Employee Compensation & Benefits Handbook MP 01 2017 Page 1 of 55 HEALTH CARE PLAN INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................ 4 ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES AND DEPENDENTS......................................................................................................... 4 Eligible Employees .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Eligible Dependents ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Domestic Partners ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 Qualified Medical Child Support Orders ................................................................................................................... 5 Enrollment and Date of Coverage ............................................................................................................................. 6 Qualified Status Changes ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Annual Enrollment .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Special Enrollment Rights under the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIP) ..7 Employee Medical Contributions .............................................................................................................................. 7 Company Retiree Medical Contributions and Coverage after December 31, 2014 ................................................... 7 Spousal Premium ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 HEALTH CARE PLAN OPTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 8 PPO 500-90/10 (Local 1289) ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Summary of PPO 500-90/10 Benefits ....................................................................................................................... 9 PPO 500-70/30 ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 Summary of PPO 500-70/30 Benefits ..................................................................................................................... 12 Consumer High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) ................................................................................................... 14 Summary of the Consumer HDHP Benefits ............................................................................................................ 15 Enhanced High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) .................................................................................................... 17 Summary of the Enhanced HDHP Benefits ............................................................................................................. 18 Base PPO ................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Summary of the Base PPO Benefits ........................................................................................................................ 21 Medicare Preferred (LPPO) Base Plan .................................................................................................................... 23 Your Member ID Card............................................................................................................................................. 25 Member Services ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Care ...................................................................................................... 25 Life Resources (Employee Assistance Program) ..................................................................................................... 25 PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE HEALTH CARE PLAN ..................................................................................... 25 Quick Care Options ................................................................................................................................................. 26 AIM Imaging Cost & Quality Program ................................................................................................................... 26 24/7 NurseLine ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Future Moms............................................................................................................................................................ 27 LiveHealth Online ................................................................................................................................................... 27 Health Care Management ........................................................................................................................................ 27 Types of Requests .................................................................................................................................................... 28 SERVICES COVERED BY THE HEALTH CARE PLAN ....................................................................................... 28 Hospital Benefits ..................................................................................................................................................... 28 Room and Board ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 Other Hospital Services and Supplies ...................................................................................................................... 28 Doctor’s Hospital Visits .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Newborn Care .......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Emergency Admissions ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Hospital Expenses Not Covered .............................................................................................................................. 29 Covered Surgical Benefits ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Outpatient Surgery ................................................................................................................................................... 30 OTHER BENEFITS ................................................................................................................................................ 30 Preadmission Testing ............................................................................................................................................... 30 Emergency Care ...................................................................................................................................................... 30
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Employee Compensation
& Benefits Handbook
MP 01 2017 Page 1 of 55
H E A LTH C A RE P LA N
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................ 4 ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES AND DEPENDENTS ......................................................................................................... 4
Eligible Employees .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Eligible Dependents ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Domestic Partners ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 Qualified Medical Child Support Orders ................................................................................................................... 5 Enrollment and Date of Coverage ............................................................................................................................. 6 Qualified Status Changes ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Annual Enrollment .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Special Enrollment Rights under the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIP) .. 7 Employee Medical Contributions .............................................................................................................................. 7 Company Retiree Medical Contributions and Coverage after December 31, 2014 ................................................... 7 Spousal Premium ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
HEALTH CARE PLAN OPTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 8 PPO 500-90/10 (Local 1289) ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Summary of PPO 500-90/10 Benefits ....................................................................................................................... 9 PPO 500-70/30 ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 Summary of PPO 500-70/30 Benefits ..................................................................................................................... 12 Consumer High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) ................................................................................................... 14 Summary of the Consumer HDHP Benefits ............................................................................................................ 15 Enhanced High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) .................................................................................................... 17 Summary of the Enhanced HDHP Benefits ............................................................................................................. 18 Base PPO ................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Summary of the Base PPO Benefits ........................................................................................................................ 21 Medicare Preferred (LPPO) Base Plan .................................................................................................................... 23 Your Member ID Card............................................................................................................................................. 25 Member Services ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Care ...................................................................................................... 25 Life Resources (Employee Assistance Program) ..................................................................................................... 25
PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE HEALTH CARE PLAN ..................................................................................... 25 Quick Care Options ................................................................................................................................................. 26 AIM Imaging Cost & Quality Program ................................................................................................................... 26 24/7 NurseLine ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Future Moms............................................................................................................................................................ 27 LiveHealth Online ................................................................................................................................................... 27 Health Care Management ........................................................................................................................................ 27 Types of Requests .................................................................................................................................................... 28
SERVICES COVERED BY THE HEALTH CARE PLAN ....................................................................................... 28 Hospital Benefits ..................................................................................................................................................... 28 Room and Board ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 Other Hospital Services and Supplies ...................................................................................................................... 28 Doctor’s Hospital Visits .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Newborn Care .......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Emergency Admissions ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Hospital Expenses Not Covered .............................................................................................................................. 29 Covered Surgical Benefits ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Outpatient Surgery ................................................................................................................................................... 30 OTHER BENEFITS ................................................................................................................................................ 30 Preadmission Testing ............................................................................................................................................... 30 Emergency Care ...................................................................................................................................................... 30
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Obstetrical Care ....................................................................................................................................................... 31 Out-Of-Area Care .................................................................................................................................................... 31 Doctor’s Office and Home Visits ............................................................................................................................ 31 Wellness Benefits .................................................................................................................................................... 31 Routine Gynecological Exams and Mammograms .................................................................................................. 32 Outpatient Short-Term Rehabilitation including Physical Therapy, Radiotherapy and Speech Therapy ................ 32 Outpatient Diagnostic X-rays and Lab Exams ......................................................................................................... 32 Treatment of Mouth Conditions .............................................................................................................................. 32 Miscellaneous Services and Supplies ...................................................................................................................... 32 Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Benefits ................................................................................................ 33
EXTENDED CARE SERVICES ................................................................................................................................ 33 Home Health Care ................................................................................................................................................... 33 Convalescent Care ................................................................................................................................................... 33 Hospice Care............................................................................................................................................................ 34 Vision Care .............................................................................................................................................................. 34 What the Health Care Plan Does Not Cover ............................................................................................................ 34
Definition of Terms ..................................................................................................................................................... 36 HOW TO SUBMIT A CLAIM .................................................................................................................................... 38
If You Are Hospitalized........................................................................................................................................... 39 Doctor’s Services ..................................................................................................................................................... 39 Coordination of Benefits.......................................................................................................................................... 39
COORDINATION WITH MEDICARE ..................................................................................................................... 40 When the FirstEnergy Health Care Plan is Primary ................................................................................................ 40 Third Party Liability and Subrogation ..................................................................................................................... 41 Assignment and Responsibility for Payment ........................................................................................................... 41 Notification of Payment ........................................................................................................................................... 41
BENEFIT CLAIMS AND APPEALS PROCEDURES .............................................................................................. 42 Claims Process ......................................................................................................................................................... 42 Appeals Process ....................................................................................................................................................... 43 Legal Claims ............................................................................................................................................................ 44
CLAIMS AND APPEALS OTHER THAN FOR BENEFITS .................................................................................... 44 Initial Claim Decision for Claims Relating to Eligibility and Participation ............................................................ 45 Appeals of Denied Claims Relating to Eligibility and Participation ....................................................................... 45 Legal Claims ............................................................................................................................................................ 46
BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION .......................................................................................................................... 46 Termination of Coverage ......................................................................................................................................... 46 Your Rights to Continued Health Care Coverage .................................................................................................... 46 How to Continue Coverage ..................................................................................................................................... 47 The Cost of Continued Coverage............................................................................................................................. 47 When Continued Coverage Ends ............................................................................................................................. 48 Conversion to an Individual Health Insurance Policy ............................................................................................. 48
HIPAA PRIVACY NOTICE ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Seeking assistance from Human Resources ............................................................................................................. 48
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES ........................................................................................................................................ 49 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act ...................................................................................................... 49
OTHER FACTS AND INFORMATION .................................................................................................................... 49 Certificate of Credible Coverage ............................................................................................................................. 49 Benefit Rights .......................................................................................................................................................... 49 Source of Benefits ................................................................................................................................................... 50 VEBA ...................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Participant’s Rights .................................................................................................................................................. 50 Plan is Not an Employment Contract ...................................................................................................................... 51 Right to Amend Plan ............................................................................................................................................... 51 Administration ......................................................................................................................................................... 51
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Plan Sponsor ............................................................................................................................................................ 52 Type of Plan............................................................................................................................................................. 52 Plan Number ............................................................................................................................................................ 52 Agent for Service of Legal Process ......................................................................................................................... 52 Fiscal Year ............................................................................................................................................................... 52
Female employees and the female dependents of employees, including dependent children, may receive
one routine gynecological exam each calendar year from any participating network provider as part of
wellness care. The plan covers the exam, pap smear and any related lab fees.
Your gynecologist or physician may also recommend a mammogram if appropriate. Mammograms must
be received from a participating network provider to be covered by the plans.
Routine gynecological care and mammograms will not be covered if received outside the PPO network.
Further care required as the result of gynecological exam, or mammogram is subject to the deductible and
percentage reimbursement (coinsurance) based on the plan you have selected. Treatment must be received
in-network in order to receive the higher level of benefits from any of the plans.
Outpatient Short-Term Rehabilitation including Physical Therapy, Radiotherapy and Speech Therapy
The plans cover eligible expenses for outpatient physiotherapy, radiotherapy and speech therapy for
treatment of an illness or injury which is not work related when ordered by a physician or a licensed
certified physical, occupational or speech therapist.
Short-term rehabilitation is therapy which is expected to result in the improvement of a body function
(including the restoration of the level of an existing speech function), which has been lost or impaired due
to an injury, disease or congenital defect.
Short-term rehabilitation services consist of physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiotherapy or
speech therapy furnished to a person who is not confined as an inpatient in a hospital or other facility for
medical care. This therapy shall be expected to result in significant improvement of the person's
condition.
Short-Term Rehabilitation Services Not Covered Include:
• Special education, including lessons in sign language, to instruct a person whose ability to
speak has been lost or impaired to function without that ability;
• Speech therapy unless necessary to restore speech which was lost due to disease, injury, or as
the result of a congenital defect.
Outpatient Diagnostic X-rays and Lab Exams
The plans cover diagnostic x-ray and laboratory examinations necessary because of a diagnosed illness or
injury which is not work related. Diagnostic x-rays and lab exams received as part of care for a diagnosed
illness or injury are not wellness care and are subject to the deductible and percentage reimbursement
(coinsurance) based on the plan you have elected.
Treatment of Mouth Conditions
The plans cover doctor’s services for treatment of a tumor involving the teeth, surrounding tissue or
structure; or for the treatment of injuries to natural teeth the calendar year of the injury or the next one,
including the replacement of the teeth within that period.
Miscellaneous Services and Supplies
The plans provide benefits for other miscellaneous services and supplies for treatment of an illness or
injury which is not work related. The following are examples of other eligible expenses covered by the
plans:
Blood and blood plasma;
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Prosthetic devices such as artificial limbs, larynx and eyes;
Durable medical equipment including surgical dressings, casts, splints, trusses, braces, crutches, rental of wheelchair or hospital bed, oxygen and rental of equipment for its administration (subject to pre-certification through member services);
X-ray and radioactive treatments and treatments with other radioactive substances;
Private duty nursing by a registered graduate nurse (maximum 15 days per calendar year, subject to pre-certification through member services).
Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Benefits
The plans provide benefits for inpatient treatment of psychiatric, mental and nervous disorders. Inpatient
treatment for drug or alcohol dependency or abuse is also covered. These benefits are provided the same
as any other hospital stay.
The plans cover counseling and other medically necessary services and supplies. Coverage is also
available for outpatient psychiatric care and chemical dependency treatment. Referral services are
available through member services to provide access to a network of providers.
There is no lifetime maximum for any medical care, including mental health benefits. This applies to
both inpatient and outpatient care combined. There is also no lifetime maximum for chemical
dependency benefits, applicable to both inpatient and outpatient care combined.
EXTENDED CARE SERVICES
Home Health Care
In cases where intermediate care and monitoring is medically necessary, the plans cover home health care
as an alternative to extended hospitalization or confinement in a convalescent care facility. The plans
cover a maximum of 100 visits per calendar year up to 50% of the cost of a semi-private room. Each visit
of up to 4 hours by a home health aide is one visit, and each visit by a nurse or therapist is considered one
visit. The provider of the home health care services must be a licensed agency or organization and meet
all of the following requirements:
Have a full-time administrator;
Maintain written records of services provided to the patient;
Include on its staff one registered nurse (R.N.).
The home health care program for care and treatment in your home of an illness or injury must be prescribed
in writing by your doctor and is subject to pre-certification by member services.
The following, when performed by someone other than a family member, are considered eligible services:
Home nursing care rendered or supervised by a registered nurse (R.N.);
Home health aide services;
Physical, occupational, speech or respiratory therapy by a qualified therapist;
Nutrition counseling provided or supervised by a registered dietitian;
Medical supplies, laboratory services, drugs and medications prescribed by a physician are also covered when provided in your home.
Convalescent Care
Following a hospital stay, you or your covered dependents may need more closely monitored care than
home health care services can provide. A convalescent care facility provides round-the-clock
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professional care without the expense of a full-service hospital. Subject to pre-certification, the plans
cover convalescent care facilities for you and your eligible dependents if the confinement is
recommended by your physician and begins within 14 days after discharge from a hospital confinement
that lasted at least three days. A maximum of 60 days is covered and begins with the first day the person
is confined in a convalescent facility and ends when the person has not been confined in a hospital,
convalescent facility, or other place giving nursing care for 90 consecutive days.
The plans do not cover room and board charges or other services and supplies provided solely for
custodial care in a rest home, nursing facility or a facility for the aged.
Hospice Care
The plans cover the following benefits for hospice care for a terminally ill person:
Inpatient care for room and board and other services and supplies furnished to a patient for pain control
and other acute and chronic symptom management. The plans cover a maximum of 30 days of inpatient
care up to 50% of the cost of a semi-private room.
Outpatient charges for part-time or intermittent nursing care by an R.N. or L.P.N. for up to 8 hours in
any one day;
Medical social services under the direction of a physician. These include assessment of the person’s
social, emotional and medical needs, and the home and family situation; identification of the
community resources which are available to the person; and assisting the person to obtain those
resources needed to meet the person’s assessed needs.
Psychological and dietary counseling;
Consultation or case management services by a physician;
Physical and occupational therapy;
Part-time and intermittent home health aide services for up to 8 hours in any one day.
The following charges are not covered under hospice care:
Bereavement counseling or pastoral counseling;
Funeral arrangements;
Financial or legal counseling, including estate planning or drafting a will;
Homemaker or caretaker services;
Respite care.
Vision Care
All participants in the FirstEnergy Health Care Plan receive basic vision care through the FirstEnergy
Vision Plan which is a separate plan whose terms can be found in the FirstEnergy Vision Plan SPD.
Under the basic vision coverage, available at no cost as part, you may receive discounts on your
examination, lenses and frames at participating providers. For a listing of current providers contact the
contracted administrator - Vision Service Plan at (800) 877-7195 or go to the VSP Web Site at
www.vsp.com.
What the Health Care Plan Does Not Cover
Anything that is determined not to be necessary for the treatment of disease or injury;
Anything not ordered by a doctor or not necessary for medical care;
apicoectomies; excision of radicular cysts or granuloma; treatment of dental caries, gingivitis, or
periodontal disease by gingivectomies or other periodontal surgery; vestibuloplasties; alveoplasties;
dental procedures involving teeth and their bone or tissue supporting structures; frenulectomy. Any
treatment of teeth, gums or tooth related service. (Related outpatient facility services are covered when
necessary to ensure the safety of the patient, Inpatient would be subject to precertification.)
Nursing, speech therapy, physical therapy or psychotherapy you provide or provided by your spouse,
dependent or relative;
Hospital charges to the extent they are allocable to scholastic education or vocational training:
Charges for services provided to the newborn child of a dependent child are not covered under the Plan.
If you have questions about your coverage, contact Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield member services.
The number is located on the back of your medical card.
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Definition of Terms
Definition of terms in the Plan terms are used which have special meanings.
A hospital is a legally operated institution which provides complete inpatient services and surgical facilities
for a fee under the supervision of a staff and physicians, and nursing service by registered graduate nurses.
The term does not include an institution, or part of one, which is used principally as a rest or nursing facility,
or facility for the aged.
A doctor is a licensed practitioner of the healing arts acting within the scope of his/her practice. The term
includes a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), a Chiropractor (D.C.), a Podiatrist
(D.P.M.), a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) and licensed Psychologists.
A convalescent care facility is a place that is licensed, organized and operated to provide convalescent and
rehabilitative treatment and which:
Provides skilled nursing care for patients who require medical or nursing care or provides
rehabilitation of injured or sick persons;
Has policies to guide its operations;
Has a medical staff;
Has a requirement that the care of every patient must be under the supervision of a doctor, and that a
physician be available to furnish necessary medical care in case of an emergency;
Meets nursing needs on a 24-hour basis, and has at least one registered professional nurse employed
full time;
Maintains medical records on all patients;
Provides methods and procedures for giving out drugs to its patients;
Has a program whereby admissions, length of stay and services are reviewed for their necessity and
efficiency;
Is licensed under state or local law or is approved by the appropriate state or local agency.
The term convalescent care facility does not include a rest home, nursing home, place for custodial care or
facility for the aged.
The Plan only covers necessary services and supplies and well-patient care provided by your physician.
Services and supplies are necessary if they are needed for the diagnosis, care, or treatment of a physical
condition. In addition, based upon recognized standards of the specialty involved, the service or supply
must be widely accepted as effective, appropriate, and essential.
Services and supplies will not be considered necessary if they are rendered by a professional but do not
require the technical skills of the provider. Also, services and supplies will not be considered necessary if
they are provided mainly as a convenience, or if they are provided on an inpatient basis to an individual
who’s physical and mental condition does not require confinement.
The maximum allowable amount is the maximum amount of reimbursement Anthem will allow for
services and supplies:
• That meet the definition of covered service and not excluded;
• That are medically necessary; and
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• That are provided in accordance with all applicable preauthorization, utilization management or
other requirements set forth in the Plan.
You will be required to pay a portion of the maximum allowed amount to the extent you have not met your
deductible or coinsurance. In addition, when you receive covered services from an out of network provider,
you may be responsible for paying any difference between the maximum allowed amount and the provider’s
actual charges.
When you receive Covered Services from a Provider, the Claims Administrator will, to the extent
applicable, apply claim processing rules to the claim submitted for those Covered Services. These rules
evaluate the claim information and, among other things, determine the accuracy and appropriateness of
the procedure and diagnosis codes included in the claim. Applying these rules may affect Claims
Administrator’s determination of the Maximum Allowed Amount. The Claims Administrator’s
application of these rules does not mean that the Covered Services you received were not Medically
Necessary. It means Claims Administrator has determined that the claim was submitted inconsistent with
procedure coding rules and/or reimbursement policies. For example, your Provider may have submitted
the claim using several procedure codes when there is a single procedure code that includes all of the
procedures that were performed. When this occurs, the Maximum Allowed Amount will be based on the
single procedure code rather than a separate Maximum Allowed Amount for each billed code.
Likewise, when multiple procedures are performed on the same day by the same physician or other
healthcare professional, the Plan may reduce the Maximum Allowed Amounts for those secondary and
subsequent procedures because reimbursement at 100% of the Maximum Allowed Amount for those
procedures would represent duplicative payment for components of the primary procedure that may be
considered incidental or inclusive.
The Maximum Allowed Amount may vary depending upon whether the Provider is a Network Provider
or an Out-of-Network Provider.
A Network Provider is a Provider who is in the managed network for this specific product or in a special
Center of Excellence/or other closely managed specialty network, or who has a participation contract with
the Claims Administrator. For Covered Services performed by a Network Provider, the Maximum
Allowed Amount for this Plan is the rate the Provider has agreed with the Claims Administrator to accept
as reimbursement for the Covered Services. Because Network Providers have agreed to accept the
Maximum Allowed Amount as payment in full for those Covered Services, they should not send you a
bill or collect for amounts above the Maximum Allowed Amount. However, you may receive a bill or be
asked to pay all or a portion of the Maximum Allowed Amount to the extent you have not met your
Deductible or have a Copayment or Coinsurance. Please call Customer Service for help in finding a
Network Provider or visit www.anthem.com.
Providers who have not signed any contract with the Claims Administrator and are not in any of the
Claims Administrator’s networks are Out-of-Network Providers, subject to Blue Cross Blue Shield
Association rules governing claims filed by certain ancillary providers.
For Covered Services You receive from an Out-of-Network Provider, the Maximum Allowed Amount for
this Plan will be one of the following as determined by the Claims Administrator:
1. An amount based on the Claims Administrator’s Out-of-Network Provider fee schedule/rate,
which the Claims Administrator has established in its’ discretion, and which the Claims
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Administrator reserves the right to modify from time to time, after considering one or more of the
following: reimbursement amounts accepted by like/similar providers contracted with the Claims
Administrator, reimbursement amounts paid by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
for the same services or supplies, and other industry cost, reimbursement and utilization data; or
2. An amount based on reimbursement or cost information from the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (“CMS”). When basing the Maximum Allowed amount upon the level or
method of reimbursement used by CMS, Anthem will update such information, which is
unadjusted for geographic locality, no less than annually; or
3. An amount based on information provided by a third party vendor, which may reflect one or more
of the following factors: (1) the complexity or severity of treatment; (2) level of skill and
experience required for the treatment; or (3) comparable providers’ fees and costs to deliver care;
or
4. An amount negotiated by the Claims Administrator or a third party vendor which has been agreed
to by the Provider. This may include rates for services coordinated through case management; or
5. An amount based on or derived from the total charges billed by the Out-of-Network Provider.
Providers who are not contracted for this product, but contracted for other products with the Claims
Administrator are also considered Out-of-Network. For this Plan, the Maximum Allowed Amount for
services from these Providers will be one of the five methods shown above unless the contract between
the Claims Administrator and that Provider specifies a different amount.
Unlike Network Providers, Out-of-Network Providers may send you a bill and collect for the amount of
the Provider’s charge that exceeds the Plan’s Maximum Allowed Amount. You are responsible for
paying the difference between the Maximum Allowed Amount and the amount the Provider charges. This
amount can be significant. Choosing a Network Provider will likely result in lower Out of Pocket costs to
you. Please call Customer Service for help in finding a Network Provider or visit the Claims
Administrator’s website at www.anthem.com.
Customer Service is also available to assist you in determining this Plan’s Maximum Allowed Amount
for a particular service from an Out-of-Network Provider. In order for the Claims Administrator to assist
You, You will need to obtain from your Provider the specific procedure code(s) and diagnosis code(s) for
the services the Provider will render. You will also need to know the Provider’s charges to calculate your
Out of Pocket responsibility. Although Customer Service can assist you with this pre-service
information, the final Maximum Allowed Amount for your claim will be based on the actual claim
submitted by the Provider.
HOW TO SUBMIT A CLAIM
When services are provided by a network hospital, physician or other medical provider, the claim will be
filed by the provider. However, you may need to submit a Group Health Claim Form if services are
received out-of-network. In this case, a form must be completed each time bills are submitted in order to
receive payment of benefits.
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Claims must be filed by the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the services
were received to be eligible for payment.
If You Are Hospitalized
If you or a dependent goes to a hospital, present your medical plan ID card upon arrival if possible. Many
hospitals may want you to complete their claim form. By signing the hospital’s form, you may be
assigning benefits so that payment of benefits will be made directly to the hospital.
Doctor’s Services
If you obtain services outside of the PPO network, a Group Health Claim Form must be submitted for
expenses associated with a doctor’s hospital visits; surgery, including obstetrical care; administration of
anesthesia; radiotherapy services performed by a doctor; visiting nurse services; and a doctor’s home or
office visits.
Your doctor may complete the section provided on the back of the form, or you can itemize expenses in the
appropriate section and attach the bills.
A Group Health Claim Form may be obtained from your Human Resources office or the Human Resources
Service Center. Claim forms may also be obtained by selecting Forms under the Benefits section on the
Services and Support page of the FirstEnergy Today portal. Make sure that all applicable sections have
been completed. In addition you may be required to submit a claim form annually to update coordination
of benefits information.
It is fraudulent to file a claim for someone who is not eligible, submit information that you know to be false,
or to omit important facts. Dismissal from employment, criminal and/or civil penalties can result from such
acts.
As a general rule, the bills will be satisfactory evidence of a claim if they show the name of the hospital,
doctor or other medical provider; the diagnosis or nature of the illness or injury; itemized charges; an
explanation of each charge and the amount of the charge.
For out-of-network care, attach all bills and receipts for eligible expenses for you or your dependents to the
completed Group Health Claim Form. If the information on a bill is incomplete, it will be returned to you
for the missing information. For diagnostic x-ray and laboratory services, nursing and physiotherapy
services and medical services and supplies, you must obtain an explanation from the doctor stating the
diagnostic purpose of the service.
Coordination of Benefits
Some persons have other medical coverage in addition to coverage under the Plan. When this is the case,
the benefits from other plans will be taken into account, and coordinated with the benefits paid by the
Plan. This may mean a reduction in benefits under this plan. The combined benefits will not be more
than what the FirstEnergy Plan would have paid if there was no other insurance coverage. This approach
is called “maintenance of benefits.” The Plan will pay:
Its regular benefits in full or a reduced amount equal to:
a. The benefit payable under the Plan minus;
b. The benefits payable by the “other plans.”
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This coordination of benefits will be based on the following rules:
1. A plan with no rules for coordination of benefits will be deemed to pay its benefits before a plan that
contains such rules.
2. A plan that covers a person as an employee will be deemed to pay its benefits before a plan that covers
the person as a dependent.
3. The plan that covers the person as a dependent of a person whose birthday comes first in a calendar
year will be primary or pay first. The plan that covers the person as a dependent of a person whose
birthday comes later in that calendar year will be secondary, and pay benefits after the primary plan has
paid. If the other plan does not have this provision regarding birthdays, then the rule set forth in the
other plan will determine the order of benefits.
4. In the case of a dependent child whose parents are divorced or separated: If there is a court decree which establishes financial responsibility for the medical, dental or other health care expenses with respect to the child; the benefits of a plan covering the child as a dependent of the parent with such financial responsibility shall be determined before the benefits of any other plan which covers the child as a dependent.
If there is no court decree and if the parent with custody of the child has not remarried, the benefits of a plan which covers the child as a dependent of the parent with custody will be determined before the benefits of a plan which covers the child as a dependent of the parent without custody.
If the parent with custody of the child has remarried, the benefits of a plan which covers the child as a dependent of the parent with custody shall be determined before the benefits of a plan which covers that child as a dependent of the step-parent. The benefits of a plan which covers that child as a dependent of the step-parent will be determined before the benefits of a plan which covers that child as a dependent of the parent without custody.
5. If the above scenarios do not establish an order of payment, the plan under which the person has been covered for the longest will be deemed to pay its benefits first.
In order to administer this provision, the Plan can release or obtain data and can also make or recover
payments. In the case of an accident, different rules may apply. See the section below on Third Party
Liability and Subrogation for additional information on the rules that apply in the case of an accident.
COORDINATION WITH MEDICARE
When the FirstEnergy Health Care Plan is Primary
If you are an active employee and you or your spouse has reached at least age 65, or if you or your spouse
are disabled (for other than End Stage Renal Disease(ESRD)) and eligible for Medicare benefits and you
are still on the Company’s payroll, your primary coverage will continue to be the Company’s plan.
However, when you retire you must enroll in Medicare when you become eligible. Medicare then
becomes your primary coverage and the Company’s plan is secondary. You must notify the Company if
you or any covered dependent becomes eligible for Medicare.
If you are an active employee and you or your spouse become Medicare eligible due to End State Renal
Disease (ESRD), Medicare will be secondary payer for the ESRD coordination period. At the end of the
coordination period, Medicare becomes primary payer even if you remain active and on the Company’s
payroll.
This Plan coordinates benefits with Medicare under the “maintenance of benefits” approach. This means
that benefits paid by Medicare will be taken into account and coordinated with the benefits paid under the
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Plan. The combined benefits paid will not be more than what the Plan would have paid if there were no
other insurance coverage.
If you are retired and you or any covered dependent becomes eligible for Medicare at age 65 or you or an
eligible dependent become eligible for Medicare due to disability, you must enroll in Medicare Part-B.
The Plan will coordinate benefits as if you have Medicare Part-B regardless of whether or not you select
it. All health claims for out-of-network care must first be submitted to Medicare for payment. You will
then receive an “Explanation of Medicare Benefits” worksheet detailing what payments, if any, have been
made. After receiving the Medicare worksheet, you should then complete a Group Health Claim Form for
submission to the insurance company. Attach the Medicare worksheet along with a copy of the bill for
services when filing for benefits eligible under the Plan. In most cases, if you are receiving care in-
network, the hospital, doctor or other medical provider will file these claims for you.
Claims submitted without Medicare worksheets will be returned to you requesting that you submit this
information to the insurance company so that the expenses can be considered.
Third Party Liability and Subrogation
In some cases, you or a covered dependent may incur medical expenses as the result of an injury or illness
for which a third party may be liable. For example, you may incur medical expenses as the result of an
injury received in an automobile accident. In these cases, the Plan has the right to recover any benefits it
has paid for these medical expenses from any settlement you may receive from the third party. The Plan
also has the right to act on your behalf (subrogate) in filing suit against the third party to recover the
benefits it has paid for medical expenses related to the illness or injury for which the third party may be
liable.
If you file a claim for payment of medical expenses for which a third party may be liable, you may be
asked to provide information concerning the injury or illness and who is responsible. In some cases, you
may be asked to sign a release that would allow the Plan to recover any benefits it has paid from any
settlement you may receive. The Plan reserves the right to withhold payment of benefits until the
necessary information has been provided, or the release has been signed.
Assignment and Responsibility for Payment
The Plan reimburses expenses for covered medical services and supplies according to the terms of the
PPO plan you have selected and administrator contracts. In many cases, benefits are assigned directly to
the hospital, doctor or other medical provider. Charges that are not reimbursed by the plans are the
patient’s responsibility. Generally, these would include deductibles, coinsurance, and charges for services
that are not covered or greater than the Maximum Allowed Amount.
Many hospitals, doctors and other medical providers ask you to sign a form accepting responsibility for
all charges whether they are covered by insurance or not. To limit your liability, you may wish to
indicate on the form that you will accept responsibility only for medically necessary services and
supplies, up to the Maximum Allowed Amount.
Notification of Payment
Generally after a claim is processed, you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) form from the
insurance company. However, in instances where benefits are assigned or a member’s liability is zero, an
EOB may not be provided.
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The total amount of the benefit from the plan will be shown as well as the percent paid. The explanation
will also show any ineligible charges and the reason they were not allowed.
If you have any questions concerning the benefits paid, contact the administrator by calling the toll-free
member services number listed on your identification card.
BENEFIT CLAIMS AND APPEALS PROCEDURES
The following is an outline of the procedures for the processing of a claim and summarizes the appeal of
any claims determination made by the Plan Administrator or its Designee relative to the entitlement of a
participant, beneficiary or other claimant to benefits offered under the Plan. The procedures defined in
this document are intended to comply with the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”)
and the regulations issued by the Department of Labor related to ERISA as amended effective January 1,
2002.
The Plan Administrator is FirstEnergy Service Company. The Plan includes any medical benefit plan
offered to employees, retirees or their surviving spouses of FirstEnergy Corp, its subsidiaries or affiliated
Companies identified as a Participating Employer below. It is not intended that the Plan Administrator
will assume the responsibility for the initial claims determination or for the appeals process for any carrier
or other benefit service provider to whom that responsibility has been given under agreement with
FirstEnergy Service Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Any carrier or benefit service provider
who has agreed to act as a fiduciary for the purpose of initial claims determination or for the appeals
process shall be hereinafter referred to as “Designee”. For the 2016 “plan year”, the carrier or benefit
service provider that you elected during open enrollment has agreed to be the fiduciary, or “Designee” for
claims and appeals processing.
Claims Process
A Claim as referred to in this document is a request for a Plan benefit. Claims for benefits must be in
writing, signed by the participant, beneficiary, other claimant or their authorized representative, and
submitted on the appropriate form and in a manner acceptable to the Plan Administrator or its Designee.
A claim for a benefit includes any urgent, pre-service or post-service claim.
In the case of a claim involving urgent care, the Designee shall notify the Claimant of the Plan’s benefit
determination as soon as possible, taking into account the medical exigencies, but not later than 72 hours
after the receipt of the claim by the Plan, unless the claimant fails to provide sufficient information to
determine whether, or to what extent, benefits are covered or payable under the Plan. In such case the
Designee shall notify the Claimant as soon as possible, but not later than 24 hours after receipt of the claim
by the Plan, of the specific information necessary to complete the claim. The Claimant shall have not less
than 48 hours to provide the specified information. The Designee shall then notify the Claimant of the
Plan’s benefit determination as soon as possible, but in no case less than 48 hours after the Plan’s receipt
of the specified information or the end of the period afforded the claimant to provide the specified additional
information.
If the Plan has approved an ongoing course of treatment, any reduction or termination of such course of
treatment before its scheduled end shall constitute an adverse benefit determination and the Designee must
notify the Claimant of this determination. This notification must be sufficiently in advance of the reduction
or termination so as to allow the Claimant to appeal and obtain a determination on review of that adverse
benefit determination before the benefit is reduced or terminated. Any request by a claimant to extend the
course of treatment that involves urgent care shall be decided as soon as possible, and the claimant shall be
notified of the determination within 24 hours after the receipt of the claim.
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In the case of a pre-service claim the Designee shall notify the claimant of the benefit determination no
later than 15 days after the receipt of the claim. This period may be extended one time by up to 15 days
provided the extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the Plan and the claimant is notified
prior to the expiration of the initial 15 day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date
the Plan expects to render a determination.
In the case of a post-service claim, the Designee will notify the claimant of the Plan’s adverse determination
of entitlement to benefits not later than 30 days after the receipt of the claim. This period may be extended
one time by up to 15 days provided the extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the Plan
and the claimant is notified prior to the expiration of the initial 30 day period, of the circumstances requiring
the extension and the date the Plan expects to render a determination.
If the Designee denies any part, or all, of the initial claim for benefits, the claimant will be notified in
writing, stating the reason for the denial and the Plan provisions on which the denial is based. The claimant
shall be entitled to receive, upon written request, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records
and other information relevant to the claim for benefits. The denial will provide a description of any
additional information or material necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation as to
why the additional information or material is required. The denial will further provide an explanation of
the claims appeal procedure and the time limits for filing an appeal. Such notice of denial or any other
notice as referred to in this procedure shall be deemed duly given when addressed to the claimant and
mailed by first class mail to the address last appearing in the records of the Plan Administrator or Designee.
The claimant shall have 180 days from the date of the initial benefit determination to file an appeal. The
appeal must be in writing, unless the claim involves urgent care or the Designee otherwise permits verbal
appeals. The claimant will have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents or other
information in support of the claim as part of the appeal. The appeal must be submitted to the Designee
that made the initial claims determination, at the address, fax or phone number provided on the initial claim
denial. If the Designee permits a verbal appeal, or the appeal involves urgent care, all necessary information
shall be transmitted to the Designee by telephone, facsimile, or other available similarly expeditious
method.
Appeals Process
The Designee will review and make its decision on the appeal. The claimant shall be provided two levels
of appeal. The claimant shall have 60 days to file a second appeal once they have been notified of the
decision on the first level of appeal. This second level of appeal shall be sent to the same address as the
first appeal. The claimant can bypass this voluntary second level appeal and request an External review at
this time.
For urgent care claims, the Designee shall notify the claimant of the Plan’s determination on review as soon
as possible, taking into account the medical exigencies, but not later than 72 hours after receipt of the
claimant’s request for review. A second level review is available at this time, however, the claimant may
bypass the voluntary second level review and request an External review at this time. For pre-service
claims, the Designee shall provide the claimant notice of the Plan’s determination on review, not later than
30 days after receipt by the Plan of the claimant’s request for review of the adverse determination or the
Plan’s first determination on review. A second level review is available, however, the claimant may bypass
the voluntary second level appeal and request an External review. The Designee shall provide the claimant
notice of the Plan’s determination on the voluntary second level review not later than 30 days. For post
service claims, the Designee shall provide the claimant notice of the Plan’s determination on review, not
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later than 60 days after receipt by the Plan of the claimant’s request for review of the adverse determination.
A second level review is available, however, the claimant may bypass the voluntary second level appeal
and request an External review. The Designee shall provide the claimant notice of the Plan’s determination
on the voluntary second level review not later than 60 days.
The Independent Review Organization (IRO) will provide claimant notice of determination on the External
review, conducted by the IRO for an urgent request or after completion of the mandatory first level review
not later than 45 days from receipt of request by the IRO.
In making its decision, the Designee will have full power and authority to interpret the Plan, to resolve
ambiguities, inconsistencies and omissions, to determine any question of fact, to determine the right to
benefits of, and the amount of benefits, if any, payable to the claimant in accordance with the provisions of
the Plan. The Designee will not defer to the original determination but will independently review the initial
claim for benefits and consider all comments, documents and other information submitted as part of the
appeal in making its decision. In addition, neither the person who made the adverse determination nor that
person’s subordinate will participate in the decision on the appeal.
If an appeal is based on medical judgment, the Designee shall consult with a health care professional with
the appropriate training and experience in making its decision. The health care professional consulted by
the Designee will not be the same person consulted in the adverse determination or that person’s
subordinate.
If the Designee’s decision is to uphold the denial of benefits, the notification will include the reason for the
denial and the Plan provisions on which the denial is based. The claimant shall be entitled to receive, upon
written request, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records and other information on which
the decision was based. The decision will further provide a notice of the participant’s right to appeal the
decision of the Designee or IRO in accordance with ERISA and the time limits for filing an appeal.
The claimant must exhaust the above appeals process prior to any action at law, in equity, pursuant to
arbitration or otherwise. The participant shall have 180 days from the date of the decision of the Designee
or IRO to file an appeal action under ERISA. No legal action may be commenced against the Plan, the
Plan Administrator, the Designee or IRO more than 180 days after the decision has been made with respect
to all or any portion of the claim for benefits.
The address for the claim to file an appeal is:
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Clinical Appeals: P.O. Box 105568
Atlanta, GA 30348
Legal Claims
Any civil suit brought against the Plan, its Administrator, Sponsor or any other Plan fiduciary may only
be submitted and filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
CLAIMS AND APPEALS OTHER THAN FOR BENEFITS
A separate claims procedure shall apply to claims regarding eligibility or participation by any eligible
employee or eligible retired employee, eligibility for a dependent to be entitled to coverage or benefits,
and to claims other than claims for group health benefits. To the extent that an applicable collective
bargaining agreement provides for different claims procedures than the claims procedures set forth herein,
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then such other claims procedures shall apply to claims made by individuals who are subject to such
collective bargaining agreement.
Any participant who wishes to file a claim for any benefit relating to the terms of eligibility or
participation under the Plan, including but not limited to eligibility to participate in any benefit program
or coverage option, the dependent status of an individual, eligibility to make a mid-year change in a
coverage election, eligibility to pay premiums on a pre-tax or after-tax basis, the amount of any premium,
or for benefits other than group health benefits, shall file such claim with the Administrator.
The address for filing a claim with the Administrator is:
FirstEnergy Health Care Plan
Attention: Plan Administrator
76 South Main Street, 7th floor
Akron, Ohio 44308
Initial Claim Decision for Claims Relating to Eligibility and Participation
The Administrator shall process each properly filed claim within a reasonable time but not later than 90
days after its receipt of an application for benefits. This period may be extended by an additional 90 days
if the Administrator provides the claimant with written notice of the extension within the initial 90 day
period. The extension notice shall explain the reason for the extension and the date by which the
Administrator expects a decision will be made. If the extension is necessary because additional
information is needed to decide the claim, the extension notice shall describe the required information.
The claimant should provide the required information as soon as possible.
The Administrator shall notify the claimant in writing, delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail to
his last known address, if any part of a claim has been denied. The notice of a denial of any claim shall
include: (i) the specific reasons for the denial; (ii) a reference to specific provisions of the plan document
upon which the denial is based; (iii) a description of any internal rule, guidelines, protocol or similar
criterion relied on in making the denial (or a statement that such internal criterion will be provided free of
charge upon request); (iv) a description of any additional material or information deemed necessary by
the Administrator for the claimant to perfect his claim and an explanation of why such material or
information is necessary; and (v) an explanation of the claims review procedure under the plan.
If the notice described above is not furnished and if the claim has not been granted within the time
specified above, the claim shall be deemed denied and shall be subject to review as set forth below.
Appeals of Denied Claims Relating to Eligibility and Participation
If a claim is denied, in whole or in part, the claimant may request that the Appeals Committee review his
or her claim. A claimant shall have 60 days in which to request a review. Such request shall be in writing
and delivered to the Appeals Committee. The address for the Appeals Committee is:
FirstEnergy Corp. Employee Benefit Claims and Appeals Committee
76 South Main Street, 7th floor
Akron, Ohio 44308
If no such review is requested, the decision of the Administrator shall be considered final and binding.
A request for review must specify the claimant’s reason(s) for requesting that the denial be reversed. The
claimant may submit additional written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to
and in support of his claim; all information submitted shall be reviewed whether or not it was available for
the initial review. A claimant may request reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and
other information relevant to his claim for benefits. If a review is requested, a full and fair review of the
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decision will be made by a person different than, and who is not a subordinate of, the original decision
maker.
The Appeals Committee shall render its final decision within a reasonable period of time but not later than
60 days from its receipt of a request for review. This period may be extended up to an additional 60 days,
if the Appeals Committee determines that special circumstances exist (such as the need for a hearing) which
require an extension of time for processing the review. The Appeals Committee shall provide the claimant
with written notice of the extension within the initial 60 day period. The extension notice will explain the
reason for the extension and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects a decision will be made. If
the extension is necessary because additional information is needed, the extension notice will describe the
required information. The claimant should provide the required information as soon as possible.
If after review the claim continues to be denied, the Appeals Committee shall provide the claimant with a
notice of the denial of his appeal which shall contain the following information: (i) the specific reasons for
the denial of the appeal; (ii) a reference to the specific provisions of the plan document on which the denial
was based; (iii) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge,
reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to his claim for
benefits; (iv) a statement disclosing any internal rule, guidelines, protocol or similar criterion relied on in
making the denial (or a statement that such information would be provided free of charge upon request);
and (v) a statement describing his right to bring a civil suit under Federal law no later than 180 days after
receipt of the denial and a statement concerning any other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options
that may be available.
Legal Claims
Any civil suit brought against the Plan, its Administrator, Sponsor or any other Plan fiduciary may only
be submitted and filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION
Termination of Coverage
Termination of coverage for you and your eligible dependents will, in most cases, terminate at the end of
the month in which you leave the Company; if you cease to be an eligible employee; or if the Plan is
discontinued.
Coverage will also terminate immediately if the required employee contribution, if applicable, has not
been made. A dependent’s coverage will terminate at the end of the month in which he or she is no longer
an eligible dependent.
Your Rights to Continued Health Care Coverage
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1985 is an act of Congress that
protects you and your dependents from loss of group health care coverage if certain events occur that
would otherwise result in your loss of coverage.
When your coverage as an active employee ends you can elect continued coverage — at your own expense
and without evidence of good health — which is identical to the coverage provided for all other employees.
Coverage may be continued for a period of 18, 29, or 36 months for the following COBRA qualified
reasons:
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Loss of coverage due to termination of employment. If your employment is terminated due to any
reason other than gross misconduct, you and your covered dependents may continue health care
coverage for up to 18 months.
Eligibility for continued coverage because of disability. If you or your dependent are Social Security
disabled at the time you qualify for COBRA, coverage may be extended from 18 months to 29 months.
You must be eligible for Social Security disability benefits and notify the Company of your eligibility
for Social Security disability benefits before your first 18 months of COBRA expire.
Termination of coverage due to a divorce or death. If you should die, or become divorced, your covered
dependents may continue group health care coverage for up to 36 months. If you are already covered
by COBRA under the 18-month provision, and any of the preceding events occur, your dependents can
extend coverage to a maximum of 36 months from the first date of eligibility for COBRA coverage. If
a former Allegheny Energy employee hired after January 1, 1993 dies prior to retirement and his/her
spouse is covered at the time, they may continue to be covered by this Plan by paying the appropriate
premium until they become covered under the group medical plan through another employer, reach age
65 or commence survivor pension benefits. Dependent children may continue to be covered by this
Plan until they reach the normal dependent age.
Termination of coverage due to a loss of eligibility. You or your covered dependents may continue
group health care coverage for up to 36 months after you are no longer eligible or your dependents no
longer qualify as covered dependents. Note: If you are already covered by the 18-month provision,
your dependents can extend coverage to a maximum of 36 months from the first date of eligibility for
COBRA coverage.
How to Continue Coverage
If your employment ends for any reason other than gross misconduct, you will receive notification from
FirstEnergy’s COBRA administrator with a detailed explanation of your COBRA rights and all necessary
application forms.
Under the COBRA law, the employee or family member has the responsibility to inform the local Human
Resources representative or the Human Resources Service Center of a divorce, legal separation, or change
in eligibility for a dependent child covered under the Plan. Notice must be received in writing within 60
days of the later of (i) date the qualifying event occurs, or (ii) the date the qualified beneficiary loses
coverage as a result of the event. The participant will have 60 days from the date of the qualifying event
to elect continuation of coverage. If notice is not received within 60 days of the qualifying event, the
right to continue coverage will be lost. When notice is received, you and your dependents will be notified
about your rights to continue coverage under COBRA. If you or a covered dependent decides to continue
coverage, the election must be completed within 60 days of the date notification was received.
The Cost of Continued Coverage
You are responsible for paying the cost or premium for continued group health care coverage. The
monthly premium for continued coverage will be included in the notice sent to you or your dependents.
Once you have elected to continue group health care coverage, the first premium must be received by
FirstEnergy’s COBRA administrator within 45 days after continued coverage is elected. Premiums for
continued coverage are due on the first day of each month. If the required premium is not paid within 30
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days from the first of the month, coverage will be terminated.
When Continued Coverage Ends
Your group health care coverage will continue until the earliest of the following:
The required monthly premiums are not paid;
The person becomes covered by another group health plan (unless a pre-existing condition clause used
in the other plan prevents coverage);
The person becomes eligible for Medicare;
The date the Company terminates all of its group health care plans;
After a period of 18, 29, or 36 months of continued coverage depending upon the circumstances of the
termination of coverage.
When continued coverage is no longer available, you or your dependents may convert coverage to an
individual health insurance policy.
Conversion to an Individual Health Insurance Policy
If coverage for you or your dependents ends for any reason under the Plan, you may convert your
coverage to an individual health insurance policy, if offered by the administrator, on a direct payment
basis. Application for this conversion policy must be made within 31 days of the date coverage
terminates.
The conversion option is also available at the end of the continuation period as described in the section
entitled “Your Rights to Continued Health Care Coverage.” Application for an individual health insurance
policy may be made within 180 days before the end of the continuation period.
Instructions on how to apply for conversion may be obtained from the Human Resources Office at your
location or the Human Resources Service Center.
HIPAA PRIVACY NOTICE The Plan will only disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) to the Employer in accordance with the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The Plan agrees not to use or
further disclose PHI other than as permitted in its privacy notice or as required by law.
The Plan will train any employees who have access to PHI regarding the requirements of HIPAA. The Plan
ensures that any of its business agents that receive PHI from the Plan agree to the same restrictions and
conditions. PHI will not be used or disclosed for employment-related actions or in connection with any
other benefit or employee benefit plan.
Access to and use of PHI by Human Resources personnel shall be restricted to plan administration functions
performed for the Plan. Such access or use shall be permitted only to the extent necessary to perform the
duties of the Plan.
Seeking assistance from Human Resources
The Plan will attempt to limit PHI received from participants or beneficiaries by encouraging participants
and beneficiaries to directly contact the provider who administers benefits payable by the applicable
health and welfare plan. However, in the event that the Company receives PHI, the following procedures
will be in effect to protect the privacy of that information.
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The Company will designate specific Human Resources representatives to have access to PHI at each
Company location. To the extent possible, only the designated Human Resources representative and
members of the Benefits section of the Human Resources Department will have access to PHI. Under
HIPAA regulations, designated Human Resources representatives or members of the Benefits section of
Human Resources will not be permitted to disclose PHI to a health care provider unless authorized in
writing by the participant/beneficiary or their authorized personal representative.
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
The FirstEnergy Health Care Plan and the FirstEnergy Prescription Drug Plan are complaint with the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Affordable Care Act”). Questions regarding which
changes apply to these plans should be directed to the plan administrator: FirstEnergy Health Care &
Prescription Drug Plans, 76 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44308, Attn: Plan Administrator.
You may also contact the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor at 1-
866-444-3272 or www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform. This website has a table summarizing which
protections do and do not apply to grandfathered health plans.
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
The Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPA) signed into law and effective
January 1, 2010 amends the previous Mental Health Parity Act. The MHPA requires “parity” between the
financial requirements and treatment limitations applied to medical and/or surgical benefits and mental
health and substance abuse disorder benefits.
The Plan will comply with MHPA. The medical plan comparison chart in this guide reflects the elimination
of the 30-day inpatient treatment days and 30-visit outpatient limitations. Out-of-network mental health or
substance abuse treatment charges will no longer be excluded from the out-of-pocket maximum limit.
Additionally, there will no longer be a separate maximum lifetime benefit for chemical dependency
treatment.
OTHER FACTS AND INFORMATION
Certificate of Credible Coverage
Plan members may request a certificate of credible coverage under HIPAA by calling the FirstEnergy
Human Resources Service Center at 1-800-543-4654 during regular business hours.
Benefit Rights
This summary describes the current level of benefits and contributions required for active employees,
retirees, and eligible dependents. The decision to offer medical benefits and the levels of coverage are
based on management decision or with respect to bargaining unit employees, upon the agreements
reached between the Company and the unions. Retirement health care benefits are not vested. Medical
benefits and the contributions required for coverage including retiree health care benefits and
contributions may be amended or terminated at any time by the Chief Executive Officer of FirstEnergy
Corp. or his appointed designee.
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Source of Benefits
Medical benefits are provided under an arrangement described in the Group Health Care Policies whereby
the benefits are to be afforded directly by the Company.
The complete terms of the Plan are set forth in this summary plan description and as administered under
the terms of the Administrative Services Agreement by a third party Administrator. The extent of the
coverage for each individual is governed at all times by the terms of the Group Policy. The administrator
determines the benefits for which an individual qualifies under the Plan, whether provided directly by the
Company or by the insurance company. All payments are based upon that determination.
VEBA
The Company has established trusts to pre-fund a portion of its post-retirement medical liability for
current and some future retirees. These trusts are called a Voluntary Employee Benefit Associations
(VEBA’s) and will be operated to receive favorable tax treatment under IRS Section 501(C)(9). The
VEBA’s are as follows:
• Ohio Edison Company Postretirement Health Benefits Trust for Management and Non-
represented Employees.
• Ohio Edison Company Postretirement Health Benefits Trust for Represented Employees.
• Trust Agreement for GPU Companies Health Care Plan for Non-bargaining Retirees.
• Trust Agreement for GPU Companies Health Care Plan for Employees Represented by IBEW
System U-3.
• Trust Agreement for GPU Companies Health Care Plan for Employees Represented by IBEW
Local 777.
• Trust Agreement for GPU Companies Health Care Plan for Employees Represented by IBEW
Local 459 and UWUA Local 180.
• Trust Agreement for GPU Companies Health Care Plan for Non-bargaining Employees.
• Trust Agreement for Allegheny Power System Benefit Fund– Medical (APEF1707502,
APEF1707432, APEF1707422, and APEF1710422) for all non-bargaining and pre-1/1/1993
retirees except for Local 102.
• Trust Agreement for Monongahela Power Company – Medical (APRF1745692) for all pre-
1/1/1993 retirees for Local 2357 and 162.
• Trust Agreement for Potomac Edison Company – Medical (APRF1745702) for pre-1/1/1993
retirees of Local 307, 771 and 331.
• Trust Agreement for West Penn Power Company – Medical (APRF1745742) for all pre-1/1/1993
retirees of Local 102.
Trust assets are used to pay health benefits for active and retired employees, and the administrative costs
of the trust and Plan. The amount of funding, timing of contributions, administration, and funding policy
will be determined by the Plan Sponsor.
The creation, administration, and funding of these trusts does not preclude the Plan Sponsor from amending,
modifying, or terminating the health care benefits at any time. Post-retirement medical benefits are not
vested.
Participant’s Rights
As a participant in the Plan you are entitled to:
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Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator’s office and plant or regional human resources
offices, a copy of the Plan, the latest annual report and the Plan description;
Obtain copies of Plan documents and other Plan information upon written request to the Plan
Administrator. The Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies;
Receive a summary of the Plan’s annual financial report; and
Expect that the people who operate your Plan, called “fiduciaries” of the Plan, will do so prudently and
in the interest of you and other Plan participants and beneficiaries.
No one — your employer, your union, or any other person — may fire you or otherwise discriminate against
you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a Plan benefit or exercising your rights under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce
your rights. For instance, if you request materials and do not receive them for 30 days, you may file suit in
federal court (Northern District of Ohio). If you have a claim for benefits which is denied or ignored, in
whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or federal court. If it should happen that Plan fiduciaries misuse
the Plan’s money, or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance
from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal court.
If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay court costs and legal fees; if you
lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees.
If you have any questions about your Plan, you should contact the Plan Administrator. If you have any
questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, you should contact the nearest area
office of the Employee Benefits Administration listed in your telephone directory, or the Division of
Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration; U.S. Department of