BENEFITS

How do I know what is available?
You can find a summary of all WASCOE/NASCOE benefits available at our WASCOE website, www.wiwascoe.org.  At this website, you may also access NASCOE. The web sites are a benefit in themselves. Information at your fingertips is a powerful tool.

We have our scholarship program through WASCOE but did you know that there are many federal educational programs available to students. Another website, http://www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.htm, linked from OPM’s USAJOBS website, contains hundreds of federal government-funded educational scholarships, fellowships, grants, internships and cooperative programs. New programs are posted daily. OPM predicts a shortage of knowledge within the next few years and the federal government is encouraging students to consider federal careers.

What new or improved benefits do we want?
This is a question that only the members can answer. Contact your area delegates or me if you have some thoughts in response to this question.

NASCOE continues to work toward the federal government picking up a greater share of our health insurance premium so that we compare more favorably to the private sector.

Our efforts will also address the inequity of sick leave not counting towards years of service for FERS employees.

Another item that affects many FEHB participants is that college age dependents are ineligible for coverage when they reach 22 years of age. This termination of coverage is by law and it would take congressional action to change the age limit or to make any exceptions for students.

Please also visit the USDA Employee Service and Recreation  Association site, for more benefits available to all USDA  Employees.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO  NASCOE MEMBERS

NASCOE offers  the following benefits to its members.  It is the member’s responsibility to carefully consider their individual  needs and to compare as many sources as they deem necessary before making any  financial commitment. 

CANCER INSURANCE: Central States of Omaha (CSO),  American Heritage Life, and AFLAC through J. M. Marketing (1-800-330-6223).  The new CSO Cancer policy offers many new  benefits not offered by any other company and the cost is one of the best  available in years. The new $100 wellness benefit is just one of many excellent  benefits with the CSO policy.

SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH/ HOSPITAL INTENSIVE  CARE: Intensive Care -  offered by CONSECO, Central States of Omaha, American Heritage Life, or AFLAC  through J.M. Marketing (1-800-330-6223).  Provides daily benefits paid directly to the policyholder for any stay in  intensive care.

HOSPITAL INDEMNITY: through American  Heritage through J.M. Marketing,  offsets co-pay charges required by other insurance coverage, pays directly to  insured, intensive care available.

LONG TERM CARE  POLICY: Mutual of Omaha through J.M. Marketing  (1-800-330-6223).  This new policy is  designed for long-term nursing and home care income. A special 20% discount to  NASCOE members is provided.

DISABILITY INSURANCE: Offers short term disability and pays up to  40% of your salary beginning after the seventh day off work and pays up to two  years. The 40% is to insure the payment will not create a problem with other  payments for disability.

LIFE INSURANCE: Guaranteed  Issue-American Heritage through J.M.  Marketing (1-800-330-6223) is available for spouse and children only if the NASCOE member first options the coverage. Offered on open enrollments at  various times. 

FINAL EXPENSE POLICY: This $10,000  whole life policy is an easy issue final expense policy.

DRUG CARD: Prescription Offers an  excellent discount on prescription and mail orders.

ACCIDENT/ACCIDENTAL DEATH &  DISMEMBERMENT: Accident-American Heritage  through  J.M. Marketing (1-800-330-6223).  It pays in addition to other coverage,  hospitalization, covers dislocations and fractures, disability income for  primary insured, accidental death and dismemberment benefits.

PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL:

***NEW*** Roadside Assistance Package offered through JM Marketing . Nation Safe Drivers, rated  #1 by JD Powers & Assoc. in towing and emergency roadside assistance. Tire,  battery, and lockout service plus many others. Insures the driver. An  outstanding new benefit at exceptional rates offered exclusively to NASCOE  members.

***NEW***PrePaid Legal Services  Inc. - JM Marketing is now authorized  to process applications for PPL Services, Inc. Various legal work including  legal document review, will preparation and management, and trial defense  services are just a few of the services that a network of over 100,000 lawyers  nationwide may be able to help you with. Basic average cost in most states is  less than $16.00 per month.

Vision-Specs: through J.M. Marketing (1-800-330-6223). Savings on all eye care purchases and eye  exams at over 1,600 participating optical outlets.

Professional  Liability: Wright & Company  (1-800-424-9801).  Specifically designed  for Federal employees to assist with legal costs, damages against you, suits by  other employees or the public. 

Legal Counsel: NASCOE has secured legal counsel which will be available to its membership  at the direction of NASCOE to advise and consult with individual employees or  their counsel concerning specific employment problems.  This period of consultation is limited to one  hour of time.  To receive this benefit, a  NASCOE member must be referred by the STATE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT through the  respective Executive Committeeperson to the NASCOE President or his  designee.  Under special circumstances,  such as a conflict of interest, NASCOE Vice President, may be contacted  directly. 

DISCOUNTS FOR  THEME PARKS - Six Flags Park discount cards, and Busch Gardens/Sea World  Park discount cards should be requested through the State Benefits Chair. State  Benefit Chairs will pass on these request via e-mail to their respective Area  Benefit Chair. Area Chairs have the discount coupons on hand for those amusement  parks located in their respective area. Area Chairs will coordinate with each  other to get discount coupons to a member outside of their area. NASCOE has  discount cards available for just about any major theme or amusement park you  might be visiting in the United States. These should be requested several weeks  in advance of your scheduled trip.

Long Term Health Care

The following are important points to consider when making Long Term Care Choices:

• · Do you have substantial net worth and do you want to protect your assets for your children, church, etc.?
• · Do you want to control your assets instead of putting them in a trust or giving the money away to the children while you are living?
• · Current age or present good health may not be a major factor since accidents or health problems can happen anytime. However, a lower rate per day may be adequate.
• · Medicaid assistance would probably not be available for most federal employees after retirement due to the amount of a retiree’s annuity.
• · Many nursing homes are having financial difficulties. Large chain operations may be the future of the business. Long Term Care insurance or adequate resources may be needed to enter a facility. The trend is also for more Hospice Care, assisted living facilities, and home care, so the amount of coverage is also important.

Long Term Care Insurance Companies
Insurance is available from many companies, but it is recommended to get your policy from a company which is highly rated. The new government Long Term Care insurance has a current open season until December 31, 2002.

An advantage of the government plan is that the premiums can be deducted from salary for current employees or the annuity for retirees. Employees and retirees that are members of their employee organizations can also obtain coverage from JM Marketing. The website for JM Marketing is http://jmmarketing.biz/. The plan they have is through Mutual of Omaha.

The plans from the different companies all have various options. Since everyone has different circumstances there is no coverage that is best for everyone.

If there are current health problems, it is advisable to check out the company underwriting policies to see if you qualify with your health status.

After researching for myself the most important recommendation I can make is to study at least two or three different companies to determine the best options for you.

Length of Coverage
The average stay in a nursing home is now said to be 2.9 years. Of course, some are less time and some are more, which makes selecting the length of coverage a difficult choice. The rates for 5 years or unlimited coverage may not be that much higher than for a 3 year coverage. I have applied for a plan with unlimited coverage to get full protection. Note that further premiums are not required after entering a nursing home.

Waiting Period for Benefits
Part A of Medicare for those over 65 would usually pay for the first 20 days of care. The choice of waiting period may depend upon your planned budget for the future. For example, if you have a 90 day waiting period and a $100.00 per day coverage you would have 70 days to pay on your own instead of getting $7,000.00 in benefits as with a 20 day waiting period.

Amount of Per Day Coverage

• · The future purchase option has a much lower cost than the automatic compound inflation option, and for most younger employees still allows for considerable increase in per day coverage before a normal time of need.
• · Nursing home and other medical assistance costs in your area may help you determine the choice of daily benefits.
• · Benefits for home care may depend upon the daily benefit amount for nursing care.
• 
  Other information I used when making the decision for myself:
• · The dialogue of a video on the Government Long Term Care insurance available on the internet at: www.opm.gov/insure/ltcopen_season/video/index.htm#.
• · The Shopper’s Guide to Long Term Care gives good brief information. You will receive this booklet if you request an application for the government insurance.
• · Information on some companies and price comparisons are also available at:  www.LongTermCareQuote.com.