Health Insurance

rsweat Rookie Greenville MS via Chesterfield, VA

I am starting the Academy on March 31, 2010. I was wondering once I sign the wife and me up for health insurance how long does it take to become effective. I am trying to figure out so I can let my current health insurance company know. Any input would be nice. Please no speculation...if you know...then say so. I have been trying to get a hold of HR...But we all know how that goes!! Thanks again.

polo708 Epic Member tower

The day you turn in your paperwork it will start day 1 of the following pay period... It will be a Sunday and no more than 2 weeks depending on when you turn it in. If you turn it in on the Friday before then end of the pay period then it will take 2 days to become active. Hope that makes sense...

GeorgeM Trusted Member CO

You can research the government employee health plans here.

rsweat Rookie Greenville MS via Chesterfield, VA

Makes perfect since..thanks for the quick response!!

polo708 Epic Member tower

It will take 2-3 weeks to get your "insurance cards" but they will give you a copy of the form you filled out and also mail it to your wife. They say that is good enough to be "seen" if something does happen within that 2-3 week period.

YOU can also be seen there on the FAA school grounds for free while you are at the academy. Some people seemed to wait quite a while to get treatment or seen by a doc but its an option. Cant remember the name of it tho... someone here will be able to tell you more about it. I never used it but had some classmates there that did.

CLEATCT2010 Senior Member Ohio

When you turn in your paperwork, they will tell you the day that each insurance plan will become effective. Having just went through it myself, the health insurance is the last to go into effect. Dental and Vision (if you elect it) are separate and you pick the provider you want (based upon what coverage you want, price, etc.). You sign up for those online and they typically become effective within a couple of days (they might actually be effective the next business day as I signed up for mine on the weekend and it became effective the following Monday). Life insurance is effective as soon as you turn in the form.

Echo_Whiskey Junior Member

So, when are we able to turn in the paperwork? Are we given the paperwork upon starting the Academy or can we have it submitted before we start?

rsweat Rookie Greenville MS via Chesterfield, VA

Thanks POLO and CLEAT for the info..

mbalunda Epic Member

Depends on the pay periods as explained. I started class on a Wednesday and had insurance by that Sunday.

polo708 Epic Member tower

On day one of the academy they will have representatives come to the class and give you everything like medical and life insurance, TSP, etc... you can fill it out real quick there if u know what you want or you can turn it in to their office at your convenience. Each thing has different limits. Medical I believe you have 60 days to return it or you decline it until open season.