Health Plan special enrollment opportunity

9/24/2010 5:32:12 PM

Summary ... A special enrollment period ending Oct. 25 is available to newly qualified dependent children under 26 and certain participants.

Full story … Children of participants who newly qualify as a dependent following a recent Health Plan change may be added as dependent children to participants’ AFTRA Health Plan coverage during a 30-day special enrollment period. This special enrollment period begins Sept. 25, 2010 and ends Oct. 25, 2010. Such coverage will be effective Dec. 1, 2010.

In addition, qualified performers who are not currently enrolled in the Health Plan – and who have a child who newly meets the definition of “dependent,” as a result of the Plan change described above – may enroll in the AFTRA Health Plan during this special enrollment period effective as of Dec. 1, 2010, but only if the performer is otherwise qualified to enroll in the AFTRA Health Plan on Dec. 1, 2010 and both the performer and his or her newly qualified adult dependent child enrolls in coverage; additional dependents (other than those who newly meet the definition of “dependent” as a result of the Plan change) may not enroll during the special enrollment period.

Coverage for all participants and/or newly qualified dependent children who enroll during the special enrollment period will be effective Dec. 1, 2010 (subject to payment of the required premiums by the due date) and will continue through the end of the participant’s current Coverage Period. AFTRA H&R has mailed a separate notice to all affected enrolled participants and qualified performers with newly qualified adult child dependents concerning this special enrollment period, as well as instructions as to how to enroll.

After turning age 26

On the last day of the calendar quarter in which a dependent child reaches age 26, the child’s coverage under the AFTRA Health Plan will end. However, the child may be eligible to continue AFTRA Health Plan coverage under terms of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for up to 36 months by paying the required COBRA premium in-full and on time.Visit www.aftrahr.com (“Health Fund” | “Premiums and buy-up rates”) for current COBRA premiums and additional information, including the SPD’s provisions on COBRA.

Additional resources and information
For additional information, please refer to the September 2010 Benefits Update, which is being mailed to all Health Plan participants in late September 2010. If you have additional questions about this or any other issue, please call Participant Services at (800) 562-4690.