New longterm care insurance offered to Fermilab employees

Fermilab is offering an addition to its employee benefits: CNA Independent Solutions Group Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance. There will be an open enrollment period from March 1 through March 31. Information about the open enrollment has been sent to your home address. Plan to attend one of the informational meetings to learn more and have all of your questions answered. During this time, employees will have the opportunity to enroll in the program without being asked any medical questions (evidence of insurability). Your acceptance into the plan is guaranteed.

LTC insurance covers care provided at home or in a facility such as a nursing home for individuals who are unable to take care of themselves as the result of chronic illness, disability or mental impairment. Personal care, nursing and other related services are provided for persons of all ages. Services range from simple help with meals, to assistance with activities such as dressing or bathing, to 24-hour monitored care.

Services provided for LTC are expensive. If you need this type of care, it could deplete your assets quickly. It is estimated that nursing home care costs about $192 per day in the Chicago area.

The insurance premium rates are based on benefit options selected, the inflation feature selected and the age of participant. Purchasing LTC insurance through Fermilab affords you the benefit of a group rate, and your insurance payments are automatically deducted from your paycheck.

There are many additional features covered by this plan including portability and worldwide coverage. To have the most precise and detailed information about this coverage, please plan on attending one of the four meetings that will be conducted by CNA account manager Andrew Rafka. Since the meetings are scheduled during working hours and will last for an hour, you will need your supervisor's approval to attend. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. The schedule of meetings may be found on the Benefits website.

—Wilma Cardona, Lab Benefits Strategic Planner