General Benefits Questions and Answers
Who is eligible for health care benefits?
As a full-time U.S. employee, you are eligible for medical, dental, prescription drug and vision coverage. For new employees, once enrolled, coverage under this plan becomes effective on the first day of the third consecutive calendar month following their first day of work as a full-time employee. For part-time employees whose status changes to full-time, coverage becomes effective on the first day of the third consecutive month following their first day of work as a full-time employee. (Hawaii employee eligibility guidelines) New employees must enroll in the plan by completing and returning their Benefits Enrollment Form to their local HR department by the due date printed on the form. If you do not return your completed Benefits Enrollment Form by the due date printed on the form, you will default to employee only coverage at the tobacco rate through UnitedHealthcare's PPO600 plan which is packaged with dental coverage through Delta Dental and prescription drug coverage through Express Scripts.
I've lost my Benefits Enrollment Form. How do I request another?
Contact your local HR department immediately. Be sure that your local HR department has your correct home address on file.
After I enroll, when does my health care coverage start?
Medical, dental, prescription drug and vision coverage for you and your eligible dependents begins on the first day of your third consecutive month following your first day of work as a full-time employee. For example, if your first day of work is April 11, your coverage begins on July 1.
How do I change my coverage?
Benefit election choices remain in effect for the entire plan year (Jan 1-Dec 31) or until coverage ends. You cannot change your benefit elections until the next annual Open Enrollment unless there is a qualifying life-changing event. Check with your local HR department for more information or go to
Life-Changing Events on this site.
What if I want to waive health care coverage?
Since medical, dental and prescription drug plans are bundled into one benefit package, if you wish to waive any of them you must waive all of them. To waive all of the bundled coverages, you need only waive medical coverage which will result in dental and prescription drug coverages being waived as well. To decline medical coverage, employees must check the "Waive" box on their Benefits Enrollment Form, sign and submit it to their local HR department by the due date printed on the form.
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