UnionSecure Short-Term Recovery Plan

• Coverage and dependent questions
• Exclusion questions
• Rate questions

COVERAGE AND DEPENDENT QUESTIONS

Q. Why is UnionSecure Short-term Recovery Plan important to have?

Whether it's from an illness or an accident, hospitalization is something we all can't avoid. Health insurance might cover the majority of hospitalization costs, but it doesn't cover them all, and it doesn't help pay the mortgage and your day-to-day bills outside the hospital.

Additionally, with hospital stays becoming increasingly shorter, it's more likely you'll still be in recovery when return home, unable to work and in need of receiving some sort of home health care. The problem is that most home health care - as provided by a nurse, therapist, or other medical assistant coming to your home - is often an "out-of-network" expense that many carriers will impose "caps" and "benefit limits" on.

The resulting bills can add up quickly. And when you're not working, you can't count on your loved ones to pay all the expenses. UnionSecure's Short-term Recovery Plan begins paying you the moment you are admitted in the hospital. And then, it keeps paying as you transition through recovery and back to regular activity.

Q. How does the benefit work and pay?

A. First, you'll get paid a lump-sum (the Hospital Confinement benefit) based on the number of days you are confined to the hospital - with a minimum stay of 24 hours to qualify. You'll automatically receive a second lump-sum amount (the Home Recovery benefit) paid to you based on the number of days you were hospitalized.

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 of coverage.

Q. What makes UnionSecure different?

A. The UnionSecure Short-Term Recovery Plan helps replace lost income and gives you money for recovery.

• Total protection - illness or an injury - from the hospital bed to your own.  Double Recovery Protection pays two lump-sums in benefits directly to you for hospitalization and home recovery. Each lump-sum is based on the number of days you spend confined to the hospital.  No Home Recovery benefits will be paid for confinements due to Mental, Nervous or Emotional disorders.
• Guaranteed to be issued - 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.
• Guaranteed to you and your spouse - ages 18-64. And guaranteed to pay benefits for any hospitalization, anytime -  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 most insurance plans. And you choose what to spend your monthly benefits on.
• Benefits do not decrease with age.  At age 65, you are guaranteed enrollment in the Senior Short-Term Recovery Plan with no pre-existing condition exclusion.
• Strike waiver of premium - premium will be waived for up to three months if you are involved in a union-sanctioned strike or lockout. Not available in all states or for all unions. 
• 60-day free examination with a money-back guarantee.
• Expansive coverage - includes coverage for all hospitalization including Veteran's Administration and government hospitals.
• Mental health benefit - limited coverage for hospital confinement due to mental, nervous or emotional disorders.

 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 covered at the time of your death.

Q. What does the Strike/Labor Dispute Waiver of Premium mean?

A. If an insured is in 1) a lawful, authorized strike by a Union or 2) is locked out as a result of a dispute between the Union and an employer, premium payments are waived for up to three months. The waiver of premium begins on the next premium due date following a 30 consecutive day waiting period after the date the strike or lock out begins.

Q. What is the process for getting the premium waived?

A. The insured must provide written proof of strike or lock out before the wavier of premium begins. It can be a note from the Union or a note from the insured with a newspaper article verifying the sanctioned or forced work stoppage.

Q. Who qualifies for coverage?

A. Union members and their spouses or domestic partners aged 18-64 can apply. Also, children up to age 19 (to 26 if full-time student) can be covered at 50% of the member's hospital confinement benefit.

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:

pregnancy or childbirth, except complications of pregnancy.

Q. Are illnesses and accidents covered by this plan?

A. Yes, illnesses and accidents are covered by this plan, but there is limited coverage for mental, nervous and emotional disorders.

Q. Is there coverage for mental, nervous, or emotional disorders?

A. There is limited coverage for hospital confinement due to mental, nervous or emotional disorders.  Benefits will be paid based on a maximum length of 10 days per Period of Confinement and a maximum lifetime aggregate benefit period of 60 days for all Hospital Confinements.  No Home Recovery are paid for mental, nervous or emotional disorders.

Q. Does a union member who leaves the union lose his coverage?

A. Yes, if you have left the union for any reason other than retirement, coverage may be terminated.

RATE QUESTIONS

Q. Can I be singled out for a rate increase?

A. No. There is one pre-determined rate for each age band, and there are three age bands. There is one flat rate for children.

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 Short-Term Recovery Plan master policy (5397) 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 including costs, limitations and exclusions 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.

To be clear a covered person cannot have 2 or more Short Term Recovery policies in effect at the time of enrollment and/or at the time of claim. In the event it is determined that the Covered Person is covered under more than 2 Short Term Recovery policies not including this plan, the covered person will no longer be eligible for this plan and coverage wil terminate on the next premium due date.