PEBB Long Term
Disability Plan
377661-B
SI 22516 (8/22)
Revised January 1, 2023
377661-B
STANDARD INSURANCE COMPANY
A Stock Life Insurance Company
900 SW Fifth Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97204-1282
(503) 321-7000
CERTIFICATE
GROUP LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
Policyholder:
Washington State Health Care Authority
Policy Number: 377661-B
Effective Date:
July 1, 1992 and as amended
A Group Policy has been issued to the Policyholder. We certify that you will be insured as
provided by the terms of the Group Policy. If your coverage is changed by an amendment
to the Group Policy, we will provide the Policyholder with a revised Certificate or other
notice to be given to you.
Possession of this Certificate does not necessarily mean you are insured. You are insured
only if you meet the requirements set out in this Certificate.
"We", "us" and "our" mean Standard Insurance Company. "You" and "your" mean the
Member. All other defined terms appear with the initial letter capitalized. Section
headings, and references to them, appear in boldface type.
GC190-LTD
377661-B
SI 22516 (8/22)
Table of Contents
COVERAGE OUTLINE .................................................................................................. 1
GENERAL POLICY
INFORMATION
...................................................................... 1
BECOMING INSURED ...................................................................................... 1
SCHEDULE OF
INSURANCE
.............................................................................. 2
DISABILITY
PROVISIONS
...................................................................................
4
DEDUCTIBLE INCOME ..................................................................................... 4
OTHER
PROVISIONS
.........................................................................................
5
PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS ............................................................................. 5
INSURING
CLAUSE
...................................................................................................... 6
DEFINITION OF
DISABILITY
......................................................................................... 6
RETURN TO WORK
INCENTIVE
.................................................................................... 6
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EXPENSE BENEFIT ................................................ 7
REHABILITATION PLAN PROVISION ............................................................................ 7
TEMPORARY RECOVERY ............................................................................................ 7
WHEN LTD BENEFITS END ......................................................................................... 8
PREDISABILITY EARNINGS ......................................................................................... 8
DEDUCTIBLE INCOME ................................................................................................ 9
EXCEPTIONS TO DEDUCTIBLE INCOME ................................................................... 10
RULES FOR DEDUCTIBLE INCOME .......................................................................... 11
RETIREMENT PLAN OFFSET (RPO) ............................................................................ 11
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT BENEFIT ................................................................. 13
HIGHER EDUCATION RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS BENEFIT (PLAN D) ................. 13
SURVIVORS BENEFIT ............................................................................................... 14
WAIVER OF PREMIUM .............................................................................................. 14
BENEFITS AFTER INSURANCE ENDS OR IS
CHANGED
.............................................. 14
EFFECT OF NEW DISABILITY .................................................................................... 15
EXCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................ 15
LIMITATIONS............................................................................................................. 16
CLAIMS ..................................................................................................................... 17
TIME LIMITS ON LEGAL ACTIONS ............................................................................. 18
INCONTESTABILITY
PROVISIONS
............................................................................... 18
CONTINUITY OF
COVERAGE
...................................................................................... 19
WHEN YOUR INSURANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE .....................................................
19
ACTIVE WORK PROVISIONS ...................................................................................... 20
WHEN YOUR INSURANCE ENDS ...............................................................................
21
REINSTATEMENT OF INSURANCE ............................................................................. 21
DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................ 23
Index of Defined Terms
Active Work, Actively at Work, 20
Allowable Period, 8
Any Occupation Definition of Disability,
6
Any Occupation Income Level, 4
Any Occupation Period, 4
Benefit Waiting Period, 3, 23
COLA Factor, 13
CPI-W, 23
Deductible Income, 9
Disability, 6
Disabled, 6
Domestic Partner, 24
Eligibility Waiting Period, 23
Employer(s), 1
Evidence of Insurability, 23
Fractionated Period Of Paid Time Off, 4
Group Policy, 23
Group Policy Effective Date, 1
Group Policy Number, 1
Hospital, 17
Indexed Predisability Earnings, 23
Injury, 23
LTD Benefit, 23
Material Duties, 6
Maximum Benefit Period, 4, 23
Maximum LTD Benefit, 2
Mental Disorder, 17
Minimum LTD Benefit, 2
Own Occupation, 6
Own Occupation Definition Of
Disability, 6
Own Occupation Income Level, 4
Own Occupation Period, 4
Partial Disability, 6
Physician, 23
Policyholder, 1
Predisability Earnings, 8
Preexisting Condition, 15, 16
Pregnancy, 24
Prior Plan, 24
Proof Of Loss, 17
PTO Plan, 4
Qualifying Years Of Disability, 3
Reasonable Accommodation Expense
Benefit, 7
Rehabilitation Plan, 7
Return To Work Incentive, 7
Salary Continuation Offset, 4
Sickness, 24
Social Security Normal Retirement Age
(SSNRA), 4
Spouse, 24
Temporary Recovery, 7
War, 15
Work Earnings, 7
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COVERAGE OUTLINE
This section contains many of the features of your long term disability (LTD) insurance. Other
provisions, including exclusions, limitations, and Deductible Income, appear in other sections. Please
refer to the text of each section for full details. The Table of Contents and the Index of Defined Terms
help locate sections and definitions.
GENERAL POLICY INFORMATION
Group Policy Number: 377661-B
Policyholder: Washington State Health Care Authority
Employer(s): See Definitions
Group Policy Effective Date: July 1, 1992
State of Issue: Washington
BECOMING INSURED
To become insured you must: (a) Be a Member; and (b) Meet the requirements in Active Work
Provisions and When Your Insurance Becomes Effective.
You are a member if you are an employee who meets eligibility criteria established by the Policyholder,
consistent with applicable state statutes, regulations and PEBB rules. Your employing agency will
determine whether you are eligible for benefits upon employment or change in status. You may request
eligibility information from your personnel, payroll or benefits offices, including the Member definition
and any waiting period for your insurance to become effective.
An employee will not cease to be a Member solely due to a reduction in workhours under the State of
Washington's mandated Furlough program (from June 28, 2020, through the date the program ends or
December 31, 2020, whichever is later as directed by the Washington State Health Care Authority.)
Evidence of Insurability requirements and decisions to approve or decline satisfactory Evidence of
Insurability are made by Standard Insurance Company.
Definition of Member for:
Employer-Paid
Insurance and
Employee-Paid LTD
Insurance
State agency employees eligible for PEBB benefits and employer group
employees as described in the employer group’s contract with the Health
Care Authority, with the exception of the following employees who are
eligible for Employer-Paid Insurance only:
• Seasonal employees who work a season of less than 9 months
months
• Port Commissioners
Retirement
Supplement
Members enrolled in Employee-Paid LTD Insurance and not eligible to be
covered under the higher education retirement plan.
Higher Education
Retirement Plan
Contribution Benefit
Members enrolled in Employee-Paid LTD Insurance and eligible to be
covered under the higher education retirement plan.
Persons not eligible for
any plan
Persons not eligible for an Employer contribution under the policy
established by the Public Employees Benefits Board Program.
Evidence Of Insurability Required for:
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a. Insurance under the Default Plan, if you Declined
Insurance under the Default Plan and later apply for the
Default Plan more than 31 days after you became
eligible.
b. Insurance under the Buy Down Plan, if you Declined
Insurance under the Default Plan and Buy Down Plan
and later apply for the Buy Down Plan more than 31
days after you became eligible.
c. Reinstatements when applicable for Employee-Paid
Insurance. See the Reinstatement Of Insurance
section for additional information.
SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE
Your Employer will automatically enroll you for the Default Plan. Premiums will be deducted
from your earnings and remitted to us. At any time you may elect to not participate by Declining
Insurance under the Default Plan.
If you Decline Insurance under the Default Plan, you may instead be insured under the Buy Down
Plan. The Buy Down Plan requires premium contributions from you.
If you also Decline Insurance under the Buy Down Plan, you will automatically be insured for
Employer-Paid Insurance. Your Employer will pay premium for Employer-Paid Insurance.
You will automatically be insured under Employer-Paid Insurance if you Decline Insurance under
the Default Plan and Buy Down Plan.
Your Employer will pay premium for the first $400 of Predisability Earnings while you are insured
under the Default Plan or Buy Down.
Amount of Benefit:
Employer-Paid:
LTD Benefit: 60% of
the first
$400
of your
Predisability Earnings,
reduced by Deductible Income.
Maximum: $240 before reduction by Deductible Income.
Minimum: $100 or 10% of your LTD Benefit before reduction by
Deductible Income, whichever is greater.
Employee-Paid:
LTD Benefit
- Default Plan (60% coverage): 60% of the first $16,667 of your Predisability Earnings,
reduced by Deductible Income.
- Buy Down Plan (50% coverage): 50% of the first $16,667 of your Predisability Earnings,
reduced by Deductible Income.
Maximum:
- Default Plan: $10,000 before reduction by Deductible Income.
- Buy Down Plan: $8,333 before reduction by Deductible Income.
Minimum: $100 or 10% of your LTD Benefit before reduction by
Deductible Income, whichever is greater.
Retirement Supplement Benefit
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For a PERS 1 Member with at least
5 years of employment with the
Employer and whose disability
qualifies under PERS
as a duty disability: 1% of the first $10,000 of your Predisability Earnings times
the Qualifying Years Of Disability, not to exceed 30% of the
first $10,000 of your Predisability Earnings.
For any other Member with at least
5 years of employment with the
Employer who is covered under
any plan sponsored by the Employer
except a higher education
retirement plan: 2% of the first $10,000 of your Predisability Earnings times
the Qualifying Years Of Disability, not to exceed 60% of the
first $10,000 of your Predisability Earnings.
For a Member with less
than 5 years of employment
with the Employer: None
However, no benefit will be payable if the monthly benefit amount would be less than $100 or
10% of your LTD Benefit before reduction by Deductible Income, whichever is greater.
Retirement Supplement Benefits are not payable until after serving the Retirement Supplement
Deferment Period, which is the scheduled Maximum Benefit Period for LTD Benefits when you
become Disabled. No Retirement Supplement Benefits will be payable during any period that
LTD Benefits are payable.
Qualifying Years Of Disability means the number of years, including fractional parts (complete
calendar months) of any year, for which Employee-Paid LTD Benefits were paid.
After the Retirement Supplement Deferment Period has been served, Retirement Supplement
Benefits are payable for your lifetime.
Higher Education Retirement Plan
Contribution Benefit: The amount payable on your behalf is the sum of:
1. The contribution you were required to make to your
Employer’s mandatory higher education retirement
plan as of the date you became disabled, and
2. The contribution made by your Employer to its
mandatory higher education retirement plan.
In no case will the benefit exceed 15% of the first $10,000
of your monthly Predisability Earnings.
The amount payable is in addition to any Employee-Paid
LTD Benefits payable. No Higher Education Retirement
Plan Contribution Benefit is payable if no Employee-Paid
LTD Benefits are payable.
Benefit Waiting Period:
LTD Benefits: The longest of the following:
a) 90 days;
b) The entire period of sick leave (excluding shared leave)
for which the employee is eligible;
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c) The Fractionated Period of Paid Time Off (PTO) for
which the employee is eligible, if your Employer has a
PTO Plan, as those terms are defined in the policy;
d) The entire period of other non-vacation salaried
continuation leave for which the employee is eligible; or
e) The end of Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
Law for which the employee is receiving benefits.
PTO Plan means an arrangement that provides paid time off benefits under a single type of leave
for all purposes.
Fractionated Period Of Paid Time Off means 50% paid time off available to you under a PTO Plan.
Maximum Benefit Period:
LTD Benefits: Determined by your age when Disability begins, as follows:
Age Maximum Benefit Period
61 or younger .................................. To age 65, or to SSNRA, or 3 years 6 months, whichever is
longest.
62 ................................................... To SSNRA, or 3 years 6 months, whichever is longer.
63 ................................................... To SSNRA, or 3 years, whichever is longer.
64 ................................................... To SSNRA, or 2 years 6 months, whichever is longer.
65 ................................................... 2 years
66 ................................................... 1 year 9 months
67 ................................................... 1 year 6 months
68 ................................................... 1 year 3 months
69 or older ...................................... 1 year
Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA) means your normal retirement age under the
Federal Social Security Act, as amended.
Retirement Supplement Benefit: To the date of your death. The Maximum Benefit Period
begins at the end of the Retirement Supplement Deferment
Period.
Higher Education Retirement Plan
Contribution Benefit: Your Maximum Benefit Period for LTD Benefits.
DISABILITY PROVISIONS
Own Occupation Period: The first 24 months for which LTD Benefits are paid.
Any Occupation Period: From the end of the Own Occupation Period to the end of
the Maximum Benefit Period.
Partial Disability: Covered
Own Occupation Income Level: 80% of your Indexed Predisability Earnings.
Any Occupation Income Level: 60% of your Indexed Predisability Earnings.
See Definition of Disability for more information.
DEDUCTIBLE INCOME
Social Security Offset: Full offset
Salary Continuation Offset: See Deductible Income.
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See Deductible Income for this and other Deductible Income.
OTHER PROVISIONS
Survivors Benefit Amount: A lump sum equal to 3 times your monthly LTD Benefit
without reduction by Deductible Income.
COLA Benefit: Yes, the Group Policy contains a cost of living adjustment
provision.
Continuity of Coverage: Yes
Predisability Earnings based on: Earnings in effect on your last full day of Active Work.
PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS
Employer-Paid Insurance: Contributions from Members for insurance are not required
except while on approved educational leave or USERRA
leave (leave for service in the uniformed services as defined
in the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act).
Employee-Paid Insurance: Contributions from Members are required.
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INSURING CLAUSE
If you become Disabled while insured under the Group Policy, we will pay LTD Benefits according to the
terms of the Group Policy after we receive satisfactory Proof Of Loss.
LT.IC.01
DEFINITION OF DISABILITY
You are Disabled if you meet one of the following definitions:
A. Own Occupation Definition Of Disability
During the Benefit Waiting Period and the first 24 months for which LTD Benefits are paid (Own
Occupation Period), you are required to be Disabled only from your Own Occupation.
You are Disabled from your Own Occupation if, as a result of Sickness, Injury or Pregnancy, you are
unable to perform with reasonable continuity the Material Duties of your Own Occupation.
B. Any Occupation Definition Of Disability
From the end of the Own Occupation Period to the end of the Maximum Benefit Period (Any
Occupation Period), you are required to be Disabled from all occupations.
You are Disabled from all occupations if, as a result of Sickness, Injury or Pregnancy, you are unable
to perform with reasonable continuity the Material Duties of any gainful occupation for which you
are reasonably able through education, training, and experience
C. Partial Disability Definition
1. During the Benefit Waiting Period and the Own Occupation Period, you are Partially Disabled if
you are working in your Own Occupation but, as a result of Sickness, Injury or Pregnancy, you
are unable to earn more than the Own Occupation Income Level (80% of Indexed Predisability
Earnings).
2. During the Any Occupation Period, you are Partially Disabled if you are working in an occupation
but, as a result of Sickness, Injury or Pregnancy, you are unable to earn more than the Any
Occupation Income Level (60% of Indexed Predisability Earnings) in that occupation and in all
other occupations for which you are reasonably suited under the Any Occupation Definition of
Disability.
You may work in another occupation while you meet the Own Occupation Definition of Disability. If you
are Disabled from your Own Occupation, there is no limit on your Work Earnings in another occupation.
Your Work Earnings may be Deductible Income. See Return To Work Incentive and Deductible
Income.
Own Occupation means any employment, business, trade, profession, calling or vocation that involves
Material Duties of the same general character as your regular and ordinary employment with your
Employer. Your Own Occupation is not limited to your job with your Employer.
Material Duties means the essential tasks, functions and operations, and the skills, abilities, knowledge,
training and experience, generally required by employers from those engaged in a particular occupation.
LT.DD.01X
RETURN TO WORK INCENTIVE
A. During The Benefit Waiting Period
You may serve your Benefit Waiting Period while working, if you meet either the Own Occupation
Definition of Disability or the Partial Disability Definition.
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B. After The Benefit Waiting Period
You are eligible for the Return to Work Incentive on the first day you work after the Benefit Waiting
Period if LTD Benefits are payable on that date. The Return To Work Incentive changes 12 months
after that date, as follows:
1. During the first 12 months, your Work Earnings will be Deductible Income as determined below:
a. Determine the amount of your LTD Benefit as if there were no Deductible Income, and add
your Work Earnings to that amount.
b. Determine 100% of your Indexed Predisability Earnings.
c. If a. is greater than b., the difference will be Deductible Income.
2. After those first 12 months, one half of your Work Earnings will be Deductible Income.
Work Earnings means your gross monthly earnings from work you perform while Disabled, including
earnings from your Employer, any other employer, or self-employment.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EXPENSE BENEFIT
LT.RW.01
If you return to work in any occupation for any employer, not including self-employment, as a result of
a reasonable accommodation made by such employer, we will pay that employer a Reasonable
Accommodation Expense Benefit of up to $25,000, but not to exceed the expenses incurred.
The Reasonable Accommodation Expense Benefit is payable only if the reasonable accommodation is
approved by us in writing prior to its implementation.
REHABILITATION PLAN PROVISION
While you are Disabled you may qualify to participate in a Rehabilitation Plan. Rehabilitation Plan
means a written plan, program or course of vocational training or education that is intended to prepare
you to return to work.
To participate in a Rehabilitation Plan you must apply on our forms or in a letter to us. The terms,
conditions and objectives of the plan must be accepted by you and approved by us in advance. We have
the sole discretion to approve your Rehabilitation Plan.
While you are participating in an approved Rehabilitation Plan, your LTD Benefit will be increased by
10% of your Predisability Earnings. Your LTD Benefit may not exceed the Maximum LTD Benefit shown
in the Coverage Outline as a result of this increase.
An approved Rehabilitation Plan may include our payment of some or all of the expenses you incur in
connection with the plan, including:
a. Training and education expenses.
b. Family care expenses.
c. Job-related expenses.
d. Job search expenses.
TEMPORARY RECOVERY
You may temporarily recover from your Disability, and then become Disabled again from the same cause
or causes, without having to serve a new Benefit Waiting Period. Temporary Recovery means you cease
to be Disabled for no longer than the applicable Allowable Period.
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A. Allowable Periods
1. During the Benefit Waiting Period: a total of 90 days of recovery.
2. During the Maximum Benefit Period: 180 days for each period of recovery.
B. Effect Of Temporary Recovery
If your Temporary Recovery does not exceed the Allowable Periods, 1 through 5 below will apply.
1. The Predisability Earnings used to determine your LTD Benefit will not change.
2. The period of Temporary Recovery will not count toward your Benefit Waiting Period, your
Maximum Benefit Period or your Own Occupation Period.
3. No LTD Benefits will be payable for the period of Temporary Recovery.
4. No LTD Benefits will be payable after benefits become payable to you under any other group long
term disability insurance policy under which you become insured during your period of Temporary
Recovery.
5. Except as stated above, the provisions of the Group Policy will be applied as if there had been no
interruption of your Disability.
LT.TR.06
WHEN LTD BENEFITS END
Your LTD Benefits end automatically on the earliest of 1 through 4 below.
1. The date you are no longer Disabled.
2. The date your Maximum Benefit Period ends.
3. The date you die.
4. The date benefits become payable under any other group long term disability insurance policy under
which you become insured during a period of Temporary Recovery.
PREDISABILITY EARNINGS
LT.BE.01
Your Predisability Earnings will be based on your earnings in effect on your last full day of Active Work
unless a different date applies (see the Coverage Outline). Any subsequent change in your earnings
will not affect your Predisability Earnings.
For employees whose work hours are reduced due to the State of Washington's mandated furlough
program: Your Predisability Earnings will be based on your monthly base rate of pay that would have
been in effect on your last full day of Active Work if your work hours had not been reduced under the
Furlough program. Any subsequent change in your base rate of pay after your last full day of Active
Work will not affect your Predisability Earnings.
Predisability Earnings means your monthly rate of earnings from your Employer, including:
1. Contributions you make through a salary reduction agreement with your Employer to:
a. An Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 401(k), 403(b), or 457 deferred compensation
arrangement; or
b. An executive nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement.
2. Amounts contributed to your fringe benefits according to a salary reduction agreement under
an IRC Section 125 plan.
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3. Any public funds paid to you as a grant, subsidy or contract for a research project or other work
you perform.
Predisability Earnings does not include:
1. Bonuses.
2. Shift differential pay.
3. Standby pay.
4. Commissions.
5. Optional stipends.
6. Overtime pay.
7. Your Employer's contributions on your behalf to any deferred compensation arrangement or
pension plan.
8. Any other extra compensation.
If you are paid on an annual contract basis or have an understanding of continued full-time
employment, your monthly rate of earnings is one-twelfth (1/12th) of your annual salary (including
position stipends).
If you are a full-time hourly paid Member, your monthly rate of earnings is your hourly pay rate
multiplied by the number of hours you are regularly scheduled to work per month, but not more
than 173 hours.
If you are a part-time faculty Member, your monthly rate of earnings is your average monthly
earnings during the preceding 12 calendar months (or during the period of your employment as a
part-time Member if less than 12 months).
If you are any other salaried part-time Member or full-time Member, your monthly rate of earnings
is your monthly wage or salary (including position stipends) times the number of months you are
regularly scheduled to work per year, divided by 12.
If you are any other hourly paid part-time Member or an intermittent Member, your monthly rate of
earnings is your current hourly pay rate times the average number of hours per month for which
you were compensated by the Employer during the previous 12 months (or during the period of your
coverage under the Group Policy if less than 12 months).
If you are a commissioner of a P.U.D., your monthly rate of earnings is 1/12th of your annual
compensation (including your percentage of P.U.D. revenue).
LT.PD.06X
DEDUCTIBLE INCOME
Subject to Exceptions To Deductible Income, Deductible Income means:
1. The following amounts you receive from your Employer:
a. If your Employer does not have a PTO Plan, any sick pay, shared leave, annual or personal leave
pay, severance pay, or non-vacation salary continuation, including donated amounts;
b. If your Employer has a PTO Plan, your Fractionated Period Of Paid Time Off.
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2. Your Work Earnings, as described in the Return To Work Incentive.
3. Any amount you receive or are eligible to receive because of your disability under any workers'
compensation law or similar law, including amounts for partial or total disability, whether
permanent, temporary, or vocational.
4. Any amount you, your Spouse, or your children under age 18 receive or are eligible to receive because
of your disability or retirement under:
a. The Federal Social Security Act;
b. The Canada Pension Plan;
c. The Quebec Pension Plan; or
d. Any similar plan or act.
Both the primary benefit (the benefit awarded to you) and dependents benefits are Deductible
Income. Benefits your Spouse or children receive or are eligible to receive because of your disability
are Deductible Income regardless of marital status, custody, or place of residence.
5. Any amount you receive or are eligible to receive because of your disability under any state disability
income benefit law or similar law.
6. Amounts you receive or are eligible to receive because of your disability under any other group
disability insurance coverage, as determined below:
a. Determine the amount of your LTD Benefit as if there were no Deductible Income, and add your
group disability insurance benefits to that amount.
b. Determine 60% of the first $10,000 of your total monthly earnings from all employment plus
40% of the remainder of your total monthly earnings from all employment.
c. If a. is greater than b., the difference will be Deductible Income.
7. Your Deductible Income from your Employer's retirement plan, as described in the Retirement Plan
Offset (RPO) section.
8. Any amount you receive by compromise, settlement, or other method as a result of a claim for any
of the above, whether disputed or undisputed.
9. Any long term disability benefits paid to you under the SEBB Policy issued by us.
LT.DI.02X
EXCEPTIONS TO DEDUCTIBLE INCOME
Deductible Income does not include:
1. Any cost of living increase in any Deductible Income other than Work Earnings, if the increase
becomes effective while you are Disabled and while you are eligible for the Deductible Income.
2. Reimbursement for hospital, medical, or surgical expense.
3. Reasonable attorneys fees incurred in connection with a claim for Deductible Income.
4. Benefits from any individual disability insurance policy.
5. Early retirement benefits under the Federal Social Security Act which are not actually received.
6. Group credit or mortgage disability insurance benefits.
7. Accelerated benefits paid under a life insurance policy.
8. Benefits from a through h below:
a. Profit sharing plan.
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b. Thrift or savings plan.
c. Deferred compensation plan.
d. Plan under IRC Section 401(k) or 457.
e. Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
f. Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) under IRC Section 403(b).
g. Stock ownership plan.
h. Keogh (HR-10) plan.
9. Vacation pay (annual leave).
10. Military retirement or disability benefits.
RULES FOR DEDUCTIBLE INCOME
A. Monthly Equivalents
LT.ED.02X
Each month we will determine your LTD Benefit using the Deductible Income for the same monthly
period, even if you actually receive the Deductible Income in another month.
If you are paid Deductible Income in a lump sum or by a method other than monthly, we will
determine your LTD Benefit using a prorated amount. We will use the period of time to which the
Deductible Income applies. If no period of time is stated, we will use a reasonable one.
B. Your Duty To Pursue Deductible Income
You must pursue Deductible Income for which you may be eligible. We may ask for written
documentation of your pursuit of Deductible Income. You must provide it within 60 days after we
mail you our request. Otherwise, we may reduce your LTD Benefits by the amount we estimate you
would be eligible to receive upon proper pursuit of the Deductible Income.
C. Pending Deductible Income
We will not deduct pending Deductible Income until it becomes payable. You must notify us of the
amount of the Deductible Income when it is approved. You must repay us for the resulting
overpayment of your claim.
D. Overpayment Of Claim
We will notify you of the amount of any overpayment of your claim under any group disability
insurance policy issued by us. You must immediately repay us. You will not receive any LTD
Benefits until we have been repaid in full. In the meantime, any LTD Benefits paid, including the
Minimum LTD Benefit, will be applied to reduce the amount of the overpayment. We may charge
you interest at the legal rate for any overpayment which is not repaid within 30 days after we first
mail you notice of the amount of the overpayment.
A. Deductible Income
RETIREMENT PLAN OFFSET (RPO)
LT.RU.01X
Subject to the RPO Exceptions and in accordance with the RPO Rules below, Your Deductible Income
from your Employer's retirement plan will be determined as follows:
1. If you receive a benefit, refund, withdrawal, or distribution from your Employer's retirement plan,
your Deductible Income will be the amount you receive.
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2. If you do not receive a benefit, refund, withdrawal, or distribution from your Employer's
retirement plan, your Deductible Income will be:
a. the retirement income benefit option that comes closest to providing you a monthly income
for life with no survivor's benefit, which
b. you are eligible to receive, or would have been eligible to receive had timely application been
made.
Your Employer's retirement plan includes any retirement plan established, maintained or
participated in by your Employer and to which you or your Employer make contributions, including
a public employee retirement system, a state teacher retirement system, and a plan arranged and
maintained by a union or employee association for the benefit of its members.
B. RPO Exceptions
Deductible Income from your Employer's retirement plan does not include the amounts below.
1. The portion of any service retirement benefit you receive which is attributable to your
contributions to the plan.
2. Any service retirement benefit you are eligible to receive before age 62 (or normal retirement age
under the plan if later), but which you do not receive before such age.
3. Any lump sum refund, withdrawal or distribution of your contributions and earnings you receive
because you are not vested under the plan.
4. A lump sum payment or monthly annuity from a state teachers retirement system or public
employees retirement system if the Department of Retirement Systems offered you a choice
between a lump sum actuarially equivalent payment and the ongoing monthly payment.
5. PERS 2 and PERS 3 disability retirement benefits for which you are eligible, but you elect not to
receive.
C. RPO Rules.
1. You will be considered eligible to receive disability benefits from your Employer's retirement plan
unless you provide satisfactory written proof that you made timely application for such benefits
and were denied or that a timely application would have been denied if you had applied.
2. If we cannot determine from your Employer's retirement plan the amount of disability benefit or
retirement benefit you are or would have been eligible to receive, we will determine your
Deductible Income using a lifetime monthly annuity amount, with no survivor income. The
annuity will be based on total plan contributions made by you or on your behalf, including your
Employer's contributions and roll-over contributions, plus earnings, and on the life expectancy
of a person your age on the following dates:
a. With respect to a disability benefit, the date you first become eligible for a disability benefit;
b. With respect to a retirement benefit, the date you first become eligible for a retirement benefit;
c. The date LTD Benefits become payable, if we cannot determine the date in a or b.
3. If you receive a lump sum refund, withdrawal or distribution of contributions and earnings from
your Employer's retirement plan, we will determine your Deductible Income using a lifetime
monthly annuity amount, with no survivor income. The annuity will be based on the amount
you receive, and on the life expectancy of a person your age on the later of:
a. The date the lump sum is paid; and
b. The date LTD Benefits become payable.
LT.RO.01X
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A. Eligibility
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT BENEFIT
You are eligible for a COLA Benefit if, on each March 1, you have received Employee-Paid LTD
Benefits for at least 3 of the preceding 12 months.
If you have not received Employee-Paid LTD Benefits for at least 3 of the 12 months preceding March
1, you are eligible for COLA Benefits on the following March 1, provided you have received Employee-
Paid LTD Benefits for at least 3 of the 12 months preceding such March 1.
B. COLA Benefit Rules
1. Your LTD Benefits becoming payable after you are eligible for a COLA Benefit are increased by
the COLA Factor in effect for the current year.
2. A new COLA Factor is determined each March 1.
3. Your first COLA Factor is equal to 1.00 plus one-half the rate of increase in the CPI-W for the
prior calendar year.
4. Each following COLA Factor is equal to 1.00 plus one-half the rate of increase in the CPI-W for
the prior calendar year, times the previous COLA Factor.
5. The maximum increase that we will use is 6%.
6. The Minimum LTD Benefit is not adjusted by the COLA Factor.
7. Your COLA Factor will not decrease, even if the CPI-W decreases.
8. The COLA Benefit does not apply to Retirement Supplement or Higher Education Retirement
Contributions Benefit.
LT.CA.01X
HIGHER EDUCATION RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS BENEFIT (PLAN D)
The Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit provides a monthly retirement contributions
benefit while Employee-Paid LTD Benefits are payable, subject to the following provisions:
A. Payment of Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit
The Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit will be paid to your Employer’s higher
education retirement plan to which you participate, on your behalf.
The Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit becomes payable on the later of:
1. The date Employee-Paid LTD Benefits become payable; or
2. The date you first would have been required to participate under your Employer’s higher
education retirement plan.
B. Amount of Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit
The Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit is shown in the Schedule of Insurance,
subject to any limitations on the amount of the contribution imposed by the Internal Revenue Code,
ERISA, or any other federal or state laws.
If you return to work for your Employer, the Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit will
be reduced by the amount of any employee/Employer contributions transmitted to any one of your
Employer’s higher education retirement plans, annuity, savings and deferred compensation plans
on your behalf.
C. When Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefits End
Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefits end on the earlier of the following dates:
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1. The date Employee-Paid LTD Benefits cease to be payable.
2. The date the Employer’s higher education retirement plan in which you participate terminates
or may no longer accept the Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit on your behalf.
D. Other Provisions
1. We may terminate or change the amount of your Higher Education Retirement Contributions
Benefit at the Policyholder’s request when necessary to comply with the Internal Revenue Code,
ERISA, or any other federal or state laws.
2. If the Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit is not accepted by your Employer’s
mandatory higher education retirement plan, no further Higher Education Retirement
Contributions Benefits will be payable. Any Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefits
not accepted by your Employer’s mandatory higher education retirement plan are required to be
returned to Standard Insurance Company.
3. If the Member directs contributions to more than one retirement fund or account the Member
must designate in writing one fund or account to receive all benefits payable under this provision.
In the absence of such written designation, we, at our sole discretion will determine to which
fund or account the Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit will be payable.
SURVIVORS BENEFIT
LT.PC.01X
If you die while LTD Benefits are payable, we will pay a Survivors Benefit according to 1 through 4 below.
1. The amount of the Survivors Benefit is shown in the Coverage Outline.
2. The Survivors Benefit will first be applied to reduce any overpayment of your claim.
3. The Survivors Benefit will be paid at our option to any one or more of the following:
a. Your surviving Spouse;
b. Your surviving children through the last day of the month of turning age 26;
c. Your child of any age with a developmental disability or physical disability who, prior to age
26, became:
i. Incapable of self-sustaining employment; and
ii. Is chiefly dependent upon you for support and maintenance; or
d. Any person providing the care and support of any of them.
4. If you are not survived by a Spouse or an eligible child, no Survivors Benefit will be paid.
WAIVER OF PREMIUM
Your insurance will continue without payment of premiums while:
1. LTD Benefits are payable; and
2. You are completing the Benefit Waiting Period, provided you are not in pay status.
LT.SB.01X
BENEFITS AFTER INSURANCE ENDS OR IS CHANGED
LT.WP.01X
Your right to receive LTD Benefits for a period of Disability which begins while you are insured will not
be affected by:
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1. Termination of the Group Policy after you become Disabled;
2. Termination of your insurance while the Group Policy remains in force; or
3. Any amendment to the Group Policy approved after the date you become Disabled.
LT.BA.01
EFFECT OF NEW DISABILITY
If a period of Disability is extended by a new cause while LTD Benefits are payable, LTD Benefits will
continue while you remain Disabled. However, 1 and 2 apply.
1. LTD Benefits will not continue beyond the end of the original Maximum Benefit Period.
2. All provisions of the Group Policy, including the Exclusions and Limitations sections, will apply to
the new cause of Disability.
A. War
EXCLUSIONS
LT.ND.01
You are not covered for a Disability caused or contributed to by War or any act of War. War means
declared or undeclared war, whether civil or international, and any substantial armed conflict
between organized forces of a military nature.
B. Intentionally Self-Inflicted Injury
You are not covered for a Disability caused or contributed to by an intentionally self-inflicted injury,
while sane or insane.
C. Preexisting Condition For Employer-Paid Insurance
This exclusion is waived for Members whose Evidence Of Insurability is approved by us.
1. Definition
Preexisting Condition means a mental or physical condition whether or not diagnosed or
misdiagnosed:
a. For which you have done any of the following:
i. Consulted a physician or other licensed medical professional;
ii. Received medical treatment, services or advice;
iii. Undergone diagnostic procedures, including self-administered procedures;
iv. Taken prescribed drugs or medications;
b. Which, as a result of any medical examination, including routine examination, was
discovered or suspected;
At any time during the 90-day period just before your insurance becomes effective under the
Group Policy.
2. Exclusion
You are not covered for a Disability caused or contributed to by a Preexisting Condition or
medical or surgical treatment of a Preexisting Condition unless, on the date you become
Disabled, you:
a. Have been continuously insured under the Group Policy for 12 months; and
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b. Have been Actively At Work for at least one full day after the end of that 12 months.
D. Preexisting Condition For Employee-Paid Insurance
This exclusion is waived for Members whose Evidence Of Insurability is approved by us.
A separate Preexisting Condition exclusion applies to the Default and Buy Down plans of Employee-
Paid Insurance. However, if you increase your Plan selection from the Employer-Paid to the Default
Plan or the Buy Down Plan, or from the Buy Down Plan to the Default Plan, and LTD benefits are
not payable under the new plan because of the Preexisting Condition exclusion, your claim will be
administered as if you had not changed Plans.
1. Definition
Preexisting Condition means a mental or physical condition whether or not diagnosed or
misdiagnosed:
a. For which you have done any of the following:
i. Consulted a physician or other licensed medical professional;
ii. Received medical treatment, services or advice;
iii. Undergone diagnostic procedures, including self-administered procedures;
iv. Taken prescribed drugs or medications;
b. Which, as a result of any medical examination, including routine examination, was
discovered or suspected;
With respect to the Buy Down Plan, at any time during the 90-day period just before your
insurance becomes effective under the Buy Down Plan;
With respect to the Default Plan, at any time during the 90-day period just before your insurance
under the Default Plan becomes effective.
2. Exclusion
With respect to insurance under the Buy Down Plan: You are not covered for a Disability caused
or contributed to by a Preexisting Condition or medical or surgical treatment of a Preexisting
Condition unless, on the date you become Disabled, you:
a. Have been continuously insured under the Buy Down Plan for 12 months; and
b. Have been Actively At Work for at least one full day after the end of that 12 months.
With respect to insurance under the Default Plan: You are not covered for a Disability caused or
contributed to by a Preexisting Condition or medical or surgical treatment of a Preexisting
Condition unless, on the date you become Disabled, you:
a. Have been continuously insured under the Default Plan for 12 months; and
b. Have been Actively At Work for at least one full day after the end of that 12 months.
LT.EX.01X
A. Care Of A Physician
LIMITATIONS
You must be under the ongoing care of a Physician during the Benefit Waiting Period. No LTD
Benefits will be paid for any period of Disability when you are not under the ongoing care of a
Physician.
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B. Mental Disorder
Payment of LTD Benefits is limited to 24 months for each period of Disability caused or contributed
to by a Mental Disorder. However, if you are confined in a Hospital at the end of the 24 months, this
limitation will not apply while you are continuously confined.
Mental Disorder means a mental, emotional, behavioral, or stress-related disorder.
Hospital means a legally operated hospital providing full-time medical care and treatment under the
direction of a full-time staff of licensed Physicians. Rest homes, nursing homes, convalescent homes,
homes for the aged, and facilities primarily affording custodial, educational, or rehabilitative care
are not Hospitals.
C. Rehabilitation
No LTD Benefits will be paid for any period of Disability when you are not participating in good faith
in a plan, program or course of medical treatment or vocational training or education approved by
us unless your Disability prevents you from participating.
A. Filing A Claim
CLAIMS
LT.LM.01
Claims should be filed on our forms. If you do not receive our forms within 15 days after you ask
for them, you may submit your claim in a letter to us. The letter should include the date disability
began, and the cause and nature of the disability.
B. Time Limits On Filing Proof Of Loss
You must give us Proof Of Loss within 90 days after the end of the Benefit Waiting Period. If you
cannot do so, you must give it to us as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than one year after
that 90 day period. If Proof Of Loss is filed outside these time limits, your claim will be denied.
These limits will not apply while you lack legal capacity to file claims.
C. Proof Of Loss
Proof Of Loss means satisfactory written proof that you are Disabled and entitled to LTD Benefits.
Proof Of Loss must be provided at your expense.
D. Documentation
At your expense, you must submit completed claims statements, your signed authorization for us to
obtain information, and any other items we may reasonably require in support of your claim. If you
do not provide the documentation within 60 days after we mail you our request, your claim may be
denied.
E. Investigation Of Claim
We may investigate your claim at any time.
At our expense, we may have you examined at reasonable intervals by specialists of our choice. We
may deny or suspend LTD Benefits if you fail to attend an examination or cooperate with the
examiner.
F. Time Of Payment
We will pay LTD Benefits within 60 days after you qualify and satisfy Proof Of Loss. LTD Benefits
will be paid to you at the end of each month you qualify for them. LTD Benefits remaining unpaid
at your death will be paid to the person(s) receiving the Survivor Benefit. If no Survivor Benefit is
paid, the unpaid LTD Benefits will be paid to your estate.
G. Notice Of Decision On Claim
You will receive a written decision on your claim within a reasonable time after we receive your claim.
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If you do not receive our decision within 90 days after we receive your claim, you will have an
immediate right to request a review as if your claim had been denied.
If we deny any part of your claim, you will receive a written notice of denial containing:
1. The reasons for our decision;
2. Reference to the parts of the Group Policy on which our decision is based;
3. A description of any additional information needed to support your claim; and
4. Information concerning your right to a review of our decision.
H. Review Procedure
You may request in writing a review of a denial of all or part of your claim within 60 days after you
receive notice of the denial.
When you request a review, you may send us written comments or other items to support your claim.
You may review any non-privileged information that relates to your request for review.
We will review your claim promptly after we receive your request. We will send you a notice of our
decision within 60 days after we receive your request, or within 120 days if special circumstances
require an extension. We will state the reasons for our decision and refer you to the relevant parts
of the Group Policy.
I. Assignment
The rights and benefits under the Group Policy are not assignable.
LT.CL.01X
TIME LIMITS ON LEGAL ACTIONS
No action at law or in equity may be brought until 60 days after you have given us Proof Of Loss. No
such action may be brought more than three years after the earlier of:
1. The date we receive Proof Of Loss; and
2. The end of the period within which Proof Of Loss is required to be given.
LT.TL.01
INCONTESTABILITY PROVISIONS
A. Incontestability Of Member's Insurance
Any statement you make to obtain insurance is a representation and not a warranty.
No misrepresentation by you will be used to reduce or deny your claim or contest the validity of your
insurance unless:
1. Your insurance would not have been approved if we had known the truth; and
2. We have given you a copy of a written instrument signed by you which contains your
misrepresentation.
After your insurance has been in effect for two years, we will not use a misrepresentation by you to
reduce or deny your claim, unless it was a fraudulent misrepresentation.
B. Incontestability Of Group Policy
Any statement made by the Policyholder or Employer to obtain the Group Policy is a representation
and not a warranty.
No misrepresentation by the Policyholder or Employer will be used to deny a claim or to deny the
validity of the Group Policy unless:
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1. The Group Policy would not have been issued if we had known the truth; and
2. We have given the Policyholder or Employer a copy of a written instrument signed by the
Policyholder or Employer which contains the misrepresentation.
The validity of the Group Policy will not be contested after it has been in force for two years, except
for nonpayment of premiums or fraudulent misrepresentations.
CONTINUITY OF COVERAGE
LT.IN.01
If you were insured under the Prior Plan on the day before the effective date of your Employer's coverage
under the Group Policy, you can become insured on the effective date of your Employer's coverage
without meeting the Active Work Requirement. See Active Work Provisions.
The LTD Benefit payable for a period of continuous Disability beginning before you meet the Active Work
Requirement will be:
1. The monthly benefit which would have been payable under the terms of the Prior Plan if it had
remained in force; reduced by
2. Any benefits payable under the Prior Plan.
LT.CC.10X
WHEN YOUR INSURANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE
Subject to the Active Work Provisions, your insurance becomes effective as follows:
A. Insurance Not Subject To Evidence of Insurability
The Coverage Outline states whether insurance is Contributory or Noncontributory.
1. Employee-Paid Insurance – Default Plan
Your Employer will automatically enroll you for the Default Plan. Premiums will be deducted
from your earnings and remitted to us.
At any time you may elect to not participate in coverage by Declining Insurance.
Insurance under the Default Plan becomes effective as follows, unless you Decline Insurance
within 31 days after the date you become eligible:
i. On the first day of the month following the date you become eligible; or
ii. On the first working day of the month, if you become eligible on the first working day of the
month; or
iii. Except that eligibility for employees of participating employer groups will be determined
based on the employer group’s contract with the HCA.
A Member who is insured under the Default Plan is also insured for the Retirement Supplement
Benefit or Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit, if eligible.
2. Employee-Paid Insurance – Buy Down Plan
If you Decline Insurance under the Default Plan, you may instead apply for insurance under the
Buy Down Plan.
You must apply in writing for the Buy Down Plan on the required form and agree to pay
premiums.
If you Decline Insurance under the Default Plan and elect the Buy Down Plan within 31 days
after the date you become eligible, insurance under the Buy Down Plan becomes effective as
follows:
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i. On the first day of the month following the date you become eligible; or
ii. On the first working day of the month, if you become eligible on the first working day of
the month; or
iii. Except that eligibility for employees of participating employer groups will be determined
based on the employer group’s contract with the HCA.
A Member who is insured under the Buy Down Plan is also insured for the Retirement
Supplement Benefit or Higher Education Retirement Contributions Benefit, if eligible.
3. Employer-Paid Insurance
If you Decline Insurance under the Default Plan and Buy Down Plan, your Employer-Paid
Insurance becomes effective as follows:
i. On the first day of the month following the date you become eligible; or
ii. On the first working day of the month, if you become eligible on the first working day of
the month; or
iii. Except that eligibility for employees of participating employer groups will be determined
based on the employer group’s contract with the HCA.
After your Employee-Paid Insurance becomes effective, at any time you may:
a) Decline Insurance under the Default Plan and elect the Buy Down Plan, or
b) Elect to reduce benefits to the Employer-Paid, by Declining Insurance under both the
Default Plan and Buy Down Plan.
The change in your insurance will take effect on the first day of the calendar month following
the date the required election is received by your Employer.
Evidence Of Insurability is required if you Decline Insurance and decide later you want to become
insured.
Decline(ing) Insurance means you provide the required form declining coverage to the Employer.
"Forms" or "form" means both paper forms and forms completed electronically as described in
PEBB Program rules.
B. Insurance Subject To Evidence Of Insurability
Insurance subject to Evidence Of Insurability becomes effective on the date we approve Evidence of
Insurability.
A. Active Work Requirement
ACTIVE WORK PROVISIONS
If you are incapable of Active Work because of Sickness, Injury or Pregnancy on the day before the
scheduled effective date of your Employee-Paid Insurance, your Employee-Paid Insurance will not
become effective until the day after you complete one full day of Active Work as an eligible Member.
Active Work and Actively at Work mean performing the material duties of your own occupation at
your Employer's usual place of business.
B. Changes In Insurance
This Active Work Requirement also applies to any increase in your insurance. However, if you return
to Active Work during a period of Disability or Temporary Recovery (see Temporary Recovery), you
will not qualify for any change in insurance caused by a change in:
1. The rate of earnings used to determine your Predisability Earnings; or
2. The terms of the Group Policy.
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C. Exception
The Active Work Requirement will not apply to you if:
1. You were absent from Active Work because of a regularly scheduled day off, holiday, or vacation
day;
2. You were Actively at Work on your last scheduled work day before the date of your absence; and
3. You were capable of Active Work on the day before the scheduled effective date of your insurance.
LT.AW.01X
WHEN YOUR INSURANCE ENDS
Your insurance ends automatically:
1. The last day of the month in which you no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the employer
contributions.
2. The last day of the month in which your employment relationship is terminated. As long as your
employer has no anticipation that you will be rehired, the employment relationship is terminated:
a. On the date specified in your letter of resignation; or
b. On the date specified in any contract or hire letter, or on the effective date of an employer-
initiated termination notice.
3. The last day of the month for which your employee premium was deducted if your agency deducted
your premium after you were no longer eligible for the employer contribution.
4. The date the Group Policy terminates.
5. The date the last period ends for which your Employer made a required premium contribution on
your behalf, if you are on a leave of absence without pay, on reduction in force status, or on reversion
status.
6. The date you become a full time member of the armed forces of any country, unless the insurer is
required to offer you continuation of your insurance by the Uniformed Service Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
7. The date you cease to be a Member. However, if you cease to be a Member because you are not
meeting the eligibility requirements for the employer contribution, your insurance will be continued
during the following periods:
a. While your Employer is paying you at least the same Predisability Earnings paid to you
immediately before you ceased to be a Member.
b. During the Benefit Waiting Period and while LTD Benefits are payable.
c. During the first 29 months of an agency approved educational leave of absence, if your status as
a Member terminates because of the leave of absence, subject to the following:
i. You must elect continuation coverage and agree to pay the required premiums.
ii. Your Employer must approve the leave of absence in writing.
iii. If your rate of pay during the leave is less than 50% of your Predisability Earnings in effect
prior to the leave, you must pay the entire cost of your insurance. Insurance ends
automatically on the date the last period ends for which you made a premium contribution.
If you become Disabled during the leave, the Benefit Waiting Period will not begin until your
scheduled date of return to work.
iv. If your rate of pay during the leave is 50% or more of your Predisability Earnings in effect
prior to the leave, the Employer will pay the cost of your Employer-Paid Insurance. If you
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become Disabled during the leave, the Benefit Waiting Period will begin on the date you
become Disabled.
v. Predisability Earnings will be your Predisability Earnings in effect immediately prior to the
leave of absence.
d. During a leave of absence if continuation of your insurance under the Group Policy is required
by the state-mandated family or medical leave act or law.
e. During the first 30 days of any other unpaid leave, provided you take the unpaid leave
immediately following the end of your annual paid leave, subject to the following:
i. If you become Disabled during the leave, the Benefit Waiting Period will not begin until the
scheduled date of return to work.
ii. Your Predisability Earnings will be based on your earnings in effect immediately prior to the
leave of absence.
For Employee-paid Insurance: During a leave of absence, including an approved USERRA leave of
absence, providing that you maintain your eligibility for your Employer-paid Insurance, the following
will apply:
a. During the first 90 days your insurance will be continued, and premium payments are waived
for Employee-paid Insurance. Premiums for your Employer-paid Insurance will continue to
be remitted on your behalf by your Employer.
b. Beginning on day 91, your insurance will continue providing premium payments are remitted
by you to your Employer.
REINSTATEMENT OF INSURANCE
If your insurance ends you may become insured again as a new Member. However, 1 through 5 below
will apply.
1. If your insurance ends because you fail to make a required premium contribution, you must provide
Evidence of Insurability to become insured again.
2. If you return to pay status after a period of non-pay status which is a result of termination of
employment, the Preexisting Condition Period and Exclusion Period will be based on the date you
become insured again.
3. If you return to pay status immediately after a period of non-pay status of 12 months or less which
is not a result of termination of employment, the Preexisting Condition Period and Exclusion Period
will be based on the date you became insured prior to the beginning of the period of non-pay status.
4. If your insurance ends because you are on a state-mandated family or medical leave of absence, and
you become a Member again immediately following the period allowed, your insurance will be
reinstated pursuant to the state-mandated family or medical leave act or law.
5. If your insurance ends due to your active military service, and you become a Member again
immediately following the period allowed, your insurance will be reinstated pursuant to the
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
6. If you were eligible to continue but did not continue Employee-Paid Insurance during a leave of
absence, you must provide Evidence Of Insurability to become insured again for Employee-Paid
Insurance.
7. Following a leave of absence, your Employee-Paid Insurance will be automatically reinstated effective
the first day of the month you are in pay status eight or more hours, or the first day of the month in
which the quarter or semester begins for faculty who regains eligibility, if:
i. You continued to self-pay for your Employee-Paid Insurance after losing eligibility for the
Employer contribution; or
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ii. You were not eligible to continue Employee-Paid Insurance after losing eligibility for the
Employer contribution.
8. When an employee who is called to active duty in the uniformed services under USERRA loses
eligibility for the employer contribution toward PEBB benefits, they regain eligibility for the employer
contribution toward PEBB benefits the day they return from active duty. Employer-Paid benefits will
begin the first day of the month in which they return from active duty.
DEFINITIONS
LT.RE.01X
Benefit Waiting Period means the period you must be continuously Disabled before LTD Benefits become
payable. No LTD Benefits are payable for the Benefit Waiting Period. See Coverage Outline.
CPI-W means the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers published by the
United States Department of Labor. If the CPI-W is discontinued or changed, we may use a comparable
index. Where required, we will obtain prior state approval of the new index.
Eligibility Waiting Period means the period you must be a Member before you become eligible for
insurance. See Coverage Outline.
Employee-Paid means the level of insurance coverage for which you pay all of the premium.
Employer means the State of Washington and any governmental subdivision obtaining employee benefits
through a contractual agreement with the Policyholder.
Employer-Paid means the level of insurance coverage for which the entire premium is paid by the
Employer, except for approved educational or USERRA leave.
Providing Evidence Of Insurability means you must:
1. Complete and sign our medical history statement;
2. Sign our form authorizing us to obtain information about your health;
3. Undergo a physical examination, if required by us, which may include blood testing; and
4. Provide any additional information about your insurability that we may reasonably require.
Providing Evidence Of Insurability does not mean your application for coverage will be approved.
Group Policy means the group LTD insurance policy issued by us to the Policyholder and identified by
the Group Policy Number.
Indexed Predisability Earnings means your Predisability Earnings adjusted by the rate of increase in the
CPI-W. During your first year of Disability, your Indexed Predisability Earnings are the same as your
Predisability Earnings. Thereafter, your Indexed Predisability Earnings are determined on each
anniversary of your Disability by increasing the previous year's Indexed Predisability Earnings by the
rate of increase in the CPI-W for the prior calendar year. The maximum adjustment in any year is 10%.
Your Indexed Predisability Earnings will not decrease, even if the CPI-W decreases.
Injury means harm, hurt or damage to your body.
LTD Benefit means the monthly benefit payable to you under the terms of the Group Policy.
Maximum Benefit Period means the longest period for which LTD Benefits are payable for any one period
of continuous Disability, whether from one or more causes. It begins at the end of the Benefit Waiting
Period. No LTD Benefits are payable after the end of the Maximum Benefit Period, even if you are still
Disabled. See Coverage Outline.
Physician means a licensed medical professional, other than yourself, acting within the scope of the
license.
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Pregnancy means your pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including complications of
pregnancy.
Prior Plan means your Employer's group long term disability insurance plan in effect on the day before
the effective date of your Employer's coverage under the Group Policy and which is replaced by the
Group Policy.
Season means any recurring, annual period of work at a specific time of year that lasts three to eleven
consecutive months.
Sickness means your sickness, illness, or disease.
Spouse means:
1. A person to whom you are legally married; or
2. Your State-Registered Domestic Partner. Your State-Registered Domestic Partner as defined in
state statute and substantially equivalent legal unions from other jurisdictions as defined in
Washington State statute.
LT.DF.01X
