When Coverage Begins
Your coverage begins on the latest of the following dates:
- The first day of the month after the completion of three years of full-time continuous service and must be in a benefit eligible classification with Duke, or the first day of the month after you return to active work if you are not actively at work on the date coverage would otherwise start. If you have a FMLA leave from active work certified by Duke, for purposes of eligibility for coverage, you will be considered to be actively at work. Other non-FMLA leave, including leaves with pay, will not count towards completion of three years of full-time, continuous service or for eligibility of coverage. Exception: Your coverage may begin on a day when you are not actively at work if you were actively at work on your last scheduled day prior to the day coverage begins; or
- The first of the month after satisfying the Duke LTD 3 year waiver requirement.
When Coverage Ends
Your coverage will end on the earliest of the following dates:
- You are no longer an active employee on Duke payroll unless you meet one of the status requirements outlined under “Continuation of Coverage,”
- You are no longer eligible for coverage under the plan,
- You drop below 30 hours per week or become benefit ineligible for more than 90 days,
- You retire, or
- The plan terminates.
The plan stops providing a specific benefit to you on the date that benefit is no longer provided under the plan.
Continuation of Coverage
Your coverage will continue and, for purposes of this coverage, your employment will be deemed to continue, under the following conditions:
- Leave of absence with at least one-quarter pay (until the end of 24 months after the beginning of the leave of absence),
- Leave of absence with less than one-quarter pay authorized by the Duke Board of Trustees, for the purposes of engaging in full-time study for an advanced degree or for active work in the field of education or research such as Fulbright or foundation grant or government project (until the end of 24 months after the beginning of the leave of absence), or
- Employees who work on an academic calendar at the convenience of the University.
- Your coverage may be continued during approved family medical leaves of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If you have a FMLA leave from active work certified by Duke, then for purposes of eligibility and termination of coverage you will be considered to be actively at work. Your coverage will remain in force so long as you continue to meet the requirements set forth in the FMLA, or/li>
- Participation in the program is suspended during a personal (non-medical) leave of absence. If you return to work within 12 months and there is no break in service, coverage under the plan will resume and the three year waiting period is waived.