Plan changes effective March 1, 2011:
One-Time Open Enrollment
Beginning January 28
th, 2011 through February 28th, 2011, the WSCFF Life & Disability program will hold a one-time open enrollment. This will allow members who are not currently on the plan an opportunity to have coverage without going through any medical underwriting.*A pre-existing condition is a mental or physical condition whether diagnosed or misdiagnosed for which you have consulted a physician, received medical treatment/services for, undergone diagnostic procedures (including self-administered), or taken prescribed drugs, in the 6-month period prior to the effective date of your insurance. You are not covered for advisability caused or contributed to by a pre-existing condition until you have been insured under the Policy for 24 months and have been Actively at Work for at least one full day after that 24 months.
Mandatory Participation
Effective March 1
st, 2011, the WSCFF Life & Disability program will require 100% mandatory participation. This decision has been made due to rising difficulties in administering a contributory plan. The 100% participation requirement will apply newly eligible members and any new Locals added to the WSCFF program. Currently eligible members who are not enrolled in the plan would not be required to enroll. The mandatory participation requirement applies only to new members.LTD - LEOFF Integration
Because the plan now includes mandatory participation, we are pleased to announce that we have negotiated a 24-month LEOFF Integration provision with Standard Insurance. Currently, members who are receiving Standard disability payment sand then begin receiving their LEOFF pension encounter a dollar for dollar offset with their Standard benefit. In other words their LEOFF disability payment reduces the Standard Insurance benefit dollar for dollar.
Beginning on March 1, 2011, the Standard benefit will integrate with LEOFF retirement benefits for the first 24 months a member is collecting both benefits. During these 24 months, the LTD benefit plus LEOFF retirement benefit would be capped at 100% of pre-disability earnings. The overage would be considered deductible income. After 24 months, LEOFF retirement benefits would return to a dollar for dollar offset.
Below is an example of how the LEOFF offset currently works, and how it will change:
Current Example: Member has pre-disability salary of $5,000 and receives Standard Insurance benefit of 60% or $3,000.Then, member begins receiving their LEOFF benefit which is also 60% of their salary or $3,000. The Standard would deduct the LEOFF payment from the Standard benefit, which equals $0 so member would only receive the minimum monthly benefit from Standard or $100.
Effective 3/1/2011: Member has pre-disability salary of $5,000 and receives Standard Insurance benefit of 60% or $3,000.Then member begins receiving their LEOFF benefit which is also 60% of their salary or $3,000. The Standard would only deduct the amount of the LEOFF payment which, when combined with the Standard benefit, exceeds 100% of pre-disability salary. Therefore, this member would receive $3,000 from LEOFF and $2,000 from Standard Insurance.
This is a one-time offer and will not occur on an annual basis and does not apply to the additional life coverage. The open enrollment will accommodate all eligible members, including those who previously declined coverage. While medical underwriting will be waived, anyone opting to apply as part of the open enrollment would be subject to a 6/24 pre-existing condition limitation*. Newly eligible members would still only be subject to the normal 3/24 pre-existing condition limitation.
Hey Brothers and Sisters,
We have been waiting for this open enrollment period, so we could sign you up. Because we offered the insurance in Wichita once before and the group rejected it, you were not eligible. Under this Open Enrollment you will have a one time opportunity to sign up. The dues increase will be one hour pay plus $18.00, so your overall dues will consist of 3 hours pay plus $20.00.
Don't pass up this opportunity, it really is a good deal.
Celeste Peabody
***NOTICE - Important Information regarding your WSCFF Life & Disability Plan***
