TRANSITIONING YOUR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS (PRE-ASSIGNMENT, BEGINNING AND/OR END OF ASSIGNMENT)
- When will my health care benefits transition to Cigna?
US outbound (US Payroll) will transition on the effective date of the international assignment. The start of your international assigment must be updated in Workday. Questions about Workday should be directed to your HR.
- My international assignment was recently authorized; what do I do?
Prior to receiving your welcome information, you may visit the Assignees section for information regarding Cigna, such as a PowerPoint presentation about Cigna and your new summary of benefits.
- When should I expect to receive information from Cigna Global?
You will be provided with welcome information from Cigna and a full membership pack once Cigna is aware of your eligibility for the Cigna Global plan via the feed from Workday. See question number 1.
- How do I update my US-based mailing address in Workday?
Use the self-service feature in Workday.
- When will I receive my insurance card?
Once you are enrolled in the Cigna Global plan, you will receive a welcome email directly from Cigna that will include your membership identification number and information in order to establish an online account. From there, you can access your Cigna Global insurance card, as well as additional information regarding your Cigna Global benefits. In addition, Cigna will mail a hard copy of your insurance card to the mailing address on record in Workday.
- Will there be any changes to my health care provision/benefits?
Yes. You will no longer have health care coverage through UnitedHealthcare (UHC) or Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). In addition, your prescription drug benefit will change. Contact Cigna Global for assistance in transitioning your care. This may include obtaining new authorizations for medications or ongoing treatment plans.
- Will I be required to continue to contribute toward my health care benefits?
US outbound assignees will continue to contribute toward their health care premiums through payroll deduction. The premiums will be similar to the Choice Plus PPO premiums, based on family size. You may contact the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center at 1-833-735-2127.
- Who should I contact if I need medical services prior to my assignment effective date?
The current carrier (UHC or BCBS) continues to be responsible for all aspects of your coverage until your assignment effective date. Pre-notification for treatments required up to the transition date should be arranged via your current carrier, and all claims for treatment incurred up to the transition date should be submitted to your current carrier for reimbursement.
In addition, Cigna provides a pre-assignment assistance program to help you transition to your new location. Click here to get started.
- What happens if I or an eligible dependent is in the middle of treatment when my assignment begins?
Upon receipt of your welcome email, you can contact Cigna for assistance with the transition of your insurance. Cigna may approach your medical provider and inform them they will be covering the medical costs from the agreed transition date. All calls are treated in confidence and no medical information will be shared with Caterpillar.
- Who should I contact if I want to plan treatment post-assignment effective start date?
As soon as you receive your welcome email from Cigna, you can make contact to discuss medical issues related to treatment. Pre-notification for treatment(s) should be arranged with Cigna once you have received the welcome email from Cigna. Cigna will be responsible for arranging coverage and reimbursement of any claims incurred after your assignment effective date.
- When will I receive my local mandatory plan membership card?
If you are in a country where a local mandatory plan membership is required, Cigna will include the information regarding this membership within your welcome emails and through their CignaLinks partners. For example, Cowan in Canada, Gama Saude in Brazil.
- How long will it take me to register for the online membership portal, Cigna Envoy, and download my virtual membership cards?
Once you receive your welcome email from Cigna, you will be able to register with Cigna Envoy. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete the registration and retrieve membership card(s). You can also download the Cigna Envoy App on iPhones and Android phones after you have registered.
- I am an assignee who is not currently enrolled (or my eligible dependents are not currently enrolled) in Caterpillar-sponsored health care coverage. May I now enroll in Caterpillar-sponsored health care coverage?
The beginning of assignment is considered a qualified change in status; therefore, employees (or their eligible dependents) will be permitted to enroll in coverage if they are not currently enrolled or switch to a different coverage tier to cover dependents (e.g., switching from employee-only coverage to family coverage). However, any changes must be made within 31 days of the effective date of the assignment in Workday.
- I will be repatriating. What do I need to do?
It is critical your Cartus consultant is aware of your physical arrival upon your return to the US so Workday can be finalized with your end of assignment. This will allow for your Cigna Global benefits to terminate and your eligibility window will open for you to choose a new US-based health care plan. You will have 31 days from the time your Workday record is finalized to choose a plan or you will default to the UHC Choice Plus PPO plan upon your return. Contact the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center to make any changes to your health care.
COVERAGE & PROVIDERS
- Are pre-existing illnesses covered under the Cigna healthcare plan?
Yes. There will be no penalty or waiting period for any existing medical conditions.
- In some locations, there can be significant differences in charges for services compared to home country providers. How does Caterpillar and/or Cigna account for these differences?
Caterpillar recognizes there can be differences globally. You are highly encouraged to work with Cigna prior to receiving services to ensure you are maximizing the benefits being provided by Caterpillar, as well as being good stewards of your healthcare spend. However, neither Caterpillar nor Cigna dictate how much a provider will charge for services in any specific location.
Assignees are provided with an annual home leave, which provides an opportunity to address any personal matters, including healthcare. Assignees may choose to receive some of their medical, vision and dental services at home as opposed to their assignment location due to personal preference, medical history, etc. In addition, the goods and service calculation takes into account for some variances such as routine out-of-pocket expenses, including over-the-counter drugs and doctor visit co-pays.
- Will my home leave visits or R&R trips under the Global Mobility program or personal vacation be covered under Cigna?
The Cigna Global Health Plan will provide coverage worldwide. It will provide coverage while on assignment in your host location, during business travel to other locations and during your home leave visit, R&R trip or personal vacation. Review the benefits summary documents to understand the coverage available in and outside the US, as these vary.
- When I go on home leave, can I still use my US medical providers?
It is always advisable to contact Cigna Global to determine what providers are considered part of their PPO Network. Cigna Global may utilize different network providers than your previous healthcare providers.
- What should I do if I experience a medical emergency?
In the event of a medical emergency, you should contact the Cigna helpline or International SOS immediately. Cigna will work in partnership with International SOS to provide emergency support as needed. If you (or a family member) require emergency medical treatment and suitable treatment is not available locally, Cigna will arrange for repatriation to the nearest medical center or to your home payroll country. It is important you let family and colleagues know you are covered by Cigna. You should always carry your Cigna virtual membership card or have your membership number and contact details for Cigna readily available.
- How do I initiate the appeals process for a claim which was not paid?
If you believe you have a medical claim that was not paid correctly by Cigna, please contact Cigna for assistance with filing a claim determination appeal.
- Is Cigna able to provide coverage everywhere?
Cigna has a number of joint ventures throughout the world who partner with them to provide an easier way for members to receive medical treatment globally. In some countries, assignees are provided with a separate card or a joint card for one of the CignaLinks partners. Assignees are encouraged to use this when obtaining treatment (e.g members in the Middle East will be provided with a local Cigna Neuron ID card, and members in China will be provided with a joint card with the joint QHMS logo). Using CignaLinks makes the claims processing easier as the provider will bill Cigna directly, so assignees will have no out-of-pocket expenses. Current CignaLinks partners are in the following areas:
- Africa (Nigeria, South Africa) – Medical Services Organization (MSO)
- Australia – Grand United (GU)
- Brazil – Gama Saude
- Canada – Cowan Insurance Group
- Hong Kong – Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS)
- Middle East (Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar) – Cigna Neuron
- Middle East SAICO (Saudi Arabia) – Saudi Arabian Cooperative Ins. Company
- Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia – Parkway Health
- Spain – Cigna Spain
- United Kingdom – Cigna UK
- What if I have questions about my coverage with Cigna?
Once you have received your welcome email from Cigna, you will be able to log onto CignaEnvoy.com where you can view the benefit provisions, coverage information and country guides and search for local healthcare providers. Cigna also operates a 24-hour helpline where you can obtain additional information. Cigna phone: 1-800-441-2668 International: 001-302-797-3100 (collect calls are accepted).
DEDUCTIBLE & MOOP (MAXIMUM OUT-OF-POCKET) AMOUNTS
- Do any deductibles paid to date under UHC or BCBS transfer to Cigna?
The Cigna plan is entirely independent to your existing healthcare plan with alternate benefits, limits, co-payments and deductibles. No deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket expenses will transfer to the Cigna Global plan.
- If I have met my deductible and/or maximum out-of-pocket limit with Cigna and I am beginning the repatriation process, will those contributions transfer to either UHC or BCBS?
Yes, those contributions in the current calendar year will transfer. However, you must submit your final explanation of benefits from Cigna Global to your new healthcare plan for those credits to occur. If you have questions, contact the ISE Help Desk for assistance.
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA) & FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA)
- Does my Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) continue when I go on an international assignment?
Those covered under the Cigna Global plan are not eligible to enroll in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). However, if an employee is eligible for enrollment in an FSA for a plan year and becomes eligible for the Cigna Global plan offering due to an international assignment, the employee may continue to participate in the FSA plan until the end of the current plan year. No carryover of funds areallowed for the next year if covered under the Cigna Global plan.
- Can I participate in the Dependent Care FSA?
Yes, you are eligible to participate in the Dependent Care FSA, which allows you to set aside up to $5,000 for childcare expenses for eligible dependents while you’re working, looking for work or attending school full-time.
- If I repatriate during the year, will I be eligible to participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts?
Upon repatriation, employees may elect to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account up to the date of October 31 of the current plan year due to the administration and payroll limitations in place.
- Does my Health Savings Account (HSA) continue when I go on an international assignment?
Once money is put into your HSA, that money belongs to you. It will remain in your HSA and can still be used for qualified healthcare expenses. However, you will no longer qualify to contribute to your HSA during your international assignment, as the Cigna Global plan does not meet the IRS definition of a High Deductible Health Plan. Payroll deductions for your HSA contributions will be stopped on the date you become an international assignee. During your international assignment, Caterpillar will continue to pay the HealthEquity HSA administrative fee.
- If I repatriate during the year, will I be eligible to resume contributions to my Health Savings Account (HSA)?
Upon repatriation, you may elect to enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP - also known as a Consumer-Directed Health Plan or CDHP) and re-enroll in the HSA. You MUST recertify the HSA enrollment questions to reactivate your HSA through Caterpillar. Please note: If the CDHP enrollment and HSA recertification date occurs on or after October 1 of the current plan year, you will not receive the HSA employer seed contribution for the current plan year due to administration and payroll limitations.
You may also elect to resume employee contributions to your HSA through payroll deductions on or after the effective date of your CDHP enrollment and HSA recertification.
If you do not choose to enroll in one of Caterpillar's CDHP offerings when you repatriate, Caterpillar will no longer pay the associated HealthEquity HSA administrative fee, and you will become responsible for any administrative fees associated with your HSA.
SPOUSE & DEPENDENTS
- Will my spouse and children also have coverage under the Cigna Global plan?
Yes, if your spouse and children are currently eligible dependents under the Caterpillar Employee Health, Life and Disability plan, they are also eligible for the Cigna Global plan. If they are currently enrolled in a Caterpillar-sponsored plan, their eligibility information will be provided to Cigna Global once your international assignment record is updated in Workday. We do ask you to confirm with the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center that all personal information is current, as this will allow Cigna to pay claims as quickly and accurately as possible.
- I currently do not cover my eligible dependents, but I want to enroll them. How do I add them to coverage?
Assuming your dependent(s) meets the eligibility requirements, contact the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center to add them to your health care coverage. You will have 31 days from the effective date of your Workday beginning of assignment record to add or remove dependents from your health care coverage.
- My family status has changed (marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, etc) - what do I need to do?
Contact the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center at 833-735-2127 (or 312-763-9778 outside the U.S.). Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. U.S. Central time. You will have 31 days from the effective date of the change add dependents from your health care coverage.
I had a baby while on assignment - what do I need to do?
Contact the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center at 833-735-2127 (or 312-763-9778 outside the U.S.). Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. U.S. Central time. You will have 31 days from the effective date of the change add dependents from your health care coverage.
- One or more of my eligible dependents will not be accompanying me on assignment. What health care plan will they be enrolled in?
With your beginning of assignment effective date, the assignee and any eligible dependents (regardless of whether or not they are accompanying you on assignment) will be enrolled on the Cigna Global plan.
- I am (or will be) an accompanying/trailing spouse with my own coverage. Will I transfer to Cigna?
If you are a U.S. Payroll employee who is an accompanying/trailing spouse receiving health care coverage in your own right, you will be enrolled in the Cigna plan in your own right, based upon your effective date in Workday. Until your Workday record is finalized, you will remain on your home-based health care program. If you are a part-time trailing spouse, you will be eligible to enroll in your spouse’s plan as a dependent.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
- How can I refill prescription drugs?
You should contact Cigna for assistance in filling prescriptions while on assignment.
- How do I fill prescription drugs prior to starting an international assignment?
You should continue to work with Magellan Rx prior to the assignment to fill up to a 6-month supply of medication.
