Last day to enroll in long term care insurance without answering health questions
The initial enrollment period for Purdue's new long term care (LTC) insurance benefit ends today (April 30).
Most employees who enroll by today are guaranteed to be accepted for long term care insurance, regardless of their health status. After today, anyone wishing to apply for LTC insurance will need to undergo the full underwriting process. Underwriting is the insurance industry's process for determining whether to provide insurance to someone who has applied for coverage.
"Because of this golden opportunity to get long term care insurance regardless of your health status, employees who are sitting on the fence about coverage may want to enroll today, and then take advantage of the 30-day free look," says Brent Bowditch, director of compensation and benefits in Human Resources.
Those enrolling in long term care insurance will have 30 days from the date their certificate arrives in the mail to further consider their decision to participate. If they decide not to participate, they may cancel their coverage during the 30-day period and receive a full refund of any premium they have paid.
Employees who meet the following qualifications will be accepted for long term care insurance coverage during this initial enrollment period:
* Ages 18-79.
* Actively at work in a benefits-eligible Purdue position for 30 days prior to the coverage effective date.
* Have a Social Security number.
* Maintain a permanent U.S. residence.
Spouses and same-sex domestic partners ages 18-65 may apply for coverage through today by completing a short-form underwriting application. Many additional individuals, including employees age 80 and older and family members and retirees up to age 79, may apply for coverage subject to full underwriting.
Simple plan design with options for flexibility
Those who decide to enroll in long term care insurance will make the following choices:
* Monthly benefit level ($3,000, $4,500, $6,000 or $7,500).
* Number of years of benefit coverage (three years or five years).
* Inflation protection option.
Premiums will be based on the covered person's age at the time coverage begins and on the options selected.
Long term care insurance provides coverage when a person needs substantial assistance with two or more "activities of daily living" or ADLs. These include things such as eating, dressing and moving from a bed to a chair. The person may receive care in his or her own home or at a facility, such as an assisted living residence or a nursing home.
The following resources are available:
* Genworth website: www.genworth.com/groupltc (group ID = Purdue, access code = groupltc)
Includes user-friendly online enrollment, plus tools to weigh costs and options.
* Genworth phone assistance: 800-416-3624
Provides customer service staff to answer questions. Also, those who don't want to enroll online may call this number to request a paper enrollment application.
* Purdue Benefits website: www.purdue.edu/benefits
Offers information about options and who's eligible for coverage. Also provides the full meeting and webinar schedule and frequently asked questions.
* Human Resource Service Center: 49-42222 or hr@purdue.edu.
