Vision Care Plan: Waiting Period Requirements

When Coverage Begins

There is a 6-month waiting period for all eligible employees from the date of hire or from the date of an employment change to a position that meets eligibility requirements.

There is no waiting period for

enrollment changes from individual to family coverage or from family to individual coverage.
an employee who has met the 6-month waiting period, who subsequently becomes ineligible but returns to eligible employment within
1 year. Refer to the Break-In-Service section of this document.

When Coverage Begins for Late Enrollment

If an employee has met his or her 6-month waiting period but delays enrollment, coverage becomes effective the date the "Research Foundation Insurance Enrollment Form" is received at the operating location office responsible for benefits administration, as long as the employee is actively working.

Break-In-Service

Prior to Qualification (prior to 6 months)

If there is a break-in-service of 28 days or more prior to meeting the waiting period, a new waiting period must be met.

After Qualification (after 6 months)

An employee who becomes ineligible after qualifying for coverage who returns to eligible employment within one year will have coverage reinstated on the date the employee returns to eligible status.

An employee who becomes ineligible after qualifying for coverage who returns to eligible employment after one year must begin a new 6-month waiting period.

Continuation of Benefits

COBRA

Eligible employees may continue vision care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), in conjunction with continuation of dental insurance.

Death of Employee

Payment is waived for covered surviving dependents for six calendar months following an employee's death. If eligible, dependents can continue coverage after that time under the rules of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

Refer to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) section of Benefits Administration > Benefits - Regular Employees > Benefits - Continuation of Coverage on the RF Web site for additional information.

Termination of Coverage

Coverage terminates for an employee 28 days after the employee terminates from the Research Foundation payroll or changes to ineligible employment status. Coverage ceases for dependents when the employee's family coverage terminates or when the dependent is no longer eligible.

References

For more information on how to use the plan, refer to Vision Care Plan: Claims Process.

Change History

February 2, 2009 - Updated links and references.
June 25, 2002 - Convert and update be-a-72 (September 15, 1999) from Benefits Manual.

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