FMLA MILITARY EXIGENCY LEAVE

An employee who is on an approved leave of absence due to Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA Military Exigency Leave (e.g., employee’s spouse, son, daughter or parent has been notified of call to active duty status with the military) may continue health and life coverage at their current employee contribution percentage for 12 weeks only.

To process an FMLA Military Exigency Leave:

  1. Complete Insurance Enrollment and Change Form pdf format of GIC Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form-1) on behalf of the employee. Check off the appropriate Leave Type and indicate the start and end date of the leave and last date on payroll.
  2. Photocopy the Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form-1) and file it in the employee’s personnel file.
  3. Send the original Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form-1) to the GIC.
  4. Enter the appropriate action/reason on the employee's job record on the HR/CMS or UMASS payroll system putting the employee on leave.
  5. The GIC will bill the employee for his/her share of the monthly premium.

MILITARY CAREGIVER LEAVE

An employee who is on an approved leave of absence as a military caregiver may continue health and life coverage at their current employee contribution percentage for 26 weeks.

To process a Military Caregiver Leave:

  1. Complete Insurance Enrollment and Change Form pdf format of GIC Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form 1) on behalf of the employee. Check off the appropriate Leave Type and indicate the start and end date of the leave and last date on payroll.
  2. Photocopy the Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form-1) and file it in the employee’s personnel file.
  3. Send the original Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form-1) to the GIC.
  4. Enter the appropriate action/reason on the employee’s job record on the HR/CMS or UMASS payroll system putting the employee on leave.
  5. The GIC will bill the employee his/her share of the monthly premium.

MILITARY LEAVE

Military Members may want to compare their GIC benefits with those offered by the Federal Government for military members to determine whether the Federal Government’s coverage will be sufficient for their spouse and /or dependents.  An employee with family coverage may want to continue coverage for the benefit of their family.  Alternately, an employee who is on leave of absence due to active military service in the United States Armed Forces may drop his or her insurance coverage for the duration of his or her leave of absence. Upon return to active employment, the employee's insurance coverage shall be restored on the same terms as would be in effect if the leave of absence had not occurred.

Employees with GIC coverage taking an unpaid military leave of absence may do one of the following:

  • Cancel all insurance coverage.  Upon return, the employee will be reinstated with the same GIC coverage he or she carried immediately prior to the unpaid military leave of absence and may enroll in the GIC health plan of his/her choice effective the first of the following month providing that the Return From Military Leave Process below is followed.
  • Cancel health coverage and retain life insurance only coverage. The monthly premiums for life insurance will be billed and sent to the employee’s address on file at the GIC. As long as the monthly premiums are paid, GIC life benefits will continue.
  • Retain GIC health and life benefits.  The GIC will direct bill the employee for his or her share of premiums at his or her home address.  As long as the monthly premiums are paid, GIC health and life benefits will continue.

Employees with individual coverage may cancel all their coverage.  This coverage can be reinstated upon return from military leave.

To Process a Military Leave:

  1. Complete Insurance Enrollment and Change Form pdf format of GIC Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form-1) on behalf of the employee.
  2. Photocopy the Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form-1) and file it in the employee’s personnel file.
  3. Send the original Insurance Enrollment and Change Form (Form-1) to the GIC.
  4. Enter the appropriate action/reason on the employee's job record on the HR/CMS or UMASS payroll system putting the employee on leave.
  5. If canceling health insurance coverage, the employee must complete a Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) form:
    • Fill in the lowest available monthly employee share of GIC health insurance individual coverage premium using the most current GIC rate sheet.
    • Verify that the employee has completed the form accurately and completely.  If the employee refuses to complete the form, document efforts to obtain the information from the employee.
    • Retain all HIRD forms for three years and make them available to the Connector Authority upon request.  Do not send the form to the GIC.

This information provided by the Group Insurance Commission.