Insurance While on Leave

MD Anderson continues to pay the employer portion of your medical coverage for the month if you meet at least one of the following criteria during the same month:

• Work at least one day
• Take at least one day of leave that is covered by Family Medical Leave
• Use at least one day of paid leave Ex: Reduced Paid Leave, Paid Time Off or Extended Illness Bank

If you are on leave that is not covered by FML for a full calendar month and you do not receive any pay for a full calendar month, you must pay the premiums normally paid by MD Anderson in addition to the premiums you normally pay.

Example – Premiums for medical coverage
Sally Employee works full time and covers only herself on the medical plan. Following is a summary of her leave and the amount she pays in premiums each month.

• She begins her FML on February 13th
• Her leave is no longer covered by FML on March 6th
• She does not receive any pay during April
• She returns to work on May 7th

Because Sally was on a non-FML leave for the full month of April and she did not receive any pay, she is responsible for MD Anderson's portion of the premiums for this month.

Optional coverage is any coverage besides medical (UT Select) for you and any coverage for your dependents. These premiums are normally deducted from your paycheck. Examples of optional coverage include medical coverage for your dependents and dental, vision, life for you and your dependents. 

If you are receiving pay while you are on leave, your premiums will be deducted from your paycheck according to the normal pay schedule. Please be aware, MD Anderson may collect a full month's premium from one paycheck for this coverage.

If you are not receiving pay and want the optional coverage to continue, you must contact HRBenefits@mdanderson.org before your pay runs out to make payment arrangements.

Failure to pay your premiums will result in cancellation of affected coverage retroactive to the:

• last day of the month in which your premiums were current or
• last day of the month in which the separation occus if the employee is on FML.

You will need to wait until a future enrollment opportunity to re-enroll in all coverage except medical coverage for you. Some coverage will require passing evidence of insurability before coverage is approved.

If you are on a leave without pay and do not return to work, the affected coverage terminates the earlier of the:

• end of the month in which you paid your last full premiums or
• end of the month in which the separation occurs if you are on FML.

If your premiums were current when your coverage and employment ends, you are entitled to continue your group health benefits in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA.) If your coverage was cancelled due to non-payment and your employment is terminated, you are not eligible for COBRA.