plan and the claimant’s right to bring an action under ERISA section 502(a), if applicable; upon request and free of charge, a copy of any internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion that was relied upon in making the adverse determination regarding your appeal, and an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for a determination that is based on a Medical Necessity, experimental treatment or other similar exclusion or limit. You also have the right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA if you are not satisfied with the decision on review. You or your plan may have other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options such as Mediation. One way to find out what may be available is to contact your local U.S. Department of Labor office and your State insurance regulatory agency. You may also contact the Plan Administrator. Relevant Information Relevant information is any document, record or other information which: was relied upon in making the benefit determination; was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such document, record, or other information was relied upon in making the benefit determination; demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required by federal law in making the benefit determination; or constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the plan concerning the denied treatment option or benefit for the claimant’s diagnosis, without regard to whether such advice or statement was relied upon in making the benefit
“qualifying event” that would result in loss of coverage under the Plan. You and/or your Dependents will be permitted to continue the same coverage under which you or your Dependents were covered on the day before the qualifying event occurred, unless you move out of that plan’s coverage area or the plan is no longer available. You and/or your Dependents cannot change coverage options until the next open enrollment period. When is COBRA Continuation Available? For you and your Dependents, COBRA continuation is available for up to 18 months from the date of the following qualifying events if the event would result in a loss of coverage under the Plan: your termination of employment for any reason, other than gross misconduct; or your reduction in work hours. For your Dependents, COBRA continuation coverage is available for up to 36 months from the date of the following qualifying events if the event would result in a loss of coverage under the Plan: your death; your divorce or legal separation; or for a Dependent child, failure to continue to qualify as a Dependent under the Plan. Who is Entitled to COBRA Continuation? Only a “qualified beneficiary” (as defined by federal law) may elect to continue health insurance coverage. A qualified beneficiary may include the following individuals who were covered by the Plan on the day the qualifying event occurred: you, your spouse, and your Dependent children. Each qualified beneficiary has their own right to elect or decline COBRA continuation coverage even if you decline or are not eligible for COBRA continuation. The following individuals are not qualified beneficiaries for purposes of COBRA continuation: domestic partners, grandchildren (unless adopted by you), stepchildren (unless adopted by you). Although these individuals do not have an independent right to elect COBRA continuation coverage, if you elect COBRA continuation coverage for yourself, you may also cover your Dependents even if they are not considered qualified beneficiaries under COBRA. However, such individuals’ coverage will terminate when your COBRA continuation coverage terminates. The sections titled “Secondary Qualifying Events” and “Medicare Extension For Your Dependents” are not applicable to these individuals. Secondary Qualifying Events If, as a result of your termination of employment or reduction in work hours, your Dependent(s) have elected COBRA continuation coverage and one or more Dependents experience
determination. Legal Action
If your plan is governed by ERISA, you have the right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA if you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Appeals Procedure. In most instances, you may not initiate a legal action against Cigna until you have completed the appeal processes. However, no action will be brought at all unless brought within 3 years after a claim is submitted for In-Network Services or within three years after proof of claim is required under the Plan for Out- of-Network services.
HC-FED86
06-13
COBRA Continuation Rights Under Federal Law For You and Your Dependents What is COBRA Continuation Coverage? Under federal law, you and/or your Dependents must be given the opportunity to continue health insurance when there is a
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