Is there a deadline to apply for benefits under the Health and Compensation
apply for benefits under the Health and Compensation
Does there have to be a deadline to apply for benefits under the Health and Compensation? The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 provides medical monitoring and financial aid to the first responders, volunteers and survivors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It is named after the late James Zadroga, a New York Police Department officer who died of exposure to the dust and debris from the World Trade Center buildings collapse.
If you have been injured on the Health and Compensation Act, or made ill from a workplace exposure, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation or disability benefits. These programs may help you pay for medical bills and provide partial wage replacement if you can’t work because of your injury or illness.
You must enroll in the Health and Compensation Act plan that covers you within 60 days from your qualifying appointment. You can enroll in any of the available plans offered by your State, or you can choose one of your own. You may pay your share of the premium through pre-tax payroll deductions. A special enrollment period is allowed for employees who get married, have a baby, adopt a child or change jobs. If they don’t enroll in the health plan during this period, the insurance company can’t charge them a premium.
Is there a deadline to apply for benefits under the Health and Compensation
Employees who transfer from a Postal Service job in the United States to a job overseas or vice versa can elect to keep their health benefits coverage or terminate it. The election can be in writing. The employee must file with HRSSC within 60 days of the start date of the new position.
During this period, employees can change their coverage, add dependents or beneficiaries and enroll in a flexible spending account. The annual benefits enrollment period takes place from July 15 to 31 each year. Does an employee who is in a leave without pay status for a long period of time have the right to keep his or her health benefits?
A long-term leave without pay, or LWOP, may be authorized by the Postal Service for a specified number of weeks. During the LWOP, an employee is not required to report to work. If an employee is unable to return to work before the end of the LWOP, he or she must notify the HRSSC.
If the employee does not notify the HRSSC, the LWOP will continue until HRSSC authorizes a change to the employment status or if the employee’s employment status changes due to the expiration of a leave without pay extension, for which the employee has previously filed with HRSSC. If the employee elects to discontinue his or her health benefits, he or she must re-file with HRSSC and provide proof of the new employment status.
The Office of Personnel Management Operating Manual: The Federal Employees Health Benefits Handbook for Personnel and Payroll Offices (formerly FPM Supplement 890-1), Subchapter S-8, describes how employees who are in LWOP can elect to keep their health benefits. It also notes that the health benefits enrollment must be transferred to OWCP when an employee transfers from a Postal Service job in the US to a job overseas or vice versa.