29 May 2003

NSCC ACTION LETTER 7-03

1. Purpose. To advise NSCC personnel on filing of medical/sickness claims.

2. Background. NSCC action Letter 3-03 advised all NSCC personnel of a change in medical insurance companies and changes in coverage for all NSCC personnel. The new policy went into effect 15 March 2003. NSCC Personnel enrolled or re-enrolled before 15 march 2003 are under the old medical insurance plan with CIGNA. Personnel enrolling or re-enrolling after 15 March 2003 are under the new medical insurance plan with Nationwide Insurance Company. There is a major difference in foiling of any insurance claim depending on which company is servicing the insurance claim. Personnel under the old insurance plan must file a claim through NHQ. Personnel filing a claim with Nationwide Insurance Company will file their claim directly with Nationwide and NHQ will not be involved in the claim process. Action Letter 3-03 should be reviewed in its entirety along with this action letter to ensure all are thoroughly familiar with medical claims insurance procedures.

3. Discussion. This action letter provides additional information for filing claims with Nationwide Insurance Company. Enclosure (1) provides general policy information, the NSCC policy number, and phone numbers to assist in filing of claims with Nationwide Insurance Company. All personnel are reminded that the new NSCC accident/sickness policy is an "excess medical insurance plan." That is, each family's primary medical insurance policy will be in effect before the NSCC policy becomes effective. After the benefits of the family's plan have been used, the NSCC policy takes over. For personnel without any medical insurance coverage, the NSCC coverage becomes the primary policy plan to cover NSCC members when participating in NSCC activities. Enclosure (2) is the claim form to be filled out by individuals making insurance claims under the new policy. This form is to be completely filled out and mailed/faxed to Nationwide Insurance when filing a claim. Please note there is space which requests information on the background of the injury. This information on this form is in addition to the NSCC Accident Report (NSCADM 022) information. COs, COTC and units shall ensure the NSCC Accident Report is filled out on all accidents/sicknesses for which there is the slightest possibility of a medical insurance claim being filed or needed to pay for the injury or sickness. It is better to have the information taken immediately while memories are fresh than to wait and try to reconstruct the information later. A copy of the NSCC Accident Report shall be retained in the local records of the unit, a copy given to the cadet involved, and a copy mailed to NHQ. In the event an insurance claim is submitted to Nationwide, the NSCC Accident Report will already have the information available.

4. Action. All unit commanding officers shall brief all unit personnel on the NSCC Accident and Sickness Policy. This briefing shall ensure the parents/guardians are fully aware the new medical policy is an "excess plan." Further, the parent's policy will be in effect first before the NSCC Accident/sickness insurance policy comes into effect. The briefing officer shall also ensure that the parents/cadets are aware that filing of the accident/sickness report to Nationwide Insurance Company is the responsibility of the cadet and his/her family. For privacy reasons, NHQ will not be allowed to intervene on a cadet's behalf with the insurance company. All commanding officers shall make several a copies of enclosure (2) and retain on board to assist the cadets when/if they file a medical insurance claim. Claim forms may be requested from Nationwide Insurance Company at the number listed. The NSCC NHQ point of contact is Ms. E. Tadle.

5. Cancellation. This action letter is cancelled upon incorporation of its contents into NSCC manuals and regulations.

                                            
                                       M. D. FORD