Critical Illness Insurance
The University offers benefit-eligible faculty and staff access to voluntary critical illness insurance, administered by Securian. Critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum benefit paid directly to the faculty or staff member upon diagnosis of a covered critical illness. The payment may be used to fill in gaps in major medical insurance, protect assets, or cover child care, transportation, special medical equipment, caregivers, or daily living expenses.
Eligibility
Benefit-eligible faculty and staff members are eligible to enroll. Participation is voluntary for an additional monthly premium. Evidence of insurability is not required.
Dependent children who meet the dependent verification requirements are eligible up to the age of 26. Once a child loses eligibility, the child’s coverage will terminate at the end of the calendar month in which eligibility is lost.
If both spouses are eligible University employees, only one of you (not both) may choose individual + 1 or family coverage, and only one of you may cover dependent children. You may not be concurrently enrolled both as an employee and as a dependent.
Covered Conditions
| Covered Conditions | Initial Benefit | Recurrence Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Full Benefit Cancer | 100% of Initial Benefit | 50% of Initial Benefit |
| Partial Benefit Cancer | 25% of Initial Benefit | 25% of Initial Benefit |
| Heart Attack | 100% of Initial Benefit | 50% of Initial Benefit |
| Stroke | 100% of Initial Benefit | 50% of Initial Benefit |
| Coronary Artery Disease Needing Surgery | 100% of Initial Benefit | 50% of Initial Benefit |
| Kidney Failure | 100% of Initial Benefit | Not applicable |
| Alzheimer’s Disease | 100% of Initial Benefit | Not applicable |
| Major Organ Transplant Benefit | 100% of Initial Benefit | 50% of Initial Benefit |
| Additional covered illnesses* | 25% of Initial Benefit | Not applicable |
Please refer to the table below for the percentage benefit amount for each Covered Condition.
*Additional covered illnesses include: Addison’s disease; ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease); benign brain tumor; cerebrospinal meningitis (bacterial); cerebral palsy; Creutzefeldt-Jacob Disease; cystic fibrosis; encephalitis; Legionnaire’s disease; multiple sclerosis (definitive diagnosis); muscular dystrophy; myasthenia gravis; necrotizing fasciitis; occupational HIV; osteomyelitis; poliomyelitis; rabies; sickle cell anemia (excluding sickle cell trait); systemic lupus erythematous (SLE); and systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
Critical Illness Coverage and Rates
Faculty and staff have the option to purchase coverage for themselves and/or their dependents for a monthly premium based upon the faculty/staff member’s age at initial enrollment. The full cost of this coverage is paid through after-tax payroll deductions. Employees have the option of choosing between two tiers of initial benefit amounts.
| Initial Benefit Coverage Amount | $10k Tier | $20k Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty/Staff* | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Spouse | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Child(ren) | $5,000 | $10,000 |
*Participants who enroll in the Anthem HSA and HDHP/HRA are automatically enrolled in the Critical Illness $5,000 individual coverage at no additional cost. For more information please review the information on the medical plan offerings.
** Benefits reductions: 25% at age 65; 50% at age 70.
Critical Illness Insurance Monthly Rates
For Critical Illness Insurance Monthly Rates, click here
*$5,000 of individual coverage is included at no cost with Anthem HSA and HDHP/HRA enrollment.
**The initial rate is locked upon enrollment on or after January 1, 2020 as long as you maintain the coverage. This initial rate is based on the age of the individual Notre Dame faculty/staff member at the time of initial enrollment.
How Critical Illness Benefit Payments Work
The Initial Benefit provides a lump-sum payment upon the first diagnosis of a Covered Condition. The plan pays a Recurrence Benefit (payments for the same condition) for the following Covered Conditions: Heart Attack, Stroke, Coronary Artery Disease Needing Surgery, Full Benefit Cancer, Partial Benefit Cancer, and Major Organ Failure. A Recurrence Benefit is only available if an Initial Benefit has been paid for the Covered Condition. You may also receive Additional Benefit (payments for multiple conditions) that have a separation period of 30 days.
Claims Process
Securian Financial administers the University’s critical illness insurance claim process. Eligible faculty and staff must contact Securian directly to file a claim by writing or calling their toll-free number, 1-866-365-2374 and speaking with a Securian benefits consultant or through Securian’s website at www.securian.com. Please refer to the Certificate of Coverage for complete information on claim information.
Additional Information
Critical Illness Insurance Certificate of Coverage [coming soon] (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I pay for my coverage?
Your coverage is paid through payroll deduction.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
Pre-existing conditions are covered for new diagnoses made following your enrollment in the insurance.
Is there a waiting period before my policy is effective?
No, there is no waiting period and diagnoses made immediately after the insurance becomes effective will become eligible for the benefit. Your policy is effective the first of the month following date of hire or qualifying event.
Do benefits reduce as I age?
Yes, benefits are reduced 25% at age 65 and 50% at age 70.
Are there any other benefits included with Critical Illness coverage?
You will receive a $50 Wellness Benefit per calendar year per covered persons. You can request this benefit via phone or by submitting a claim form.
If I separate from the University, can I keep my coverage?
You may be eligible to port your coverage after separation. You must make a request within 31 days of separation from the University and you must continue to pay the premiums to keep your coverage in force.
