To assist part-time associates with necessary protection from medical expenses, we offer part-time associates a special plan.  The Starbridge Select Sickness and Accident plan.  The major goal of this plan is to ensure access to health care for associates and dependents and to protect them from extreme financial hardship due to major health care needs.

Our plan is funded entirely by the participants.  U.S. Oil has no control over changes to this plan from year to year, nor the premium levels.  Industry trends and associate usage will determine the costs.

ELIGIBILITY:  Regular part-time associates.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  The first of the month following thirty-one (31) days of employment.

COST:  All costs are paid by participating associates for health plan coverage through payroll deductions, deductibles, co-insurance and co-payments based on their election of single, double or family coverage.

BENEFIT COVERAGE:  Details and specifics on coverage are provided in the Plan Document available through Benefit Services.

TERMINATION:  An associate participating in the health plan can terminate his or her coverage at any time by notifying Benefit Services.  The Health Care Plan coverage ends on the last day of the month in which a termination of employment occurs.  Upon termination an associate is entitled to continued coverage under provisions of the Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) and will be notified of such rights.

COBRA allows an associate (and qualified dependents) to continue the group health insurance coverage following termination of his or her employment or other specified events that would result in the loss of this coverage.  Two significant provisions are that the associate pays the entire monthly cost (COBRA rates) and has no other health insurance plan available to him or her.

RETIREMENT:  Health care coverage under the company plan terminates for all retirees at the age of sixty-five (65) or eligibility under another plan.

PREMIUMS:  Premiums are deducted from paychecks on a pre-tax basis.  Current premium levels can be seen on the pipeline, or U.S. Oil’s web page.