For Employees
If your employer has selected Eastern Life & Health Insurance Company (ELH) as its employee benefits provider, you may have some questions about ELH, insurance, your coverage, or provider networks. We're here to help!
Questions on:
Q. Who are you?
A. We're Eastern Life & Health Insurance Company, also known as "ELH," and we've been offering insurance products since 1910. We provide ancillary group benefit insurance products: Dental, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Term Life / AD&D, and Vision. Learn more about our products, financial strength, and history.
Q. Can I get Dental/Disability/Term Life/Vision insurance directly from your company?
A. Eastern Life & Health Insurance Company sells group benefit insurance products to employers only, through professional brokers. We do not sell our products directly, nor do we offer them to individuals.
Q. Why should I sign-up for Dental Insurance?
A. Taking care of your oral health is vital to preserving your overall health. Poor oral health can lead to absences from work or school, and contribute to poor performance. Oral problems and gum disease contribute to or are worsened by such conditions as cardiovascular disease, premature births, diabetes, osteoporosis, and more. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, professional dental exams and treatment are important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Coverage terms vary—ask your employer for details on your dental policy.
Q. Why should I sign-up for Disability Insurance? Isn't that what Workers' Compensation Insurance is for?
A. According to the American Council of Life Insurers, nearly one-third of all Americans will suffer a serious disability between the ages of 35 and 65. Workers' Compensation only covers work-related injuries—and close to 90% of disabling accidents and illnesses are not work-related! (National Safety Council, Injury Facts 2008 Ed.) Also consider these facts:
- In the U.S., a disabling injury occurs every second. (National Safety Council, Injury Facts 2008 Ed).
- An illness or accident will keep 1 in 5 workers out of work for at least a year before the age of 65. (Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education, November 2005)
- The average long-term disability absence lasts 2.5 years. (Commissioner's Individual Disability Table A)
- Disability causes nearly 50% of all mortgage foreclosures. (Health Affairs, The Policy Journal of the Health Sphere, 2 February 2005)
Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance helps you to focus your energy on recovery and rehabilitation, not on lost income. Policies differ on the length of the benefit period, and benefit amount. Ask your employer for details on your disability policy.
Q. What is an Employee Assistance Program?
A. An Employee Assistance Program is designed to help support and assist employees in their time of need. ELH's EAP program is administered by APS Healthcare, Inc., a nationally-recognized leader in EAP excellence. Program features include support for a variety of services, including adult and child care referrals, legal and financial consultation, assessment and counseling sessions as appropriate, and more. Ask your employer for details on your EAP program.
Q. Why should I sign-up for Term Life Insurance? What is "AD&D"?
A. It's never pleasant to think about death. However, it's important to your loved ones to plan for the unexpected. How would loved ones pay for your funeral and other death expenses? Who would pay your debts? How would your family adjust without your income? Would your children still be able to afford college? Term Life insurance through your employer can help. It's a very affordable way to plan now to take care of your loved ones later. Some policies include an option to include Dependent (spouse and/or children) or Supplemental coverage. Ask your employer for details on your Life policy.
AD&D stands for: Accidental Death and Dismemberment. Some of ELH's Life plans include this benefit. Ask your employer for details on your Life policy.
Q. Why should I sign-up for Vision Insurance if I don't wear glasses or contacts?
A. Your eyesight is important! Eye exams are about more than vision correction. Eye screenings are simply partial evaluations and do not tell the whole story. A thorough eye exam by an eye care professional can provide early detection of eye diseases and conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts, and will evaluate your eyes as part of your overall health. Sometimes a serious health condition is first detected during an eye exam! If it's determined you do need prescription lenses, Vision Insurance provides valuable savings on glasses and contacts. ELH's Vision Insurance features one of the best provider networks—the VSP Signature Network. The program couldn't be easier—simply visit their network provider site(link) to find a doctor who's right for you. You won't need an ID card or to deal with the hassles of claim forms! Coverage terms may vary; ask your employer for details on your Vision policy.