First payment for continuation coverage

If you elect continuation coverage, you do not have to send any payment with the Election Form. However, you must make your first payment for continuation coverage not later than 45 days after the date of your election. (This is the date the Election Notice is post-marked, if mailed.) If you do not make your first payment for continuation coverage in full not later than 45 days after the date of your election, you will lose all continuation coverage rights under the Plan. You are responsible for making sure that the amount of your first payment is correct. You may contact the Trust Fund Office to confirm the correct amount of your first payment.

Periodic payments for continuation coverage

After you make your first payment for continuation coverage, you will be required to make periodic payments for each subsequent coverage period. Monthly premiums for successive periods of coverage are due by the 20th of the preceding month for the month that you seek coverage so that eligibility is accurately reflected in the Trust records. Although periodic payments are due on the 20th of the preceding month, you will be given a grace period of 40 days or within 30 days of the beginning of the covered month to make such periodic payment. Payment is considered made on the date it is received by the plan. Your continuation coverage will be provided for each month as long as the payment for that month is made before the end of that month.

However, if you pay a periodic payment later than the first day of the covered month, but before the end of that month, your coverage under the Plan will be suspended as of the first day of the covered month and then retroactively reinstated (going back to the first day of the covered month) when the periodic payment is received. This means that any claim you submit for benefits while your coverage is suspended may be denied and may have to be resubmitted once your coverage is reinstated.