The UTU has switched insurance carriers as of the March 1, 2012, renewal date. Anthem Life Insurance Company will be the new carrier for the bus member national group voluntary short-term disability plan.
The Anthem plan provides the same benefits as the previous carrier, Lincoln National Life.
Coverage is for off-duty accidents and illness and is automatic unless a bus member opts out.
The Anthem disability plan provides a basic “safety net” of coverage for UTU bus members and is designed to work in combination with state-mandated disability programs.
The Anthem plan pays up to $200 per week for up to 52 weeks a year. The cost is $26 per month and is collected through payroll deduction.
New UTU members will be enrolled automatically, unless they choose to opt-out of the plan by submitting a waiver form to the UTU International.
A disability-plan membership information kit will be mailed to all new members and will include a plan overview and instructions for waiving coverage if they so choose.
Any member waiving coverage, who later wishes to obtain coverage under the plan, must make application to Anthem at that later date. There will be no guarantee of acceptance.
Once enrolled, everyone is subject to a so-called 3/6 pre-existing condition provision. This provision excludes, for the first six months that a member is covered, any disability claims relating to treatment or diagnosis of a condition that existed in the three months just prior to the enrollment date.
After the first six months that an enrollee is covered, the pre-existing condition limitation expires.
• Explanation of transition from Lincoln to Anthem
The member information kit describes the plan in greater detail, and also provides answers to frequently asked questions. Members are not required to complete any paperwork to enroll in the plan, but must complete a waiver form if they choose not to participate.
Members desiring additional disability insurance coverage may purchase an individual policy through the UTU Insurance Association. This individual coverage would pay in addition to the Anthem plan, without any offset or reduction in benefits to either plan. Contact your field supervisor or call the UTUIA Sales Department at (216) 228-9400 for more information.
You may view the plan brochure, FAQs and the waiver form by clicking on the links below.
• Anthem VSTD Waiver of Coverage Form
IMPORTANT CLAIMS PROCEDURES (Read and follow the instructions below.)
If your disability begins on Feb. 29, 2012, or earlier, you must file your claim for benefits with Lincoln. Use the Lincoln claim forms and Lincoln instructions as provided below.
If your disability begins on March 1, 2012, or later, you must file your claim for benefits with Anthem. Use the Anthem claim form and Anthem instructions as provided below.
| LINCOLN CLAIMS | ANTHEM CLAIMS |
Print the attached PDF. This is your Anthem VSTD Policy Certificate for bus members. It is a complete guide to your benefits.
If you previously waived coverage, you may apply for coverage by completing the form below and submitting it to Anthem Life Insurance Company for underwriting.
