FAQs

  1. Click Here to view FAQ’s En Espanol

  2. What is Permanent Life Insurance + Long Term Care (LTC) benefits and what does it cover?

    The policy provides a Permanent Term Life Insurance policy with a Long-Term Care rider. It is permanent Life Insurance (to age 121) that combines the benefits of both Life Insurance protection for your family along with living benefits, which can be utilized to help pay for long term care such as home healthcare, adult day care, assisted living facilities and nursing home expenses. Long Term Care is personal care - help with everyday activities such as bathing and dressing (also known as "Activities of Daily Living”) and/or care for severe cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia.

  3. What is the difference between Long Term Care and Long-Term Disability insurance?

    Long Term Care benefits help cover the cost of a nursing home, assisted living, adult day care or home health care if you become unable to care for yourself. Long Term Disability insurance replaces a part of the income you will lose if you are unable to work because of an injury or illness.

  4. What is the difference between this permanent life insurance and the Harvard-sponsored supplemental life insurance coverage?

    The Trustmark Life + Care policy is a permanent life insurance policy that includes long term care benefits. This policy is yours to keep even if you are no longer employed by Harvard if premiums are paid. The policy stays in effect until you turn 121 years of age and guaranteed to never increase in price and is fully paid up at age 100.

    The Harvard-sponsored life insurance has age-based rates that will end if you terminate employment. You will have the option to port or convert coverage, potentially at higher rates than were offered under the Harvard-sponsored plan. The Harvard-sponsored life insurance policy provides a life insurance benefit only. No coverage for long term care is included.

  5. Who is issuing the policy?

    Trustmark Insurance will issue the policy. Trustmark was founded in 1913 and has an A financial strength rating from A.M. Best.

  6. How does AGIS fit in?

    AGIS Network serves as your advocate between you and the Trustmark Insurance. AGIS helps with enrollment, issues with billing, supporting the online enrollment system and helping individuals understand the benefit so they can make an informed decision about the policy. AGIS Network also supports caregivers by providing practical, usable caregiving resources.

  7. Who is eligible to apply for this coverage?

    Benefits-eligible employees on a regular Harvard payroll up to age 75 with at least 17.5 standard hours per week listed in PeopleSoft. You must be actively at work on the day you apply, and the day coverage goes into effect. Employees up to age 70 are guaranteed issued during their first enrollment opportunity. Employees aged 71 to 75 and those applying after their first enrollment period will need to answer modified guarantee issue questions. (See the next question.)

  8. What are the Modified Guarantee Issue Questions?

    If the applicant answers “Yes” to any of the following questions, they are not eligible for coverage.
    • Is the proposed insured now disabled – i.e., unable to engage in normal activity due to physical or mental impairment?
    • Has the proposed insured been seen by a physician or treated in a medical facility, including a doctor’s office, within the last 6 months for illness or disease (other than colds or flu)?
    • Has the proposed insured had within the past 5 years: heart disease; chest pains; high blood pressure; stroke; diabetes; cancer; tumor; kidney disease; blood disorder (excluding any testing for HIV antibodies); liver diseases; lung disease; or other known health impairments?

  9. When can I enroll?

    If you are under age 71, you can enroll with guaranteed issue during your first enrollment opportunity. If you do not enroll at this time, you can enroll during the LTC annual enrollment period which will be held in [March] however, you will have to be approved for coverage by responding to the modified guarantee issue medical questions.

    If you are age 71 through 75 you can enroll during this first open enrollment period or during the annual open enrollment period. You will need to answer medical questions and be approved for coverage during the first and annual enrollment periods.

  10. Are my dependents also eligible for coverage?

    Your spouse/domestic partner aged 18 to 70 is eligible to apply if you (the employee) also apply for coverage. Your spouse/domestic partner can apply for a policy amount up to $25,000 by answering one disability question. The question to qualify for coverage: Is the proposed insured now disabled – i.e., unable to engage in normal activity due to physical or mental impairment?

    Spouses ages 18 to 70 can also apply for up to 100% of the employee’s coverage amount up to $100,000 by answering the Modified Guarantee Issue questions.

    If your spouse/domestic partner also works for Harvard, they should apply separately to qualify for Guarantee Issue underwriting (no health questions).

  11. Does the plan provide LTC benefits for care provided from unlicensed/informal caregivers such as family or friends?

    Yes, you may use a family member or friend as your caregiver. Once your claim has been approved, the policy would pay 2% of your death benefit each month, up to your policy limit, to cover care in your home or a caregiver’s home. If you use professional care, the policy will pay 4% of your death benefit each month, up to your policy limit.

  12. Can the plan provide LTC benefits for care provided by unlicensed/informal caregivers such as family or friends?

    Yes, you may use a family member or friend as your caregiver. Once your claim has been approved, the policy would pay 2% of your death benefit each month, up to your policy limit, to cover care in your home or a caregiver’s home. If you use Professional Care, the policy will pay 4% of your death benefit each month, up to your policy limit.

  13. Does it matter where I receive care?

    No. If you qualify for LTC benefits, where you receive care is up to you (at home, assisted living, adult day care, nursing home, etc.).

  14. Will the plan pay for care outside of the US?

    The Trustmark Life + Care policy will only pay Long Term Care benefits for care received in the United States. Death benefits (life insurance) can be paid in the United States or internationally.

  15. How is my rate determined?

    This insurance offers unisex rates based on your age as of the policy effective date, tobacco usage, and coverage amount selected.

  16. Can I pay the monthly premium through payroll deductions?

    No. This program is not administered by Harvard University therefore payroll deduction is not an option. Payments will be made directly to Trustmark Insurance the policy issuer, using your personal checking or savings account. All payments will be made using automatic deduction. Premiums cannot be paid using a credit card.

  17. Can I change my coverage amount in the future?

    You can reduce coverage at any time by contacting Trustmark Insurance. Under the current policy, you cannot add additional coverage to the policy in the future.

  18. Does the policy build up cash value?

    No. This policy is a term life insurance policy that does not build up any cash value.

  19. Do premiums continue when on LTC claim?

    The plan has Waiver of Premium, which means that while you receive LTC benefits, premiums are waived.

  20. When are long-term care benefits payable?

    Long-term care benefits are payable when a doctor certifies you require assistance with 2 of 6 ADLs or have a severe cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer’s) and you are receiving care from a professional or family member. Long-term care benefits are payable after 90 days of qualifying care has been received; to qualify you must meet the conditions for payment.

  21. What is Benefit Restoration?

    With Benefit Restoration, 100% of the benefit that is paid for Long-Term Care benefits is restored to the death benefit. This means that even when using Long-Term Care benefits, the death benefit will not be reduced. Benefit Restoration is not available to applicants aged 71 to 75.

  22. What is the Extension of Long-Term Care Benefits

    With Extension of Long-Term Care Benefits, the benefit amount available for Long-Term Care doubles. The insured still collects the same amount per month, but they can collect up to double the face amount of their certificate. With a death benefit of $100,000 and Extension, up to $200,000 is available as long-term care benefits. Extension of Benefits is not available to applicants aged 71 to 75.

  23. Can my premiums increase in the future?

    Once coverage has been issued, rates can never increase, and coverage is guaranteed for life (to age 121) if premiums have been paid. Your policy is fully paid up at age 100.

  24. Do the policy/coverage amounts ever decrease?

    Trustmark Life + Care® life insurance has a higher death benefit during your working years.

    The death benefit reduces to 33% when you turn seventy or your 10th certificate anniversary, whichever is later. However, your care benefits never reduce and remain at the same level into your later years.

  25. Is the policy different if I apply between the ages of 71 to 75?

    Yes. The extension of benefit feature that provides two times your death certificate’s amount for Long Term Care is not applicable if you are aged 71-75 at application. The death benefit restoration will also not apply to the policy if you are between the ages of 71-75 at the time of application. No death benefit is payable if 100% of face amount is used for long term care.

  26. Can I cancel my plan?

    There is a 30-Day Free Look Period which means you can return your certificate within thirty days after delivery of your policy if you are not satisfied with it for any reason. Upon surrender of the certificate within the thirty-day period, it will be void from the beginning and any premium paid will be refunded.

    If you cancel the policy after the 30-Day Free Look Period, there will be no refund of any premiums paid.

  27. Do I have options to convert my plan?

    Yes, you have options to convert after you have had coverage for at least 10 years. You may elect to pay no additional premiums and convert your plan into either extended term or reduced paid-up life insurance (death benefit only). Your extended term and reduced paid-up benefits will be detailed in the Schedule of Guaranteed Nonforfeiture Benefits in your policy certificate.

  28. What will happen to the Genworth plan I purchased as a Harvard employee?

    If you currently have an LTC policy through Genworth, the previous carrier for LTC, your coverage will continue. Questions about this policy should be directed to Risk Strategies (formerly The Baker Benefits Group) at 877-321-4427 or by email at [email protected].

  29. What if I have additional questions about this new plan?

    If you have additional questions or need further assistance, you can contact an AGIS Network Specialist at 877-485-2318 or by email at [email protected]. Specialists are available Mondays – Thursdays from 10:00am to 7:00pm, ET and Fridays from 10:00am to 5:00pm, ET.

  30. TrustmarkVB.com

    Once your coverage becomes effective you can manage your coverage or easily file online claims 24/7 at TrustmarkVB.com.