UnionSecure Senior Short-Term Recovery Plan

• Coverage and dependent questions
• Exclusion questions
• Rate questions

COVERAGE AND DEPENDENT QUESTIONS

Q. Why is UnionSecure's Senior Short-Term Recovery Plan important to have?

A. As we get older, it's harder and harder to avoid going to the hospital for an injury or an illness. And, with hospital stays becoming increasingly shorter, it's more likely you'll still be in recovery when return home, unable to function independently, and in need of receiving some sort of home health care.

The problem is that home health care - as provided by a nurse, therapist, or other medical assistant coming to your home - is an expense that Medicare will often impose "caps" and "benefit limits" on. And when these caps are met, you're left with the bill.

UnionSecure's Senior Short-Term Recovery Plan fills in the gaps, and begins paying benefits from the moment you are admitted in the hospital and then again as you finish your full recovery at home.

Q. How does the benefit work and pay?

A. First, you'll get paid anywhere from $300 to $1,000 in cash benefits for each hospital stay as part of the Hospital Confinement benefit - the amount the benefit pays depends on the length of stay. See How much it pays for details. And if you receive a doctor's recommendation for a Medicare-approved home health care service, you'll receive $100 a day of Home Recovery benefits. This benefit starts on the day home health care begins (and is not based on actual expenses - see Annual Benefit Maximums for Home Recovery.)

For the Home Recovery benefit to be paid, there are two conditions: 1) The services must be received within 90 days of discharge from the hospital; and, 2) The insured must have a Medicare-approved home health care treatment plan.

Q. What is required to receive At Home Recovery benefits?

A. In order to receive Recovery Services, you must receive a Home Health Care Plan of Treatment approved by Medicare and must receive such services within 90 days of discharge from a hospital. 

Q. What is a "premium"?

A. The premium is the payment you make for an insurance policy - collected for the Short-Term Recovery Plan every month. See the How much it costs for specific amounts.

Q. What makes UnionSecure Senior Short-Term Recovery Plan different?

A. The UnionSecure Short-Term Recovery Plan helps replace lost income while also giving you money for recovery.

• Total protection - illness or an injury - from the hospital bed to your own - pays two benefits directly to you - first for hospitalization, and then for each day of Medicare-approved home recovery service.
• Guaranteed to be issued to you and your spouse - no health questions or medical exam. Even pre-existing conditions are covered after a member is treatment-free for at least 12 months (or, once coverage is in force for 12 months).
• No termination Age - and is guaranteed to pay for any injury or illness that happens anytime, anywhere - you have 24 hour coverage.
• Pays in addition to any other insurance, and pays directly to you - it's added protection that fills the gap left by Medicare. And you choose what to spend your monthly benefits on.
• Benefits do not decrease until age 80 - then the annual benefit maximum or Home Recovery changes to one 20 day period per year, or $2,000 maximum. The hospital confinement benefit remains the same.
• No waiting period - hospital benefit pays from first day of hospitalization.
• 60-day free examination with a money-back guarantee.
• Expansive coverage - includes coverage for all hospitalization including Veteran's Administration and government hospitals.

  Q. What is the policy examination period?

  A. You have 60 days to review the policy. If you change your mind within that time you are entitled to a full refund of premium.

  Q. When does coverage become effective?

  A. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month after your application is received and premium is paid.

  Q. When do benefits begin?

  A. The daily hospital benefit will pay from the first day of hospitalization - with a minimum stay of 24 hours to qualify.

  Q. If I (the insured member) die, can my spouse or domestic partner continue coverage?

  A. Yes, spouses (or domestic partners) can continue coverage if they are insured with their own policy prior to the member's death.

  Q. Will the benefits within the policy ever change?

  A. At age 80, the annual benefit maximum for Home Recovery becomes 20 days or $2,000.

  Q. Who qualifies for coverage?

  A. Union members and spouses age 65+ who are eligible for Medicare or Tricare can apply. Members under 65 years old may enroll for Spouse/domestic partner coverage only if their spouse/domestic partner is 65 years old or more and is eligible for Medicare or Tricare.

  

  EXCLUSION QUESTIONS

  Q Is there any time when someone wouldn't be covered?

  A. The policy will not pay benefits for any loss resulting from:

  • intentionally self-inflicted injury, suicide or attempted suicide.
  • any loss caused or contributed by war or act of war.

  Click here for the full list of exclusions and limitations.

  Q. Are pre-existing conditions covered?

  A. Pre-existing conditions are covered after a member is treatment-free for 12 months or once coverage is in force for 12 months.

  Q. Is coverage available for former union members?

  A. Yes, if the individual is a union member retiree.

  

  RATE QUESTIONS

  Q. What is the maximum benefit amount I can receive?

  A. The Home Recovery Benefit has an annual maximum of $4,000 for ages 65-79 and an annual maximum of $2,000 for ages 80+. You can receive up to $3,000 in benefits for each hospitalization and recovery period.

  Q. Will I be singled out for premium increases?

  A. No, everyone, as they enter a new age band, will pay a new premium .

  Q. Do benefit amounts decrease as I get older?

  A. Your hospital confinement benefit will never decrease. However, your Recovery Benefit period decreases at age 80 when the maximum number of benefit periods in an accrual year reduces from two (40 days) to one (20 days).

  Q. Can the coverage amount be changed?

  A. Coverage amounts can be changed anytime by calling 1-800-393-0864 or by submitting a coverage change form.

  Q. Can the coverage be paid by credit card or through an automatic checking account deduction?

  A. Yes, members who apply will have various payment options when they receive their policy. This Web site explains the general purpose of the insurance described but in no way changes or affects the Senior Short-Term Recovery Plan master policy (5398) as actually issued. In the event of a discrepancy between information on this Web site and the policy, the terms of the policy apply. Complete details are in the Certificate of Insurance issued to each insured individual. Benefits may vary and this program may not be available to residents of all states or in all Unions.