NRECA Employee Benefits Weekly

Answers to Common Group Benefits Invoice Questions

Posted on Posted in Group Benefits

When your cooperative’s January 2015 NRECA group benefits invoice arrives next month, please make sure to review it carefully for accuracy.

If you have any questions about it or find inaccuracies, contact NRECA’s Employee Benefits Services team at 866.673.2299 or ebsmailbox@nreca.coop.

In anticipation of some common questions the team receives, here are answers to questions you may have when reviewing your group benefits invoice:

1) Can you explain invoicing for business travel accident (BTA) coverage?

  • It appears only on the January group benefits invoice.
  • BTA coverage is elected by the co-op and applies to all eligible active employees, department heads, general manager, directors and one attorney for all subgroups traveling on business. See your summary plan description (SPD) for more information.
  • The annual invoice amount will only appear on the 001 subgroup’s invoice, but it will cover all subgroups.
  • The 2015 amount is $261.

2) Why did the supplemental life and spouse life insurance amount invoiced increase more than expected?

  • An increase that is higher than expected may mean that the employee moved into a higher age band. The employee’s age as of January 1 determines which age band she or he may place into, and the resulting cost.
  • The rate is based on age bands of five years, which are located on the Employee Benefit website. Go to Document Library > Documents for Employees > Insurance Plans > Life Insurance Plans > 2012-2015 Life Insurance Rates.

3) Why does the amount seem too low, or why is it $0 for supplemental life, spouse life, or for short-term disability or long-term disability?

  • The full amount may be pending, awaiting the outcome of a Statement of Health (SOH). An asterisk will appear on your invoice if coverage is pending.
  • If a participant has not received MetLife paperwork, the participant should call 800.638.6420, option 1.
  • NRECA will notify the benefits administrator through the Message Center of the result of the SOH.
  • MetLife will notify the participant, in writing by mail, of the SOH results—whether it has been approved, declined or closed for no action.

4) Why did the “Director Life and AD&D,” and “Director AD&D Only” coverage amount and rate decrease unexpectedly?

  • The reduction may be due to age.
  • The following brochures posted on the Employee Benefits website have the reduction schedules:
  • Document Library > Documents for Employees > Insurance Plans > Life Insurance Plans> Director AD&D Brochure
  • Document Library > Documents for Employees > Insurance Plans > Life Insurance Plans> Director Life and AD&D Brochure
  • Reduction in the coverage amount will generate portability and conversion forms from MetLife, which will be sent directly to affected individuals every January for the reduced amounts.

5) What do I do if the annual base salary used to calculate the applicable benefits and rates is incorrect?

  • Verify the employee’s hourly rate of pay as of November 15, 2014, and multiply it by the number of hours the employee would regularly work during 2015.
  • Submit the applicable salary change from the payroll administrator, benefits administrator or general manager in writing to ebsmailbox@nreca.coop.

If you have questions, contact the Member Contact Center at 866.673.2299 or contactcenter@nreca.coop.

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