Coverage During a Leave of Absence

If you are approved for a leave of absence without pay, you can continue to participate in your MCHCP plan. Check with your human resources/payroll office regarding premium payment. If your Leave of Absence is due to Workers’ Compensation or FMLA, talk with your human resource/payroll representative to see that the proper forms have been filed with MCHCP.

MCHCP will not continue your coverage (medical, dental, and/or vision) unless you elect to have it continued. Prior to your leave, you must notify your human resource/payroll representative about your decision to continue the coverage and make arrangements to pay the appropriate premiums. You are responsible for paying premiums whether or not you are notified by MCHCP. If, after electing to continue coverage while on leave, you fail to pay the premium due, coverage on you and your dependents is terminated. You are not allowed to enroll in the plan again until the Open Enrollment following your return to work.

If you maintain coverage for yourself but not your covered dependents, you are eligible to regain coverage for your dependents when you return to work. However, if you participate in a PPO plan, the pre-existing condition limitation applies if more than 63 days has lapsed between coverage. This does not apply if you participate in a POS.

If you do not elect to continue your insurance, coverage for yourself and/or your dependents is suspended effective the last day of the month in which you are an active employee. In order for your coverage to be reinstated when you return to work, you must complete the Enroll/Cancel/Waive/Change form within 31 days. Your coverage is reinstated on the first of the month following the date your form is received by MCHCP. You may regain the same level of coverage you had with the plan in which you were enrolled prior to the leave. However, if you participate in a PPO plan, the pre-existing condition limitation applies if more than 63 days has lapsed between dates of coverage. This does not apply if you participate in a POS.