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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC11-057 Employee Benefit Plan EPLcfl(JE BENEFIT PLAN
AN
y
i�
EAGLE COUNTY
For Employees of
EAGLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
January 1, 2011
Este folleto contiene un resumer en ingles de los derechos y beneficios ofrecidos
en el plan de beneficios medicales y dentales de Eagle County Government. Si
tiene cualquier pregunta, favor de ponerse en contacto con la senorita Diana
Kafka en su oficina que se encuentra en 500 Broadway, Eagle, CO 81631 entre las
horas de 8 :OOam y 5:OOpm, lunes a viernes. Tambien es posible Ilamar a la oficina
de administracion del plan a 1-800-426-7453 para ayuda.
Oi((—o57
mImi.■7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION V
YOU* HEALTHCARE BENEFITS PROGRAM 1
USING YOUR BENEFITS WISELY 2
CAFETERIA CHOICES 3
CHANGING YOUR CAFETERIA PLAN CHOICES 3
PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS 3
PRE LAND POST -TAX PREMIUMS 3
ljackground 3
Operation 4
MEDI CARE BENEFITS 5
IN- I`ETWORK AND OUT -OF- NETWORK PROVIDERS 5
"put of Network" Exceptions 5
MEDCAL BENEFIT SUMMARY 7
ELI IBILITY AND ENROLLMENT 11
1 E ligibility 11
ligibility Waiting Period and Effective Date of Coverage 11
Dependent Coverage 11
Open Enrollment 12
Late Enrollment 12
Special Enrollment 12
Dropping Coverage for You or Your Dependent's Mid -Year 14
MEI'tICAL PLAN DETAIL 15
Calendar Year Deductible 15
Out -of- Pocket Maximums 15
Copayments (Copays) 15
Lifetime and Annual Maximum Benefits 15
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefits 15
FIRA Spend -down 15
RA Covered Expenses 16
RA Benefits and Limitations • 16
edical Plan / Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) / Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Coordination 17
Covered Medical Expenses 17
Limitations and Exclusions 22
Pke- Existing Condition Limitations 28
D oluntary Pre - Notification 29
isease Management Program 31
I- Iospital Bill Audit Incentive 31
mplementary Medical Treatment 32
PRE CRIPTION BENEFIT 33
eneric Substitution 33
ho Can Prescribe 33
oice of Pharmacies 33
vered Drugs 34
P escription Benefit Exclusions and Limitations 34
tail Prescription Card Benefit 36
tail 90 36
Eagle County Government i Table of Contents • 1/1/11
Mail Order Pharmacy Benefit 36
Prohibited Use of the Prescription Card 37
Termination of Prescription Card Coverage 37
GENERAL MEDICAL PLAN INFORMATION 38
Internal and External Claims Procedures 38
Claims Review Procedure - General 42
External Review Procedure 44
Coordination of Benefits 45
Third Party Liability Exclusion 49
Assignment of Benefits 51
Recovery of Excess Payments 51
Right to Receive and Release Necessary Information 52
Alternate Payee Provision 52
When Coverage Ends 52
Family Medical Leave 53
Prescription Drug Creditability Status Related to Medicare Part D 53
Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO) 53
DENTAL CARE BENEFITS 55
DENTAL PLAN BENEFIT SUMMARY 55
DENTAL PLAN DETAIL 56
Dental Plan Eligibility and Effective Date 56
Late Enrollee Benefit Restriction 56
COVERED DENTAL EXPENSES 56
Preventive Care 56
Basic Services 57
Major Services 57
Orthodontics 57
Dental Plan Limitations and Exclusions 57
GENERAL DENTAL PLAN INFORMATION 60
Choice of Dentists 60
Pre- Treatment Review 60
Claims Procedure 61
Coordination of Benefits 61
When Coverage Ends 61
Continuation of Dental Benefits 61
VISION CARE BENEFITS 62
Vision Eligibility and Effective Date 62
Covered Services, Copays and Maximums 62
How to File a Vision Claim 62
Limitations and Exclusions 62
When Coverage Ends 63
Continuation of Vision Benefits 63
CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE 64
COBRA 64
Qualifying Events 65
Your Notice Obligations While You are a Plan Participant 66
Monthly COBRA Premiums That You Must Pay 70
Notification of Address Changes, Marital Status Changes, Dependent Status Changes and Disability Status
Changes 74
Continuation Coverage for Same -Sex Domestic Partners 74
USERRA
75
Eagle County Government ii Table of Contents • 1/1/11
mmommi7
HEAL H INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996 (HIPAA) 79
DEFI ITIONS 83
DIS ILITY BENEFITS 94
SHO T TERM DISABILITY 94
igibilit 94
Actively Working Requirement 94
Definition of Disability 95
Waiting Period and Duration of Disability Benefits 95
DISABILITY BENEFIT AMOUNT 95
nditions and Limitations 96
en Coverage Ends 96
aims Procedure 96
FIL G A CLAIM 96
CLA MS APPEAL PROCEDURES 98
SUM Y PLAN DESCRIPTION 99
ADOPtION 101
I
I
Eagle bount Government iii Table of Contents • 1/1/11
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
PLAN SPONSOR — Group #22204026
Eagle County Government
500 Broadway
P.O. Box 850
Eagle, CO 81631
Human Resources Dept: (970) 328 -8790 • (970) 328 -8799 fax
Toll Free 1- 800 - 255 -6136
www.eaglecounty.us
CLAIMS ADMINISTRATION
CNIC Health Solutions (CNIC)
PO Box 3559
Englewood, CO 80155 -3559
(303) 770 -5710 • (303) 749 -1184 fax
Toll Free: 1- 800 - 426 -7453
www.cnichs.com
PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION (PPO) PROVIDER NETWORK
Cofinity
PO Box 2720
Farmington Hills, MI 48333
Toll Free: (800) 831 -1166
www.cofinity.net
RN CASE MANAGER
(CONTACT FOR DISEASE MANAGEMENT and VOLUNTARY PRE- NOTIFICATION)
CNIC Health Solutions (CNIC)
PO Box 3559
Englewood, CO 80155
(303) 770 -5710 • (303) 770 -0091 fax
Toll Free: 1- 800 - 426 -7453
www.cnichs.com
Eagle County Government v Important Contact Information • 1/1/11
l
PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGEMENT
Retaib
Total Script
10901 W. 120th Ave Suite 175
Broomfield, CO 80021
Toll Free Phone: 1- 800 - 752 -2211
Fax: 303-438-9922
www.totalscript.com
Mail Order:
IPS Rx - Immediate Pharmaceutical Services
PO Box 166
Avon Lake, OH 44012 -9927
Phone: 1- 800 - 233 -3872
Fax: 1-800-893-2299
https://www.ipsrx.com
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA) BANKING
The BanCorp Bank
Attn: Customer Service Center
405 Silverside Road, Suite 105
Wilmington, DE 198093
Toll Free: 1- 800 -555 -9316
Email: bancorphsa @TheBancorp.com
www.thebancorphsa.com
Eagle County Government vi Important Contact Information • 1/1/11
YOUR HEALTHCARE BENEFITS PROGRAM
While your salary or wages are the most apparent part of your compensation, fringe benefits are a
substantial additional value that you receive for your services. Benefits are very important to your
financial security and physical well being. The Employer's goal is to provide you with a
comprehensive program of benefits that is financially affordable within the Employer's budget.
Benefits are meaningful only if you clearly understand and take advantage of the plans available to
you. The benefit plans described herein include the following:
> Self - funded Medical Plan
> Self - funded Dental Plan
> Self - funded Vision Plan
> Disability Benefits
• Self- Funded Short Term Disability
This document describes the important details of your benefits program in a clear and concise
manner. Words and phrases are normally described in context; however, if unique definitions apply
to the Group Medical, Dental, or Vision plans, the words are in quotation marks (i.e. "Hospital ") and
can be found in the Definitions section of this "Plan Document."
Eagle County Government is the Plan Administrator and herein referred to as the Employer, Eagle
County, Plan Sponsor or Employer. If additional clarification is needed, please contact the Eagle
County Human Resources office.
This is the "Plan Document" and Summary Plan Description of the self - funded Medical, Dental,
Vision, and Short-term Disability Plans. It outlines all rules on Plan operations including
participation, reimbursement and operational procedures.
If there is anything that requires further clarification, please contact the Human Resources
department.
Eagle County Government reserves the right to amend or terminate all Plans at its sole
discretion and to make administrative and interpretive decisions necessary to Plan operation.
Additionally, the "Plan" reserves the right to rescind coverage retroactively or discontinue
coverage due to fraud or intentional misrepresentation.
Eagle County Government 1 Your Healthcare Benefits Program • 1/1/11
' .` k BE EFITS WI LY
STNG � ��7R � Er
The edical Plan is self - funded by Eagle County. Everyone loses if claims under the Plan are
highe than they really need to be. The Plan would be spending money that might otherwise be used
to pro ide more or better benefits.
Here Ore some ways you can help to keep costs down:
1. J questions - Is the procedure or treatment your doctor suggests really likely to help? It has
been estimated that each year millions of people have unnecessary operations or take
u nnecessary medication.
2. Consult your doctor - Avoiding needed medical treatment is foolish. But seeing your doctor
for every minor problem wastes time as well as money.
3. se the phone - Consider your doctor's schedule and available time. Some doctors prefer to
ive routine medical advice and prescription renewals over the phone and may do so without
harge.
4. e selective - Some doctors and hospitals simply charge more than others. Higher charges do
of necessarily mean better care.
5. void duplication - If you move to a new area or change doctors, ask your former doctor to
ansfer your medical records. Those may include x -ray or diagnostic tests that could save you
oth money and inconvenience.
6. Watch timing - If you have the choice, try not to enter the hospital on a Friday or on a
weekend. Some hospital services close down on the weekends. You may find yourself
pending a day or two in a $750 a day room waiting for the lab to open on Monday.
7. i onsider home care - Recuperating at home rather than in the hospital or in an extended care
is cility makes sense if your condition is not very serious or complicated. Ask your doctor.
8. emember the outpatient department or doctor's office - Minor surgery, an illness, or an
ncomplicated injury need not involve a hospital stay. Many such conditions can be handled
si fely and comfortably in the hospital's outpatient department or the doctor's office.
9. eview your medical bills for accuracy - Did you actually receive all itemized services?
ere you charged twice for the same item? If in doubt, ask your doctor or the place where
•-rvices were performed.
10. sk your doctor about your diagnostic testing — More tests may not necessarily indicate better
•.re. What are the tests designed to reveal? What do the results indicate? Why are certain
t • sts repeated?
Eagle iounty Government 2 Using Your Benefits Wisely • 1/1/11
GENERAL INFORMATION
CAFETERIA CHOICES
Employees are eligible to select from a variety of medical and other benefit options and change
those choices each year during the annual open enrollment period as described below, Changing
Your Cafeteria Plan Choices. Please carefully consider which options will work best for you and
your family and understand the rules so that you will get the most value from your chosen plans.
CHANGING YOUR CAFETERIA PLAN CHOICES
During the month of November and/or December, "Employees" may change the Medical Plan
option in which they are enrolled. The deadline for submitting changes will be designated annually
by the Employer, but in no event later than December 31st. The change will be effective on the
following January 1.
If you experience a qualified change in status as described in the Special Enrollment section, you
may be eligible to make a mid - "Plan Year" change and elect different benefit options only if you
elect those options in writing within thirty-one (31) days of the change in status event. Contact
Human Resources should you experience a change in status event.
PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS
Eagle County pays a substantial amount towards the cost of your benefits. Periodically, the
Employer will reset the respective costs of each option, normally based on expected future costs.
Such changes will normally be effective on January 1. A supplement to this "Plan" is available to
you and will be updated as necessary. Contact Human Resources for a copy.
PRE AND POST -TAX PREMIUMS
Background
Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that an employer may create and offer to its
employees a Cafeteria Plan, which is defined as a Plan that allows an employee the opportunity to
elect between two or more benefits consisting of taxable (including cash compensation, i.e. Post
Tax) and non - taxable benefit Plan choices. By maintaining a Cafeteria Plan, Employers are allowed
to establish and offer a Pre -Tax Premium Plan that serves as a "Salary Reduction" funding vehicle.
The Pre -Tax Premium Plan gives employees the following tax advantages:
Eagle County Government 3 General Information • 1/1/11
1. Employees' benefit plan contributions are automatically deducted from their salaries before
Federal, State, Social Security and Medicare taxes are taken out, i.e. Pre -Tax. h
2. Taxable
more income take -home is reduced pay. by the amount contributed, so employees pay less in taxes and
The mployer hereby establishes such a Plan to operate as follows:
Operation
The Eployer may require that employees make contributions as a condition of participation in the
Bene t Plans. Amounts of such contributions are established and changed by the Employer from
time tip time.
The Pan will allow employees the following choices with regard to the Medical, Dental and Vision
Bene t Plans, as well as other Employer- sponsored benefit Plans that are permitted by the Internal
Reve ue Code to be part of a Pre -tax Premium Plan:
ption A. Pre -Tax: Employees may request that their cash compensation be reduced by
an amount equivalent to the required contribution for the Benefit Plan. In such
event, the Employer will fund the full cost of the Benefit Plan in the
employees' behalf;
i
OR
p tion B . Post -Tax: Employees may choose the option of funding required contribution
for pay the Bene tions Plan via payroll deduction from after -tax compensation.
The e fec of elec Option A is t hat payroll deductions for benefits will be made prior to Federal,
State, nd Medicare taxes and the reduce the after tax costs. All employees will be deemed to
have hosen Option "A" unless a written request is submitted to the Payroll Office, requesting
Opti `B" (after -tax deduc).
Uncle Option A, Social Security, Workers' Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, etc.
contri utions will be based upon the lower pay level and could, over time, result in lower benefit
paym nts. Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, and Retirement, for example as may be applicable,
will b based on pay prior to any pay reduction.
Eagle County Government 4 General Information • 1/1/11
MEDICAL CARE BENEFITS
IN- NETWORK AND OUT -OF- NETWORK PROVIDERS
Eagle County Government provides benefits that vary according to your selection of providers. "In-
Network" providers are contracted with the Plan's PPO Provider Network (refer to the Important
Contact Information section for details) and have agreed to accept the Plan's guidelines as to fees for
their services. This will ensure that patients will not be charged for fees beyond those allowed by
the Plan. In addition, the hospitals and other medical facilities have agreed to accept reduced fees
for outpatient and inpatient services that they provide to Plan members.
This means that when you and your "Dependents" use In- Network facilities, expenses that the Plan
pays and expenses that the Plan requires you to pay will be reduced. When you use In- Network
healthcare professionals, they will file claims directly with and be paid directly by the Plan.
Expenses for services not covered by this Plan and amounts the Plan requires you to pay will be
billed to you by your providers.
The "In- Network" health professionals agree with the Plan's goal of encouraging the provision of
quality healthcare using sound and efficient health treatment practices. While the Employer strongly
hopes you are able to employ the services of these In- Network professionals, you are free to choose
other providers of medical services.
"In- Network" benefits are only available when you receive services provided by the Plan's In-
Network group of eligible healthcare professionals. The listing of participating facilities and
providers is updated periodically, and is available from the Human Resources office and on the PPO
Provider Network's website (refer to the Important Contact Information section for details).
"Out -of- Network" means "Physicians," "Hospitals" and other healthcare providers that are not
contracted with the Plan's PPO Network or that the Plan designates as being Out -of- Network. Using
"Out -of- Network" providers allows you total choice of Physicians and Hospitals, but at a higher cost
to you. You may use either "In- Network" or "Out -of- Network" providers at any time.
Please consider using "In- Network" providers when at all possible to ensure both quality of care and
to help control cost for yourself and your fellow employees. We encourage you to be assertive with
your physicians in asking questions about proposed care. Refer to section Using Your Medical
Benefits Wisely for a list of useful tips and, when in doubt, get a second opinion. If we are smart
consumers of health care we'll get better care, and that's the goal.
"Out of Network" Exceptions
Occasionally, the choice of using an "In- Network" or "Out -of- Network" provider is difficult for the
patient to control. The "Plan" recognizes this difficulty and allows the following exceptions:
1. An Out -of- Network Physician who sees patients at an In- Network clinic (does not
include "Inpatient Hospital ") will be covered as an In- Network provider.
Eagle County Government 5 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
1
An Out -of- Network emergency room Physician will be covered as In- Network when the
treating medical facility is a "In- Network" facility.
Out -of- Network Pathology and Anesthesiology services will be covered as In- Network
when the treating medical facility is an In- Network facility.
4. Out -of- Network laboratory or radiology services (including interpretation of tests by a
pathologist or radiologist) will be covered as In- Network when the referring Physician or
medical facility are In- Network providers.
. Out -of- Network medical care (both emergency and non - emergency) received by
Dependent "Children" covered by this Plan who reside outside Colorado will be covered
j as In- Network.
i. An Out -of- Network Ambulance service when used for a medical "Emergency."
V. An Out -of- Network assistant surgeon will be covered as In- Network when the primary
or treating "Physician" or surgeon is an In- Network provider.
Eagle County Government 6 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
1
MEDICAL BENEFIT SUMMARY
Wellness Incentive In addition to the ability to enroll in the County's Health & Wellness PPO medical plan option, wellness program
participants have the opportunity to earn up to $300 incentive dollars and get a $25 /mo. reduction on pay deductions.
HEALTH & WELLNESS PPO GOLD HSA PPO
"In- Network" 1 "Out -of- Network" "In- Network" 1 "Out -of-
Network"
,. w- �-
A. Per Calendar Year "
r, otif
Individual $600 $600 1 ; 1 t; "
Family Ma $1200 $1200 f f t ) t
SINGLE COVERAGE ° � r
1 1 ,` $2,000 $3,000
Vito i 11,, A
FAMILY COVERAGE 4 : ) ` r > t
� � L
A. First Individual Family Member 2 � X i �' � �' . 4 $2,400 $3,000
B. Family Maximum — in aggregate 3 ' 51t'5414% tl ,
.11/1 - ��)� j � � �� � $4,000 $6,000
1 1 q " x34 >�a'a' �`�P";.�,� '� i �'�" �"hw�, �w , �a
A. General Medical
1. Physician Office Visit 4 5 6
Subject to deductible No Yes Yes Yes
$15 copayfor 30% 20% 30%
thefirst8
visits,
Patient Copay per visit $35 copayfor
remaining
visits per
calendar year
Plan Coverage 100% 70% 80% 70%
1 Health & Wellness PPO Only: Copays do not apply to deductible. All family members can contribute to meeting the family deductible, with no one (1)
family member's deductible to exceed the stated individual deductible.
2 In- Network and Out -of- Network deductibles cross accumulate. Copays do not apply to deductible.
3 Gold NSA PPO is a qualified "High Deductible Health Plan" (HDHP). Each individual family member's deductible is limited to that shown under First
Individual Family Member, with all family members in aggregate not to exceed the FamilyMaximum.
In- Network and Out -of- Network deductibles cross accumulate. Copays do not apply to deductible.
4 Health & Wellness PPO Only: Office or home setting. Includes office visits for "Injury" and "Illness." Copay applies to professional fees per
provider visit. Includes, but is not limited to: physician, behavioral health, etc. Office visit copay is waived for allergy shots (administration
thereof and serum) and immunizations if no professional fee is charged. For all other Non "Preventive" services other than professional services
provided during an office visit, see section III -A(4) (Diagnostic Procedures) and III -C (Other Covered Expenses) as applicable.
5 Maximum of 3 "Modalities" per copay for physical medicine. (Note: Modality is a service)
6 Outpatient Physical Therapy (as well as Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy) is subject to the Plan's office visit copay, unless performed
during an Inpatient Hospital stay or at Out- Patient "Hospital" facility, then such care is subject to section III -C herein.
Eagle County Government 7 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
I HEALTH & WELLNESS PPO GOLD HSA PPO
"In- Network" 1 "Out -of- Network" "In- Network" 1 "Out -of-
Network"
2. "Preventive Care" Physician Office Visit 7
Subject to Deductible No No
No Coverage No Coverage
Patient Copay per visit $0 $0
Preventive Lab /X -ray Patient Copay $0 $0
Plan Coverage 100% 100% •
{
. Chiropractic or Acupuncture Office Visit 6
. Subject to Deductible No Yes Yes Yes
I $35 copay for
first 12 visits,
Patient Copay per visit $70 copay for 30% 20% 30%
remaining visits
per calendar
year
Plan Coverage 100% 70% 80% 70%
4$ Diagnostic Procedures
Outpatient Lab / X -ray Patient Copay 20 %, deductible 30% after Ded. 20% after Ded. 30% after Ded.
waived
MRI /CAT /PET /Other Hi -tech Imagery 20% after Ded. 30% after Ded. 20% after Ded 30% after Ded.
B. (prescriptions
Rx De uctible/Yr (Retail /Mail Order Combined)
ndividual $100 N/A N/A
N/A
amily Maximum $200 N/A
Subjec to Medical Deductible No Yes
1. I Retail Prescriptions .
Max. 30 da su l No Coverage No Coverage
y ppl
Generic Copay $10 0%
Brand Copay 30% Min. $20 / 30% Min. $20 /
Max $60 Max $60
2. Mail Order Prescriptions
Max 90 da su l No Coverage No Coverage
y ppl
Generic Copay $20 0%
Brand Copay 30% Min. $40 / 30% Min. $40 /
Max $120 Max $120
C. O her Covered Expenses 8
i
7 All diagnpstic (the presence of "Illness" or "Injury" symptoms for which a diagnosis is sought) labs and x -rays are covered as shown in Section III -A(4).
Eagle 4ounty Government 8 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
HEALTH & WELLNESS PPO GOLD HSA PPO
"In- Network" 1 "Out -of- Network" "In- Network" 1 " Out -of-
Network"
Subject to Deductible Yes Yes Yes Yes
Patient Copay 20% after ded. 30% after ded 20% after ded. 30% after ded
Plan Coverage 80% after ded. 70% after ded 80% after ded. 70% after ded
�Y3 pI4�R t J rry , �I 7 i sg j�'i i ,:z. 1 1d
l ,c a l �i?'�I 7 7f z t1 ,N� s q gs ..
,_ . om._'_.� — yidz,a � i r
c . n.
Health & Wellness PPO: Indiv. $2,000; Indiv. $3,000 � j
Family - $3,500 Family - $6,000 .
Includes Sections: I II A General Medical sections Maximum; Maximum R' ' 4 ` „ i 7
(1)(2) and (4), and III -C Other Covered Expenses
I
Excludes Sections: I Deductible, III -A(3) General I * �
Medical, and III -B Prescriptions €' �. 1
�� � �; '� : ��� ,ak > >;
Gold HSA PPO: �� , �1t #v Ind - $3,000 Indiv $3,000
' vtliijt '�t � � j� � ;� �,
st �� f Family - $6,000 Family - $6,000
Includes Sections: III -A (General Medical), III B ' . n e * § Maximum Maximum
Includes
(Prescriptions) and III-C (Other Covere it ' r* a `
Expenses) ,s y N
Excludes Section II (Gold HSA Deducti i . , 9 P <
None
A. Lifetime Maximum
B. Annual Plan Coverage Maximum $2,000,000
C. Hearing Aid Benefit 9, 19
$1,000 per Covered Person per Lifetime
yy
A. Voluntary Notification of Hospital Admission,
Cancer Treatment and Outpatient Surgery Yes Yes Yes Yes
B. Primary Care Physician Selection No No No No
C. Case Management Yes Yes Yes Yes
D. Hospital Audit Incentive Yes Yes Yes Yes
E. Disease Management Yes Yes Yes Yes
8 Pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act, emergency care will be paid as In- Network. "Usual, Reasonable and Customary Charges"
shall apply.
9 Benefits shall be covered under section III(c).
1° Lifetime limit not applicable to Cochlear implant due to Illness and/or Injury.
Eagle County Government 9 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
HEALTH & WELLNESS PPO GOLD HSA PPO
"In- Network" 1 "Out -of- Network" "In- Network" 1 "Out -of-
Network"
HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT "
2010 HRA PP() PARTICIPANT'S ACCOUNT BAI ANCES CAN BE SPENT DOWN IN 2011 AND 2012.
ALL HRA ACCOUNTS WILL TERMINATE ON 12/31/12.
EAGLE PORTABLE "HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT" (HSA)
A. :CG Contribution Per Calendar Yr: 12
t 0 i fat i
Single Coverage -'r a `_` , $500 + 100% Match of next $500 3.
'� � I
Family Coverage t� ` r f $500 + 100% Match of next $500
B. mployee Contribution Per Calendar Yr: t t
� y z1
Single Coverage t 1 1 �" Up to $2,050
Family Coverage �' )1V, , �; Up to $5,150
�1
1'0 it C. Covered Expenses 14 to r (41,44 ' Refer to footnote below
1
i
11 Employees who enroll in the Health & Wellness PPO option can use their HRA for any out of pocket, eligible medical- dental- vision expense.
Employees who enroll in the Gold HSA option, will have their HRA converted to a "post medical deductible" and dental- vision HRA only. All HRA funds
must be scent down by no later than 12/31/12 or they will be forfeited.
12 Lump • m amount shown will be deposited into employee HSA account upon opening of HSA account. Matching contributions shall be deposited on
a per pay seriod matching basis, up to the Plan maximum. For partial year participation, both lump sum and matching contribution amounts shall be pro-
rated.
13 Consu your tax advisor or refer to IRS Publication 969 & Form 8889 with Instructions for details as to maximum HSA allowable contributions per
calend • r ear. Employee contribution maximum shown is based on the inclusion of the full $1,000 employer contribution. For further details related to
allowa' e calendar year contribution maximums and applicable tax rules, you're strongly encouraged to consult your tax advisor and/or visit
htt.:l .ustreas.,ov /offices /.ublic- affairs /hsa/.. NOTE: County Contribution shall be pro-rated for partial year participation.
14 As all¢wed for Medical - Dental- Vision care under IRS Code Section 213(d) as outlined in IRS Notice 2004 -02.
10 Eagle County Government 1 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT
Elijiibility
"Regular Full- Time" and "Regular Part- Time" are eligible to participate in the Employer sponsored
medical plan as well as the Dental and Vision plans as described elsewhere in this document.
Enrollment in the Health & Wellness PPO plan I limited to those "Employees" that voluntarily
participate* in the Employer sponsored Wellness Program. Employees who choose not to
participate, may enroll in the Gold HSA PPO only.
* "Employees" must complete both a biometric screening and health risk assessment by the deadline
established annually by the Employer. For more information on the voluntary wellness program,
contact Human Resources.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), which prohibits group health
plans, issuers of individual health care policies, and employers from discriminating on the basis of
genetic information. This Plan will not discriminate in any manner with its Participants on the basis
of such genetic information.
Eligibility Waiting Period and Effective Date of Coverage
For "Regular Full- Time" employees, coverage will be effective on the first day of the month
coincident with or following thirty (30) days of employment. For "Regular Part- Time" employees,
coverage will be effective on the first day of the month coincident with or following 90 days of
employment. For coverage to be effective, a completed and signed enrollment form must be
submitted to Human Resources within thirty-one (31) of your coverage effective date. If completed
enrollment forms are not submitted within this time period, "Late Enrollment" provisions apply.
Dependent Coverage
If an employee is enrolled, his/her eligible "Dependents" may also be enrolled at the same time.
Common law marriages and Same Sex Domestic Partnerships must be attested to by a signed,
notarized affidavit. Dependents do not include "Children" of a dependent son or daughter.
In cases where both husband and wife are employed by the Employer, an eligible employee cannot
be covered as both an Employee and a Dependent by this Plan. If one spouse loses the Employer
coverage for any reason, coverage that had been elected by that spouse can be transferred to his or
her eligible working spouse, if elected. The transfer of coverage is not automatic. Employees must
request the transfer of coverage, in writing, within thirty-one (31) days of the date of their spouse's
termination.
Eagle County Government 11 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
i
I
Rehir s
An e ployee whose coverage terminates due to termination of employment, and who resumes
empl ment with the Employer within a sixty (60) day period immediately following the date of
termi ation, shall become eligible for reinstatement of coverage on the first of the month coincident
with o`r next following the date he or she resumes employment. All Plan provisions will continue as
though there were no lapse of coverage.
Upon tehire and re- enrollment in the Plan, if you request to change which medical plan option you
are eni all calendar year plan accumulators such as deductibles and out -of- pocket maximums
(but does not include "Annual Maximum ") will restart upon the date the plan option change
becomes effective, i.e. no credit is given from prior plan option for which the "Covered Person(s)"
was enrolled.
Open Enrollment
Except as stated above under Special Enrollment, enrollment in this plan is only allowed during the
open nrollment period designated annually by the Employer, with coverage effective on the first
day o the following January.
Pleas see Preexisting Condition Limitations described elsewhere in this Plan that applies to all Plan
partic ants.
• Late *nrollment
"Late nrollment" is not allowed except as described below under Special Enrollment and Open
Enrollment.
l
p
S eci l Enrollment
If yo decline enrollment for yourself or your "Dependents" because you have other health
cover ge, (not including COBRA), you or your dependents may enroll in this Plan after your other
cover ge ends. Coverage will be effective on the date that the written request is received by the
Huma Resources, provided enrollment is requested within thirty-one (31) days of when the other
cover ge ends. Otherwise, Late Enrollment provisions apply. Other coverage must be ending (but in
no ev t because of your failure to pay required premium) due to:
1. loss of eligibility, including legal separation, divorce, death, termination of employment,
reduction in hours of employment, or
2. termination of employer contributions and /or the employer no longer offers plan benefits to
a class of similarly situated individuals; or
3. reaching the plan's annual benefit coverage limit, or
Eagle County Government 12 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
4. in the case of coverage under an HMO, no longer residing /living /working in the HMOs
service area and there is no other continuation coverage available,
Where the other coverage is COBRA continuation coverage, enrollment can be requested only after
the COBRA continuation period is exhausted. This includes reaching the maximum allowed
coverage duration, the failure of the former employer or other entity to remit payment timely, no
longer residing /living/working in the HMO's service area if applicable and there is no other
continuation coverage available, or reaching the group health plan's lifetime limit for all benefits,
but may not be for failure to make required premium payments.
In addition, if you have a new Dependent as a result of marriage, birth, adoption or placement for
adoption, you may be able to enroll yourself and your Dependents, provided that you request
enrollment, in writing, within thirty-one (31) days after the marriage, birth, adoption or placement
for adoption. Such coverage will be effective:
1. on the date that the written request is received by the Human Resources department when as
a result of marriage, or
2. retroactively to the Dependent's date of birth or when an adopted newborn, if the child's
date of placement is within thirty -one (31) days after the birth; or
3. For any other adoptive child, from the date of placement.
For all other Special Enrollees, coverage will be effective on the date that enrollment paperwork is
completed and received by the Human Resources department, as long as enrollment is requested
within thirty-one (31) days of special enrollment event.
If a "Dependent" has a special enrollment right, both the employee and the dependent may enroll in
any option under the plan. An employee who does not have other health coverage when opting out
of the plan (and therefore has no special enrollment right) may later gain a special enrollment right.
This right is gained if the employee obtains other coverage and then opts out of the plan during a
later annual enrollment period.
Special Enrollment Event Effect on Plan Accumulators
In the event a qualified special enrollment request results in a change in the medical plan option in
which the "Covered Person(s)" is enrolled, all Plan Year accumulators such as deductibles and out -
of- pocket maximums will restart upon the date the plan option change becomes effective. No
accumulator credit is given from prior plan option for which the "Covered Person(s)" was enrolled.
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA)
"Employees" and their "Dependents" who are eligible for the "Plan" but who are not enrolled can
enroll in the Plan provided that they request enrollment in writing within sixty (60) days from the
date of the following loss of coverage or gain in eligibility:
1. Lose Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage; or
Eagle County Government 13 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Become participate premium m
Pleas see Preexisting eligible Condition to Limitations in a describe d elsew CHIP here in this Plan that assistance applies to progra all Plan
partic pants.
For m re information regarding your special enrollment rights, contact Human Resources (refer to
the Important Contact Information section).
Drop4ini Coverajie for You or Your Dependent's Mid -Year
Once enrolled in the Plan, the enrollment selection made for you and your covered "Dependent(s)"
stays in effect for the entire "Plan Year." Terminating your or your Dependent's coverage may only
occur mid -year if the change is allowed under IRS rules and is on account of and consistent with a
chang :. in status as defined by the IRS. A qualified change in status includes:
1J. A change in marital status (marriage, death of spouse, legal separation, or annulment);
?. A change in the number of dependents (as the result of birth, death, adoption, or
placement for adoption);
31. A change in employment status (commencement or termination of employment, strike or
1 lockout, commencement of or return from an approved leave of absence, change in
worksite, or change in eligibility status for the plan);
4 . Dependent ceasing to satisfy eligibility requirements;
5. Conforming to a judgment, decree, or order resulting from a divorce, legal separation,
annulment, or change in legal custody for a dependent child or foster child;
Entitlement of the participant or the participant's spouse or dependent child to coverage
under Medicaid or Medicare, or loss of such coverage; .
Any other change in status permitted under Treasury Regulations §1.125-4 and the
regulations there under.
To to inate a "Dependent" from your coverage, you must complete and submit an Enrollment
Chan Form to the Human Resources department. The Employer must receive this form within
thirty- ne (31) days of the qualified change in status. If the Employee fails to timely terminate an
ineligi le Dependent from the Plan, the Employer reserves the right to recoup any benefit payments
made n behalf of such Dependent back to the date such Dependent should have been terminated
from t e Plan.
It is the covered Employee's responsibility to advise the Employer in writing of any change in
Dependent status within thirty-one (31) days of the change, including marriage, divorce, legal
separation, the addition of newborns or adopted children, a "Dependent" reaching the Plan's limiting
age (rifer to the Definitions section for details) and any desire to change beneficiaries.
I
Eagle c oun Government 14 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
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1
MEDICAL PLAN DETAIL
Calendar Year Deductible
The deductible is the amount of out -of- pocket expenses you must pay before covered expenses are
paid by the Plan. The deductible amount that applies depends upon the Plan in which you are
enrolled and upon the providers that you choose. Please refer to the Medical Benefit Summary for
details.
The individual deductible must be met by each person during a calendar year. All family members
can contribute to meeting the maximum deductible for the family.
Out-of-Pocket Maximums
To help protect you and your family against high health care expenses, the Plan includes out -of-
pocket maximums. The Plan's calendar year out -of- pocket maximums are shown in the Medical
Benefit Summary.
Copayments (Copays)
Copays listed in the Medical Benefit Summary may be applicable to some benefits and represent the
cost each patient must pay each time a medical service is received. Copays are not credited to any
deductible.
Lifetime and Annual Maximum Benefits
The Plan does not include a "Lifetime Maximum" benefit, however does have an Annual Maximum
benefit as described in the Medical Benefit Summary section.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefits
The Plan covers you and your dependents for "Inpatient" and "Outpatient" charges due to "Mental
Health" and "Substance Abuse." Please refer to the Medical Benefit Summary for full details. The
copay is applied per professional session.
HRA Spend -down
Employees who were previously enrolled in the HRA PPO Plan in the 2010 Plan Year who have a
positive HRA balance as of 12/31/10 may spend -down the funds through 12/31/12 as follows.
1. Employees who enroll in the Health & Wellness PPO option can use their 2010 HRA Funds
for any out of pocket, eligible medical - dental- vision expense.
2. Employees who enroll in the Gold HSA option, will have their HRA converted to a post
medical deductible and dental- vision HRA only.
Eagle County Government 15 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
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All H funds must be spent down by no later than December 31 2011 or they will be forfeited..
HRA Covered Ex enses:
. Are limited to expenses covered under the Medical Plan are those as stated under the
Medical, Dental and Vision sections entitled Covered Expenses within this "Plan."
Retail and mail order prescription copays are not eligible expenses.
HRA;Benefits and Limitations
The HRA benefit is solely funded by the Employer. It is subject to COBRA continuation
coverage requirements.
2. Unused funds must be used by December 31 2012 as stated in the HRA Spend -down
section.
$. HRA benefits are limited to eligible employees enrolled in the HRA PPO Plan and their
enrolled dependents as of 12/31/10.
4. Only care for medical services as listed above under section HRA Covered Expenses
shall be covered. Contact the Human Resources office for more detailed information.
Reimbursement is limited to "Usual, Reasonable and Customary Charge" as defined in
i
the Definitions section of this Plan.
5. Only expenses incurred while you are covered under the Plan and submitted as a claim
by the dates required by the Plan are eligible for reimbursement. Expenses reimbursable
under any other health plan or insurance policy are not eligible.
6. Claims for expenses incurred during the Plan Year must be filed by no later than as
stated in the Claim Filing Deadline section. All claims for reimbursement filed after
such time will be denied.
7. If you are also enrolled in the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan and
expenses are eligible for reimbursement under both plans, HRA claims must be
reimbursed first (until exhaustion) before an Employee seeks reimbursement from their
FSA.
S. If you are enrolled in the Gold HSA Plan, eligible medical expenses are only
reimbursable after first satisfying the Plan's deductible as stated in the Medical Benefit
Summary.
. Retail and mail order prescription copays are not eligible expenses.
Eagle (bounty Government 16 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Medical Plan /Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) /Flexible Spending Account
(FSA) Coordination
All submitted medical expenses will be processed first under the Medical Plan and then
automatically under the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) if applicable, by the claims
administrator (refer to section Important Contact Information for details). If non - reimbursed
expenses remain, they will be processed under your healthcare FSA plan, if enrolled and eligible,
until exhaustion.
Note: HRA eligible expenses will be paid to the "Employee," not the provider. It is your
responsibility to pay your providers when applicable.
Covered Medical Expenses
A "Covered Person" shall be entitled to the Covered Medical Expenses as specified below and in
accordance with the all other terms and conditions set forth in this Plan. Unless specifically stated
otherwise, in order for medical "Expenses Incurred" to be covered, it must be:
1. "Medically Necessary ";
2. Due to an "Injury," "Illness" and /or "Preventive Care ";
3. Incurred while the "Covered Person" meets requirements of the Eligibility and
Enrollment provisions under this Plan. No benefits are payable for expenses incurred
before coverage began or after coverage terminated. An expense for a service or supply is
incurred on the date the service or supply is furnished;
4. A service that is not in connection with a Pre - existing Condition during a Pre - existing
Condition Limitation Period;
5. Not in excess of the maximum "Usual, Reasonable and Customary Charge ";
6. Within the stated benefit maximums as described in this Plan;
7. A service not listed under the Limitations and Exclusions section of this 'Plan;
•
8. Not reimbursable under any other benefit plan.
9. Services made by a "Physician" and other licensed health care professionals who are
under the direct supervision of a "Physician."
10. Provided at or by facilities meeting all applicable state and federal licensing requirements.
The following are examples of the types of medical expenses that have been determined by the
Plan Sponsor to meet the above criteria. However the list is not, nor should it be interpreted
as, an all- inclusive or exhaustive list, but rather as a useful guide.
Eagle County Government 17 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
▪ Allergy testing, treatment, and injections. RAST (radioallergosorbent test) allergy
testing allowed only when "Medically Necessary" as the only alternative to traditional
allergy testing.
• Ambulance Services:
a. Professional ambulance service, to the nearest hospital or appropriate facility.
b. Professional ambulance service from the hospital to the patient's home, if such
home is within the locality of the hospital when "Medically Necessary."
c. Air Ambulance Service when the aircraft used meets all qualifications of a
professional ambulance. Covered expense includes the base rate, mileage, nursing
• services and necessary supplies from the place the patient is picked up to the
nearest hospital or medical facility necessary to supply needed medical services.
$. Anesthesia and its administration by a "Physician," nurse or anesthetist.
4. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) Expenses for diagnostic testing to determine the
diagnosis, medication and medical management of the medication. All other expenses
for treatment of ADD will be covered under the mental health disorders provision of the
Plan.
$. Birth control devices and procedures that are prescribed and provided by a "Physician."
6. Blood transfusions, blood processing costs, blood handling charges, and the cost of
blood and blood plasma. Any credit allowable for the replacement of blood plasma by
donor or blood insurance will be deducted from the total of eligible covered charges.
7 . Cochlear implantation.
Expenses for cosmetic, restoration or reconstructive surgery and related expenses are
covered when such surgery is required as a result of a congenital anomaly, accidental
"Injury," disease process or its treatment. Reconstructive surgery due to a mastectomy
will include reconstruction of the remaining breast.
Additionally, as required by the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, the
Plan provides benefits for mastectomy - related services including all stages of
reconstruction and surgery to achieve symmetry between the breasts, prostheses, and
complications resulting from a mastectomy, including lymphedema.
9. Dental services to repair damage to the jaw and sound natural teeth, if the damage is the
direct result of an "Injury" (but did not result from chewing).
0. Dietary Counseling is covered for the following "Physician " - diagnosed conditions:
Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Obesity and Cancer. The Plan will cover a
maximum of four (4) visits per lifetime per condition. To be a covered expense, the
Eagle County Government 18 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
dietary counseling must be prescribed by a "Physician" and provided by a licensed
dietician or nutritionist under the supervision of a Physician.
11. Rental of "Durable Medical Equipment" when "Medically Necessary" for therapeutic
use; except that if in the judgment of the Plan Administrator, purchase of an item of
Durable Medical Equipment will be less expensive than the rental thereof, or such
equipment is not available for rental.
Items such as air conditioners, purifiers, vibrating chairs, whirlpools and dehumidifiers
are not covered items.
12. Expenses otherwise ineligible under this Plan may be considered eligible expenses if
they are determined to represent a more cost - effective form of medical treatment than
another covered expense.
13. Prescription eye glasses, frames or contact lenses will be covered only when their
function will be to replace the human lens lost through intraocular surgery or ocular
injury or when caused by a medically ascertainable problem. The benefit is limited to
one (1) pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses unless, due to a change in the
patient's condition, the attending "Physician" certifies that a change in prescription is
"Medically Necessary." For routine eye exam or eyewear coverage, refer to the Vision
Plan section for details.
14. Hearing diagnostic examinations, when "Medically Necessary" and approved by a
physician.
15. Expenses for the treatment of kidney disorder by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis as
an inpatient in a hospital, or other facility, or for expenses in an "Outpatient" facility or
in your home, including the training of one (1) attendant to perform kidney dialysis at
home. The attendant may be a family member.
16. Home Health care.
17. Expenses for home infusion therapy services and supplies when provided by an
accredited home infusion therapy agency, which is not a licensed Home Health Agency.
These services must be "Medically Necessary" and are required for the administration of
a home infusion therapy regimen when ordered by and are part of a formal written plan
prescribed by a Physician. The benefit will include all Medically Necessary services and
supplies including the nursing services associated with patient and /or alternative care
giver training, visits to monitor intravenous therapy regimen, emergency care,
prescription drugs, administration of therapy and the collection, analysis and reporting of
the results of laboratory testing services required to monitor a response to therapy.
18. "Hospice"
19. Care by a "Hospital" for "Room and Board" (not to exceed the cost of a semi - private
room unless "Medically Necessary ") and other inpatient and "Outpatient" hospital
Eagle County Government 19 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
services. Such care shall include routine nursery charges for a newborn infant, which are
covered as though incurred by the birth mother.
0. Laboratory and pathology services.
1. Medical supplies and dressings.
22. Expenses for mental health treatment furnished on an inpatient basis by a "Hospital" or
• on an "Outpatient" basis by a "Physician" or licensed therapist for psychotherapy under
direct supervision of a Physician. When direct supervision is not required by the state,
that licensed therapist will be a recognized provider.
3. Licensed or certified midwife.
24. Monofocal Implanted Lenses for cataract surgical procedures. Includes routine eye
glass frame allowance of no greater than $200 (per lifetime) following the procedure.
Expenses for multi -focal refractive Implant Optical Lenses (i.e. ReZoom) are not
covered under this Plan.
25. Oxygen and other gases and the equipment necessary for the administration thereof,
when prescribed by a "Physician."
2 6. Physical Therapy (inclusive of Occupational Therapy and /or Speech Therapy) when
ordered by a "Physician" and meets medical necessity guidelines.
47. Charges made by a "Physician" and other licensed health care professionals who are
under the direct supervision of a "Physician," provided such services are not rendered by
a person who is related to the "Covered Person" by blood or marriage.
.8. Prescription drugs, services and supplies:
a. No prescription drug charges or charges for any other service or supply will be
allowed in a quantity where normal dosage or usage would extend for more than
thirty (30) days if purchased at a retail pharmacy (or 90 days as allowed by the
Retail 90 program), or ninety (90) days if purchased by mail order.
b. Benefits for prescription drugs and medicines will not be provided when a written
prescription is not required in order to purchase a certain drug or medicine, even
though a prescription number has been assigned.
c. No expenses for prescription drugs will be allowed when it has been determined by
the Case Manager(s) of the Plan Administrator that there is over - utilization of
drugs or evidence of drug abuse, regardless of the medical necessity that exists.
Eagle County Government 20 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
1
29. "Preventive Care"
30. Prosthetic Appliances and Orthopedic Appliances:
a. Benefits include charges for the fitting, adjusting and repairing of such Prosthetic
and Orthopedic Appliances, and charges for the replacement of Prosthetic and
Orthopedic Appliances when determined by the attending physician to be
"Medically Necessary" because of change in the patient's condition or wear of an
appliance.
b. Prosthetic bras following a partial or radical mastectomy are covered.
Items such as arch supports, orthotic appliances and corrective shoes, (or charges for the
casting, molding or fitting thereof), heating pads and hot water bottles are not covered
expenses.
31. Expense for second surgical opinion, to substantiate medical necessity ofthe procedure
to be performed. A third opinion will be covered in case of conflict between the first
two opinions.
32. Accredited facilities, clinics or centers involved in sleep testing and treatment for a
covered "Illness" or "Injury."
33. Voluntary sterilization, tubal ligations or vasectomies for employees and dependent
spouses. Reversals of sterilizations are not covered.
34. Telephonic/Email Physician Consultations when "Medically Necessary" and to either
treat or diagnose a specific medical condition or symptom of a condition. Maximum
benefit payable is the PPO In- Network contracted rate or when Out -of- Network the
"Usual, Reasonable and Customary Charge."
35. Transplant (organ) expenses when "Medically Necessary" for the care and treatment
due to an organ or tissue transplant that is not considered "Experimental" or
investigational, subject to the following criteria:
a. The transplant must be performed to replace an organ or tissue.
b. Organ procurement limits. Charges for obtaining donor organs or tissues are
covered charges under the Plan only when the recipient is a Plan participant.
When the donor has medical coverage, his or her Plan will pay first. The
donor benefits under this Plan will be reduced by those payable under the
donor's Plan. Donor charges include those for:
i. Evaluation and testing of the organ or tissue;
ii. Removing the organ or tissue from the donor; and
iii. Transportation ofthe organ or tissue from within the United States or
Canada to the facility where the transplant is to be performed.
Eagle County Government 21 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
There is no obligation to the Plan participant to use either a network provider or a
Center of Excellence facility; however, benefits for the transplant and related
expenses will vary depending upon whether services are provided by a network
provider or a non - network provider and whether or not a Center of Excellence
facility is utilized.
:6. Wigs and artificial hairpieces when there is a physician's prescription and hair loss is
due to a serious medical condition such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, alopecia or
trichotillomania. Hair loss due to normal balding is not considered a serious medical
I condition. Plan coverage is limited to one (1) wig or hairpiece per "Covered Person" per
lifetime.
7. X -ray and radiology services.
Limi Lions and Exclusions
Your lv1edical Plan will not pay for charges resulting from any of the following:
• Acupuncture unless provided by a "Physician" as defined by this Plan. Refer to the
Definitions section for details.
Z. Expenses for a physical examination required for the purpose of adoption of a child.
3. Arch supports and corrective shoes including charges for the casting, molding or
fitting thereof.
Bio- feedback.
• Expenses for birthing classes.
▪ Expenses for breast pumps except in the case when the baby is ill and hospital confined
after the mother is discharged.
7. Expenses incurred prior to the "Covered Person's" effective date of coverage and
expenses after the date the Covered Person ceases to be covered under the Plan.
$. Claims filed after the claims filing deadline. All claims must be filed as stated within
section Timely Filing of Claims herein.
• Any expenses for cosmetic surgery, complications that result and /or the revision of a
previous procedure performed for cosmetic purposes, including, but not limited to, breast
augmentation unless due to symmetrical reconstruction as provided under the
reconstructive surgery benefit.
Eagle County Government 22 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Benefits for cosmetic surgery and related expenses are allowed only when such surgery
is required as the result of a 1) congenital anomaly; 2) disease process; or 3) an
accidental "Injury" that occurred while covered by this plan.
10. Domiciliary care and inpatient hospitalization for the purposes of custodial care.
11. Expenses for deluxe or luxury items. An example is motorized equipment when
manually operated equipment can be used. The Plan will cover deluxe equipment only
when additional features are required for effective medical treatment, or to allow the
covered person to operate the equipment without assistance.
12. Expenses for dental services or dental supplies. Such as, but not limited to the care of or
treatment to the teeth, gums or supporting structures such as, periodontal treatment,
endodontic services, extractions, implants, or any treatment to improve the ability to
chew or speak, unless otherwise covered under this Medical Plan.
13. Expenses incurred for services provided outside the United States unless due to an
"Emergency."
14. Expenses for examination for employment, licensing, insurance, or adoption purposes.
15. Expenses deemed "Experimental."
16. Expenses for routine eye examinations, routine refractive examinations, eyeglasses,
contact lenses, or prescriptions for services and supplies except where specifically
indicated as a covered medical expense.
Expenses for services and /or supplies in connection with lasik, kerato- refractive or any
other procedure designed to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism.
17. Expenses for injuries incurred or illnesses contracted in the course of committing a
felony. A felony, as defined in the jurisdiction in which the felony is prosecuted, will be
deemed to have occurred on the earlier of the date felony charges are filed by the
appropriate legal authority, or on the date the criminal activity occurs if the Plan
Administrator could reasonably expect felony charges to be filed. This exclusion does
not apply if the injury resulted from an act of domestic violence or a medical (including
both physical and mental health) condition.
a. A felony will no longer be deemed to have occurred on the earliest of either the
date the filed felony charges are dropped; the date a court of legal jurisdiction finds
the party not guilty; or, in the event felony charges are not filed, the date on which
the Plan Administrator no longer expects charges to be filed. When such an event
occurs, claims not filed, pended or denied under this provision may be refiled for
reconsideration, but only if this Plan has not been terminated prior to that date, in
which event the claims are not eligible for coverage.
OR
Eagle County Government 23 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Charges for services, supplies, care or treatment to a Participant for an "Injury" or
"Illness" which occurred as a result of that Plan Participant operating a motor vehicle
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination thereof or operating a
motor vehicle with a blood or breath alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit. The
arresting officer's determination of inebriation will be sufficient for this exclusion. It is
not necessary for this exclusion to apply that criminal charges be filed, or if filed, that a
conviction result. Expenses will be covered for injured Plan Participants other than the
person operating the vehicle while under the influence or a BAC above the legal limit,
and expenses may be covered for chemical dependency treatment as specified in this
Plan. This exclusion does not apply if the injury resulted from an act of domestic
violence or a medical (physical and/or mental health) condition.
8. Treatment, services or follow up care provided as a result of or in conjunction with a
treatment or service not covered by the "Plan," including but not limited to expenses for
the revision of a previously excluded treatment or procedure, regardless of Medical
Necessity.
19. Expenses for foot care with respect to: corns, calluses, flat feet, fallen arches, weak feet,
chronic foot strain, or symptomatic complaints of the feet. Expenses for removal of
corns, calluses or trimming of toenails, are covered when "Medically Necessary" in the
treatment of a metabolic or peripheral vascular disease.
0. Gene manipulation therapy.
2 1. Genetic counseling and amniocentesis testing unless recommended by a "Physician"
based on the existence of adverse risk factors such as a documented high -risk pregnancy
or family history of genetic disorder. Any procedure intended solely for sex
determination is not covered.
2. Expenses for health club membership.
3. Hearing therapy, except where "Medically Necessary" due to an "Accident" or
"Injury," but in no event shall it be covered due to the normal aging process.
1
4. Expenses related to hypnosis.
5. Treatment for infertility (absence of the ability to conceive a child) and /or artificial
insemination, including drugs for treatment of infertility, in vitro fertilization, or
reversal of vasectomies or reversal of tubal ligations
NOTE: Initial fertility testing and related services for diagnosis is covered by the Plan.
Once these procedures are completed, and the underlying medical diagnosis is
confirmed, no expenses for the treatment of infertility will be covered unless the
diagnosis constitutes a medical condition which is a threat to the covered person's health,
and such additional treatment is medically necessary for that condition.
Eagle (bounty Government 24 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
26. Services for which there is no legal obligation to pay, or charges which would not be
made, but for existence of the Benefit Plan.
27. Marital counseling or sex therapy of any kind.
28. Maternity expenses or abortions for "Children," the latter of which shall be covered if
the life of the mother is endangered by the continued pregnancy or the pregnancy is the
result of rape or incest.
29. Medical Marijuana regardless if prescribed or medically necessary.
30. Expense for preparing medical reports or itemized bills.
31. Benefits provided under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare), as amended,
to the extent that charges for the same services are also allowed under Medicare, except
as may be required by law.
32. Expenses not "Medically Necessary" for diagnosis or treatment, except as specifically
indicated as a covered medical expense.
33. Expenses for missed appointments and/or charges incurred when scheduled services are
canceled by the covered person.
34. Expenses for multi - focal refractive Implant Optical Lenses (i.e. ReZoom).
35. Accidents, when "No Fault" auto /motor vehicle coverage exists or should have existed
had there been compliance with applicable no -fault insurance regulations. Covered
expenses in excess of No Fault medical reimbursement limits may be covered by the
Plan.
36. Nonmedical expenses such as training, educational instruction, educational materials or
studies, modifications to home, vehicle or work place to accommodate medical
conditions, even if prescribed by a physician. However, this exclusion does not apply to
patient, family member or other designated assistant, for education, training or supplies
at the onset of a medical condition that is necessary to the proper care of that condition,
or to further training caused by a change in the medical condition or the development of
new treatment methods.
37. Care in an institution not licensed as a "Hospital" such as a nursing home or a home for
the aged. Care in a convalescent facility following a period of hospitalization is a
covered expense.
38. Expense in connection with services or supplies provided for treatment of obesity and
weight reduction (except "Morbid Obesity ").
39. Personal comfort items while hospital confined, such as telephone, television, guest
meals, etc.
Eagle County Government 25 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
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O. Non - Physician referred Physical Therapy (inclusive of Occupational Therapy and /or
Speech Therapy).
1. Any treatment or service furnished by a Physician or intern of a medical facility who is
reimbursed for his or her services by a medical facility.
2. Any treatment or service furnished by a "Physician" who is a resident of a
participant's household or member of the immediate family.
43. Services related to post - mortem testing.
44. Expenses subject to the pre- existing condition exclusion provision.
15. Care in any private institution, or any institution owned or operated by the federal,
1 state or local government, which would be provided to the "Covered Person" under this
Plan at no cost, except as required by law.
46. Psychoanalysis or psychotherapy that can be credited towards earning a degree or
furtherance of the education or training of a "Covered Person," regardless of diagnosis or
symptoms that may be present.
7. Expense for rental or purchase of equipment such as air conditioners, dehumidifiers,
purifiers, whirlpools, heating pads and hot water bottles.
8. Expenses for sex change, transsexualism, gender dysphoria, including drugs,
medication, hormone therapy, surgery, medical or psychiatric care and/or treatment.
49. Special duty nursing services when requested by, or for the convenience of, the patient
or the patient's family; or when rendered by a private duty nurse who is related by blood,
marriage, adoption, or a member of the household of the "Covered Person," such as a
spouse, parent, child, brother or sister.
0. Expense for special education, counseling, therapy or care for behavioral disorders
or learning deficiencies whether or not associated with manifest mental disorders or
other disturbances. Expenses incurred for initial diagnostic testing to determine the
diagnosis and expenses for medication and medical management of the medication will
be covered.
1. Surrogate expenses.
2. Treatment, services or follow up care provided as a result of or in conjunction with a
treatment or service not covered by the "Plan," including but not limited to expenses for
the revision of a previously excluded treatment or procedure, regardless if considered
"Medically Necessary."
13. Treatment or surgical expense related to craniofacial muscle disorders and
Temporomandibular disorders (TMJ).
Eagle County Government 26 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
The following services are not covered: electromyography, sonography, thermography,
study models, dietary and related biochemical analysis, dental kinesiology, grinding the
surface of the teeth, appliances, orthodontic treatment, or change of vertical dimension,
including crowns.
54. Claims for any otherwise covered services during coverage suspension periods caused by
non - compliance with the Plan's Third Party Liability Exclusion provision.
55. Transplant services that are not human -to -human organ or tissue transplant procedures.
56. Travel expense by a "Covered Person" whether or not recommended by a physician, or
travel expense incurred by a physician attending a "Covered Person."
57. Expenses exceeding the "Usual, Reasonable and Customary Charge" in the
geographic area in which services are rendered.
58. Vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, appetite suppressants, dietary supplements,
and formulas whether or not prescribed by a physician, except as specifically indicated
as a covered expense.
59. Services provided to a "Covered Person" who sustains bodily "Injury" while
participating in war, or "Illness" as the result of participating in war, whether declared or
undeclared, insurrection, rebellion or revolution, or to any act or condition incident to
any of the foregoing, unless as the result of a random act.
60. Expense for care not the result of an "Injury," "Illness" or "Sickness" except for
"Preventive Care" such as physical exams and appropriate tests performed by In-
Network Providers and routine hospital nursery services for newborns which are covered
as the mother's expenses.
61. Expense resulting from a work related "Accident" or "Illness" whether or not covered
under workers' compensation or occupational disease laws. The term "work" as used
herein includes not only employment with the Plan Sponsor, but employment by other
employers or self - employment regardless of whether or not there is a legal obligation to
carry workers' compensation, in an activity which requires that any income generated be
reported to the Internal Revenue Service. For example, work does not include hobbies
for personal pleasure, such as gardening or mechanical repairs on one's own
automobiles, but does include self - employment in farming or automobile repair.
Expenses otherwise ineligible under this Pan may be considered eligible expenses if they are
determined to represent a more cost - effective form of medical treatment than another covered
expense. The eligibility of such expenses is subject to prior written approval of the Plan.
Eagle County Government 27 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
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1
Pre- xistinz Condition Limitations
The lan will not cover treatment of a "Pre- Existing Condition" until you or your covered
"Dep ndents" have been covered under the Plan for twelve (12) consecutive months. This
provi ion does not apply to participating newborn infants, adopted "Children," "Covered Person's"
unde the age of 19 years old, or pregnancy related care if such participants are enrolled when first
eligi le. Also, genetic information may not be treated as a preexisting condition in the absence of a
diagnpsis.
The twelve (12) month period during which pre- existing conditions are not covered will be reduced
by periods of creditable coverage under this Plan as well as eligible previous plans. For creditable
coverage from prior plans to apply, the following conditions must be met:
1. There must not be a break in coverage of more than 63 consecutive days from the date
prior coverage ends to your " HIPAA Enrollment Date." Time spent satisfying eligibility
waiting periods in prior plans will not be counted towards the 63 -day limit.
2. The prior plan must be either an individual or group health plan or policy (including
"Medicaid" and "Medicare ") or health coverage that is maintained by state, U.S.
Government, foreign country, or any political subdivision and a state Children's Health
Insurance Program (S -CHIP) that provided coverage generally similar to that provided
by this Plan. This Plan will follow the Standard Method for crediting of prior coverage.
That is, credit will be provided in this Medical Plan for creditable prior coverage under
plans providing similar Medical benefits.
As allowed under HIPAA, no prior credit will be provided for periods of coverage in the
following types of plans:
a. Accident or disability income
b. Liability insurance, including general liability
c. Auto liability insurance
d. Workers' compensation
e. Automobile medical payments insurance
f. Credit -only insurance
g. On -site medical clinic coverage
h. Limited group dental or vision benefits
'S The Standard Method of counting creditable coverage counts the number of days during which an individual had
one or more types of creditable coverage.
Eagle County Government 28 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
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i. Long -term care insurance
j. "Convalescent Nursing Home" care
k. Home health care
1. Community -based care
m. Fixed income coverage
n. Specific disease policies
o. Medigap coverage
p. Other plans for which HIPAA credit is not required by law
3. Documentation confirming participation in prior plans or other evidence of prior
coverage, satisfactory to this Plan, must be provided to receive credit for prior coverage.
This Plan will follow legal requirements for administering these provisions as may exist pursuant to
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( HIPAA) as amended, which apply
to this Plan.
Voluntary Pre-Notification
Pre - notification of certain services is strongly recommended, but not required by the Plan. Pre-
notification provides information regarding coverage before the "Covered Person" receives
treatment, services and /or supplies. A benefit determination on a "Claim" will be made only after the
Claim has been submitted. A pre - notification of services by the Plan's RN Case Manager (refer to
section Important Contact Information for details) is not a determination by the Plan that a Claim
will be paid. All Claims are subject to the terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions of the
Plan at the time charges are incurred. A pre - notification is not required as a condition precedent to
paying benefits, and cannot be appealed.
Examples of when the "Physician" and "Covered Person" should contact the Plan's RN Case
Manager prior to treatment include:
1. Inpatient admissions to a Hospital
2. Inpatient admissions to free - standing chemical dependency, mental health, and
rehabilitation facilities
3. Cancer treatment programs, administered on an inpatient or outpatient basis
4. Inpatient or outpatient surgeries relating to, but not limited to, hysterectomies, back
surgery, or bariatric surgery
Eagle County Government 29 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
All C aims are subject to the terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions of the Plan at the time
charg s are incurred.
The hysician or Covered Person should notify the Plan's RN Case Manager (refer to section
Impo tant Contact Information for details) at least seven (7) days before services are scheduled to be
rende ed with the following information:
1. The name of the patient and relationship to the covered "Employee"
2. The name, Employee identification number and address of the "Covered Person"
3. The name of the Employer
4. The name and telephone number of the attending "Physician"
5. The name of the "Hospital," proposed date of admission, and proposed length of stay
6. The diagnosis and /or type of surgery
7. The plan of care, treatment protocol and /or informed consent, if applicable
If the #e is an emergency admission to the "Hospital," the "Covered Person," Covered Person's
fam4 member, Hospital or attending "Physician" should notify the Plan's RN Case Manager within
two (2) business days after the admission.
Hospi al observation room stays in excess of 23 hours are considered an admission for purposes of
this pogram, therefore the Plan's RN Case Manager should be notified.
Voluntary Centers of Excellence Benefits
There is no obligation to the Plan participant to use either a network provider or a Center of
Excellence facility; however, benefits for conditions such as transplants or out - patient renal dialysis
and re�ated expenses will vary depending upon whether services are provided by a network provider
or a n n- network provider and whether or not a Center of Excellence facility is utilized.
NOTE: Obtaining a notification confirmation number means the proposed treatment is
appropriate for the condition, but it does not guarantee you are eligible for benefits or that the
servi s are eligible medical expenses under the Plan. Coverage is contingent upon eligibility
and a Plan provisions and limitations at the time the service is rendered and must be verified
by th Claims Administrator.
•
If requirements under the Plan for voluntary notification should differ from the guidelines and
procedures set forth under the utilization review contract, as may be amended from time to time, it is
the intent of the Plan that the provisions of the Plan's most current utilization review contract shall
prevail.
Eagle County Government 30 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
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Case Management Program
If a "Covered Person" has an ongoing medical condition or catastrophic "Illness," an RN Case
Manager may be assigned to monitor this Covered Person, and to work with the attending
"Physician" and Covered Person to design a treatment plan and coordinate appropriate "Medically
Necessary" care. The RN Case Manager will consult with the Covered Person, the family, and the
attending Physician in order to assist in coordinating the plan of care approved by the Covered
Person's attending Physician and the Covered Person.
This plan of care may include some or all of the following:
• Individualized support to the patient;
• Contacting the family to offer assistance for coordination of medical care needs;
• Monitoring response to treatment;
• Evaluating outcomes; and
• Assisting in obtaining any necessary equipment and services.
Case Management is not a requirement of the Plan. There are no reductions of benefits or penalties if the
"Covered Person" and family choose not to participate.
Each treatment plan is individualized to a specific Covered Person and is not appropriate or
recommended for any other patient, even one with the same diagnosis. All treatment and care decisions
will be the sole determination of the Covered Person and the attending Physician.
Disease Management Program
The plan contains, and strongly encourages use of, the Disease Management Program (DMP)
provided by the Plan's Case Manger(s). The Program is voluntary and the purpose is to provide
"Covered Person's" diagnosed with chronic medical condition(s) with education, monitoring and
lifestyle coaching in order to help you better manage your health condition. Once you have been
identified as a candidate for the DMP, a Case Manger will contact you and offer to help better
understand your risk factors and utilize the most appropriate resources in the most appropriate
settings.
The DMP is intended to supplement the advice and care provided by your "Physician," not to
replace it. The DMP nurses may contact your Physician to discuss your treatment, coordinate care
plans or intervention when appropriate. For more information, contact the DMP team at the number
listed in section Important Contact Information.
Hospital Bill Audit Incentive
It is not unusual that, given the complex nature of providing medical care and the immediacy of
solving medical problems, patients are billed incorrectly for services. Patients are in the best
Eagle County Government 31 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
positi n to know what services (doctor visits, tests, hospital care, x -rays, etc.) they received and have
an ob igation to be sure they are billed properly.
To en ourage careful scrutiny of bills, the Plan provides a cash audit incentive when errors are
caug t and corrected by employees for eligible services incurred covered under the Medical
Plan. The payment is 50% of the amount of the corrected error to a maximum of $1,000 per
calendar year.
Careflully examine the bills you receive to be sure services were provided and billed correctly. For
complex services, it may be useful to maintain a diary of services rendered to use in auditing the
bills afnd question attending doctors and nurses as services are provided.
If err rs are found, immediately contact the hospital and have the error corrected. For audit
incen 've payment, then send both the original and corrected bill to the Plan's Claims Administrator
— refe to the Important Contact Information section for contact information details. They will
process your audit incentive claim, verify eligibility and correction and make incentive payments
directly to you.
This benefit is not designed to reimburse for gross typographical clerical errors (i.e. a $3,000 entry
which should have been $30.00). The claims processing system is designed to catch large clerical
errors; You can help by verifying there are no duplicate charges or charges for services that were
never performed and the like.
The Audit Incentive is one additional common sense approach to helping us all control healthcare
costs 4nd we encourage your active involvement. All decisions on eligibility for incentive payments
will be made by the Claims Administrator.
Comjlementary Medical Treatment
The P an reserves the right to allow for care at home or other methods of treatment or medical care
not of i erwise covered under the Plan. In cases where the patient's condition is expected to be or is
of a se ious nature, the Plan Administrator may arrange for review and/or case management services
from . professional qualified to perform such services. The Plan Administrator shall have the right
to alte or waive the normal provisions of the Plan when it is reasonable to expect a cost effective
result ithout a sacrifice to the quality of patient care, provided such care is approved by the Plan's
case anagement organization, the patient (or patient's legal representative), the attending
"Phys cian," and the Plan Administrator.
Bene s provided under this section are subject to all other Plan provisions. Alternative care will be
dete ined on the merits of each individual case and any care or treatment provided will not be
consid4ered as setting any precedent or creating any future liability, with respect to that covered
person or any other covered person.
Eagle county Government 32 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
PRESCRIPTION BENEFIT
Prescription medications are frequently used to treat both simple and complex medical problems and
coverage for pharmaceuticals is an important part of this Plan. The Employer's Prescription Card
Benefit is provided through the Plan's Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). Refer to the Important
Contact Information section for contact information details. The PBM contracts with select
pharmacies on the Plan's behalf. In this way, the Plan receives In- Network pricing for
pharmaceuticals.
An option is also available to obtain prescriptions by mail order, which is a convenient, and may be
at a lower cost way to purchase maintenance medications that are needed on a regular basis.
Generic Substitution
The Plan strongly encourages the use of generic prescription drugs. By law, generic and brand name
drugs must meet the same standards of safety, purity, strength and effectiveness. At the same time,
brand names are much more expensive than generic drugs. Use of generic drugs with this benefit
will save you money and we encourage you to ask your "Physician" to prescribe them whenever
possible.
Unless your "Physician" indicates on your prescription that the brand name drug is "Medically
Y
Necessary" for you, the pharmacy will substitute the generic equivalent when available and
permissible by law.
If you choose to have the pharmacy dispense a brand name drug in lieu of an available generic
substitute, you will pay a higher cost.
Who Can Prescribe
"Physicians" as defined by this "Plan" and as allowed by law. Prescriptions written by other
providers are not covered.
Plan Year Rx Deductible - Applies to Health & Wellness PPO Plan Only
Each "Covered Person" must pay the Plan Year Rx deductible amount shown in the Medical Benefit
Summary before Prescription Benefits are paid by the Plan. The Rx deductible applies to retail and
mail order.
Choice of Pharmacies
In conjunction with the PBM, the Plan has developed a network of In- Network pharmacies with
convenient locations to cover your needs. Your ID card will provide data to pharmacists necessary
to fill your prescription. In- Network pharmacies contracted with the Plan's PBM will automatically
file the prescription claim for you. Below is a list of a few of the pharmacies contracted with our
Eagle County Government 33 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
11■111111=17
Plan' PBM. However, for a complete list of PBM pharmacies, contact the Human Resources
depa ent or visit the PBM's website.
1. Wal -Mart
2. Eagle Pharmacy
3. King Soopers / City Market
4. Rite Aid — (Glenwood Springs)
5. Costco
Also, n the PBM website, you can log -on to their Web Member Services which allows you to:
Locate In- Network Pharmacies, by city and state;
2. Access Mail Order pharmacy information;
$. Research Brand vs. Generic drugs;
Cove Drugs
CoverH prescription drugs include but are not limited to (see Excluded Drugs for limitations):
l . "Legend" drugs;
2. Compounded drugs containing at least one "Legend" drug;
3. Insulin syringes and other diabetic supplies (glucometers limited to one (1) per calendar
year) as prescribed by a "Physician;"
The following self - injectables: Bee sting kits, Imitrex (limited to two (2) injections per
script), Depo - Provera, Lovenox, and Insulin;
Oral contraceptives, devices and other forms of birth control that require a prescription
by a Physician;
4. Smoking cessation drugs, limited to a maximum of six (6) months during a covered
person's lifetime.
. The following Over the Counter (OTC) drugs only with a prescription: Prilosec OTC,
Alavert, Claritin, and Zyrtec (their OTC generic equivalents).
Presciiption Benefit Exclusions and Limitations
The following are excluded from your prescription card benefit. Prescriptions for these items may
be obtained; however, the patient must pay the full cost of the prescription.
Eagleiounty Government 34 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Prescription drugs not covered by the Prescription Card or Mail Order Prescription Benefit may be
covered by the Medical Plan. Those benefits are subject to all applicable deductibles, coverage terms
and limitations and exclusions.
1. All drugs which do not require a prescription under Federal law.
2. "Legend" vitamins (except pre - natal), anorexic agents, infertility medications, anabolic
steroids (for body building), fluoride products, and over - the - counter drugs.
3. Rogaine, or similar hair loss medications.
4. Immunization agents, injectable immunosuppressants, biological sera and blood plasma.
5. Any charge for the administration of prescription Legend drugs or injectable insulin.
6. Any injectable medication, except for insulin, Imitrex, Depo Provera, Lovenox and bee
stin g kits.
7. Medication which is to be taken by or administered to the patient, in whole or in part,
while he or she is a patient in a hospital, rest home, sanitarium, extended care facility,
convalescent hospital, nursing home or similar institution which operates on its premises,
or allows to be operated on premises, a facility for dispensing pharmaceuticals.
8. Refilling of a prescription in excess of the number of units specified by the "Physician"
or dentist, or any refill dispenses after one year from the order of a physician or dentist.
9. Prescription drugs that are provided by local, state or federal programs, including
Workers' Compensation.
10. Therapeutic devices or appliances, such as Spinhaler, Inspirease, Aerochamber, etc.
11. Drugs labeled "Caution - Limited by Federal Law to Investigational Use," or
investigational, "Experimental," or medications not approved by the Food and Drug
Administration
12. Newly approved drugs may not automatically be covered. They must be reviewed by the
Plan on a case -by -case basis.
13. Drugs used to promote or enhance fertility or ovulation.
14. Any medication, "Legend" or not, which is consumed or administered at the place where
it is dispensed.
15. Tretinoin (e.g. Retin A, Accutane) except to treat a non - cosmetic condition, for persons
over age 25.
16. Medical Marijuana regardless if prescribed or medically necessary.
Eagle County Government 35 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
7. Drugs for any conditions excluded from Medical Plan coverage under Limitations and
Exclusions.
Retai Prescri Card Bene
USIN YOUR RETAIL PRESCRIPTION CARD
Pharmaceuticals covered by this Plan, other than those dispensed while you are hospitalized, must be
purch sed at one of the pharmacies that have contracted with our Plan. These arrangements allow.
the P n to provide both enhanced benefits and help moderate the rapidly increasing cost of
pha aceuticals.
Preset your prescription card at the time you present your prescription to the Pharmacist every time
you have a prescription filled to ensure that you receive the discounted drug price.
RETAj. PRESCRIPTION (Rx) COPAYMENTS
1. The "Employee" or "Dependent" will be responsible to pay the applicable copay. Please
refer to the Medical Benefit Summary section for copay details.
The Employee or Dependent will be responsible to pay for the drug if it is not a covered
benefit.
) . Rx copays do not accumulate toward the plan deductible or out -of- pocket maximum if
enrolled in the Health & Wellness PPO Plan but do accumulate under the Gold HSA
Plan.
RETAI1_, RX DISPENSING LIMITATIONS
Up to 30 -day supply
Retai! 90
A con enient option to mail order is the Retail 90 program which allows you the option of filling a
90 -da supply at participating pharmacies for your regular mail order copay. Please see the Human
Resou ces office for a list of participating pharmacies.
Mail order Pharmacy Benefit
A valuable option in the Medical Plan is the Mail Order Prescription Drug service, managed by our
Plan's PBM (see Important Contact Information section for contact information details). It allows
each Orson to save money when purchasing maintenance medications and helps to keep Plan costs
down.
Eagle County Government 36 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
1. An initial Mail Service order form is available from Human Resources as well as a
brochure describing the program. You will need to complete the patient profile
information only for your initial order. The Plan's PBM will include a prepaid reorder
envelope as each order is mailed to you. You may also access the Mail Order forms
through the Mail Order Pharmacy's website (refer to the Important Contact Information
section for details).
2. You can order up to a 90 -day supply.
3. The Plan has the convenience of home delivery.
4. Refills may be ordered in one of two ways: (a) you may complete the reorder form
supplied by the Plan's Mail Order Pharmacy and mail it in on or after the refill date
printed on the reorder form, or (b) you may call the Mail Order Pharmacy's toll -free
number, 1 - 800 - 233 - 3872. You can charge your purchase to VISA, MasterCard or
Discover Card on phoned in refill orders, or pay by check or money order.
5. You should receive your prescriptions within 14 days after your order is received.
6. If you need to take maintenance medications right away, ask your doctor for two
prescriptions, one for a 30 -day supply and one for your mail order supply with refills.
Fill the 30 -day supply at your local network Retail Pharmacy and send the mail order
prescription to the Plan's Mail Order Pharmacy.
7. Your prescription(s) will be filled for the exact quantity prescribed by your physician up
to a 90 -day supply. For example, if your prescription is written for a 30 -day supply with
2 refills, you will receive a 30 -day supply. The refills cannot be combined to equal one
90 -day supply. With this in mind, please remind your physician that you will be
ordering from mail service and ask your physician to write the prescription for a 90 -day
supply with the appropriate number of refills.
8. Be sure to discuss with your physician the possibility of prescribing generic medication.
Utilizing generic medications will reduce your health care cost.
MAIL ORDER Rx DISPENSING LIMITATIONS
Up to a 90 -day supply.
Prohibited Use of the Prescription Card
The Prescription Card cannot be used if you are no longer eligible for benefits. Also, you cannot
obtain drugs prescribed for the treatment of a work - related "Injury" or "Illness."
Termination of Prescription Card Coverage
Your right to use the Prescription Card Benefit ends when your coverage under this Plan terminates.
Eagle County Government 37 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
GENE RAL M EDICAL PLAN INFORMATION
The laims Procedure section of this "Plan" is intended to comply with all applicable laws and
findi s of their regulatory authorities, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(PPA A). As further guidance may be issued, this section of the Plan is hereby automatically
amended to be in minimal compliance as may be necessary.
Internal and External Claims Procedures
For the purposes of this section, You and Your means the Plan Participant or the Plan Participant's
autho ized representative. You and Your does not include a healthcare provider simply by virtue of
an as 'gnment of benefits.
A Cl im means a request for a Plan benefit, made by a "Covered Person" or by an authorized
representative of a Covered Person that complies with the Plan's reasonable procedures for filing
benefit Claims.
A "C vered Person" may appoint an authorized representative to act upon his or her behalf with
respe t to the Claim. Only those individuals who satisfy the Plan' s requirements to be an authorized
repre ntative will be considered an authorized representative. A healthcare provider is not an
autho ized representative simply by virtue of an assignment of benefits. Contact the Claims
Admi istrator for information on the Plan' s procedures for authorized representatives.
A Claim for benefits is not:
1.' a Claim that has been previously submitted, denied, appealed, and re- denied upon appeal, or
2. an inquiry on a Covered Person's eligibility for benefits, or
1 a request by a Covered Person or his Physician for a pre - notification of benefits on a medical
treatment. Pre - notification of certain services is strongly recommended, but not required by
the Plan. A pre - notification of services is not a determination by the Plan that a Claim will
be paid. A benefit determination on a Claim will be made only after the Claim has been
submitted. A pre - notification is not required as a condition precedent to paying benefits, and
cannot be appealed.
A Clam Denial is also know as an Adverse Benefit Determination and shall mean all or part of a
claim is denied, a reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or
in park) for, a benefit. An inquiry regarding eligibility or benefits without a Claim for benefits is not
a Claim and, therefore, cannot be appealed.
Eagle bounty Government 38 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
IN- NETWORK PROVIDERS
Hospital and facility claims will be filed by In- Network providers by way of our Plan's PPO
Provider Network. Patients are responsible for deductibles and copays at the time of service as may
be required by their "Physician."
Out -of Network Providers (Includes Dental Claims)
As you and /or your family members accumulate "Out -of- Network" expenses, you should submit
them to the Plan's Claims Administrator. You are encouraged to "batch" your claims together
whenever possible to help the Plan to control processing costs. Specific data regarding all claims is
necessary for prompt payment.
How To File a Claim
(Applies to Out -of- Network Medical or Dental Provider Claims)
The appropriate claim forms may be obtained directly from the Claims Administrator or the Human
Resources office. The following general steps should be followed in order to file a claim:
1. Complete the employee portion of the claim form in full. Answer all questions, even if the
answer is "none" or "N /A" (not applicable).
2. Attach all necessary documentation of expenses to the claim form. Documentation must
include:
a. A description of services or supplies provided, detailing the charge for each service
or supply;
b. The diagnosis;
c. The date(s) of service;
d. The patient's name;
e. The provider's name, address, phone number and degree;
f The federal tax identification number of the provider.
3. Complete a separate claim form for each person for whom benefits are being requested.
4. If another plan is the primary payor, a copy of the other plan's Explanation of Benefits
(EOB) must accompany the claim form sent to this Plan.
5. Mail or fax completed claim forms to the Claims Administrator - refer to the Important
Contact Information section for contact information details.
Eagle County Government 39 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
No e: A Claim will not be deemed submitted until it is received by the Claims Administrator.
Info ation, including employee or dependent's name, medical diagnosis and itemized bills from
provi ers of services must be provided. Additionally, the Plan's Claims Administrator may require
additi nal information necessary to process you or your dependent(s) claim, to include but not
limit to; "Accident" details if applicable; validation of a dependent's last name if different from
the employee whose coverage the claim is based; and spousal employment verification.
Timey Filing of Claims
Exce t in the absence of legal capacity, in no event will an expense be considered if the claim is
filed ore than 12- months from the date of service in which the expense was incurred.
When a Claim Should be Filed
Clai s should be filed with the Claims Administrator as stated in the Timely Filing of Claims
secti . Benefits are based on the Plan's provisions in effect at the time the charges were
incu ed. Claims filed later than that date will be denied.
The Plan Participant must provide sufficient documentation (as determined by the Claims
Administrator) to support a claim for benefits. The Plan reserves the right to have a "Covered
Person" seek a second medical opinion.
Type of Claims
Thera are two types of claims.
1. Concurrent Care Determination
A Concurrent Care Determination is a reduction or termination of a previously approved
cours of treatment that is to be provided over a period of time or for a previously approved
number of treatments. If Case Management is appropriate for a Plan participant, Case
Management is not considered a Concurrent Care Determination. Please refer to the Case
Management section for further information.
2. Post - Service Claim
A Po t - Service Claim is a claim for medical care, treatment, or services that a "Covered Person"
has aleady received.
All gi,lestions regarding claims should be directed to the Claims Administrator. All claims will be
consi ered for payment according to the Plan's terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions, and
industry standard guidelines in effect at the time charges were incurred. The Plan may, when
appropriate or when required by law, consult with relevant health care professionals and access
profe$sional industry resources in making decisions about claims involving specialized medical
knowledge or judgment.
Eagle County Government 40 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
A claim will not be deemed submitted until it is received by the Claims Administrator.
Initial Benefit Determination
The initial benefit determination on a Claim will be made within 30 days of the Claim
Administrator's receipt of the claim (or 15 days if the Claim is a Concurrent Care Determination). If
additional information is necessary to process the claim, the Claims Administrator will make a
written request to the "Covered Person" for the additional information within this initial period. The
Covered Person must submit the requested information within 45 days of receipt of the request from
the Claims Administrator. Failure to submit the requested information within the 45 -day period
may result in a denial of the claim or a reduction in benefits. If additional information is
requested, the Plan's time period for making a determination is suspended until such time as the
Covered Person provides the information, or the end of the 45 day period, whichever occurs earlier.
A benefit determination on the claim will be made within 15 days of the Plan's receipt of the
additional information.
Notice of Determination
If a claim is denied in whole or in part, the Plan shall provide written or electronic notice of the
determination that will include the following:
1. Information to identify the claim involved.
2. Specific reason(s) for the denial, including the denial code and its meaning.
3. Reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the denial was based.
4. Description of any additional information necessary for the Covered Person to perfect the
claim and an explanation of why such information is necessary.
5. Description of the Plan's Internal Appeal Procedures and External Review Procedure and the
applicable time limits. This will include a statement of the Covered Person's right to bring a
civil action once Covered Person has exhausted all available internal and external review
procedures.
6. Statement that the Covered Person is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge,
reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to
the claim.
If applicable:
1. Any internal rule, guideline, protocol, or other similar criterion that was relied upon in making the
determination on the claim.
2. If the Adverse Benefit Determination is based on the "Medical Necessity" or "Experimental" or
investigational exclusion or similar such exclusion, an explanation of the scientific or clinical
Eagle County Government 41 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
judgment for the determination applying the terms of the Plan to the claim.
3. j Identification of medical or vocational experts, whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Plan in
connection with a claim.
If the 'Covered Person" has questions about the denial, the Covered Person may contact the Claims
Administrator at the address or telephone number printed on the Notice of Determination (also
known as an explanation of benefits (EOB).
A claim denial or adverse benefit determination also includes a rescission of coverage, which is a
retroactive cancellation or discontinuance of coverage due to fraud or intentional misrepresentation.
A rescission of coverage does not include a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that takes
effect) prospectively, or is a retroactive cancellation or discontinuance because of the Plan
participant's failure to timely pay required premiums.
Clain#s Review Procedure - General
A " Covered Person" may appeal an Adverse Benefit Determination. The Plan offers a two -level internal
review procedure and an external review procedure to provide the Covered Person with a full and fair
review of the Adverse Benefit Determination.
The > 1an will provide for a review that does not give deference to the previous Adverse Benefit
Determination and that is conducted by an individual who is neither the individual who made the
determination on a prior level of review, nor a subordinate of that individual. Additionally, if an External
Review is requested, that review will be conducted by an Independent Review Organization (IRO) that
was npt involved in any of the prior determinations. In addition, the Plan Administrator may:
1.! Take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the
1 "Covered Person" related to the claim, without regard as to whether this information was
submitted or considered in a prior level of review.
2. Provide to the Covered Person, free of charge, any new or additional information or rationale
considered, relied upon or created by the Plan in connection with the Claim. This information
or new rationale will be provided sufficiently in advance of the response deadline for the final
Adverse Benefit Determination so that the Covered Person has a reasonable amount of time to
respond.
3.1 Consult with an independent health care professional who has the appropriate training and
experience in the applicable field of medicine related to the Covered Person's Adverse Benefit
Determination if that determination was based in whole or in part on medical judgment,
including determinations on whether a treatment, drug, or other item is Experimental and /or
Investigational, or not Medically Necessary. A health care professional is "independent" to the
extent the health care professional was not consulted on a prior level of review or is a
subordinate of a health care professional who was consulted on a prior level of review. The
Plan may consult with vocational or other experts regarding the Initial Benefit Determination.
Eagle bounty Government 42 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Internal Appeal Procedure
First Level of Internal Review
The written request for review must be submitted within 180 days of the Covered Person's receipt of a
Notice of the Initial Benefit Determination (or 15 days for an appeal ofa Concurrent Care Determination).
The Covered Person should include in the appeal letter: his or hen ID number, group health plan
name, and a statement of why the Covered Person disagrees with the Adverse Benefit Determination. The
Covered Person may include any additional supporting information, even if not initially submitted with the
Claim. The appeal should be addressed to:
CNIC Health Solutions (CNIC)
PO Box 3559
Englewood, CO 80155 -3559
Attn: Claims Appeals
An appeal will not be deemed submitted until it is received by the Plan Administrator. The
"Covered Person" cannot proceed to the next level of internal or external review if the Covered
Person fails to submit a timely appeal.
The first level of review will be performed by the Claims Administrator on the Plan's behalf. The Claims
Administrator will review the information initially received and any additional information provided by
the Covered Person, and determine if the Initial Benefit Determination was appropriate based upon the
terms and conditions of the Plan and other relevant information. The Claims Administrator will send a
written or electronic Notice of Determination to the Covered Person within 30 days of the receipt of the
appeal (or 15 days for an appeal ofa Concurrent Care Determination). The Notice of Determination shall
meet the requirements as stated above.
Second Level of Internal Review
If the Covered Person does not agree with the Claims Administrator's determination from the first Level
of Internal Review, the Covered Person may submit a second level appeal in writing within 60 days of the
Covered Person's receipt of the Notice of Determination from the First Level of Internal Review (or 15
days for an appeal ofa Concurrent Care Determination), along with any additional supporting information
to:
Eagle County Government
c/o CNIC Health Solutions (CNIC)
PO Box 3559
Englewood, CO 80155 -3559
Attn: Claims Appeals
An appeal will not be deemed submitted until it is received by the Plan Administrator or the Claims •
Administrator on the Plan Administrator's behalf. The Covered Person cannot proceed to an external
review or file suit if the Covered Person fails to submit a timely appeal.
The second level of internal review will be done by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator will
review the information initially received and any additional information provided by the Covered Person,
Eagle County Government 43 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
- 7
and ake a determination on the appeal based upon the terms and conditions of the Plan and other
relev nt information. The Plan Administrator will send a written or electronic Notice of Determination for
the s and level of review to the Covered Person within 30 days of receipt of the appeal (or 15 days for an
appe 1 of a Concurrent Care Determination). The Notice of Determination shall meet the requirements as
state above.
If thelCovered Person is not satisfied with the outcome of the final determination on the second level of
internal review, the Covered Person may request an External Review. The Covered Person must exhaust
both levels of the internal review procedure before requesting an External Review, unless the Plan
Administrator did not comply fully with the Plan's internal review procedure for the first level of review.
In ceitain circumstances as described below, the Covered Person may also request an expedited External
Revidw.
External Review Procedure
This l j'lan has an external review procedure that provides for a review conducted by a qualified
Independent Review Organization (IRO) that shall be assigned on a random basis.
A " Covered Person" may, by written request made to the Plan within four (4) months from the date
of receipt of the notice of the final internal adverse benefit determination or the 1 of the fifth month
following receipt of such notice, whichever occurs later, request a review by an IRO of a final
Adverse Benefit Determination of a claim, except where such request is limited by applicable law.
For ai adverse benefit determination to be eligible for external review, the "Covered Person" must
complete the required forms to process an External Review. The Covered Person may contact the
Claims Administrator for additional information.
The "Covered Person" will be notified in writing within 6 business days as to whether Covered
Person's request is eligible for external review and if additional information is necessary to process
Coveted Person's request. If Covered Person's request is determined ineligible for external review,
notic$ will include the reasons for ineligibility and contact information for the appropriate oversight
agen . If additional information is required to process Covered Person's request, Covered Person
may bmit the additional information within the four month filing period, or 48 hours, whichever
occu later.
"Cov red Person" should receive written notice from the assigned IRO of Covered Person's right to
subm t additional information to the IRO and the time periods and procedures to submit this
additi nal information. The IRO will make a final determination and provide written notice to the
Coveted Person and the Plan no later than 45 days from the date the IRO receives Covered Person's
request for External Review. The notice from the IRO should contain a discussion of its reason(s)
and rationale for the decision, including any applicable evidence -based standards used, and
references to evidence or documentation considered in reaching its decision.
The cjiecision of the IRO is binding upon the Plan and the "Covered Person," except to the
exten other remedies may be available under applicable law. Before filing a lawsuit, the
Cove ed Person must exhaust all available levels of review as described in this section, unless an
Eagle County Government 44 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
exception under applicable law applies. A legal action to obtain benefits must be commenced within
one (1) year of the date of the Notice of Determination on the final level of internal or external
review, whichever is applicable.
Coordination of Benefits
The Plan's Coordination of Benefits provision sets forth rules for the order of payment of Covered
Charges when two or more plans — including Medicare — are paying. The Plan has adopted the order
of benefits as set forth in the National Insurance Commissioners Association (NAIC) Model COB
Regulations, as amended. When a Covered Person is covered by this Plan and another plan, or the
Covered Person's Spouse is covered by this Plan and by another plan, or the couple's Covered
children are covered under two or more plans, the plans will coordinate benefits when a claim is
received. The plan that pays first according to the rules will pay as if there were no other plan
involved. The secondary and subsequent plans will pay the balance due up to 100% of the total
Allowable Charges.
Benefit plan
This provision will coordinate the medical and dental benefits of a benefit plan. The term benefit
plan means this Plan or any one of the following plans:
1. Group or group -type plans, including franchise or blanket benefit plans.
2. Blue Cross and Blue Shield group plans.
3. Group practice and other group prepayment plans.
4. Federal government plans or programs. This includes Medicare.
5. Other plans required or provided by law. This does not include Medicaid or any benefit
plan like it that, by its terms, does not allow coordination.
6. Any automobile insurance, including but not limited to, No Fault Auto Insurance, by
whatever name it is called, when not prohibited by law.
7. Any third -party liability insurance, including but not limited to, homeowners liability
insurance, umbrella insurance and premises liability insurance, whether individual or
commercial, or on an insured, uninsured, under - insured or self - insured basis. If the
Covered Person, or someone on behalf of the Covered Person, has received any
compensation and/or benefits from any third -party source, this compensation and /or
benefits shall be primary and shall be coordinated with the benefits that they may be
eligible to receive through this Plan before they may receive any benefits from this Plan.
Eagle County Government 45 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
it >
Allo able Charge(s)
For a harge to be allowable it must be a Usual, Customary, and Reasonable Charge and at least part
of it ust be covered under this Plan. In the case of HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or
other n- network only plans: This Plan will not consider any charges in excess of what an HMO or
netw rk provider has agreed to accept as payment in full. Also, when an HMO or network plan is
prim and the Covered Person does not use an HMO or network provider, this Plan will not
consi er as an Allowable Charge any charge that would have been covered by the HMO or network
plan ad the Covered Person used the services of an HMO or network provider. In the case of
service type plans where services are provided as benefits, the reasonable cash value of each service
will bye the Allowable Charge.
Automobile limitations
Wherl any payments are available under vehicle insurance, the Plan shall pay excess benefits only,
withouut reimbursement for vehicle plan deductibles. This Plan shall always be considered the
secondary carrier regardless of the individual's election under PIP (personal Injury protection)
coverjtge with the auto carrier.
Benefit plan payment order
When two or more plans provide benefits for the same Allowable Charge, benefit payment will
follow these rules.
•
1 . Plans that do not have a coordination provision, or one like it, will pay first. Plans with
such a provision will be considered after those without one.
Plans with a coordination provision will pay their benefits up to the Allowable Charge.
The first rule that describes which plan is primary is the rule that applies:
a. The benefits of the plan which covers the person directly (that is, as a
Member/Employee, Retiree, or subscriber) ( "Plan A ") are determined before those
of the plan which covers the person as a Dependent ( "Plan B "). For Qualified
Beneficiaries, coordination is determined based on the person's status prior to the
Qualifying Event.
With regard to same sex domestic partners, under federal law, the Medicare Secondary
Payer Rules do not apply to same sex domestic partners covered under a group health
plan. Therefore, Medicare is always the Primary Plan (pays first) for a person covered as
a same sex domestic partner and this Plan is the Secondary Plan.
Speci 1 rule. If:
I . The person covered directly is a Medicare beneficiary,
Medicare is secondary to Plan B, and
Eagle bounty Government 46 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
I
•
3. Medicare is primary to Plan A (for example, if the person is retired), THEN Plan B will
pay first.
4. Unless there is a court decree stating otherwise, when a child is covered as a Dependent
by more than one plan the order of benefits is determined as follows:
a. When a child is covered as a Dependent and the parents are married or living
together, these rules will apply:
(1) The benefits of the benefit plan of the parent whose birthday falls earlier in a
year are determined before those of the benefit plan of the parent whose
birthday falls later in that year; ❑
(2) If both parents have the same birthday, the benefits of the benefit plan which
has covered the parent for the longer time are determined before those of the
benefit plan which covers the other parent. When a child's parents are
divorced, legally separated or not living together, whether or not they have
ever been married, these rules will apply:
(i) A court decree may state which parent is financially responsible for
medical and dental benefits of the child. In this case, the benefit plan of
that parent will be considered before other plans that cover the child as a
Dependent. This rule applies beginning the first of the month after the
plan is given notice of the court decree.
(ii) A court decree may state both parents will be responsible for the
Dependent child's health care expenses. In this case, the plans covering
the child shall follow order of benefit determination rules outlined
above when the parents are married or living together (as detailed
above);
(3) The benefits of a benefit plan which covers a person as a Member/Employee
who is neither laid offnor retired are determined before those of a benefit plan
which covers that person as a laid -off or Retired Member/Employee. The
benefits of a benefit plan which covers a person as a Dependent of a
Member/Employee who is neither laid off nor retired are determined before
those of a benefit plan which covers a person as a Dependent of a laid off or
Retired Member/Employee. If the other benefit plan does not have this rule,
and if, as a result, the plans do not agree on the order of benefits, this rule does
not apply.
(4) The benefits of a benefit plan which covers a person as a Member/Employee
who is neither laid offnor retired or a Dependent of a Member/Employee who
is neither laid off nor retired are determined before those of a plan which
covers the person as a COBRA beneficiary. This rule does not apply if rule #1
can be used to determine the order of benefits.
Eagle County Government 47 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
(5) If the specific terms of the court decree state that the parents shall share joint
custody, without stating that one of the parents is responsible for the health
care expenses of the child, the plans covering the child shall follow the order
of benefit determination rules outlined above when a child is covered as a
Dependent and the parents are married or living together. If there is no court
decree allocating responsibility for the Dependent child's health care expenses,
the order of benefits are as follows: 1st The plan covering the custodial parent,
2nd The plan covering the spouse of the custodial parent, 3rd The plan
covering the non - custodial parent, and 4th The plan covering the spouse of the
non- custodial parent.
(6) If there is still a conflict after these rules have been applied, the benefit plan
which has covered the patient for the longer time will be considered first.
When there is a conflict in coordination of benefit rules, the Plan will never
pay more than 50% of Allowable Charges when paying secondary.
(i) Medicare will pay primary, secondary or last to the extent stated in
federal law. When Medicare is to be the primary payer, this Plan will
base its payment upon benefits that would have been paid by Medicare
under Parts A and B, regardless of whether or not the person was
enrolled under both of these parts.
(ii) If a Plan Participant is under a disability extension from a previous
benefit plan, that benefit plan will pay first and this Plan will pay
second.
Claims determination period
Bene is will be coordinated on a Calendar Year basis. This is called the claims determination
perio .
Right Ito receive or release necessary information
To m*e this provision work, this Plan may give or obtain needed information from another
insuret or any other organization or person. This information may be given or obtained without
the consent of or notice to any other person. A Covered Person will give this Plan the
inforrration it asks for about other plans and their payment of Allowable Charges.
Facility of payment
•
This 11an may repay other plans for benefits paid that the Plan Administrator determines it
should have paid. That repayment will count as a valid payment under this Plan.
Eagle county Government 48 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Right of recovery
This Plan may pay benefits that should be paid by another benefit plan. In this case this Plan may
recover the amount paid from the other benefit plan or the Covered Person. That repayment will
count as a valid payment under the other benefit plan. Further, this Plan may pay benefits that
are later found to be greater than the Allowable Charge. In this case, this Plan may recover the
amount of the overpayment from the source to which it was paid.
Exception to Medicaid
In accordance with ERISA, the Plan shall not take into consideration the fact that an individual is
eligible for or is provided medical assistance through Medicaid when enrolling an individual in the
Plan or making a determination about the payments for benefits received by a Covered Person under
the Plan.
Third Party Liability Exclusion
Defined Terms
"Covered Person" means anyone covered under the Plan, including but not limited to minor
dependents and deceased Covered Persons. Covered Person shall include the parents, trustee,
guardian, heir, personal representative or other representative of a Covered Person, regardless of
applicable law and whether or not such representative has access or control of the Recovery.
"Recover," "Recovered," "Recovery" means all monies recovered by way of judgment, settlement,
reimbursement, or otherwise to compensate for any loss related to any Injury, Sickness, condition,
and/or accident where a Third Party is or may be responsible. "Recovery" includes, but is not limited
to, recoveries for medical or dental expenses, attorneys' fees, costs and expenses, pain and suffering,
loss of consortium, wrongful death, wages and /or any other recovery of any form of damages or
compensation whatsoever.
"Third Party" means any third party including but not limited to another person, any business entity,
insurance policy or any other policy or plan, including but not limited to uninsured or underinsured
coverage, self - insured coverage, no -fault coverage, automobile coverage, premises liability
(homeowners or business), umbrella policy.
Right to Reimbursement
This provision applies when the Covered Person incurs medical or dental expenses due to an Injury,
Sickness, condition, and/or accident which may be caused by the act or omission of a Third Party or
a Third Party may be responsible for payment. In such circumstances, the Covered Person may have
a claim against a Third Party for payment of such expenses. To the extent that the Plan paid benefits
on the Covered Person's behalf, the Covered Person agrees that the Plan has a lien on any Recovery
whether or not such Recovery(s) is designated as payment for such expenses. This lien shall remain
in effect until the Plan is repaid in full.
Eagle County Government 49 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
The Covered Person, and /or anyone on his or her behalf, agrees to hold in trust for the benefit of the
Plan, that portion of any Recovery received or that may be received from a Third Party in an amount
equal to the benefits paid by the Plan or that the Plan has agreed pay bn the Covered Person's behalf.
The overed Person shall promptly reimburse the Plan out of such Recovery, in first priority for the
full a ount of the Plan's lien. The Covered Person will reimburse the Plan first, even if the Covered
Pers has not been fully compensated or "made whole" and /or the Recovery is called something
other than a Recovery for healthcare, medical and /or dental expenses
The lan will only be responsible for those attorney fees and /or costs of recovery associated with a
Cove ed Person pursuing a claim against a Third Party to the extent that the Plan agrees in writing, •
or suI ject to the terms of a court order.
Right to Subrogation
This provision applies when the Covered Person incurs medical or dental expenses due to an Injury,
Sickness, condition, and /or accident which may be caused by the act or omission of a Third Party or
a Third Party may be responsible for payment. In such circumstances, the Covered Person may have
a claim against a Third Party for payment of such expenses.
The Covered Person agrees that the Plan is subrogated to any and all claims, causes of action or
right that the Covered Person may have now or in the future against a Third Party who has or may
have Icaused, contributed aggravated, and or be responsible for the Covered Person's Injury,
Sic ess, condition, and /or accident to the extent the Plan has paid benefits or has agreed to pay
bene ts. The Covered Person further agrees that the Plan is subrogated to any and all claims or
right that the Covered Person may have against any Recovery, including the Covered Person's
right under the Plan to bring an action to clarify his rights under the Plan. The Plan may assert this
Right of Subrogation independently of the Covered Person. The Plan is not obligated to pursue this
right independently or on behalf of the Covered Person, but may choose to exercise this right, in its
sole discretion.
Provisions Applicable to Both the Right to Reimbursement and Right to Subrogation
The overed Person automatically assigns to the Plan any and all rights he or she has or may have
again t any Third Party to the full extent of the Plan's equitable lien. The Covered Person agrees to:
Cooperate fully with the Plan and its agents, regarding the Plan's rights under this section;
2. Advise the Plan of any right or potential right to reimbursement and /or subrogation on the
Plan's behalf;
$. Provide to the Plan in a timely manner any and all facts, documents, papers, information
or otherr data reasonably related to the Covered Person's Injury, Sickness, condition, and /or
accident, including any efforts by another individual to Recover on the Covered Person's
behalf;
4. Execute all instruments and papers that the Plan or its agents may reasonably request to .
protect the Plan's rights under this section; Hold in trust that portion of any Recovery
received by the Covered Person or on the Covered Person's behalf equal to the Plan's lien
$. Hold in trust that portion of any Recovery received by the Covered Person or on the
i Covered Person's behalf equal to the Plan's lien;
Eagle Count' Government 50 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
6. Agree not to impair, impede or prejudice in any way, the rights of the Plan under this
section; and
7. Do whatever else the Plan deems reasonably necessary to secure the Plan's rights under
this section.
The Plan may take one or more of the following actions to enforce its rights under this section:
1. The Plan may require the Covered Person as a condition of paying benefits for the
Covered Person's Injury, Sickness, condition, or accident, to execute documentation
acknowledging the Plan's rights under this section;
2. The Plan may, to the extent of any benefits paid by the Plan, exercise its Right of
Reimbursement against any Recovery received, or that will be received, by or on behalf of
Covered Person;
3. The Plan may, to the extent of any benefits paid by the Plan, exercise its Right of
Subrogation directly against a Third Party who is or may be responsible; or
4. If full re- payment is not made to the Plan within 60 days after benefits are received from a
third party or a third party's insurer, Plan participation will be suspended until such time
full repayment is received. No Plan coverage will exist during such suspension other than
may be available and elected under the Plan's Continuation of Health Benefits provision.
In addition to this suspension of benefits, the Plan may bring legal action to recover these
benefits in any court with jurisdiction over the individual who received these benefits.
Plan Administrator is vested with full discretionary authority to interpret and apply the provisions of
this section. In addition, the Plan Administrator is vested with the discretionary authority to waive or
compromise any ofthe Plan's rights under this section. Any decision ofthe Plan Administrator made
in good faith will be final and binding. The Plan Administrator is authorized to adopt such
procedures as deemed necessary and appropriate to administrate the Plan's rights under this section.
Assignment of Benefits
All benefits for "Expenses Incurred" will be paid to the employee unless the Claim Administrator is
in receipt of an appropriately executed assignment of benefits or unless benefits are payable to a
provider contracting with the Plan.
The Plan shall have the right to recover from the Participant any payments or portions of payments
determined by the Plan to have been made in error or under false pretenses regardless of which party
(Participant, Plan Administrator, Claims Administrator, or facility or person furnishing services) is
found to have caused the error.
Recovery of Excess Payments
Whenever payments have been made in excess of the amount necessary to satisfy the provisions of
this Plan, the Plan has the right to recover these excess payments from any individual, insurance
company or other organization to whom the excess payments were made.
Eagle County Government 51 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
1■■■■7
Further, whenever payments have been made based on fraudulent information provided by Covered
Persc ns, the Plan has the right to withhold payment on future benefits for the Covered Person and/or
any covered family members until the overpayment is recovered.
Right to Receive and Release Necessary Information
The Plan may, without the consent of or notice to any person, release to or obtain from any
organization or person, information needed to implement plan provisions. When you request
benefits, you must furnish all the information required to implement Plan provisions.
Alteinate Payee Provision
Under normal conditions, benefits are payable to you and can only be paid directly to another party
upon) signed authorization from you. If conditions exist under which a valid release or assignment
cannt be obtained, the Plan may make payment to any individual or organization that has assumed
the c.re or principal support for you if they are entitled to payment.
The Flan may also honor benefit assignments made prior to your death in relation to remaining
benefits payable by the Plan. Any payment made by the Plan in accordance with this provision will
fullylrelease the Plan of its liability to you and your heirs.
When Coverage Ends
Cove for "Employees" will end at midnight the earliest of the following:
1. The last day of the month during which employment terminates;
�Z. The last day of the month during which the "Employee" is no longer eligible;
3. The date the Plan ends;
�. The last day of the month in which the Employee stops required contributions, if any.
"Deendent(s)" coverage will end at midnight on the earliest of the following:
1. The date that "Employee" coverage stops;
2. The last day of the month during which the "Dependent" no longer qualifies for Plan
coverage;
3. The last day of the month in which the "Employee" stops required contributions for
"Dependent" coverage.
Continuation of Coverage During an Illness or Other Approved Leave of Absence
Coverage may be continued during an "Illness" and /or other leave of absence after the date coverage would
have otherwise stopped if approved by the Employer, for up to six (6) months. During such approved leave
of absence, the employee is required to pay the applicable cost of these benefits in the amounts and at the
times required by the Employer. Failure to make a payment within thirty-one (31) days of the due date will
result in the termination of your coverage.
Eagle County Government 52 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
For additional continuation options, please refer to the Continuation of Coverage section.
Family Medical Leave
If you qualify for an approved Family or Medical Leave of Absence as defined in the Family
Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), as amended, your health benefits may continue for the duration
of the leave if you pay any required contributions toward the cost of coverage. Eagle County has the
responsibility to provide you with prior written notice of the terms and conditions under which
payment can be made. Failure to make a payment within thirty (30) days of the due date established
by Eagle County may result in the termination of your coverage. Subject to certain exceptions, if
you fail to return to work after the Leave of Absence, Eagle County has the right to recover from
you any contributions toward the cost of coverage made on your behalf during the leave, as outlined
in the FMLA.
If your coverage is terminated for failure to make payments while you are on an approved family or
medical Leave of Absence (as defined in the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993), coverage for you
and your eligible dependents will be automatically reinstated, without evidence of good health, on
the date you return to active employment if you and your dependents are otherwise eligible under the
Plan. The pre- existing condition limitation and any waiting periods will apply with credit applied
for the periods of coverage immediately preceding the leave. The previously accumulated annual
maximum will apply.
Prescription Drug Creditability Status Related to Medicare Part D
"Covered Persons" entitled to Medicare should read this section carefully.
The Employer's Health & Wellness PPO Plan option provides Creditable Coverage, meaning it is,
on average, for all plan participants, expected to provide coverage as good or better coverage than
the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay.
Prescription drug coverage under the Gold HSA PPO Plan option is Non - Creditable Coverage.
Because such coverage is on average for all Gold HSA PPO plan participants, NOT expected to pay
out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay, you might want to
consider enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug plan. You may join between November 15th and
December 31 of each calendar year. This is important, because if you do not get Medicare
prescription drug coverage (or equivalent coverage) when you are first eligible, you may have to pay
a higher premium if you join later. You will pay that higher premium as long as you have Medicare
prescription drug coverage. You are strongly encouraged to contact Medicare at www.medicare.gov
or 1- 800 - MEDICARE (1- 800 - 633 -4227) for personalized help.
For more information or to request a copy of the Plan's Medicare Part D Notice of Creditable
Coverage, contact the Human Resources office at the number listed within the Important Contact
Information section herein.
Qualified Medical Child Support Order ( OMCSO)
A QMCSO is a type of court order, usually issued as part of a settlement agreement or divorce
decree that provides for child support or health care coverage for the child of a Plan participant. The
Plan will honor this QMCSO if it meets the following requirements. The court order must:
Eagle County Government 53 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
1. Create, or recognize the existence of, the child's right:
a. To receive benefits for which the Plan participant is eligible under the Plan, OR
b. To assign those rights;
. Clearly specify the Plan participant's name and last known mailing address and the name
and mailing address of each child covered by the court order;
3. Specify a reasonable description of the type of coverage to be provided by the Plan to each
child or the manner in which the type of coverage is to be determined; and
4. Specify each Plan to which the court order applies and the period to which it applies.
The ourt order may not require a plan to provide any type or form of benefit, or any option, not
otheiwise provided under the Plan.
The rm "Alternate Recipient" means any child of a participant who is recognized under a medical
child h upport order as having a right to enrollment under a health plan.
Whe4 the Plan receives a medical child support order, the following steps will be taken:
1. Notify both the participant and each Alternate Recipient of the receipt of the order;
Furnish an explanation of the Plan's procedures for determining whether the court order is a
QMCSO;
. Determine if it is qualified; and
4. Notify the participant and each Alternate Recipient of the determination, and if qualified,
when coverage becomes effective.
The >blan Administrator is responsible for deciding if the court order satisfies the conditions of a
QM SO. If it does, the child is an Alternate Recipient and is considered a beneficiary under the
Plan or purposes of ERISA, if applicable. This child is also considered a participant under the Plan
for r porting and disclosure purposes of ERISA, if applicable.
The flan will also recognize a properly executed National Medical Support Notice.
Eagle Count Government 54 Medical Care Benefits • 1/1/11
DENTAL CARE BENEFITS
DENTAL PLAN BENEFIT SUMMARY
The Dental Care program can help you and your family pay for the regular care necessary for good
Dental health. The key to the plan is the preventive care feature, which could help you to avoid
costly repairs later.
SERVICE TYPE EXAMPLES OF DEDUCTIBLE PLAN PATIENT
COVERED SERVICES PAYS PAYS
PREVENTIVE Oral exams, 100% 0%
CARE diagnostic x -rays,
cleaning, fluoride None
treatment and
sealants "Children"
BASIC X -rays, fillings, $50 per person per 80% 20%
SERVICES extractions, surgery, calendar year for Basic
periodontics, and Major services
denture repair, combined
anesthesia
($150 family maximum
per year)
MAJOR Crowns, $50 per person per 80% 20%
SERVICES bridgework, calendar year for Basic
dentures, inlays, and Major services
gold restorations combined
($150 family maximum
per year)
Maximum Plan payment for Preventive, Basic and Major services combined is $1,500 per "Covered
Person" per calendar year.
ORTHODONTIC Orthodontic services None 50% 50%
SERVICES and supplies
Maximum Plan payment for Orthodontic Services is limited to
$1,000 per covered "Child" or "Adult" per lifetime.
Eagle County Government 55 Dental Care Benefits • 1/1/11
INIMMMIT
DENTAL PLAN DETAIL
Dent I Plan Eli! ibili and E ective Date
Eligi I ility for "Employees" and "Dependents" for the Dental Plan is identical to that for Medical..
For ore information, please refer to the Medical Plan Eligibility and Enrollment section.
Late Enrollee Benefit Restriction
Eligi le Employees and Dependents that do not elect to enroll in the Dental Plan when initially
eligib e or as may be permitted via Special Enrollment will be required to be continuously enrolled
in the Dental Plan for a consecutive twelve (12) month period prior to becoming eligible for Basic,
Majo , or Orthodontic benefits under the Plan. Likewise, any Employee or Dependent that enrolls in
the P n when first eligible, but then subsequently drops coverage (while the employee is still
empl yed) will be required to be re- enrolled in the dental plan for a consecutive twelve (12) month
period prior again becoming eligible for Basic, Major, or Orthodontic benefits under the Plan.
COVERED DENTAL' EXPENSES
Prev Care
The San covers 100% of the following services:
II . Routine examinations and teeth cleaning services -- twice in any 12 consecutive months'
2. Diagnostic x -rays once per 12- consecutive month period
$. Space maintainers
4. One panoramic x -ray in any consecutive 36- calendar month period.
Fluoride treatment for dependent children age 19 and under -- once per calendar year
6 . Sealants for the posterior teeth of "Children" age 14 and under are limited to one
application per 3 -year period
b. "Emergency" treatment to relieve pain
1 When tMedically Necessary," a "Covered Person" may be eligible for two (2) additional cleanings in any 12- consecutive month
period. ou must utilize the Pre- Treatment Review process in advance of such care or your claim may be denied. Refer to the
Pre -Tre tment Review section for details.
Eagle county Government 56 Dental Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Basic Services
The Plan covers 80% of the following services:
1. Fillings (amalgam, acrylic, plastic or composite)
2. Oral surgery, including extractions
3. General anesthesia when "Medically Necessary" and administered in connection with
oral or dental surgery
4. General anesthesia for "Children" when "Medically Necessary"
5. Periodontics (treatment of gum disease) and endodontics (treatment of dental pulp)
including root canal therapy
6. Repair of dentures or bridgework
7. Injectable antibiotics
Major Services
The Plan covers 80% of the following services:
1. Gold fillings, inlays, crowns, pontics
2. Fixed bridgework
3. Full or partial dentures, and precision attachments
4. Temporomandibular joint syndrome
NOTE: Gold fillings, crown restorations or implants will be considered covered expenses only
when the tooth cannot be saved through other adequate forms of restoration.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic care is available when required for sound Dental health. Coverage is as stated in the
Dental Plan Benefit Summary. Claim payments will be prorated over the course of treatment.
Dental Plan Limitations and Exclusions
The following services and supplies are not covered by the Dental Plan:
1. Services performed solely for cosmetic reasons.
2. Replacement of lost or stolen dental appliances.
Eagle County Government 57 Dental Care Benefits • 1/1/11
Noillimom
3. Replacement of a bridge or denture within five (5) years following the date of its
original installation unless:
•
a. The replacement is needed to place an original opposing full denture or to extract
natural teeth,
b. The bridge or denture, while in the mouth, is damaged beyond repair as a result of
"Injury" received while you are a "Covered Person"
4. Replacement at any time of a bridge or denture which is or can be made to be
functional.
$. Dental appliances or restorations, other than full dentures, whose primary purpose is to
alter vertical dimension, stabilize periodontically involved teeth, or restore occlusion.
K Treatment, services or follow up care provided as a result of or in conjunction with a
treatment or service not covered by the "Plan," including but not limited to expenses for
the revision of a previously excluded treatment or procedure, regardless of Medical
Necessity.
7. Expense resulting from a work related "Accident" or "Illness" whether or not covered
under workers' compensation or occupational disease laws. The term "work" as used
herein includes not only employment with the Plan Sponsor, but employment by other
1 employers or self - employment regardless of whether or not there is a legal obligation to
carry workers' compensation in an activity which requires that any income generated be
reported to the Internal Revenue Service. For example, work does not include hobbies
for personal pleasure, such as gardening or mechanical repairs on one's own
automobiles, but does include self - employment in farming or automobile repair.
• Expenses to the extent they may be reimbursed through any public program including
"Medicare" (anyone eligible for both Part A and Part B of Medicare will be considered
covered under those programs).
• Care in any private institution, or any institution owned or operated by the federal,
state or local government, which would be provided to the "Covered Person" under this
Plan, except as required by law.
10. Charges which you or your family members are not legally required to pay, or charges
which would not be made, but for the existence of this Benefit Plan.
1. Dental care that is not "Medically Necessary"
2. Charges in excess of what is the "Usual, Reasonable and Customary" charge for your
locality.
13. Charges for hospitalization due to dental treatment unless "Medically Necessary."
Eagle ounty Government 58 Dental Care Benefits • 1/1/11
1
14. Accidents, when "No Fault" auto /motor vehicle coverage exists or should have existed
had there been compliance with applicable no -fault insurance regulations. Covered
expenses in excess of No Fault medical reimbursement limits may be covered by the
Plan.
15. Services provided by or under the direct supervision of parties other than a properly
licensed "Dentist."
16. Charges for services commencing prior to start of coverage.
17. Expenses for dental implants to replace missing teeth that were missing prior to
enrollment in this Plan.
18. Charges for services rendered after coverage terminates.
19. Charges for completion of forms or missed appointments.
20. Services provided a "Covered Person" who sustains bodily "Injury" while participating
in war, whether declared or undeclared, insurrection, rebellion or revolution, or to any
act or condition incident to any of the foregoing unless as the result of a random act.
21. Expenses for injuries incurred or illnesses contracted in the course of committing a
felony. A felony, as defined in the jurisdiction in which the felony is prosecuted, will be
deemed to have occurred on the earlier of the date felony charges are filed by the
appropriate legal authority, or on the date the criminal activity occurs if the Plan
Administrator could reasonably expect felony charges to be filed. This exclusion does
not apply if the injury resulted from an act of domestic violence or a medical (including
both physical and mental health) condition.
a. A felony will no longer be deemed to have occurred on the earliest of either the
date the filed felony charges are dropped; the date a court of legal jurisdiction finds
the party not guilty; or, in the event felony charges are not filed, the date on which
the Plan Administrator no longer expects charges to be filed. When such an event
occurs, claims not filed, pended or denied under this provision may be reified for
reconsideration, but only if this Plan has not been terminated prior to that date, in
which event the claims are not eligible for coverage.
OR
Charges for services, supplies, care or treatment to a Plan Participant for an "Injury" or
"Illness" which occurred as a result of that Plan Participant operating a motor vehicle
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination thereof or operating a
motor vehicle with a blood or breath alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit. The
arresting officer's determination of inebriation will be sufficient for this exclusion. It is
not necessary for this exclusion to apply that criminal charges be filed, or if filed, that a
conviction result. Expenses will be covered for injured Plan Participants other than the
person operating the vehicle while under the influence or a BAC above the legal limit,
Eagle County Government 59 Dental Care Benefits • 1/1/11
and expenses may be covered for chemical dependency treatment as specified in this
Plan. This exclusion does not apply if the injury resulted from an act of domestic
violence or a medical (physical and/or mental health) condition
2. Procedures not commonly recognized by the Dental profession or American Dental
Association.
3. Expenses covered under the Employer's Medical Plan.
/4. Orthodontic services incurred prior to Plan participation.
25. Claims filed after any claim filing deadlines.
6. Occlusal and /or night guards for Bruxism or harmful habits.
7. Charges for education or training, such as, but not limited to, oral hygiene instructions
or dietary planning for control of dental decay.
GENERAL DENTAL PLAN INFORMATION
Choice of Dentists
The Dental Plan will cover eligible "Expenses Incurred" from any "Dentist."
Pre- eatment Review
When charges for a proposed dental service, or series of dental services, for you or your family
memb - rs are expected to be more than $300, or when your "Dentist" has recommended when
"Med ally Necessary" up to two additional teeth cleanings beyond the Plan's limitation (two per
12 -co l secutive month period), you must have your "Dentist" complete a pre- treatment claim form in
advan e of this additional procedure or your claim may be denied.
After , ou fill out the employee section of the form, your Dentist should itemize all the proposed
dental services and fees. Then he or she submits the treatment plan to the Plan's Claims
Admit istrator, before beginning the actual services.
The Claims Administrator will determine the extent of benefit for each dental service, according to
the terns of the Plan and will return the form to the Dentist with the covered benefit amounts listed.
You abnd your Dentist can then discuss the proposed treatment and the costs involved. When .
treatment is complete, the Dentist will re- submit the claim form and payment will be as specified
This procedure will help you by advising you and your Dentist, before treatment begins, of the
estimated benefits which will be paid by the Plan, and what costs, if any, you will have to pay.
Eagle County Government 60 Dental Care Benefits • 1/1/11
The Pre - treatment Review is not mandatory but if the process is not followed, payment will be
determined by the Plan taking into account medical necessity, alternate procedures or services, based
on acceptable standards of dental practices.
Claims Procedure
Please refer to the Claims Procedure section in the Medical portion of this Plan for instructions on
how to file claims under "Out -of- Network" Providers.
Coordination of Benefits
Please refer to section Coordination of Benefits in the Medical portion of this Plan for rules that
apply when a person is covered by two or more Plans.
When Coverage Ends
Please refer to section When Coverage Ends in the Medical portion of this Plan for details about
when coverage ends.
Continuation of Dental Benefits
Please refer to Continuation of Coverage section for further details.
Eagle County Government 61 Dental Care Benefits • 1/1/11
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fi � ✓
VISION CASE BENEFITS
A vi on benefit is available to Employees and their "Dependent(s)" to help pay for eye
exam ations, lenses, frames and contact lenses.
Visioi Eligibility and Effective Date
Eligibility for Vision is identical as for Medical. For more information, please refer to the Eligibility
and Enrollment section. Enrollment in the Medical Plan is not required to participate in the Vision
Plan.
Covered Services, Copays and Maximums
Maxi4num Benefit
The Plan will pay up to $400 per calendar year per "Covered Person" for the following services and
supples combined:
Eye Exams — Limited to one (1) exam per calendar year.
. Prescription Lenses, Frames and Contact Lenses
$. Corrective eye surgery such as LASIK and PRK.
Vision Providers
Cove ed participants may select either an "In- Network" or "Out -of- Network" licensed optometrist,
ophth lmologist or eyewear retailer.
How o File a Vision Claim
Pleas refer to the Claims Procedure section in the Medical portion of this Plan for instructions on
how to file claims under "Out -of- Network "Providers. "In- Network" vision providers must submit
claim$ through the Cofinity network with all plan payment subject to negotiated discount fees.
Pleased contact Human Resources for the appropriate claim form.
Limi4ations and Exclusions
The Vision Plan covers "Usual, Reasonable and Customary Charges" for services and supplies that
are "Medically Necessary."
Eagle ounty Government 62 Vision Care Benefits • 1/1/11
I
Vision benefits are not provided for:
1. Care that is not "Medically Necessary" or is considered "Experimental."
2. Non - prescription eyewear and lenses.
3. Services provided while you are not a "Covered Person"
4. Expenses covered under the Employer's Medical Plan.
5. Expense resulting from a work related "Accident" or "Illness" whether or not covered
under workers' compensation or occupational disease laws.
When Coveraie Ends
Please refer to the When Coverage Ends section in the Medical portion of this Plan for further
details.
Continuation of Vision Benefits
Please refer to Continuation of Coverage section for further details.
Eagle County Government 63 Vision Care Benefits • 1/1/11
11■1■
CONTINUATION OF CO'VERAG
COBRA
Introrluction
This section contains important information about your right to COBRA continuation coverage
(CO ), which is a temporary extension of group health coverage under this Plan. The right to
COB was created by a federal law, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
as am nded (COBRA). COBRA may become available to you, your spouse and dependent children
who re covered under the Plan (know as "Qualified Beneficiaries ") when you or they would
othe ise lose group health coverage under this Plan (the result of which is known as a qualifying
even . This section explains when COBRA may become available to Qualified Beneficiaries (QBs)
and vvilat you need to do to protect your right to receive it.
QBs 'vho fail to elect COBRA coverage may cause a gap in their health coverage. Gaps in health
coverage of more than sixty -three (63) days may subject you to a preexisting condition exclusion under
the next group health plan you become eligible to enroll in.
Both you (the employee) and your spouse should read this section carefully.
Plans COBRA Notification Contact (PCNC)
EaglelCounty Government has assigned the Plan's COBRA Notification Contact (PCNC). All initial
writtei notices and other communications regarding COBRA must be directed to the following
indivi ual who is acting on behalf of the Plan Administrator:
Human Resources Director
Eagle County Government
500 Broadway / P.O. Box 850
Eagle, CO 81631
(970) 328-8790
COBRA administration may be administered by other parties in the PCNC's behalf. In that event,
subsequent correspondence and notices are to be sent to that party. In this description, PCNC is
defindd to include such other party.
The PiCNC for the Plan may change from time to time. It is your responsibility to consult the most
recent Plan Document or call Eagle County Government to obtain the most current information.
Eagle 13ounty Government 64 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
All provisions shall hereby be automatically amended to be in minimal compliance, or as otherwise
elected by the Plan, with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) as it
pertains to the COBRA subsidy provisions.
Oualifvin a Events
COBRA must be offered to each person who is a "Qualified Beneficiary" (QB). A QB is someone
who will lose coverage under the Plan as a result of a qualifying event (QE). Depending on the type
of QE, employees, spouses of employees, and dependent children of employees enrolled in the Plan
may be QBs. The Plan coverage offered under COBRA must be the same as that offered to other
active (non- COBRA) participants under the Plan who are not receiving COBRA coverage.
Furthermore, each QB who elects COBRA will have the same rights under the Plan as active
participants.
Same sex domestic partners and Children of a covered Employee's domestic partner, who otherwise
satisfy the eligibility requirements set forth in this Plan's Eligibility section and are covered under
this Plan, will also be offered the opportunity to make an independent election to receive COBRA
Continuation Coverage. All references to spouse will also be applicable to a same sex domestic
partner, unless otherwise indicated.
If you are an Employee, you may become a Qualified Beneficiary if you lose your coverage under
the Plan because either one of the following Qualifying Events occur:
1. Your hours of employment are reduced below that of a benefit- eligible class, or
2. Your employment ends for any reason other than your "Gross Misconduct."
If you are the spouse of an employee, you may become a Qualified Beneficiary if you would lose
your coverage under the Plan because any of the following Qualifying Events occur:
1. Your spouse dies;
2. Your spouse's hours of employment are reduced below that of a benefit- eligible class;
3. Your spouse's employment ends for any reason other than his or her "Gross Misconduct;"
4. Your spouse becomes entitled to (enrolled in) "Medicare "; or
5. You become divorced or legally separated from your spouse.
Your "Dependent" Child(ren) may become Qualified Beneficiaries if they lose coverage under the
Plan because any of the following Qualifying Events happens:
1. The parent - employee dies;
2. The parent - employee's hours of employment are reduced below that of a benefit- eligible
class;
Eagle County Government 65 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
■•■=17
The parent - employee's employment ends for any reason other than his or her "Gross
Misconduct;"
. The parent- employee becomes entitled to (enrolled in) "Medicare ";
. The parents become divorced or legally separated; or
. The child stops being eligible for coverage under this Plan as a "Dependent Child."
Notre of Unavailability
If the Plan's COBRA Notification Contact (PCNC) determines that a qualified beneficiary who
furni hed the plan with a notice of qualifying event, second qualifying event, or disability
dete ination is not entitled to COBRA coverage, they will receive a Notice of Unavailability,
whit notifies them that they are not entitled to COBRA coverage. This Notice will be provided
withi 14 days of receiving the QE information.
YourjNotice Obli'ations While You are a Plan Participant
If yoir spouse or dependent child loses coverage under the Plan because of divorce, legal separation
or the child's losing dependent status under the Plan, then you (the employee), your spouse or
depe dent must notify the Plan's COBRA Notification Contact (PCNC) in writing, of such an event.
The ritten notice to the PCNC must be received no later than sixty (60) days after the later
of:
The date of the Qualifying Event; or
The date on which the Qualified Beneficiary loses (or would lose) coverage under the
terms of the Plan as a result of the Qualifying Event.
Your written Qualifying Event (QE) notice must contain the information as described later in this
secti under Written Notice Guidelines. Incomplete QE notices may not be accepted by the Plan
and ay result in the loss of COBRA coverage.
Failu e to provide the written QE notice to the PCNC during this 60 -day notice period may have the
folio ing consequences:
Any spouse or dependent child who loses coverage will NOT be offered the option to elect
COBRA;
. If any claims are mistakenly paid for expenses incurred after the date coverage should have
ended, then you, your spouse and/or dependent children will be required to reimburse the
Plan for such claims mistakenly paid.
If the PCNC is timely provided with written notice of a divorce, legal separation, or a child's losing
dependent status that has caused a loss of coverage, it is the PCNC's responsibility to notify the
affected Qualified Beneficiaries of the right to elect COBRA coverage (but only to the extent that
Eagle ounty Government 66 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
the PCNC has been notified in writing of the QBs current mailing address —see the Notification of
Address Changes, Marital Status Changes, Dependent Status Changes and Disability Status
Changes sub - section below).
The PCNC will also notify you (the employee), your spouse and dependent children of the right to
elect continuation coverage after it receives written notice ofthe following events that result in a loss
of coverage: the employee's termination of employment (other than for gross misconduct), reduction
in hours, death, or the employee's becoming entitled to Medicare (Part A and/or Part B).
Written Notice Guidelines
All written notices you are required to submit to the Plan's COBRA Notification Contact must
contain the following information:
1. The name of the Plan for which you are (were) enrolled;
2. The name and address of the employee or former employee who is or was covered under
the Plan;
3. The name(s) and address(es) of all qualified beneficiary(ies) who lost coverage due to the
qualifying event/disability /second qualifying event;
4. The signature of the individual sending the notice. •
In addition to the above, the following information must be included (depending on which type of
notification you are submitting):
Qualifying Event Notice:
1. A description of the Qualifying Event that has occurred (Notices due to divorce or legal
separation require a copy of the page from the court documents reflecting the effective
date, court officials signature and seal).
2. The date of the Qualifying Event.
Disability Extension Notice (or cessations of Disability status):
1. A description ofthe Qualifying Event for which you initially became eligible for COBRA
coverage;
2. The date the covered employee's termination of employment or reduction of hours
occurred;
3. The name and address of the disabled Qualified Beneficiary;
4. The date the Qualified Beneficiary became disabled (according to the Social Security
Administration's determination);
5. A copy of the Social Security Administration's determination of disability; and
6. A statement as to whether or not the Social Security Administration has subsequently
determined that the qualified beneficiary is no longer disabled.
Eagle County Government 67 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
i
I
Second Qualifying Event Notice (Please see Maximum Periods of Coverage section):
1. A description of the Qualifying Event for which you initially became eligible for COBRA
coverage;
• The date the covered employee's termination of employment or reduction of hours
occurred;
• A description of what is the second Qualifying Event;
4. The date the second qualifying event occurred (Notices due to divorce or legal separation
require a copy of the page from the court documents reflecting the effective date, court
officials signature and seal);
e
Entitlmeat to "Medicare" or Another Group Health Plan:
i e
• The initial Qualifying Event for which you became eligible for COBRA coverage;
2 . That date you became entitled to (enrolled in) "Medicare"
Incomplete or Untimely Notices to the PCNC
If the written notice you, your spouse or dependent child(ren) provide to the PCNC does not
contai all of the information and documentation required as stated above in the Written Notice
Guide ines sub - section, such a notice will nevertheless be considered complete and timely if all
of the ollowing conditions are met:
1. The notice is mailed or hand - delivered to the PCNC;
2 . The notice is provided by the deadline described herein;
3. From the written notice provided, the PCNC is able to
a. determine that the notice relates to the Plan,
b. identify the covered employee and Qualified Beneficiary(ies) and any additional
information as stated above;
4 . The notice is submitted in writing with the additional information and documentation
necessary to meet the Plan's requirements within 15 business days after a written or oral
request is made by the PCNC for more information.
If any of these conditions are not met, the incomplete and /or untimely notice will be rejected and
COB will not be extended.
Election Procedures
When Ithe Plan's COBRA Notification Contact (PCNC) receives written notice that a Qualifying
Event as occurred, COBRA may be offered to each of the Qualified Beneficiaries. Election must
be su fitted within sixty (60) days from the later of: (1) the date that coverage terminated, or (2) the
date t e qualified beneficiary receives notice. Failure to elect within the 60 -day period will result in
no coerage and no further rights to elect COBRA.
1
Eagle bount Government 68 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
You (the employee) and /or your spouse and dependent children may elect continuation coverage for
all qualifying family members or you each have an independent right to elect continuation coverage.
Thus, a spouse or dependent child may elect continuation coverage even if the covered employee
does not elect it.
You (the employee) and/or your spouse and dependent children may elect continuation coverage
even if covered under another employer- sponsored group health plan or are currently entitled
(enrolled in) to Medicare.
To elect COBRA coverage, the Election Form you receive from the PCNC must be completed and
submitted (mailed or hand - delivered) to the PCNC within the sixty (60) day period. Oral
communications regarding COBRA coverage (including in- person or telephone statements about an
individual's COBRA coverage) will not be accepted as electing COBRA and will not preserve your
COBRA rights.
NOTE: If you decline COBRA before the due date to elect, you may change your mind as long as
you furnish a completed Election form to the PCNC before the expiration of the sixty (60) day
period.
When on an approved FMLA Leave of Absence
If an Employee is out on an approved FMLA leave of absence and does not return to work at the end
of such leave, the employee (and the employee's spouse and dependent children, if enrolled in the
Plan) may be entitled to elect COBRA if 1) he /she was covered under the plan on the day before the
FMLA leave began and 2) he /she will lose Plan coverage within 18 months because of the
employee's failure to return to work at the end of an FMLA leave (even if they were not covered
under the Plan during the leave of absence). COBRA coverage elected in these circumstances will
begin on the last day of the FMLA leave, with the same 18 -month maximum coverage period
generally applicable to the COBRA qualifying events of termination of employment and reduction
of hours.
Type of CoveraRe
Ordinarily the continuation coverage that is offered will be the same coverage that you, your spouse
or dependent children had on the day before the qualifying event. Therefore, an employee, spouse or
dependent child who is not covered under the Plan on the day before the qualifying event generally
is not entitled to COBRA coverage except, for example, when there is no coverage because it was
eliminated in anticipation of a qualifying event such as divorce.
If the health coverage is modified (copay or deductible changes, for example) for similarly- situated
(actively working) employees or their spouses or dependent children, then COBRA health coverage
will be modified in the same way.
Eagle County Government 69 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
Mon , 1 COBRA Premiums That You Must Pa
[Note `Premiurn(s) "shall mean an amount calculated to determine contributions necessary to fund
the P , n. It does not mean that benefits are provided by an insurance company.]
Once , ou, your spouse or dependent children elect COBRA continuation coverage, each has the
right to continue the coverage subject to timely payment of the required premiums. Unless the full
premi m for continuation coverage is paid on a timely basis, you, your covered spouse and
depen s ent children will lose your rights under COBRA.
Monthly COBRA premiums will include a 2% add -on to cover administrative expenses. In the case
of a d ability extension, there may be a 50% add -on for the disability extension period (months 19
throu h 29). The amount of your COBRA premiums may change from time to time during your
perio of COBRA coverage (will most likely increase). You will be notified of COBRA premium
chang s at the same time as actively working employees are notified.
The P!an may not bill you for monthly premium payments. It is the responsibility of the COBRA
participant to send in the monthly COBRA premiums by the due date following the procedures
outlinOd by the PCNC.
All C BRA premiums must be paid by check or money order and must be mailed or hand - delivered
to the PCNC. If mailed, your payment is considered to have been made on the date that it is
postm rked. If hand - delivered, your payment is considered to have been made when it is received by
the P NC. You will not be considered to have made any payment by mailing or hand delivering a
check if your check is returned due to insufficient funds or otherwise.
1
Initial Premium
The p emium payments for the "initial premium months" must be paid for you (the employee) and
for an spouse or dependent child(ren) by the 45 day after electing continuation coverage. Your
initial premium months are the months that end on or before the 45 day after the date of the
COB election (i.e., not including the month in which the 45 day falls).
For example: Jane's employment terminates in September. She loses coverage on
September 30. Jane elects COBRA on November 15. Her initial premium payment equals
the premiums for October and November and is due on or before December 30, the 4r day
aftyr the date of her COBRA election. All subsequent premium payments are due by the l' of
the month.
No claims under continuation coverage will be paid until the initial premium for coverage is paid in
full. Itno initial premium payment is made within the 45 -day period, then coverage for the affected
qualified beneficiary(ies) remains canceled and no COBRA coverage will be provided.
Eagle County Government 70 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
Payment of Premiums After the Initial Premium
Once continuation coverage is elected, the right to continue coverage is subject to timely payment of
the required COBRA premiums.
All premiums are due on the first (1 of the month for which the premium is paid, subject to a 30-
day grace period. A premium payment that is mailed is considered to be made on the date that it is
postmarked. If you don't make the premium payment by the due date or within the 30 -day grace
period, then COBRA coverage will be canceled retroactively to the 1 of the month.
Maximum Periods of Coverage
The maximum duration for COBRA coverage is described below. COBRA coverage terminates
before the maximum coverage period in certain situations described later under the heading
Termination of COBRA Coverage Before the End of the Maximum Coverage Period.
36 Months. If you (the spouse or dependent child) lose group health coverage because of the
employee' s death, divorce, legal separation, or the employee's becoming entitled to Medicare, or
because you lose your status as a dependent child under the Plan, then the maximum coverage period
(for the spouse and dependent child) is three years (thirty-six months) from the date of the qualifying
event.
18 Months. If you (the employee, spouse or dependent child) lose group health coverage because of
the employee's termination of employment (other than for gross misconduct) or reduction in hours,
than the maximum continuation coverage period (for the employee, spouse and dependent child) is
eighteen (18) months from the date of termination or reduction in hours. "
There are three exceptions:
1. Disability. If an employee or spouse /dependent child who is covered under the Plan is
determined by the Social Security Administration to be disabled and you notify the Plan's
COBRA Notification Contact in a timely fashion, you and your entire family may be
entitled to receive up to an additional 11 months of COBRA continuation coverage, for a
total maximum of 29 months (from the date of termination or reduction in hours). The
disability would have to have started at some time before the 60th day of COBRA
continuation coverage and must last at least until the end of the 18 -month period of
continuation coverage. For the 29 -month continuation coverage period to apply, written
notice must be provided to the PCNC within sixty (60) days of the Social Security
determination of disability and prior to the end of your 18 -month period of COBRA
coverage.
Refer to the Written Notice Guidelines sub - section described in this section for details and
notification due dates.
If a disabled qualified beneficiary is determined by the Social Security Administration to
no longer be disabled, you must notify the PCNC of that fact within thirty (30) days after
the Social Security Administration' s determination.
Eagle County Government 71 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
■•■■17
Second Qualifying Event. If an employee's spouse or dependent child(ren) experience
another Qualifying Event while receiving 18 months of COBRA continuation coverage,
the spouse and dependent children may get up to 18 additional months of COBRA
continuation coverage (or 29 -month coverage period), for a maximum of 36 months from
the date of the initial termination or reduction in hours, if notice of the second qualifying
event is properly and timely provided to the PCNC. This extension may be available to
the spouse and any dependent children receiving continuation coverage if the employee or
former employee dies, becomes entitled to Medicare benefits (under Part A, Part B, or
both), or divorced or legally separated, or if the dependent child stops being eligible
under the Plan as a dependent child, but only if the event would have caused the spouse or
dependent child to lose coverage under the Plan had the first qualifying event not
occurred. For the 36 -month maximum coverage period to apply, written notice of the
second qualifying event must be provided to the PCNC within 60 days after the later of 1)
the date of the second qualifying event; or 2) the date on which the qualified beneficiary
would lose coverage under the terms of the Plan. .
Refer to the Written Notice Guidelines sub - section for further details about notice
requirements to the PCNC.
3. Medicare Entitlement. If the qualifying event occurs within 18 months after the
employee becomes entitled to Medicare, then the maximum coverage period (for the
spouse and dependent child) ends three years from the date the employee became entitled
to Medicare. This 36 -mo. COBRA coverage period is available only if the covered
employee become entitled to Medicare within 18 months BEFORE the his/her
termination of employment or reduction of hours.
1 For example: If a covered employee becomes entitled to Medicare eight (8)
months before the date on which his employment terminates, COBRA coverage
for his spouse and child(ren) who lost coverage as a result of his termination can
last up to 36 months after the date of Medicare entitlement, i.e. 28- months after
the date of the qualing event.
Refer to the Written Notice Guidelines sub - section for further details about notice
requirements to the PCNC.
Children Born to or Placed for Adoption With the Qualified Beneficiary During the
COBRA Period
A chid born to, adopted by or placed for adoption with a QB during a period of continuation
coverage is considered to be a qualified beneficiary provided that, if the covered person is a ,
qualified beneficiary, the covered person has elected continuation coverage for himself or herself.
The c i1d's COBRA coverage begins when the child is enrolled in the Plan, and lasts for as long as
COB}A coverage lasts for other family members of the former employee. To be enrolled in the
Plan, the child must satisfy the otherwise applicable Plan eligibility requirements (for example,
regarding age).
Eagle county Government 72 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
Special Enrollment Rifhts Due To Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
( HIPAA)
HIPAA's special enrollment rights will apply to those who have elected COBRA.
HIPAA, a federal law, gives a person already on COBRA certain rights to add coverage for
dependents if such person acquires a new dependent (through marriage, birth, adoption or placement
for adoption), or if an eligible dependent declines coverage because of other coverage and later loses
such coverage due to certain qualifying reasons. Except for certain children described above under
Children Born to or Placed for Adoption With the Covered Employee During COBRA Period,
dependents who are enrolled in a special enrollment period do not become qualified beneficiaries —
their coverage will end at the same time that coverage ends for the person who elected COBRA and
later added them as dependents.
Claims Recovery
If, for whatever reason, any qualified beneficiary receives any medical benefits under the Plan
during a month for which the premium was not timely paid, you and any qualified beneficiary will
be required to reimburse the Plan for the benefits received.
Alternate Recipients Under OMCSOs
A child of yours (the employee's) who is receiving benefits under the Plan pursuant to a Qualified
Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO) received by the PCNC during your (the employee's) period
of employment is entitled to the same rights to elect COBRA as a dependent child of yours,
regardless of whether that child would otherwise be considered your dependent.
Termination of COBRA Coverage Before the End of the Maximum Coverajre Period
Continuation coverage of the employee, spouse and/or dependent child will automatically terminate
(before the end of the maximum coverage period) when any one of the following six (6) events
occurs:
1. Eagle County Government no longer provides group health coverage to any of its
employees;
2. The premium for the qualified beneficiary's COBRA coverage is not timely paid;
3. After electing COBRA, you (the employee, spouse or dependent child) become covered
under another group health plan (as an employee or otherwise) that has no exclusion or
limitation with respect to any preexisting condition that you have. If the other plan has
applicable exclusions or limitations, then your COBRA coverage will terminate after the
exclusion or limitation no longer applies (for example, after a 12 -month preexisting
condition waiting period expires). This rule applies only to the qualified beneficiary who
becomes covered by another group health plan. (Note that under HIPAA, an exclusion or
limitation of the other group health plan might not apply to the qualified beneficiary,
Eagle County Government 73 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
depending on the length of his or her creditable health plan coverage prior to enrolling in
the other group health plan).
After electing COBRA coverage, you (the employee, spouse or dependent child) become
entitled to Medicare benefits (Part A and/or Part B). This applies only to the person who
becomes entitled to Medicare.
$. You (the employee, spouse or dependent child) became entitled to a 29 -month maximum
coverage period due to disability of a qualified beneficiary, but then there is a final
determination under Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act that the qualified
beneficiary is no longer disabled (however, continuation coverage will not end until the
month that begins more than 30 days after the determination).
Occurrence of any event (e.g. submission of fraudulent benefit claims) that permits
termination of coverage for cause with respect to covered employees or their spouses or
dependent children who have coverage under the Plan for a reason other than the COBRA
coverage requirements of federal law.
A Notice of Termination will be provided to you at your last known address within 14 days of
becortiing informed of any of the above listed events.
Noti cation of Address Changes, Marital Status Changes, Dependent Status Changes
and isability Status Changes
If your or your spouse's address changes, you must promptly notify the PCNC in writing (the PCNC
needs Up-to-date addresses in order to mail important COBRA notices and other information to you).
Also, f your marital status changes or if a dependent ceases to be a dependent eligible for coverage
under the Plan terms, you or your spouse or dependent must promptly notify the PCNC in writing
(such; otification is necessary to protect COBRA rights for your spouse and dependent children).
In ale ition, you must notify the PCNC if a disabled employee or family member is determined by
the Social Security Administration to be no longer disabled.
You ould also always keep a copy, for your records, of any notices you send to the PCNC.
Cont uation Covera - e or Same -Sex Domestic Partners
Pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), a same -sex
dome tic partner may not be a qualified beneficiary (spouse or COBRA dependent child). However,
the P1: n Sponsor has chosen to offer the same coverage rules and continuation options outlined in
the C 4 BRA section above to covered same -sex domestic partners who lose eligibility.
Eagle county Government 74 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
USERRA
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) governed
by the U.S. Department of Labor's Veteran's Employment and Training Service, provides that if a
covered employee is absent from work due to voluntary or involuntary Uniform service, health
coverage may be continued for the employee and any "Dependents" ' for up to twenty -four (24)
months. Uniform service includes active duty, active duty for training, inactive duty for training
(such as drills), full -time National Guard duty (also service in the commissioned corps of the Public
Health Services), and funeral honors duty performed by National Guard and reserve members, as a
disaster - response appointee, persons designated by the President in time of war or national
emergency, as well as the period for which a person is absent from a position of employment for the
purpose of an examination to determine fitness to perform any such duty. USERRA also covers a
cadet or midshipman attending a service academy and members of the Reserve Officers Training
Corps, Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Civil Air
Patrol and Coast Guard Auxiliary.
USERRA covers nearly all employees (if eligible under the terms of the "Plan ") including
temporary, part-time, seasonal and probationary employees and applies to virtually all U.S.
employers, regardless of size. USERRA also covers employees on strike, layoff or leave of absence.
An individual may serve up to five years in the uniform services, in a single period of service or in
cumulative periods totaling five years and retain the right to reemployment by his or her pre - service
employer. If an employee is absent for uniform service and has rights under both COBRA and
USERRA, the employee is entitled to protection under the law that provides the more favorable
benefit.
Your Rij'hts Under USERRA
The "Covered Person" must pay for USERRA coverage. For periods of up to 30 days of training or
service, the employer can require the person to pay only the normal employee share, if any, of the
cost of such coverage for the employee or for dependents. For longer periods of service, the
employer is permitted to charge 102% of the entire premium.
Upon re- employment, the Plan may not impose a waiting period or any exclusion that would not
have been applied had the employee not left employment for military service. However, the Plan
may still have exclusions for service- related "Injuries" or "Illness."
Basic Requirements
The pre - service employer must reemploy service employees returning from a period of active duty if
the "Employee" meets the following five criteria:
1 Where the service member is a Dependent of the covered "Employee" or is a retiree, USERRA's continuation coverage and
reinstatement provisions do not apply because the coverage is not in connection with his /her position of employment. However,
such persons may be entitled to reinstatement of coverage following periods of certain types of military service under the
provisions of the Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
Eagle County Government 75 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
The "Employee" must have held a civilian job;
2. The "Employee" must have given adequate oral or written notice in advance of the
employee's departure, (unless unable due to military necessity, impossibility, or
unreasonableness), to the employer that he or she was leaving the job for service in the
uniformed services.
3. The single or cumulative period of uniform service must not have exceeded five years;
4. The "Employee" must not have been released from service under dishonorable or other
punitive conditions; and
• The "Employee" must have reported back to the civilian job in a timely manner or have
submitted a timely application for reemployment.
Em o ee Restoration Ri hts
The tone limits for returning to work are as follows:
I . One to 31 days: The person must report to his or her employer by the beginning of the
first regularly scheduled work day taking into account reasonable travel time and an
eight -hour rest period.
• 32 to 180 days: The employee must apply for reemployment no later than 14 days after
completion of military service.
• 3. 181 days or more: The employee must apply for reemployment no later than 90 days
after completion of military service.
• Service- connected "Injury" or "Illness" - reporting or application deadlines are extended
for up to two (2) years for persons who are hospitalized or convalescing.
An e ployer is not required to reemploy a returning service member if the employer's
circu stances have so changed as to make such reemployment impossible or unreasonable or if the
reem loyment would impose an undue hardship on the employer.
Electing USERRA Continuation Coverage
When the Plan Administrator receives notice an employee will be leaving for active military duty,
USERRA Continuation Coverage may be offered to the Employee and Dependent (if enrolled). The
Employee may elect coverage in writing if submitted within sixty (60) days from the later of: (1) the
date the employee notified the Plan, or (2) the date the Employee's Dependent(s) receive notice of
USERRA rights from the Plan. Failure to elect continuation coverage within the 60 -day period will
result' in no coverage and no further rights to elect USERRA continuation coverage (if you initially
decline USERRA continuation coverage, you may change your mind as long as you submit your
election in writing to the Plan Administrator before the expiration of the sixty (60) day election
perio4). If the Employee was excused from giving advance notice of service because of military
Eagle County Government 76 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
necessity, impossibility or unreasonableness, then coverage may be retroactively reinstated if the
Employee elects continuation coverage by notifying the Plan Administrator in writing and at the
same time, submits payment in full for all premium due back to the date coverage was terminated.
NOTE: Oral USERRA continuation coverage elections will not be accepted and will not preserve
your USERRA rights.
Maximum Period of Coverage
The maximum duration for USERRA continuation coverage is 24 months. Coverage may terminate
before the maximum coverage period in certain situations as described in section Termination of
USERRA Coverage.
Payment Due Date
The payment for the "initial premium months" must be paid by the 45 day after electing USERRA
continuation coverage. Your initial premium months are the months that end on or before the 45
day after the date of the USERRA election (i.e., not including the month in which the 45 day falls).
Thereafter, the right to continue coverage is subject to timely payment of required premiums. All
premiums are due on the first (1 of the month for which the premium is paid, subject to a 30 -day
grace period. A premium payment that is mailed is considered to be made on the date that it is
postmarked. If hand - delivered, your payment is considered to have been made when it is received
by the Plan Administrator. You will not be considered to have made any payment by mailing or hand
delivering a check if your check is returned due to insufficient funds or otherwise. If you don't
make the premium payment by the due date or within the 30 -day grace period, then USERRA
coverage will be canceled retroactively to the 1 of the month.
The Plan will not bill you for monthly premium payments. It is the Employee's responsibility to
send in the monthly USERRA continuation coverage premiums by the due date as described herein.
No claims under USERRA continuation coverage will be paid until the initial premium for coverage
is paid in full. If no initial premium payment is made within the 45 -day period, then coverage will
be permanently canceled.
Cancellation of USERRA Election Rij"hts
USERRA continuation coverage will be canceled if:
1. The departing employee fails to give advance notice of service due to military necessity,
impossibility, or unreasonableness and fails to elect continuation coverage.
2. The employee leaves for a period of service exceeding 30 days and gives advance notice of
service but fails to elect continuation coverage within the 60 -day election period.
Termination of USERRA Continuation Coverage
Eagle County Government 77 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
1=11■1■7 _
1
Cove age will terminate on the earlier of:
Failure to pay required premiums within thirty (30) days of the due date;
On the day after the date you fail to apply for or return to work following release from
military service as outlined above under the Employee Restoration Rights section.
It. At the end of twenty -four (24) months.
•
I i
Eagle ounty Government 78 Continuation of Coverage • 1/1/11
HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND
.ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996 (HIPAA)
Certificate of Creditable Coverage — Title I
If coverage terminates under this plan, a certificate of creditable coverage will be provided
containing information as specified in the model HIPAA certificate. Do not lose this certificate. It
can be used to document your period of coverage in this Plan for future enrollment in plans that are
subject to HIPAA. In addition, a certificate of creditable coverage may be requested from the Plan
Administrator any time within two (2) years after coverage ends.
Protected Health Information — HIPAA Privacy — Title II
Notwithstanding any other Plan provision, effective as of the effective date of the regulations, to the
extent the Plan is a group health plan subject to the privacy regulations, the Plan will operate in
accordance with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
and its medical privacy regulations at 45 C.F.R., Parts 160 -164, with respect to "Protected Health
Information" (PHI), as defined therein. The Plan Administrator, or its delegate, retains full discretion
in interpreting these rules and applying them to specific situations. All such decisions shall be given
full deference unless the decision is determined to be arbitrary and capricious
HIPAA Privacy sets forth rules which govern and limit the use and disclosure of PHI. The objectives
of the rules are to:
1. Give patients the right to access their medical records;
2. Restricts most disclosure of PHI to the minimum necessary for the intended purpose; and
3. Establish safeguards and restrictions regarding disclosure of records for certain public
responsibilities, such as public health, research and law enforcement.
PERMITTED USES AND DISCLOSURES FROM THE PLAN To THE PLAN SPONSOR:
The Plan is permitted to use and disclose PHI for the following purposes, to the extent they are not
inconsistent with HIPAA:
1. For Plan administrative functions related to treatment, payment, or health care operations
without participant authorization;
2. Pursuant to a valid authorization signed by the individual (or authorized representative) to
whom the PHI pertains;
3. Directly to the individual to whom the PHI pertains;
4. For judicial and administrative proceedings, in response to lawfully executed process,
such as a court order or subpoena;
Eagle County Government 79 HIPAA • 1/1/11
I I
▪ For public health and health oversight activities, and other governmental activities
accompanied by lawfully executed process;
• To obtain premium bids; to amend, modify, or terminate the Plan; and to obtain
enrollment and waiver information, claims processing, auditing, and monitoring the Plan;
or
▪ As otherwise may be required or permitted by law.
Disclpsure of PHI to Obtain Stop - loss or Excess Loss Coverage
The I1an Sponsor hereby authorizes and directs the Plan, through the Plan Administrator or the
Claims Administrator, to disclose PHI to stop -loss carriers, excess loss carriers or managing general
unde iters (MGUs) for underwriting and other purposes in order to obtain and maintain stop -loss
or ex ess loss coverage related to benefit claims under the Plan. Such disclosures shall be made in
accor ance with the Privacy Standards and any applicable Business Associate Agreement(s).
Plan ponsor Certification to Group Health Plan
The an Sponsor has certified to the Plan that it shall fully comply with the laws and regulations set
forth nder HIPAA. The Plan will disclose PHI to the Plan Sponsor only for purposes of general
Plan dministration, including but not limited to, enrollment and eligibility functions, reporting
funct ns, auditing functions, financial and billing functions, to assist in the administration of a
Parti 'pant dispute or inquiry, to obtain and maintain stop -loss coverage related to benefit claims
under the Plan, and any other authorized insurance or benefit function. The Plan may disclose PHI to
the PI n Sponsor only after the Plan Sponsor hereby:
. Amends the Eagle County Government Employee Benefit Plan as required;
. Authorizes the Privacy Official and HIPAA Privacy Compliance Team to be given access
to PHI (no other persons shall have access to PHI). These specified employees shall
receive proper training and only have access to and use PHI to the extent necessary to
perform plan administrative functions that the Plan Sponsor performs for the Plan. In the
event an authorized employee fails to comply with the provisions within this Section,
he /she may be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment. The
Plan Administrator, or its delegate, also shall document the facts of the violation, actions
that have been taken to discipline the offending party and the steps taken to prevent future
violations.
Furthr, Plan Sponsor will take the following actions by the required compliance date stated herein:
SECUIpTY STANDARDS
Where "Electronic Protected Health Information" will be created, received, maintained or
transriitted to or by the Plan Sponsor on behalf of the Plan, the Plan Sponsor shall reasonably
safeguard the EPHI as follows:
Eagle ounty Government 80 HIPAA • 1/1/11
1. Implement, administrative, physical and technical safeguards that reasonably and
appropriately protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the EPHI that Plan
Sponsor creates, receives, maintains, or transmits on behalf of the Plan;
2. Ensure that adequate separation as required by the Privacy Rule is supported by
reasonable and appropriate security measures;
3. Ensure that any agent, including a subcontractor, to whom it provides EPHI agrees to
implement reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect such information; and
4. Report to the Plan any "Security Incident" of which the Plan Sponsor becomes aware.
PRIVACY RULE
The Plan Sponsor agrees that with respect to any PHI disclosed to it by the Plan, Plan Sponsor shall:
1. Not use or further disclose PHI other than as permitted or required by the Plan or by law;
2. Ensure that any agent, including a subcontractor, to whom it provides PHI received from
the Plan agrees to the same restrictions and conditions that apply to the Plan Sponsor with
respect to PHI;
3. Not use of disclose the PHI for employment - related actions and decisions or in
connection with any other benefit or employee benefit plan of the Plan Sponsor;
4. Report to the Plan any use or disclosure of the information that is inconsistent with the
uses or disclosures provided for, of which it becomes aware;
5. Ensure that the adequate separation between Plan and Plan Sponsor required in
accordance with HIPAA.
6. Make available the information required to provide an accounting of disclosures in
accordance with HIPAA;
7. Make PHI available to Plan Participants for the purposes of the rights of access and
inspection in accordance with HIPAA;
8. Make PHI for amendment, and incorporate any amendments to PHI in accordance with
HIPAA;
9. Make internal practices, books, and records relating to the use and disclosure of PHI
available to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
upon request and
10. If feasible, return or destroy all PHI received from the Plan that the Plan Sponsor still
maintains in any form and will retain no copies of such information when no longer
needed for the purpose for which disclosure was made, except that, if such return or
destruction is not feasible, limit further uses and disclosures to those purposes that make
the return or destruction of the information infeasible.
Eagle County Government 81 HIPAA • 1/1/11
IMI■7
Eagle pount Government 82 HIPAA • 1/1/11
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Plan, the following words shall have the meaning indicated in this section:
"Accident" shall mean an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance resulting in bodily
injury.
"Adult" shall mean a Covered Person who is age 19 or older.
"Allowable Charges" shall mean any necessary, usual, reasonable, and customary item of expense
covered either in full or in part under both of the group plans being coordinated.
"Annual Maximum" shall mean the maximum amount of benefit dollars the Plan will pay for
covered expenses in a Plan Year incurred by an individual while such individual is covered by the
Plan.
"Children" shall mean the employee's:
1. Natural children;
2. Lawfully adopted children, children placed with a covered Employee or same sex
domestic partner in anticipation of adoption;
a. The phrase children placed with a covered Employee or same sex Domestic Partner
in anticipation of adoption refers to a child whom the covered Employee or same sex
Domestic Partner intends to adopt, whether or not the adoption has become final,
who has not attained the age of 18 as of the date of such placement for adoption. The
term "placed" means the assumption and retention by such covered Employee or
same sex Domestic Partner of a legal obligation for total or partial support of the
child in anticipation of adoption of the child. The child must be available for
adoption and the legal process must have commenced.
3. Stepchildren may also be included as long as a natural parent remains married to the
covered Employee and also resides in the covered Employee's household;
4. Children for whom the employee has been appointed legal guardian, legal ward, a ward
by court decree.
5. Children, meeting one of the four criteria listed above, of a same sex domestic partner.
The Plan Administrator may require documentation proving dependency, including birth certificates,
tax records or initiation of legal proceedings severing parental ties.
"Convalescent Nursing Home" shall mean an institution other than a hospital, which meets all of
the following requirements:
Eagle County Government 83 Definitions* 1/1/11
. Maintains permanent and full -time facilities for bed care of ten (10) or more resident
patients;
. Has available, at all times, the services of a Physician;
. Has a registered nurse (R.N.) or Physician on full -time duty in charge of patient care, and
one or more registered nurses (R.N.) or licensed practical nurses (L.P.N.) on duty at all
times;
4. Maintains a daily medical record for each patient;
. Is primarily engaged in providing continuous skilled nursing care for sick or injured
persons during the convalescent stage of their illness or injuries and is not, other than
incidentally a rest home or a home for custodial care or for the aged, and;
. Is operating lawfully as a nursing home in the jurisdiction where it is located; in no
event, however, in the care and treatment of drug addicts or alcoholism.
"Cov red Person" shall mean an employee, Medicare recipient, or a dependent who has met the
eligib lity requirements and to whom benefits are payable under this Plan.
s
"Den 'st" shall mean a person duly licensed to practice dentistry by the governmental authority
havin jurisdiction over the licensing and practice of dentistry in the locality where the service is
rende ed.
"Dep ' ndent" shall mean:
. The employee's lawful spouse. Spouse shall mean a person of the opposite sex
recognized as the covered Employee's husband or wife. Common law marriages must be
attested to by submission of a signed, notarized affidavit. The Plan Administrator may
require documentation proving a legal marital relationship.
A same -sex Domestic Partner; Same sex domestic partnerships must be attested to by
submission of a signed affidavit or other documentation the Plan Administrator may
require to prove such partnership.
. Eligible Children (see definition) from birth to the Plan's limiting age of 26 without
regard to student status, marital status, financial dependency, etc. status with the
Employee or any other person. When a child reaches the limiting age, coverage will end
on the last day of the child's birthday month.
il Any person who is covered as an employee shall not be considered a dependent, and no
person shall be considered as a dependent of more than one employee.
5. These persons are excluded as Dependents: other individuals living in the covered
Employee's home, but who are not eligible as defined herein; the legally separated or
divorced former Spouse of the Employee; any former same sex Domestic Partner of the
Eagle ounty Government 84 Definitions* 1/1/11
Employee; a dependent child's spouse, grandchildren or any person who is covered
under the Plan as an Employee.
6. If a person covered under this Plan changes status from Employee to Dependent or
Dependent to Employee, and the person is covered continuously under this Plan before,
during and after the change in status (for medical plan purposes, this means the same
medical plan option), credit will be given for deductibles and all amounts applied to
maximums.
"Disability" means the inability, due to injury, illness, or maternity /childbirth, to do your job or
other jobs the Employer may make available.
"Durable Medical Equipment" shall mean any equipment which:
1. Can withstand repeated use;
2. Is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose; and
3. Is generally not useful to a person in the absence of Illness or Injury.
"Electronic Protected Health Information" (EPHI) shall mean protected health information that
is transmitted by, or maintained in, electronic media and is set forth in 45 C.F.R. section 160.103 as
amended from time to time. Electronic media includes storage media such as hard drives, magnetic
tape or disks and digital memory cards, and it includes transmission media such as the internet,
extranets, leased lines, dial -up lines, private networks and the physical movement of electronic
storage media.
"Emergency" means a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity
including severe pain such that a prudent layperson with average knowledge of health and medicine
could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in (1) serious jeopardy
to the health of an individual (or, in the case of a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her
unborn child), (2) serious impairment to body functions, or (3) serious dysfunction of any body
organ or part. A Medical Emergency includes such conditions as heart attacks, cardiovascular
accidents, poisonings, loss of consciousness or respiration, convulsions or other such acute medical
conditions.
Plans that cover emergency services are required to provide such coverage without the need for prior
authorization, regardless of the participating status of the provider, and at the in- network cost -
sharing level.
NOTE: Non - Emergency Care means care which can safely and adequately be provided other than in
a Hospital or Emergency Room setting.
"Employee" shall mean a person employed by the employer on a Regular Full -Time basis or
Regular Part-Time basis who is included in a class or group of employees to which the Plan extends.
Eagle County Government 85 Definitions* 1/1/11
"Exp uses Incurred" shall mean, for the purposes of this Plan, that an expense shall be considered
to be cuffed at the time the service for that expense incurred is rendered or at the time the supply
for w ich such expense incurred is furnished.
Speci wally as it relates to a dental charge, it is incurred on the date the service or supply for which
it is de is performed or furnished. However, there are times when one overall charge is made for
ril
all or art of a course of treatment. In this case, the Claims Administrator will apportion that overall
charge to each of the separate visits or treatments. The pro -rata charge will be considered to be
incurred as each visit or treatment is completed.
"Exp rimental" shall mean:
As to drugs and medicines, those that are not commercially available for purchase, or are
not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for broad public use for the condition
being treated; and
. As to other treatment, services or supplies, those that are not approved or generally
accepted by the medical profession within the United States as essential to the treatment
of the symptoms or diagnosed condition in question.
3. Indications of Experimental treatment include, but are not limited to:
a. There are a minimal number of treated patients whose cases have been reported.
b. A randomized clinical study trial that indicates a benefit over conventional therapy
has not been established.
c. A threshold for rate of cure or improvement in the quality of life has not been
established.
d. Response to therapy is usually of short duration.
e. It is unclear whether the overall survival is improved or shortened.
f. There is significant risk involved as compared to standard therapy.
g. Procedures are performed in selected hospitals under Experimental research
protocols.
The Plan Administrator in its sole discretion shall determine if a drug, medicine, treatment,
procedure, service, device or supply is Experimental. The Plan Administrator may employ the
services of such medical peer review service organizations as the Medical Review Institute or
UMA and utilize data obtained from such national assessment organizations, by example, as CMS,
the O ice of Health Technology Assessment and Institutes of the Department of Health and Human
Servi es to aid in its determination.
Eagle ounty Government 86 Definitions* 1/1/11
"Gross Misconduct" shall mean conduct characterized by:
1. Willful or wanton disregard of Eagle County's interests;
2. Deliberate violations or disregard of standards of behavior that Eagle County has the
right to expect of an employee;
3. Carelessness or negligence of such degree or recurrence as to indicate evil design or
wrongful intent on the part of the employee.
"Health Savings Account" (HSA) shall mean a tax - favored trust or custodial account as defined in
IRS Code § 223 established exclusively for the purpose of paying qualified medical expenses of the
account owner (and his/her eligible dependents if any) who, for the months for which contributions
are made to an HSA, is covered under a qualified High- Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and no
other health plan that is not an HDHP. Refer to IRS Notice 2004 -2, and other subsequent notices
and regulatory guidance issued thereafter. For more details, visit www.treas.gov /offices /public-
affairs/hsa.
"High Deductible Health Plan" (HDHP) shall mean a qualified medical plan which meets the
terms and guidelines as set forth in IRS Notice 2004 -2 and other subsequent notices and regulatory
guidance issued thereafter. For more details, visit www.treas.gov /offices /public- affairs/hsa.
"HIPAA Enrollment Date" shall mean the date you first begin your waiting period, if any, required
by this Plan.
"Hospice" shall mean a facility which provides short periods of stay for a terminally ill person in a
home -like setting, or visits terminally ill individuals in their homes, for either direct care or respite.
The facility may be either free - standing, or affiliated with a hospital and must operate as an integral
part of the Hospice Care Program.
"Hospital" is an institution that is engaged primarily in providing medical care and treatment of sick
and injured persons on an inpatient basis at the patient's expense and that fully meets these tests: it
is approved by Medicare as a Hospital; it maintains diagnostic and therapeutic facilities on the
premises for surgical and medical diagnosis and treatment of sick and injured persons by or under
the supervision of a staff of Physicians; it continuously provides on the premises 24 -hour nursing
services by or under the supervision of registered nurses (R.N.$); and it is operated continuously
with organized facilities for operative surgery on the premises.
The definition of "Hospital" shall be expanded to include the following:
1. A facility operating legally as a psychiatric Hospital or residential treatment facility for
mental health and licensed as such by the state in which the facility operates.
2. A facility operating primarily for the treatment of Substance Abuse if it has received
accreditation from CARF (Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) or
JCAHO (Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospital Organizations) or if it meets
these tests: maintains permanent and full -time facilities for bed care and full -time
Eagle County Government 87 Definitions* 1/1/11
i
1
1 confinement of at least 15 resident patients; has a Physician in regular attendance;
continuously provides 24 -hour nursing service by a registered nurse (R.N.); has a
full -time psychiatrist or psychologist on the staff; and is primarily engaged in providing
diagnostic and therapeutic services and facilities for treatment of Substance Abuse.
"Ill ess" shall mean the same as Sickness.
"Injury" shall mean bodily damage other than sickness, including all related conditions and
recurrent symptoms.
"In- etwork" providers shall mean physicians, hospitals and other medical care providers who are
contr cted with the Plan's In- Network Provider Network and /or as determined by the Plan to be In-
Ne rk providers.
"In atient" shall mean occupation of a hospital bed, crib or bassinet while under observation, care,
ding sis or treatment for at least 24 hours.
"Late Enrollment" shall mean enrollment in a benefit plan at any time after expiration of the initial
enrolment period.
"Leg nd" drug shall mean any drug for which a prescription is required by applicable federal and /or
state aws or regulations.
"Me icaid" shall mean a medical benefits program administered by the States and subsidized by the
feder 1 government that pays certain medical expenses for those who meet income and other
guid lines.
" Meically Necessary" means services or supplies which are:
1. Generally accepted by the national medical professional community as being safe and
effective in treating a covered illness or injury;
2. Consistent with the symptoms or diagnosis;
3. Furnished at the most appropriate medical level; and
4. Not primarily for the convenience of the patient, a health care provider or anyone else.
Notvithstanding the above, benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for
the mother or newborn child to less than forty-eight (48) hours following a normal vaginal delivery,
or 1es than ninety -six (96) hours following a cesarean section will be deemed "Medically
Necesary."
"Medicare" shall mean Federal Insurance or assistance such as provided by the Health Insurance
for tale aged Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1395- 1395pp), or as such Act may be amended.
Eagle County Government 88 Definitions* 1/1/11
"Mental Health" shall mean neurosis, psychoneurosis, psychopathy, psychosis, or mental or
emotional disease or disorder.
"Morbid Obesity" shall mean a condition in which all of the following are present:
1. the presence of excess weight causes physical trauma;
2. pulmonary and circulatory insufficiencies are present;
3. complications related to the treatment of conditions such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes,
coronary disease, etc. exist; and
d
4. Body Mass Index of 40 +.
"No -Fault Benefits" means the minimum level ofpersonal injury benefits which state law requires
to be offered under automobile insurance policies and which would be paid, regardless of fault, if
claim had been made for such benefits.
"Non- Emergency" means care which can safely and adequately be provided other than in a
Hospital or emergency room setting.
"Out -of- Network" providers shall mean physicians, hospitals and other medical care providers who
are not contracted with the Plan's In- Network Provider Network and /or as determined by the Plan to
be Out -of- Network providers.
"Outpatient" shall mean a Covered Person who is treated in a hospital but is not confined for the
Room and Board charge.
"Outpatient Pharmaceuticals" shall include any drugs, medications, agents and devices for which
United States Food and Drug Administration approval is required. All Other Outpatient Providers
include, but are not limited to: any medical office or clinic, specialty medical center, hospital
outpatient facility, or specialty drug provider. Note: Pharmaceuticals provided during an Inpatient
Hospital admission are not subject to the Outpatient Pharmaceuticals limit shown in the Medical
Benefit Summary.
"Physician" shall mean a person acting within the scope of his license and holding the degree of
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.),
Doctor of Podiatry (D.P.M.), Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), or a
Psychologist (Ph.D.) as well as other licensed health care professionals who are under the direct
supervision of a Physician.
In addition, Physician shall include licensed behavioral health therapists and acupuncturists who
practice within the scope of their license, as allowed by law, and as such are permitted to provide
services without the direct supervision of a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
"Plan" shall mean the plan of benefits detailed in this Plan Document.
Eagle County Government 89 Definitions* 1/1/11
"Pla Administrator" shall mean the employer sponsoring and administrating benefit plan.
"Pla Document" shall mean the Plan Document detailing the plan of benefits.
"Pla Sponsor" shall mean Employer /Plan Administrator.
"Pr
e.
Existing Condition" shall mean any injury or sickness for which, in the three (3) month
periojI immediately preceding your "HIPAA Enrollment Date," medical advice, diagnosis, care or
treatrhent was provided or recommended by a medical professional operating within the scope of
practice authority authorized by State law.
"Pre entive Care" are screenings and immunizations provided by a "Physician" including
relat d tests and procedures that are "Medically Necessary." Such care must be intended to
prey nt health problems for which there are no current symptoms. Standard medical
man ement techniques shall apply as it relates to age, gender, frequency, setting and treatments.
Sery ces must be billed by Providers as preventive services.
Note j care provided to treat a medical problem for which symptoms exist is not covered under
the Plan's Preventive Care benefit, but may be otherwise covered under this Plan subject to the
applicable deductible, copay and/or coinsurance as may apply.
Prey ntive Care includes:
Screenings for "Covered Persons" over the age of 18:
a. Blood Pressure
b. Cholesterol
c. Colorectal Cancer
d. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
e. Sexually Transmitted Infections including but not limited to Syphilis,
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Hepatitis -B
f. Breast Cancer
g. Cervical Cancer
h. Osteoperosis
. Screenings for pregnant women
a. Iron deficiency anemia
b. Bacteriuria urinary tract or other infection screenings
c. Rh (D) incompatibility screening- Additional follow -up tests are included if
determined by a Physician that the pregnant woman is at higher risk.
3. Screenings for "Covered Persons" under the age of 18
a. Cervical dysplasia (for sexually active females)
Eagle County Government 90 Definitions• 1/1/11
b. Congenital Hypothyroidism (for newborns)
c. Developmental screenings (for children under age 3)
d. Hearing (for newborns)
e. Height, weight and body mass index measurements
f. Lipid disorders including dyslipidemia screening for children at higher risk.
g. Lead
h. Phenylketonuria (PKU) (for newborns)
i. Tuberculin
4. Immunizations
a. For all Covered Persons
(1) Diptheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT)
(2) Hepatitis A
(3) Hepatitis B
(4) Herpes zoster
(5) Human papillomavirus (HPV)
(6) Influenza
(7) Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
(8) Meningococcal (meningitis)
(9) Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
(10) Varicella (chicken pox)
b. For Covered Persons under the age of 18
(1) Haemophilus influenzae type b
(2) Inactivated poliovirus
(3) Rotavirus
5. Preventive care services as outlined by the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS). See also http: / /www.healthcare.gov/ center /regulations /prevention.html.
Preventive care services not shown above may be covered under this Plan, and, if so, are subject
to normal co -pays, deductibles and other Plan provisions.
"Protected Health Information" (PHI) shall mean individually identifiable health information as
defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and its Privacy
regulations at 45 C.F.R § 160.103.
Eagle County Government 91 Definitions* 1/1/11
MEMIIMIIIIMW
"Qu ified Beneficiary" shall mean an employee (or former employee), an employee's spouse, or
depe ents who are covered under the Plan on the day before a qualifying event:
"Reg lar Full Time" shall mean an employee scheduled to work an average of at least thirty (30)
hours per week. Duly elected County officials are eligible without regard to scheduled hours.
"Re lar Part - Time" shall mean an employee who is employed in a position which normally
requires more than 20 hours, but less than 30 hours per week, and such person is not classified by the
Emplpyer as temporary, occasional or seasonal or Regular Full Time.
"Reltvant Information" shall mean any information if it:
1. Was relied upon in making the benefit determination;
. Was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making the benefit
determination, without regard to whether such document, record or other information
was relied upon in the making of the benefit determination;
Demonstrates compliance with the plan's administrative processes and consistency
safeguards required in making the benefit determination; or
14. Constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the Plan concerning the
denied treatment option or benefit for the Plan participant or beneficiary's diagnosis,
without regard to whether such advice or statements were relied upon in making the
benefit determination.
"Ro and Board" shall mean room, board, general duty nursing and any other services regularly
furni hed by the hospital as a condition of occupancy of the class of accommodations occupied, but
not including professional services of a Physician nor intensive care by whatever name called.
"Sal ry Reduction" shall mean an employer - sponsored arrangement in which employees may elect
to ha e some portion of their salaries be contributed to a tax - qualified plan on their behalf.
"Severity Incident" shall mean the attempt or successful unauthorized access, use, disclosure,
modi-ication, or destruction of information or interference with systems operations in an information
system as set forth in 45 C.F.R. section 164.304, as amended from time to time.
" Sickness" shall mean an Illness or a disease. Sickness will include congenital defects or birth
abnormalities.
"Spouse" shall mean a person of the opposite sex recognized as the covered Employee's husband or
wife.
"Subtance Abuse" shall mean the use of a potentially impairing substance to the point that it
adversely affects performance or safety, either directly through intoxication or hangover, or
indirectly through social or health problems. Substance abuse is considered to occur when a drug is
taken without medical reasons, or if a substance impairs or jeopardizes the health or safety of oneself
Eagle County Government 92 Definitions• 1/1/11
or others. Abuse can occur by using a substance too much, too often, for the wrong reasons, at the
wrong time, or at the wrong place. The range of substances that are abused is wide and can include
alcohol, cocaine (including crack), marijuana, other illicit drugs, solvents, and misuse ofprescription
drugs or over - the - counter medications.
"Surgery" shall mean any operative (cutting) procedures and the treatment of diseases or injuries
including the necessary treatment of fractures and dislocations, severe sprains, and casting thereof,
but not including simple sprains or bruises.
"Usual, Reasonable and Customary Charge" shall mean the usual charge for a Like Service or
Like Supply (if a plan of benefits were not involved), which is not more than what is generally
charged in a given geographic service Area for like service or supply by most physicians or
providers of service with similar training and experience.
1. A Like Service is the same nature and duration, requires the same skill and is performed
by a provider of similar training and experience.
2. A Like Supply is one that is identical or substantially equivalent.
3. Area means the municipality in which the service or supply is actually provided, or it
may be as great an area as is necessary to obtain a representative cross section of
charges for a like service or supply.
Eagle County Government 93 Definitions* 1/1/11
1
DISABILITY BENEFITS
SHORT TERM DISABILITY
One Of your most valuable assets is your ability to provide yourself and your family with a
regul r income to meet the cost of day -to -day living. Obviously, it is important to keep this
securty even if a medical problem prevents you from working.
If yo are unable to work due to "Illness," "Injury," or maternity /childbirth, you may be eligible to
receie payment from the Short-Term Disability (STD) Plan. Your employer provides this benefit at
no pr mium cost to you.
Elijt'pility
"Em loyees" who are classified as a "Regular Full- Time" Employee are eligible for Short-Term
Disa ility (STD) on the first day of the month coincident with or next following ninety (90) days
of e ployment.
Acti1ely Working Requirement
Plan coverage will begin on the first day of the month that coincides with or follows the day the
employee becomes eligible, provided the employee is Actively Working on that day. If you are
not a: work due to a medical condition on the day your coverage would begin, coverage is
delayjed until you complete one day of work on a full -time basis.
Actively Working or Active Work means performing the normal duties of a regular job for the
Emplk yer at:
1. the employer's usual place of business;
2. an alternative work site at the direction of the Employer; or
3. any other business location to which the Employer requires the Employee to travel.
Unle s disabled on the prior workday or on the day of absence, an Employee will be considered
Acti ely Working on any day that is:
1. a Saturday, Sunday or a regular paid holiday which is not a scheduled workday;
2. a paid vacation day or other scheduled or unscheduled non - workday; or
3. an excused or emergency leave of absence (except a medical leave) of 30 days or
less.
Eagle County Government 94 Disability* 1/1/11
Definition of Disability
Disability means the inability, due to injury, illness, or maternity/childbirth, to do your job or other
jobs the Employer may make available.
Waiting Period and Duration of Disability Benefits
After a "Disability" occurs, benefits start on the 30 consecutive day of that disability. In no event
shall the maximum period of STD benefits exceed the lesser of the following:
1. The duration (in days /weeks; as measured from the 30 day of disability forward) as stated
in the Attending Physician Statement (refer to the STD Claims Procedure section for details)
attesting to the "Employee's" Disability.* or
2. Twenty-six (26) weeks or
3. Your return to work for two consecutive weeks with Basic Weekly Earnings greater than
80%
4. Upon the date benefits become payable to You under the Employer's Long Term Disability
Plan.
*The Plan may require additional information from the Employee's Physician. If the Employer
requests an independent examination by a Physician, the cost of which will be paid by the Plan.
Should the first and second opinion conflict, a final third opinion will be required (again, the cost of
which will be paid by the Plan).
DISABILITY BENEFIT AMOUNT
Benefits paid are based on an Employee's pre - disability Basic Weekly Earnings, which means your
gross income immediately prior to the date in which your disability began. It includes base pay, but
does not include bonuses or overtime pay.
Approved STD claim benefits are paid at a rate of 60% of your Base Weekly Earnings to a
maximum benefit of $1,000 /week. Available sick leave and vacation may not be used to cover the
remaining lost pay 40% not provided by this Plan.
Partial disabilities and intermittent disabilities are covered if you lose more than 20% of Basic
Weekly Earnings due to your Disability. In such case, the benefit amount you shall receive will be
calculated based on the amount of your lost pay only.
Contact the Human Resources Department to obtain forms to apply for STD coverage.
Eagle County Government 95 Disability* 1/1/11
Conditions and Limitations
• Work related injuries and illness are excluded, whether or not covered by worker's
compensation.
2 . You must be under the care of a "Physician," and your inability to work due to the
Disability must be attested to in writing by a Physician and approved by the Plan.
. The Employer can require an independent review by a Physician of the Employer's
choice, which will be paid for by the Employer.
.il. Periods of Disability for which benefits are paid under this Plan will constitute leave
under the Employer's Family and Medical Leave Policy.
. A relapse will be considered a continuation of an existing disability unless you have been
back to work for two consecutive weeks or more in which case it will be considered a
new Disability. The applicable waiting period (refer to the Waiting Period and Duration
of Benefits section) will apply to the new disability.
Wheit Covera'e Ends
Parti i n th "Plan" will terminate upon the earlier of the following dates: •
1. You are no longer an eligible employee;
. You retire;
• The date your employment terminates; or
• The STD Plan is discontinued.
Claitzs Procedure
The (Claims Administration — refer to Important Contact Information for details.
FILING A CLAIM
To reOeive benefits under this "Plan" for which "You "(the "Employee ") are eligible, You must file a
claimi. Short -Term Disability benefit claims will be processed after written proof of "Disability" is
submitted to the Claims Administrator. However, additional written proof of Disability may be
required upon request of the Claims Administrator. Contact the Claims Administrator or the
Employer's Human Resources for the proper claim forms or any other information you need.
The Claim form consists of the following three (3) sections:
Eagle County Government 96 Disability* 1/1/11
1. Employer Section
2. Employee Section
3. Attending Physician's Statement
The "Claims Administrator" will evaluate your claim promptly after it is filed. (The date the
claim is considered filed is the date that it is received by the Claims Administrator.) Within 45
days after receipt of your claim, the Claims Administrator will send you: (a) a written decision of
your claim; or (b) a notice that the Claims Administrator is extending the period to decide your
claim for an additional 30 days. If the extension is due to your failure to provide information
necessary to decide the claim, the extended time period for deciding your claim will not begin
until you provide the information or otherwise respond.
Should an extension be necessary, you will be notified of the following: (a) the reason(s) for the
extension; (b) when your claim is expected to be decided; and (c) any additional information needed
to decide the claim.
If additional information is needed, you will have 45 days to provide the information. If you do not
provide the information within 45 days, the Claims Administrator may decide your claim based on
the information received.
Note: The Claims Administrator may request a second 30 -day extension for matters beyond their
control. In such case, you will be notified of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date
as of which the "Plan" expects to render a decision.
If your claim is denied in whole or in part, you will receive a written notice of denial containing:
1. The specific reason(s) for the denial, referencing the plan provision(s) which the decision
is based, as well as references to any internal rule(s) or guideline(s) relied upon in making
the decision.
2. Information concerning your right to receive an explanation of the scientific or clinical
judgment relied upon in making the determination.
3. Request and describe any additional information necessary to support your claim.
4. Information concerning your right to appeal the claims decision with applicable time
frames you must follow.
Eagle County Government 97 Disability• 1/1/11
I
CLAIMS APPEAL PROCEDURES
If all r part of a claim for disability is denied, "You" may request an appeal of the claims denial.
You ust request an appeal in writing within 180 days after receiving notice of the denial. When
appe ling a claim You should:
�1. State the reason you feel the claim is valid;
2. Submit any written comments, documents, or other information you wish to be
considered to support your claim;
3. Include your name, Social Security number, and the Group Identification Number, if any.
i 4 . Send written appeals directly to the "Claims Administrator."
Noted A Claim will not be deemed submitted until it is received by the Claims Administrator.
You4 Rights When Requesting an Appeal of a Claims Denial
1. You may review all "Relevant Information" to the claim and copies shall be provided free
of charge, upon request.
. 2. You may review all of the Plan' s internal rules, guidelines, and scientific or statistical
research relevant to the claim, upon request.
3. The "Plan" must disclose the name of any "Physician(s)" who were consulted during the
claim review process, upon request.
4. No prior approval is needed to appeal claims and no fees will be charged.
5. An authorized representative may advocate or act on your behalf in pursuing or appealing
a claim. You must provide written authorization designating the authorized representative
to act as such for the "Plan" participant.
The ndividual(s) conducting the appeal will be the Named Plan Fiduciary (NPF) and will not be the
sam individual(s) who denied the claim originally. The NPF will not give deference to the initial
deniil decision. If the denial was based on the judgment of a "Physician," the NPF will consult with
anotl►er qualified Physician. This Physician will be someone other than the Physician who made the
origiinal judgment and will not be subordinate to that person. All written comments or other items
you Submit will be taken into consideration to support your claim.
Thole reviewing your claim must make their final determination within forty five (45) days of
• receiving the appeal. However, should special circumstances exist, they are allowed an extension
of ari additional forty -five (45) days. The final decision will be sent to you in writing, together
withlan explanation of how the decision was made.
Eagl County Government 98 Disability* 1/1/11
I
SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION
1. Name and address of employer whose employees are covered by the Plan:
Eagle County Government
500 Broadway
P.O. Box 850
Eagle, CO 81631
2. The Employer and its employees (via pre tax cafeteria elections) contribute towards the
cost of this benefit program.
3. Plan Funding:
A. Medical Benefits are self-funded by Eagle County Government. The Employer
purchases Stop Loss insurance for medical claims over certain amounts.
B. Dental Benefits are self-funded by Eagle County Government.
C. Vision Benefits are self - funded by Eagle County Government.
D. Short Term Disability Benefits are self - funded by Eagle County Government.
4. The Plan year begins each January 1 and ends each December 31; financial records of the
Plan are kept on a calendar year basis.
5. Plan Administrator:
Human Resources Director
Eagle County Government
500 Broadway
P.O. Box 850
Eagle, CO 81631
6. HIPAA Privacy and Security Official:
Human Resources Director
Eagle County Government
500 Broadway
P.O. Box 850
Eagle, CO 81631
Eagle County Government 99 Summary Plan Description • 1/1/11
•
7. 1Agent for service of legal process:
he Plan Administrator has authority to control and manage the operation and administration
f the Plan and is the agent for service of legal process
8. Ian Termination:
The right is reserved for the Employer to terminate, suspend, withdraw, amend or modify the
Plan in whole or in part at any time, for any reason.
9. lEmployer Identification Number:
IN: #9804908
10. our Rights to Information About the Plan:
Eagle County Government feels strongly about all Plan participants having access to complete
information about the Plan. You are entitled to:
A. Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator's office and at other specified
locations, such as work sites, all "Plan Documents."
B. Obtain copies of all "Plan Documents" and other Plan information upon written
request to the Plan Administrator. The Administrator may make a reasonable charge
for the copies.
C. Receive a summary of the Plan's annual financial report.
In addition, the people who operate the Plan, called fiduciaries of the Plan, have a duty to do
so prudently and in the particpants' and beneficiaries' best interest.
j If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied in whole or in part, you will receive a written
explanation of the reason for the denial. You have the right to have the Plan Administrator
review and reconsider your claim.
I
I
Eagle County Government 100 Summary Plan Description • 1/1/11
ADOPTION
1. Sponsor: Eagle County Government
2. Plan Document: Self Funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Pre -Tax Premiums, Short
Term Disability
3. Summary Plan Description: Self Funded Medical, Dental, Vision, Pre -Tax Premiums, Short
Term Disability.
4. Replacement: This Plan replaces the Employer's Employee Benefit Plan dated
1 /1 /10, as amended, as of the effective date stated herein.
5. Takeover Provisions: This Plan will cover expenses which are incurred and payable
under the 1 /1 /10 Plan, as amended, which are unpaid as of
12/31/10, pursuant to 1 /1 /10 Plan terms, which are included by
reference for this specific purpose only.
6. Legal Compliance: The Plan is intended to comply with all applicable federal or state
laws and findings of their regulatory authorities and by this
provision is automatically amended to be in minimal compliance
as necessary.
7. Claims Filing Deadline: If due to provider error or administrative delay, claims are not
filed by the Plan's claim filing deadline, the Plan Administrator
may, at his sole discretion and without setting any precedent,
accept and process such claims as covered by the Plan provided
such claims are submitted no later than twelve (12) months after
the end of the calendar year in which services are provided.
8. Effective Date: January 1, 2011
Adoption
Date: .2. 2-2 . l 1
Signature: _ _ I 1 ,44
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Title: L&I, Al
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Eagle County Government 101 Adoption • 1/1/11
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