Frequently Asked Questions

Applying for Coverage Under the Federal Program

Who Can Use Abbreviated Underwriting?

1. Can newly hired / eligible employees apply with abbreviated underwriting, even outside an open season?
    
2. I'm an employee. If I get married, can my new spouse apply using the abbreviated underwriting application?
    
3. How do you define a "new" employee?
    
4. How do you define a "newly eligible" employee?
    
5. I just began my job with the Federal Government, but I also worked for the Federal Government several years ago. Am I considered a new or newly eligible employee?
    
6. I just started my job with the Federal Government last week. I also worked for the U.S. Postal Service up until four months ago. Am I still considered a new or newly eligible employee?
    
7. I'm an employee and just got married. Can I apply using the abbreviated underwriting application?
    
8. I am a new employee. But I am also the spouse of an eligible employee. Do I have to answer questions 8 and 9 on the abbreviated underwriting application?
    
9. If I apply for the unlimited benefit period but am not approved for it, do I have to submit another application in order to get the 3 or 5 year benefit period?
    

1. Can employees newly hired or newly eligible for coverage apply with abbreviated underwriting, even outside an open season?

Yes, they can. New or newly eligible employees and,  their spouses, and newly married spouses of employees can apply for insurance under the Program using the abbreviated underwriting application within 60 days of becoming eligible. After that time, they can still apply, but will have to use the full underwriting application.

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2. I'm an employee. If I get married, can my new spouse apply using the abbreviated underwriting application?

Yes, your spouse can apply using the abbreviated underwriting application within 60 days of your marriage. After that time, he/she can still apply, but will have to use the full underwriting application. You would not get this 60 day window unless you are a new or newly eligible employee, because you already had an opportunity to apply using the abbreviated underwriting application.

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3. How do you define a "new" employee?

A new employee is someone who is part of the employee group eligible to apply for this insurance and was hired or began their position within the past 60 days. Those with prior Federal service must have had a break in service of at least 180 days. New District of Columbia employees (except for D.C. Courts employees) are not eligible to apply for this insurance.

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4. How do you define a "newly eligible" employee?

A newly eligible employee is someone entering a position that conveys eligibility for this Program, from a position which did not convey eligibility. For example, someone who was an intermittent employee and then moved to a full-time permanent position without a break in service would be a "newly eligible employee". Another example is if a member of the Individual Ready Reserve moves into the Selected Reserve.

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5. I just began my job with the Federal Government, but I also worked for the Federal Government several years ago. Am I still considered a new or newly eligible employee?

You're considered a new employee, because the time between your Federal jobs (your "break in service") is greater than 180 days. You may apply for the Program using the abbreviated underwriting application within 60 days of starting your new job.

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6. I just started my job with the Federal Government last week. I also worked for the U.S. Postal Service four months ago. Am I still considered a new or newly eligible employee?

No, you're not, because the time between your Postal position and current new Federal position is less than 180 days. If you apply for coverage under the Program, you must use the full underwriting application.

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7. I'm an employee and just got married. Can I apply using the abbreviated underwriting application?

No, because you have already had an opportunity to apply using the abbreviated underwriting application (either during the Open Season that was held in 2002 or when you first became eligible). But your new spouse can apply within 60 days of your marriage using the abbreviated underwriting application. You can apply using the full underwriting application.

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8. I am a new employee. But I am also the spouse of an eligible employee. Do I have to answer questions 8 and 9 on the abbreviated underwriting application?

No.

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9. If I apply for the unlimited benefit period but am not approved for it, do I have to submit another application in order to get the 3 or 5 year benefit period?

If you are not approved for the unlimited benefit period, but you ARE approved for the 3 and 5 year benefit periods, you'll automatically receive the 5 year benefit period. You do not need to submit another application. If you don't want the 5 year benefit period, simply call Long Term Care Partners when you receive their letter and tell them to change your coverage to the 3 year benefit period, or cancel the coverage altogether.

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