For the past 50 years, the California Teachers Association has helped its community college faculty members protect their standard of living and the standard of living of those who depend on them by offering group disability and life insurance. Now, as part of CTA’s process and standards, CTA has decided to change life and disability carriers from UnumProvident to Standard Insurance Company (The Standard).
CTA’s first year with The Standard begins September 1, 2007. Although CTA’s relationship with UnumProvident provided participating faculty with many advantages, its new partnership with The Standard supplies additional benefits and conveniences, including:
- New plan enhancements
- Online service center with enrollment and disability claim submission
- Dedicated west coast service unit
Of special note is that faculty members currently enrolled in CTA’s voluntary life and disability plans will pay the same premium rate for their current level of benefits – a rate that is guaranteed for the next three years. Those same members do not have to re-enroll or re-apply for coverage, as their coverage will automatically transfer to The Standard. However, in order for voluntary life or disability coverage to continue without interruption, some colleges are requiring their employees to complete a new payroll deduction authorization form. Authorizations must be in place by September 1, 2007: if coverage ends the employee will have to re-apply, which may require that he or she submit Evidence of Insurability (proof of good health).
Faculty on a leave of absence, or those who transfer from one college to another, should contact The Standard at 800-522-0406 to maintain their coverage. Newly hired faculty will not be left out of the communication loop: after September 1, they will receive information on how they can make CTA endorsed life and disability coverage part of their financial planning strategy. Whether returning from a leave of absence or newly hired (including transfers to another college) faculty have a 120 days to enroll in The Standard’s life or disability insurance plans.
Open Enrollment Opportunities
While CTA’s change in carrier provides many open enrollments opportunities for those who already have coverage, it also creates opportunities for eligible faculty who lack coverage. With open enrollment, faculty members can enroll or increase coverage without providing Evidence of Insurability (proof of good health). Opportunities include:
- Family Status Change
- Transfer Enrollment – Special/One-up Enrollment
- Transfer Enrollment - Decreasing Term to Level Term Life Insurance
- Transfer Enrollment – Port-Over Enrollment
- Open Enrollment Campaigns for Chapters
To enhance faculty members’ ability to choose the right level of coverage for their current needs, CTA and The Standard have created materials that distinguish between the different enrollment options.
Accessing CTA’s Latest Information on the Change
To help faculty members stay informed about the change from UnumProvident to The Standard, CTA has developed a transition page on the Member Benefits section of MyCTA. Faculty members can log in* and find:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Forms
- Past communication updates
- Information about the plan enhancements that take effect September 1, 2007
* NOTE: If you have never logged into MyCTA, you will need to complete a one-time-only registration process, using your Member ID number from your CTA Membership card.
The Standard can be reached at:
800-522-0406 or by e-mail at ctaservice@standard.com
CTA Member Benefits can be reached at: member_benefits@cta.org
