What happens when I want to apply for optional life insurance?

If optional spouse life insurance is offered at your school district the following steps can be taken:

  • Applicants complete the PEBT Optional Life Application and submit it to Pacific Blue Cross (PBC).
  • PBC may require further medical information to make a decision on your application.
  • Within 5 business days of receiving your application, a letter will be sent to you if further medical information is required. Instructions about how to provide this medical information are outlined in the letter. PBC may also contact you by phone if necessary. If no further medical information is required, a decision will be made based on the information provided in the original application.
  • If approved, a letter will be sent to the School District Benefits Administrator. The school district is responsible for notifying the applicant of the approval. Premium will be charged beginning on the 1st of the month following the approval date.
  • If declined, you will receive a letter directly from PBC explaining their decision. The school district will be sent a letter advising that the application has been declined, however, reasons for the declination will not be disclosed.
  • If you do not provide the requested medical information within 3 weeks from the date it was requested, PBC will send a follow-up letter. This letter will state that if the required medical information is not provided by the deadline date shown in the letter, PBC will be unable to review your application, assume you are no longer interested in applying for optional life coverage and will close your file.
  • If you have submitted an application to PBC and would like to know the status of your application you may call PBC directly.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OPTIONAL LIFE INSURANCE

  • You must be covered for basic life insurance to be eligible for this benefit.
  • The School District Benefits Administrator will not make deductions for this coverage until written approval is received from the Insurer.
  • The School District Benefits Administrator will advise the member of the approval of optional life coverage and the effective date for payroll deductions.
  • All medical information indicated on the application will be maintained by PBC to maintain the member’s right to confidentiality of information.
  • If you are currently being charged a smoker rate for optional employee life insurance, and you have abstained from the use of tobacco or nicotine products for at least the past 12 consecutive months, you may apply for the preferred non-smoking rate by completing the Smoker Declaration form.
  • If an optional employee life insurance claim is filed and the smoking habits have been misrepresented, the claim will be denied. Premiums paid for the denied coverage will be refunded to the employee.
  • The School District Benefits Administrator needs to file the original approval letter in the member’s personnel file.