policy. Employees should contact: Met. Life (800) 252 -8524

808 Beneficiary Designation Benefits payable under this program are paid according to the standard order of beneficiary that the employee filed with Met. Life. If no beneficiary is on file, then benefits will be paid to the standard order of beneficiary.

Beneficiary Form Need a beneficiary form? Contact Met. Life at (800) 252 -8524 Visit website https: //www. metlife. com/soc

809 Reporting a Death Department personnel offices are responsible for immediately reporting the death of a covered employee. Met. Life (800) 252 -8524 Or Cal. HR (916) 324 -0533

810 Involuntary Re-designation Upon an employee’s involuntary change from an excluded designation to a represented designation, the employing department must pay for 12 months of basic life insurance premiums in the amount of: $100. 20 for managerial coverage of $50, 000 $52. 80 for supervisory/confidential of $25, 000

810 Involuntary Re-designation continued Submit a cover memo and mail check to Met. Life Attn: State of California Policy Administrator Policy #74503 425 Market Street, Suite 970 San Francisco, CA 94105

810 Leave of Absence/Disability Department personnel offices are responsible to provide information to employees who will be going out on a leave of absence or disability. It is the employees responsibility to contact Met. Life, 30 days prior or within 30 days of their leave of absence, should they want to continue coverage.

810 Separation Department personnel offices are responsible for providing information to employees, upon separation. Employees have 30 days to convert the basic and/or supplemental insurance to an individual plan. Employee must contact: Met. Life (800) 252 -8524

810 Retirement Department personnel offices are responsible for providing information to retiring employees. Employees who wish to continue their basic and/or supplemental life insurance coverage into retirement, must contact Met. Life 30 days prior or within 30 days of retirement. Met. Life (800) 252 -8524

For more information Review BAM Section 801 Basic Group Term Life Insurance www. calhr. ca. gov/state-hr-professionals Contact Cal. HR Benefits Division (916) 324 -0533 Contact Met. Life (800) 252 -8524 www. metlife. com/soc/index. html

LONG TERM DISBILITY (LTD) SECTION 901

901 General Information This benefit is intended to provide income protection in the event an employee becomes disabled due to an illness or injury and is unable to work for six months or longer. The Standard Insurance is the carrier for this program.

902 Eligibility Employees designated managerial, supervisory, confidential, and eligible excluded employees. Limited Term appointments who otherwise meet this eligibility criteria may enroll in LTD only if they have a mandatory right of return to a position and status that also meets this criteria.

902 Eligibility Continuation Permanent Intermittent employees are not eligible. If an employee has a reduction in time base/salary, it is the employee’s responsibility to submit a new form to reduce monthly premiums. Please visit the BAM Section for eligibility information.

904 Level of Benefits The program offers two monthly benefit plan options: 55% of the first $18, 182 or 65% of the first $15, 385 of the employee’s pre-disability earnings (monthly base salary), reduced by other deductible income benefits.

905 Disability Claim Elimination Period All claimants must complete an elimination period, which is the first six months of disability. The employee must be under the continuous care of a physician during the elimination period.

905 Disability Claim Elimination Continued During the elimination period, the employee is responsible for paying the monthly LTD premiums directly to Standard Insurance. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the department personnel office to inform the employee to pay the premium when the deductions is not paid from the pay warrant.

906 Pre-Existing Limitations There are pre-existing limitations. Please use the BAM for details. Standard Insurance will determine this on a case by case situation.

911 Annual Premium Update On January 1 of each year, an annual age/salary update is conducted for all enrolled employees in the LTD Program. Therefore, the LTD premium will change, for employees who move into a different age bracket or who has a salary change in the previous year.

912 Enrollment Newly eligible employees have 60 days from date of eligibility to enroll. The department personnel office is responsible to notify and provide the LTD form to their newly eligible employees.

912 Open Enrollment It is the department personnel office’s responsibility to notify their eligible employees of open enrollment. Which is conducted annually April 1 -30.

913 Ordering Forms Cal. HR does not maintain a supply of forms for distribution to departments. You can order supplies by contacting Standard Insurance (855) 641 -7193 Emailing: socltdforms@standard. com Website: www. standard. com/mybenefits/california

915 Claims Process/Procedures It is the department personnel office’s responsibility to notify Cal. HR when the enrolled employee files a worker’s compensation claim or before the 6 month elimination period is completed. Cal. HR, Benefits Division; LTD Program (916) 324 -0533

915 Waiver of Premiums During the 6 month waiting period, employees must continue to pay their LTD premiums. If the claim is approved, the premium deduction will be administratively cancelled by Cal. HR. Upon return to work (if still eligible) the employee must re-enroll. Department personnel offices are responsible to notify employee.

916 Loss of Eligibility Transfer to Rank and File • Employee may enroll in the 24 month direct pay program. Separation/Leave of Absence • Employee has 30 days to convert their group LTD coverage to a limited individual disability plan.

916 Loss of Eligibility Continued Retirement • There is NO conversion privilege when the employee retires. It is the department personnel office’s responsibility to provide this information to the employee.

917 Changing Plan Categories Employees who change categories from • Miscellaneous/Non-Safety to • Peace Officer/Firefighter/Safety/Non-OASDI or • Vice versa need to complete another enrollment form and check the box “Changing Plan Option” and submit to their personnel office.

918 Cancellation of Coverage Employees may cancel LTD coverage at any time. By completing an LTD Enrollment form, indicating “cancellation” of coverage and submitting to their personnel office.

918 Cancellation of Coverage Submit a written request to: State Controller’s Office Attn: Miscellaneous Deductions Unit 300 Capitol Mall, 10 th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814

For more information… Review Bam Section 901 Long Term Disability www. calhr. ca. gov/state-hr-professionals Standard Insurance (888) 641 -7193 www. standard. com/mybenefits/california Cal. HR (916) 324 -0533