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Click on the links below for instructions and the answers to some frequently asked questions that we have received from employers. If you need further assistance please contact us.
Download the complete Instruction Manual PDF version formatted for print
Employee Administration
Additions
Changes
Terminations
Employer Administration
Premium Billing
Dental Claims Administration
Life Insurance Claims Administration
Long Term Disability (LTD) Claims Administration
Short Term Disability (STD) Claims Administration
Mailing Instructions
Employee Administration
Q. Where should forms and questions be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Group Administration Department
PO Box 83149
Lancaster, PA 17608-3149
E-mail: groupadmin@elhins.com
Phone: 800-233-0307
Fax: 717-481-7175
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Additions
Q. How do I enroll new employees?
A. All new employees, who are eligible, must
complete the appropriate enrollment form. Be
sure all instructions are followed and all
sections are completed. To be considered
a timely enrollment, the enrollment form
must be sent to us within 31 days of
completing the waiting period.
It is very important that you understand
the difference between non-contributory
coverage (100% employer paid premium)
and contributory coverage (employee pays
all or a portion of the premium). Failure
to make a timely enrollment in non-contributory
coverage will result in
retroactive billing.
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Q. What is a late enrollment?
A. An enrollment will be considered late if it
is not made on a timely basis. Late
enrollment applies only to contributory
coverage (employee pays all or a portion
of the premium). If your employees enroll
more than 31 days after completing the
waiting period, they will be required to
submit evidence of insurability that must
be approved by us before the coverage
can become effective (for life and
disability coverage) or will be subject to a
late enrollment restriction (for dental
coverage) as explained in the employee
certificate.
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Q. Can a new employee waive coverage?
A. Your new employee can waive
contributory coverage (employee pays all
or a portion of the premium). The
enrollment form contains a section where
they can waive coverage and provide the
reason. However, employees generally cannot
waive non-contributory coverage
(100% employer paid premium). Non-Contributory
coverage waivers may be permitted only under
specific circumstances, please contact us for
additional information.
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Q. Can an eligible employee enroll after initially waiving coverage?
A. An eligible employee can enroll at any
time by completing the appropriate
enrollment form. Be sure all instructions
are followed and all sections completed.
Depending on the type of coverage, the
eligible employee may be subject to late
enrollment restrictions or individual
underwriting.
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Q. Does ELH issue ID cards?
A. ELH issues ID cards for Dental coverage. A Dental ID card will be provided for each eligible employee enrolled in Dental coverage (2 cards will be supplied if dependent coverage is selected). Dental ID cards will be mailed directly to you for distribution.
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Changes
Q. What employee changes must I report to ELH?
A. You must notify us in the event of the
following changes:
- Employee Name;
- Employee Address;
- Employee Salary;
- Employee Class;
- Beneficiary; or
- Addition or deletion of a dependent if
dependent coverage is provided
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Q. How do I make these types of changes?
A. Complete the Employee Change Card
Form U202. Be sure all sections are
completed, including the reason for
change, date of change and employee
signature.
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Q. When should I notify ELH of a change?
A. You should notify us immediately. Failure
to do so could result in inaccurate billing
information. And, if we are not notified
within 31 days, a new employee or
dependent may be subject to late
enrollment restrictions or individual
underwriting.
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Q. Does an employee need to enroll a new dependent if they already have dependent coverage?
A. Even if other dependents are covered at
the time of adoption or birth of a new
dependent, an enrollment form must be
completed for the new dependent. If the
enrollment form is received after the 31 day
eligibility period, the eligible
dependent may be subject to late
enrollment restrictions or individual
underwriting.
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Q. Can an employee continue coverage for a covered dependent who has reached the regular age limit on the plan?
A. A covered dependent's coverage may be continued beyond the regular age limit, if we receive written proof that the dependent is a full-time student at an accredited school; primarily dependent upon the employee for support and maintenance, unmarried, and under the dependent student age limit shown in the certificate.
The best way to verify student status is to send us a letter from the school. The letter should contain the name of the student, the dates of the specific semester, and notation that the student is classified as a full-time student. We may also accept some other school notice, such as a class schedule providing it includes the information previously noted. We might require additional information if we cannot verify the student's status.
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Terminations
Q.When does an employee’s or a dependent’s coverage terminate?
A. Coverage for an employee or dependent
who is no longer eligible for such coverage
will terminate. This can occur for a
number of reasons including, but not
limited to:
- Termination of employment;
- Disability;
- Reduction in work hours;
- Retirement; or
- Dependents that no longer meet the
definition of dependent.
Refer to the certificate for details.
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Q.When should I report the termination of an employee or a dependent?
A. You should notify us immediately. Failure
to do so could result in inaccurate billing
information.
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Q. Should I notify ELH if an employee is disabled or on a leave of absence and is no longer working on a full-time basis?
A. Yes. It is important that you notify us
when an employee is no longer working
on a full-time basis due to disability or
leave of absence. Coverage could be
impacted by such disability or leave of
absence.
An employee may remain eligible for
coverage while not actively at work due to
injury, illness, disability or an approved
leave of absence, provided the employer
continues to make premium payments for
a predetermined length of time. Refer to
the certificate for specific time limits.
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Q. How do I notify ELH of the termination of an employee’s coverage?
A. Complete a Notice of Cancellation Form
U204. Depending upon the type of
coverage, you must inform the terminated
employee and dependent, if applicable, of
any conversion privileges or COBRA
continuation rights, if you are subject to
such federal regulation.
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Q. How do I notify an employee or dependent of conversion or COBRA continuation rights?
A. To notify an employee or dependent,
complete the Notice of Conversion or Continuation Rights Form GA145. This
form is not an application. The employee
or dependent signature only
acknowledges receipt of the notice.
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Q. What is a conversion privilege?
A. A conversion privilege is a provision in Life
coverage that permits an eligible
employee or dependent to convert their
group coverage to an individual insurance
policy when such group coverage
terminates for certain reasons. Refer to
the certificate for details.
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Q. How does an employee or dependent apply for Life conversion?
A. To obtain a Life conversion quote, complete and submit the Life Conversion Information Request Form to ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (their address is printed on the request form). ReliaStar Life will mail the employee a rate quotation and application material for individual coverage. Please note, you must complete the Employer portion of this form.
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Q. What is COBRA?
A. Federal Law gives certain persons the
right to continue benefits beyond the date
that they might otherwise terminate.
Generally, employers with 20 or more full
and/or part time employees are subject to
COBRA requirements. COBRA requires
that the employer provide us with timely
notification of this coverage extension.
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Q. Which coverages does COBRA impact?
A. Dental coverage is impacted if you are
subject to COBRA requirements.
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Q. How does an employee or dependent apply for COBRA?
A. To apply for COBRA, complete the
Request for Continuation of Group
Benefits Form U206. The employer
completes Part I. The continuing
individual completes Part II. Part III is to
be completed by the employer when
continuation ends. Instructions are
provided directly on the form.
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Employer Administration
Q. Does ELH issue Employee Certificate booklets?
A. ELH distributes certificates electronically (PDF file format) to you via email. The email will include the Master Policy and Employee Certificates for each eligible classification of employees.
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Q. Where should forms and questions be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Underwriting Department
PO Box 83149
Lancaster, PA 17608-3149
Phone: 800-233-0307
Fax: 717-481-7188
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Q. How do I notify ELH of a change in our company name or address?
A. Send us a letter that includes your new
name and/or address, the effective date
of the change and the reason for the
change.
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Q. How do I request coverage for a new subsidiary?
A. All such changes must be submitted in
writing. Include the following:
- Name and address of the subsidiary.
- Nature of business for the subsidiary.
- Listing of the employees to be added
as part of the company. The listing
should include: name, gender, date of
birth, salary information, occupation,
and dependent status (if Dental
coverage).
- The effective date of the addition.
- Reason for the addition.
Our Underwriting Department will review
your request and provide you with further
instructions.
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Q. When do I notify ELH of a change?
A. All changes must be submitted to us prior
to the effective date of the change.
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Q. How do I make a plan design change or add to our group’s coverage?
A. Contact your agent for details on how to
change the plan design(s) or add to your
group’s coverage(s). All such plan design
changes can only be made on the
anniversary date of the coverage.
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Q. Does ELH provide information for Schedule A, Form 5500?
A. Yes. We will provide information to you if
you are required to file a Form 5500 with
the IRS. We do not complete the Form
5500; rather, we provide you with the
data that will enable you (or your tax
advisor) to complete the form.
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Q. How do I terminate one or all of our group’s coverages?
A. A letter requesting termination of one
or all coverage(s) should be mailed to the
Premium Billing Department 30 days in
advance of the requested termination
date. Please note the coverage(s) and
date to be terminated. An authorized
representative should sign this request.
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Premium Billing
Q. Where should questions be directed?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
E-mail: billing@elhins.com
Phone: 800-233-0307
Fax : 717-481-8226
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Q. When will I receive my premium statement?
A.Premium Statements are mailed approximately 15 days before the due date.
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Q. When should I make my premium statement payment?
A. Pay the premium in full on or before the
due date that is stated on the invoice.
Payment should be received by the due
date so that there is no impact on
coverage(s).
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Q. What happens if payment is not received by the due date?
A. Failure to pay premium by the due date
could result in the termination of
coverage(s). Even though there is a 31 day
grace period during which time
coverage remains in force, to avoid any
problems or termination, premium should
be paid in full by the due date.
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Q. Can coverage(s) be reinstated if coverage has lapsed due to nonpayment of premium?
A. Coverage terminated for nonpayment of premium can be considered for
reinstatement if certain qualifications are
met. Qualifications include:
- All past due and current premiums
must be paid in full.
- Reinstatement form completed.
- Pay the $150 reinstatement fee.
- No other reinstatements during the
past 12 months.
Reinstatement is subject to our approval.
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Q. An employee has terminated. Can the premium statement amount due be changed to reflect this termination?
A. It is very important that corrections or
changes NOT be made to the invoice.
Changes will be reflected as they are
processed.
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Q. When will the premium statement reflect changes?
A. If employee/dependent changes are
received and processed after our billing
cycle (usually the 10th of each month), the
change will not be reflected until the next
billing cycle. If changes are not reflected
within two (2) billing cycles, please call
our Premium Billing Department.
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Q. How and where should premium payments be remitted?
A. Forward premium payment and
remittance receipt to our corporate lockbox
using the envelope enclosed
with the invoice. Acceptable forms of
payment are check or money order. Write
your Policy number on the check or
money order and include the remittance
receipt so that payment will be properly
credited to your account. Automatic
payment of premium is also available.
Contact the Premium Billing Department
for more details.
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Q. Should additional forms or information be included with the premium payment?
A. No. Only the remittance
receipt should be mailed with your payment. Mailing the correct forms to
the appropriate department will ensure
efficient and timely processing.
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Dental Claims Administration
Q. Where should forms and questions be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Dental Claims Department
PO Box 83888
Lancaster, PA 17608-3888
Phone: 800-233-0307
Fax: 717-481-8284
E-mail: dentalclaims@elhins.com
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Q. How can I help my employees with their Dental claims?
A. You can instruct your covered employees
to remember 3 important points:
- They should read their certificate
carefully. The more they understand
their Dental coverage, the fewer
questions will arise.
- They should take their Dental ID card
to the dental office. Although the
Dental ID card does not guarantee
benefits, the dental office needs the
information shown on the card.
- They should give the dentist a Dental
Claim Form. Even though we will
accept other dental claim forms, it’s
best to use our Dental Claim Form.
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Q. What is a Pre-Treatment Estimate and why is it important?
A. Whenever the dentist proposes to do nonemergency
major services that will exceed
$400 in charges, we recommend that the
dentist submit a Pre-Treatment Estimate
to us before starting treatment. We will
process the Pre-Treatment Estimate and
send a Pre-Treatment explanation of
benefits (EOB) to the dentist. This will let
the eligible employee or dependent and
the dentist know what portion of the
treatment will be covered and what the
benefit amount could be. It’s a good way
to determine out of pocket expenses
before proceeding with treatment.
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Q. How should a Dental claim be filed?
A. The Dental Claim Form ELH100 should be
used. Just follow the instructions on the
form. The dentist must complete the
provider information area as well as
detailed information about the dental
treatment. The mailing address can be
found on the form and on the back of the
Dental ID card.
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Q. How will the eligible employee know what their dental plan has paid and what, if anything, is owed to the dentist?
A. They will receive an EOB for every claim
that is processed. This EOB lists the
submitted charges, indicates how much
was covered or not covered, and tells
them what their responsibility will be. If
their dentist received the Dental benefit
check, the dentist will also receive a copy
of the EOB.
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Q. How does ELH determine where to send the Dental benefit check?
A. The Dental Claim Form contains a line
authorizing a release of information
pertaining to the claim and a line
authorizing us to send the benefit check to
the dentist. If authorized, we will send
the benefit payment directly to the
dentist. If not authorized, the benefit
check will be sent directly to the
employee.
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Life Insurance Claims Administration
Q. Where should forms and questions be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Life and Disability Claims Department
PO Box 83149
Lancaster, PA 7608-3149
Phone: 800-233-0307
Fax: 717-481-8252
E-mail: disabilityclaims@elhins.com
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Q. How should a Life Insurance claim be filed?
A. You can contact our Life Claims
Department by calling 800-233-0307 or emailing
disabilityclaims@elhins.com. We
will provide step-by-step assistance during
this very trying event. If you or the
beneficiary are unable to call, a Life Claim
Form GB23 can be completed and sent
directly to the Life Claims Department.
Follow the instructions on the form.
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Q. How are Life Insurance benefits paid?
A. Life Insurance and Accidental Death and
Dismemberment proceeds are paid by
check directly to the beneficiary with an
accompanying explanation of benefits
(EOB).
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Q. In addition to a death benefit, Life Insurance provides for continuation of coverage during total disability, how can such a claim be filed?
A. A covered employee who becomes totally
disabled before age 60 and whose total
disability continues for 9 consecutive
months can file for continuation of
coverage. A Continuation of Coverage
Claim Form GB157 must be submitted to
us within 9 to 12 months after the
disability begins. If you also have STD
and/or LTD coverage with us, the
employee does not need to file a separate
continuation of coverage claim form.
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Long Term Disability (LTD) Claims Administration
Q. Where should forms and questions be mailed to?
A. Disability RMS
One Riverfront Plaza
Westbrook, ME 04092
Phone: 877-254-0085
Fax: 207-591-3048
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Q. How should an LTD claim be filed?
A. Contact the claims department at Disability RMS, the administrator for our long term disability benefits at 877-254-0085. They will send you the necessary LTD claim forms with all the instructions. If you have STD coverage with Eastern Life & Health, the employee does not need to file a separate LTD claim form.
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Q. When should an LTD claim be filed?
A. An LTD claim should be filed as soon as
you are aware that your employee's
disability may continue beyond the
maximum benefit duration limit of your
short term disability coverage or salary
continuation / sick leave program or the
LTD elimination period. You should report
the claim to Disability RMS at least 45 days prior to
the end of the LTD Elimination period.
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Q. When are LTD benefits paid?
A. LTD benefits begin after completion of the
first full month of total disability following
satisfaction of the LTD Elimination period.
LTD benefits are paid monthly.
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Q. How are LTD benefits paid?
A. LTD benefit payments are made by check.
Each LTD benefit check will provide an
explanation of benefits (EOB) statement
that lists the gross benefit amount
payable, taxes withheld, net benefit paid
and payment period.
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Q. Where are LTD benefit checks sent?
A. LTD benefit payments are usually mailed
directly to the disabled employee at the
address we have on file.
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Q. Are LTD benefits taxable?
A. LTD benefits are taxable in direct
proportion to your contribution to the
premium payments. For example, if you
pay all of the premium payment, the
benefit is 100% taxable. If you pay half
of the premium payment, the benefit is
50% taxable.
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Q. How are taxes withheld / paid?
A.The employee's portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes are withheld from LTD benefit payments and deposited by Disability RMS in accordance with applicable tax laws. LTD benefits are taxable for Social Security and Medicare, subject to annual taxable income ceilings, on all LTD benefits paid during the first full 6 months following the end of the month in which the disability begins. You must report and deposit your (the employer's) tax responsibility for Social Security and Medicare taxes. Federal tax withholding is optional and taxes are only withheld when the employee specifically requests the withholding on the claim form. We do not withhold state or local taxes.
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Q. How are LTD benefits paid and withheld taxes reported to me?
A. You will receive periodic Third Party Sick
Pay Reports. These reports are prepared
and sent in accordance with applicable tax
laws. Reports are sent semi-monthly,
quarterly and annually.
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Q. Who prepares W-2 Forms for Third Party Sick Pay benefits?
A. It is the responsibility of the employer to
produce all applicable tax filing forms.
Disability RMS will prepare W-2 Forms when
requested and authorized by the
employer.
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Short Term Disability (STD) Claims Administration
Q. Where should forms and questions be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Life and Disability Claims Department
PO Box 83149
Lancaster, PA 17608-3149
Phone: 800-233-0307
Fax: 717-481-8252
E-mail: disabilityclaims@elhins.com
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Q. How should an STD claim be filed?
A. Contact our Disability Claims Department
by calling 800-233-0307 or e-mailing
disabilityclaims@elhins.com to report the
claim. Or, you can submit a claim using
ELH STD Claim Form GB119. Just follow
the instructions on the form.
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Q. When should an STD claim be filed?
A. An STD claim should be filed as soon as
you are aware that your employee is
disabled. Effective claims administration
requires early claim reporting. To ensure
prompt claim reporting and intervention
by our claim management team, a copy of
the completed employer/employee section
of the STD Claim Form should be faxed to
us at 717-481-8252 within 48 hours of
your receipt of the initial notice of an STD
claim.
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Q. When are STD benefits paid?
A. STD benefits begin after completion of the
first full week of total disability following
satisfaction of the STD elimination period.
STD benefits are paid weekly.
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Q. How are STD benefits paid?
A. STD benefit payments are made by check.
Each STD benefit check will provide an
explanation of benefits (EOB) statement
that lists the gross benefit amount
payable, taxes withheld, net benefit paid
and payment period.
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Q. Where are STD benefit checks sent?
A. STD benefit payments are usually mailed
directly to the disabled employee at the
address we have on file.
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Q. Are STD benefits taxable?
A. STD benefits are taxable in direct
proportion to your contribution to the
premium payments. For example, if you
pay all of the premium payment, the
benefit is 100% taxable. If you pay half
of the premium payment, the benefit is
50% taxable.
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Q. How are taxes withheld / paid?
A. The employee’s portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes are withheld from
STD benefit payments and deposited by
us in accordance with applicable tax laws.
STD benefits are taxable for Social
Security and Medicare, subject to annual
taxable income ceilings, on all STD
benefits paid during the first full 6 months
following the end of the month in which
the disability begins. You must report and
deposit your (the employer’s) tax
responsibility for Social Security and
Medicare taxes. Federal tax withholding is
optional and taxes are only withheld when
the employee specifically requests the
withholding on the claim form. We do not
withhold state or local taxes.
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Q. How are STD benefits paid and withheld taxes reported to me?
A. You will receive periodic Third Party Sick
Pay Reports. These reports are prepared
and sent in accordance with applicable tax
laws. Reports are sent semi-monthly,
quarterly and annually.
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Q. Who prepares W-2 Forms for Third Party Sick Pay benefits issued by Eastern Life & Health?
A. It is the responsibility of the employer to
produce all applicable tax filing forms.
ELH will prepare W-2 Forms when
requested and authorized by the
employer. Contact the Life and Disability
Claims Department to make
arrangements.
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Mailing Instructions
Q. Where should Premium Remittance be mailed to?
A. The premium remittance should be returned with the invoice remittance coupon to:
Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
PO Box 68
East Petersburg, PA 17520-0068
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Q. Where should Administrative Forms dealing with Employees and Dependents, such as Enrollment Forms, Notice of Change Forms, Notice of Cancellation and Continuation Forms be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Group Administration Department
PO Box 83149
Lancaster, PA 17608-3149
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Q. Where should Life Conversion Quote Request Forms be mailed to?
A. ReliaStar Life Insurance Company
Group Conversions, Route 6999
Box 20
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0020
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Q. Where should Administrative Forms dealing with the Employer, such as your address change be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Underwriting Department
PO Box 83149
Lancaster, PA 17608-3149
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Q. Where should Dental Claims be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Dental Claims Department
PO Box 83888
Lancaster, PA 17608-3888
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Q. Where should Life & STD Claims be mailed to?
A. Eastern Life and Health Insurance Company
Life and Disability Claim Department
PO Box 83149
Lancaster, PA 17608-3149
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Q. Where should LTD Claims be mailed to?
A. Disability RMS
One Riverfront Plaza
Westbrook, ME 04092
Phone: 877-254-0085
Fax: 207-591-3048
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