The eligibility and enrollment rules for the U
The eligibility and enrollment rules for the U
The eligibility and enrollment rules for the U
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Retiree Health Care SPD Effective January 1, 2012<br />
Although domestic partners <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> domestic partner’s dependent(s) are not entitled to<br />
continuation coverage under <strong>the</strong> provisions of COBRA, under certain circumstances as described<br />
below, health care coverage may be continued <strong>for</strong> your domestic partner <strong>and</strong>/or your domestic<br />
partner’s dependent(s).<br />
Review this SPD <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> documents governing <strong>the</strong> plan about <strong>the</strong> <strong>rules</strong> that apply to your<br />
dependent’s COBRA continuation rights.<br />
Restrictions<br />
Your spouse, domestic partner <strong>and</strong> dependents can continue only <strong>the</strong> coverage <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
enrolled in prior to becoming eligible <strong>for</strong> COBRA. In some cases, <strong>the</strong> same options <strong>and</strong> levels of<br />
coverage will be offered. However, if <strong>the</strong>y were enrolled in an option that has a service area <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>y no longer reside in that service area, ano<strong>the</strong>r option will be offered based on <strong>the</strong>ir new<br />
address. In o<strong>the</strong>r cases, <strong>the</strong> same options are not available so ano<strong>the</strong>r option would be offered.<br />
Although you can decrease coverage under COBRA, you are not allowed to increase coverage<br />
unless you have newly eligible dependents. You must call <strong>the</strong> U.S. Bank Employee Service<br />
Center at 1-800-806-7009 <strong>and</strong> complete <strong>the</strong> <strong>enrollment</strong> process within 60 days of <strong>the</strong> qualifying<br />
event (birth, marriage, etc.). Your COBRA in<strong>for</strong>mation will tell you how to add new dependents.<br />
Your benefit changes will be effective on <strong>the</strong> first day of <strong>the</strong> month following <strong>the</strong> date you make<br />
your election, with two exceptions: (1) if you make your election on <strong>the</strong> first day of <strong>the</strong> month,<br />
your coverage becomes effective on that day; <strong>and</strong> (2) if you are adding a newborn or newly<br />
adopted child (or a child placed with you <strong>for</strong> adoption), health coverage <strong>for</strong> that dependent, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>for</strong> any o<strong>the</strong>r dependent you add due to that event, will be retroactive to <strong>the</strong> date of <strong>the</strong> event.<br />
(See <strong>the</strong> section “Eligibility <strong>and</strong> Enrollment” in this SPD <strong>for</strong> a description of eligible<br />
dependents.)<br />
Qualifying Events — Length of Coverage<br />
Coverage can be continued <strong>for</strong> up to a total of 36 months. Your eligible dependents can choose<br />
to continue coverage if it would o<strong>the</strong>rwise end because of any of <strong>the</strong>se events:<br />
• <strong>for</strong> dependent children if you die <strong>and</strong> your spouse is not covered by <strong>the</strong> Program;<br />
• your divorce or legal separation;<br />
• termination of domestic partnership (in this even, dependents of your domestic partner also<br />
would lose coverage <strong>and</strong> be eligible to continue coverage;<br />
• change in a dependent's status (<strong>for</strong> example, a dependent reaches age 26, or is no longer<br />
considered an eligible dependent under <strong>the</strong> Program) ; or<br />
• U.S. Bank’s commencement of a bankruptcy, under Title 11, United States Code.<br />
Electing Continued Coverage<br />
If your dependents become eligible <strong>for</strong> continued coverage because of your death, <strong>the</strong>y will be<br />
notified of <strong>the</strong>ir COBRA options within 44 days from <strong>the</strong> date <strong>the</strong>ir coverage ends. <strong>The</strong> notice<br />
will indicate <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>for</strong> continued coverage.<br />
If continuation is a result of divorce, legal separation, termination of domestic partnership or<br />
change in dependent status, your dependents must call <strong>the</strong> U.S. Bank Employee Service Center<br />
within 60 days from <strong>the</strong> date of <strong>the</strong> event to qualify <strong>for</strong> continued coverage. <strong>The</strong> COBRA<br />
Administrator will <strong>the</strong>n provide <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>ms needed to elect continued coverage. If your<br />
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