When does the CBA terminate?The current CBA will terminate on March 1, 2011.
- How long will I be covered under the CIGNA group health insurance plan?
Both active and former players and their covered dependents will continue to receive coverage only during the term of the CBA. Coverage will cease on March 1, 2011.
- What happens if the CBA expires and there is a lock out?
If you are an Active Player or Continuing Vet, the NFL may choose to terminate coverage under your CIGNA Plan, effective March 2011.
- What are my options if coverage is terminated?
If coverage is terminated, but the NFL does not terminate the NFL Players Insurance Plan and Trust, you will be offered COBRA, which is a Federal Law that will allow you to continue your CIGNA coverage. You must pay the premium for this coverage.
- How do I pay the premium?
You may access money in your Gene Upshaw Health Reimbursement Account to pay the premiums, upon notification from CIGNA that your coverage is terminated and instructions on how to apply for COBRA.
- What if the NFL terminates the NFL Player Insurance Plan?
If the NFL decides to terminate the entire Plan, COBRA will not be an option. The NFLPA is looking for alternative coverage, if this happens. The Benefits Department will update you on alternative coverage before March 2011.
- Do I have any other alternatives?
Other options for health care may include:
• Gene Upshaw Health Reimbursement Account. Players who are vested in the HRA will be able to use those funds to pay for eligible health care expenses in addition to COBRA or other medical insurance premiums.
• Other Group Coverage. If your wife is working you may want to elect coverage through her job. Or if you are a Continuing Vet and working, you may want to elect coverage through your current employer. Certain states have mandatory coverage rules and we are investigating the possibility that you will have additional choices in those states.
• Individual Insurance Policy. The individual market is different in every state, and generally these policies require some medical underwriting. You can search for an individual policy by contacting insurance carriers directly or by contacting an insurance broker for assistance in choosing a plan that is right for you.
For further questions on Continuing Veteran status, please contact Adora Williams in our Benefits Department at (800) 372-2000 or NFLPABenefits@nflplayers.com
- The GU HRA Plan is fairly new. Will this benefit also be affected?
Yes, the GU HRA Plan will be affected. There will be no new contributions. The Plan will continue until existing accounts have been paid out.
- I am a retired player, currently receiving disability benefits. What impact will the uncapped years have on my benefits?
Disability payments made from the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan will continue and players may continue to apply for disability.
- Will I continue to earn Credited Seasons during an uncapped year?
The last Credited Season that a player can earn will be in 2010.
- Can I continue to contribute to my 401(k) account?
Yes, you may continue to make contributions to your account however the clubs will not make a contribution on your behalf or pay expenses.
- If the club won’t make contributions to the 401(k) accounts, does that mean the same will apply to the Annuity Plan?
Correct, the clubs will make no new contributions to player accounts and they will not pay expenses.
- I am pursuing a graduate degree with the help of the Tuition Assistance Plan. How will this benefit be affected?
There will be no new reimbursements from the Tuition Assistance Plan.
- I am recently retired from the game. By May of 2010 I will have been separated from the league for one year. Can I collect my severance in June 2010?
There will be no additional severance benefits. Payment of previously earned benefits will be made during uncapped years.
- Will the 88 Plan continue to exist?
It will continue to exist due to your Union's lobbying efforts to secure the NFL's verbal agreement that new applicants will be accepted during the uncapped year.
- What year begins the official “uncapped year” status?
The first uncapped year will be in 2010.