Discretionary Authority The Plan Administrator delegates to Cigna the discretionary authority to interpret and apply plan terms and to make factual determinations in connection with its review of claims under the plan. Such discretionary authority is intended to include, but not limited to, the determination of the eligibility of persons desiring to enroll in or claim benefits under the plan, the determination of whether a person is entitled to benefits under the plan, and the computation of any and all benefit payments. The Plan Administrator also delegates to Cigna the discretionary authority to perform a full and fair review, as required by ERISA, of each claim denial which has been appealed by the claimant or his duly authorized representative. Plan Modification, Amendment and Termination The Employer as Plan Sponsor reserves the right to, at any time, change or terminate benefits under the Plan, to change or terminate the eligibility of classes of employees to be covered by the Plan, to amend or eliminate any other plan term or condition, and to terminate the whole plan or any part of it. Contact the Employer for the procedure by which benefits may be changed or terminated, by which the eligibility of classes of employees may be changed or terminated, or by which part or all of the Plan may be terminated. No consent of any participant is required to terminate, modify, amend or change the Plan. Termination of the Plan together with termination of the insurance policy(s) which funds the Plan benefits will have no adverse effect on any benefits to be paid under the policy(s) for any covered medical expenses incurred prior to the date that policy(s) terminates. Likewise, any extension of benefits under the policy(s) due to you or your Dependent's total disability which began prior to and has continued beyond the date the policy(s) terminates will not be affected by the Plan termination. Rights to purchase limited amounts of life and medical insurance to replace part of the benefits lost because the policy(s) terminated may arise under the terms of the policy(s). A subsequent Plan termination will not affect the extension of benefits and rights under the policy(s). Your coverage under the Plan’s insurance policy(s) will end on the earliest of the following dates: the date you leave Active Service (or later as explained in the Termination Section;) the date you are no longer in an eligible class; if the Plan is contributory, the date you cease to contribute; the date the policy(s) terminates. See your Plan Administrator to determine if any extension of benefits or rights are available to you or your Dependents under this policy(s). No extension of benefits or rights will be available solely because the Plan terminates.
Statement of Rights As a participant in the plan you are entitled to certain rights and protections under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). ERISA provides that all plan participants shall be entitled to: Receive Information About Your Plan and Benefits examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator’s office and at other specified locations, such as worksites and union halls, all documents governing the plan, including insurance contracts and collective bargaining agreements and a copy of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the plan with the U.S. Department of Labor and available at the Public Disclosure room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration. obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of documents governing the Plan, including insurance contracts and collective bargaining agreements, and a copy of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) and updated summary plan description. The administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies. receive a summary of the Plan’s annual financial report. The Plan Administrator is required by law to furnish each person under the Plan with a copy of this summary financial report. Continue Group Health Plan Coverage continue health care coverage for yourself, your spouse or Dependents if there is a loss of coverage under the Plan as a result of a qualifying event. You or your Dependents may have to pay for such coverage. Review the documents governing the Plan on the rules governing your federal continuation coverage rights. Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries In addition to creating rights for plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate your plan, called “fiduciaries” of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other plan participants and beneficiaries. No one, including 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 welfare benefit or exercising your rights under ERISA. If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored you have a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules. Enforce Your Rights Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request a copy of documents governing the plan or the latest annual report from the plan and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court may require the plan
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