IMPORTANT INFORMATION COBRA Continuation of Coverage

The right to COBRA continuation coverage was created by a federal law, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). COBRA continuation coverage can become available to you and other members of your family when group health coverage would otherwise end. For more information about your rights and obligations under the Plan and under federal law, you should review the Plan’s Summary Plan Description or contact the Plan Administrator. For additional information regarding COBRA qualifying events, how coverage is provided and actions required to participate in COBRA coverage, please see your Human Resources department

Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act

The group health coverage provided complies with the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996. Under this law group health plans and health insurance issuers generally may not, under federal law, restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or newborn to less than 48 hours following a vaginal delivery, or less than 96 hours following a cesarean section. However, Federal law generally does not prohibit the mother’s or newborn’s attending provider, after consulting with the mother, from discharging the mother or her newborn earlier than 48 hours (or 96 hours as applicable.) In any case, plans and issuers may not, under federal law, require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or the insurance issuer for prescribing a length of stay not in excess of 48 hours (or 96 hours).

Premium Assistance under Medical and CHIP

If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) and you are eligible for health coverage from your employer, your State may have a premium assistance program that can help you pay for coverage These States use funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs to help people who are eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage but need assistance in paying their health premiums . If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP you can contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office to find out if premium assistance is available . If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, you can contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office or dial 1-877-KIDS NOW or www.insurekidsnow.gov to find out how to apply. If you qualify, you can ask the State if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan. Please see Human Resources for a list of state Medicaid or CHIP offices to find out more about premium assistance

Special Enrollment Events

An Eligible Person and/or Dependent may also be able to enroll during a special enrollment period. A special enrollment period is not available to an Eligible Person and his or her dependents if coverage under the prior plan was terminated for cause, or because premiums were not paid on a timely basis

An Eligible Person and/or Dependent does not need to elect COBRA continuation coverage to preserve special enrollment rights Special enrollment is available to an Eligible Person and/or Dependent even if COBRA is elected. Please be aware that most special enrollment events require action within 30 days of the event. Please see Human Resources for a list of special enrollment opportunities and procedures.

Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act

If you have had or are going to have a mastectomy , you may be entitled to certain benefits under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA) For individuals receiving mastectomy-related benefits, coverage will be provided in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the patient, for: All stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed; Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance; and Prostheses and treatment of physical complications of the mastectomy, including lymphedemas. These benefits will be provided subject to deductibles and coinsurance applicable to other medical and surgical benefits provided under this plan. If you would like more information on WHCRA benefits, call your plan administrator.