Line Construction Benefit Fund
LINECo
COBRAWhat is COBRA?I am getting divorced. Is my former spouse entitled to self-pay coverage on her own? My child will soon turn age 19 and is not a full time student—can my child be eligible for COBRA? How long can I have COBRA coverage? What type of coverage is available under COBRA? How do I submit my COBRA self payment? What are the COBRA rates? Are the self payment rates going to change every year? Is there a separate Retiree Plan? What are "Short hours self-payments"? QUESTION: What is COBRA? ANSWER: Under the COBRA coverage provision, qualifying individuals can make self-payments for continued coverage (called COBRA coverage) if coverage terminates due to a reduction in your hours, termination of your employment (including retirement), your death, your divorce or legal separation, or if a child ceases to meet the definition of a dependent. Please call the Fund office to notify Lineco immediately of a dependent qualifying event or to elect COBRA coverage. Notices are sent automatically to employees who have lost eligibility for a lack of hours. For more information on COBRA, please refer to the Benefit Summary Tab or the SPD. QUESTION: I am getting divorced. Is my former spouse entitled to self-pay coverage on her own? ANSWER: Yes, ex-spouses can be entitled to COBRA coverage if the Plan is notified within 60 days of divorce/legal separation. Please contact the Fund office immediately if you become legally separated, divorced or have a stepchild no longer living in your household.
QUESTION: My child will soon turn age 19 and is not a full time student—can my child be eligible for COBRA? ANSWER: Yes, a child's failure to meet the Plan's definition of a dependent can entitle them for COBRA coverage.
QUESTION: How long can I have COBRA coverage? ANSWER: Normal COBRA coverage is for up to 18 months (36 months for ex-dependents) if your coverage terminates due to a reduction in your hours or termination of your employment (including retirement).
QUESTION: What type of coverage is available under COBRA? ANSWER: There are 3 choices of plans: Medical only; Medical/ Dental/Vision; or Medical/Dental/ Vision/Life. For Utility members there are 2 choices of Plans: Medical only or Medical/Dental/Vision.
QUESTION: How do I submit my COBRA self payment? ANSWER: Once you elect COBRA, coupons will be mailed to you with instructions and due dates. Please contact the Fund Office with any questions.
QUESTION: What are the COBRA rates? ANSWER: The COBRA Rates are as follows:
QUESTION: Are the self payment rates going to change every year? ANSWER: The self payments rates are reviewed yearly by the Board of Trustees.
QUESTION: Is there a separate Retiree Plan? ANSWER: Yes, there is a Retiree Plan. It is separate from COBRA coverage, and the two are mutually exclusive. Please refer to the Benefit Summary Tab or the SPD for more details.
QUESTION: What are "Short hours self-payments"? ANSWER: Short Hours self-payments are a separate offering of up to 6 months continuation of coverage for employees who do not have sufficient hours in a particular eligibility month. For some employees it may be cheaper to make a Short Hours self payment than to make a COBRA self payment; you can choose which is best for you. A letter is sent to those who may be eligible explaining the rules for Short Hours self payments along with the COBRA notice.
| ||||||||||||||||