Dear Member:

We are pleased to announce enrollment of the IUOE Local 399 endorsed Voluntary Group Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance program administered by Group Benefit Associates and insured by MetLife. Local 399 has a long-term business relationship with Group Benefit Associates and we are confident this voluntary program offers a good option for disability income at a reasonable cost.

This program provides the ability for you to meet your financial commitments to both you and your family in the event of disability of a non-work related illness or injury. Disability insurance allows you to protect your income if an illness or injury prevents you from performing your job. If your wages are your primary source of income, this benefit will help supplement the financial commitments you have to yourself and your family.

There are Two Optional Plans: (Both may be purchased.)

Short Term Plan - $250/week tax-free after 14 days of being unable to work due to a non-work related accident, injury, or illness up to a total of 26 weeks. This supplements the $250/week disability income benefit already in place if you are covered by Local 399´s Health & Welfare Plan.

Long Term Plan - After 180 days, the plan provides 60% of your income up to $4500 per month tax-free for an additional 5 years. This plan is intended for those members who have no other disability insurance.

You may enroll in the Short Term Disability plan, the Long Term Disability plan or both.

This is not a benefit derived from any collective bargaining agreement, any of our existing Local 399 plans or any employer sponsored plans.

This is strictly a voluntary program to our Local 399 members. The program is administered by Group Benefit Associates (GBA) and MetLife, not Local 399.

Fraternally,

Patrick J. Kelly
President & Business Manager
(effective February 1, 2021)

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399 has partnered with Group Benefit Associates (GBA) to administer the group voluntary disability insurance. This insurance gives you the ability to meet your financial commitments in the event of a non-work related illness/injury. A non-work related injury/illness refers to an injury or illness that did not arise out of, or in the course of the workers employment and therefore not covered by workers compensation. Some examples of non-work related illness and injury may include heart attack, cutting yourself in the kitchen, sports injury, and pregnancy.

Some Questions to Think About

• Could you afford to take a six-month vacation? If you can’t, do you think you could afford living through a six-month illness or injury?

• How would you and your family pay your bills without your income?

• How long would your savings last if you were unable to work because of an illness or accident and your income stopped?

• If you were sick or injured in an accident today, would your family’s standard of living be affected?

• What impact would a long-term illness or injury have on your ability to save for retirement?

Group Benefit Associates has teamed together with MetLife to bring you this program. MetLife is the insurance carrier for the policy and processes all claims and Group Benefit Associates is the third-party administrator responsible for premium collection and remittance.

Short Term Disability (STD)

• Benefit Begins: 15th day non-occupational accidental injury, 15th day non-occupational sickness or pregnancy.
• Benefit Amount: $250 per week
• Benefit Period: 24 weeks

During the first 12 months of coverage, no benefits will be paid for a disability that is due to a pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition is an injury or sickness for which you received medical treatment, consultation, diagnostic measures, prescribed drugs or medicines, or for which you followed treatment recommendations during the three months prior to your effective date of coverage. This provision also applies if you did not consult a physician when an ordinarily prudent person would have. Exclusions may vary by state.

Long Term Disability (LTD)

• Benefit Begins: 180 days following non-occupational accidental injury, sickness or pregnancy
• Benefit Amount: 60% of monthly covered earnings
• Maximum Benefit: $4,500 per month less deductible sources of income and disability earnings.
• Minimum Benefit: $100 per month
• Benefit Period: Up to 5 years
• Limited Pay Periods:Disabilities due to mental illness and disabilities primarily based on self-reported symptoms are limited to 24 months of benefits during your lifetime.

Short-Term Disability (STD)

• For STD benefit of $250 per week, the monthly premium is $15.25.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

Long Term Disability premiums are based on your age and wage rate. To calculate your LTD premium, enter your Birthdate and Wage Rate below. If you want to do a manual calculation, see the infomation at the bottom of this page.

**Please note that if you fall into a new age bracket as indicated above, your premium will increase. You will also experience a premium change if you have experienced a change in your pay rate.

Cancellation Requests: Cancellation requests must be received in writing by mail, fax, or e-mail. Cancellations will become effective on the last day of the month in which they are received.

Premium Waived if Disabled: Premium will not need to be paid if you are receiving benefits. Please contact us within 30 days of your disability so that we may waive your premium while you are not working.

Premium Payments: Your initial premium due will be collected within 5 business days of your enrollment. Subsequent premiums will be collected automatically from a Visa, MasterCard or direct debit from a checking account on the 15th of each month. If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the charge will occur on the next business day.

LTD Manual Calculation

Please follow the steps below to manually calculate your LTD monthly premium:

*If your monthly earnings exceed $7,500 (maximum monthly covered earnings) then use $7,500 as your monthly earnings to calculate your premium.

 

LTD Rates per $100 of pre-disability earnings:

Documents

• Summary of Benefits
• Late Applicant Enrollment Form
• New Member Enrollment Form

Claim Forms

• Short Term Disability Claim Form
• Long Term Disability Claim Form

The disability income insurance claim form is composed of three separate sections that need to be completed by you, your physician and your employer.

• Employee Section: Please be sure to complete this part clearly and sign where indicated.
• Physician Section: Please have the physician that disabled you complete this part. If you have seen additional physicians, please also include their names, addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers on a separate sheet of paper.
• Employer Section: Even though your policy is purchased through the union, your benefit is based on the income you receive from your particular employer. Your employer assumes no liability or responsibility for your claim by completing this form for you.

Failure to provide proper information and documentation will delay your claim so it is very important the claim form is complete and clear. Once complete, forward the form to our office by mail or fax.

How Your Claim Will Be Handled:

Once received by Group Benefit Associates, we will begin waiving your premium as of the date of your disability. The processing of your claim will be handled by MetLife and therefore you may inquire with them regarding the status of your claim. Please note that Group Benefit Associates does not have access to information regarding claims determination or benefit payments.

MetLife Claims Customer Support:

Telephone 888-444-1433

Fax 800-230-9531

Premium billing questions are handled by Group Benefit Associates at 800-450-1271.