The Group Insurance Board has extended the Income Continuation Insurance (ICI) Program premium holiday for 2023, based on the strong financial position of the local ICI plan. This means that employers and employees will not pay premiums for either standard or supplemental ICI coverage.
Employers must still submit an ICI monthly premium report so that enrollment data is captured.
| ICI | Completion Date | Effective Date | Report Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Premium Update | March | April 1 | April report due April 24, 2023 |
| Annual Supplemental ICI Enrollment period - Use ICI Application (ET-2366) | Application received by March 1 | April 1 | April report due April 24, 2023 |
Report due dates are the 24th of the month. When the 24th falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date is the next business day.
Supplemental ICI Open Enrollment Period Ends March 1, 2023
Supplemental ICI provides optional coverage for annual earnings between $64,000 and $120,000. (Standard ICI only covers annual earnings up to $64,000.) Enrollment in the supplemental ICI coverage is voluntary. Employees electing supplemental coverage must insure their entire salary above $64,000 up to a maximum of $120,000. There is no partial supplemental coverage. Coverage elected during the open enrollment period is effective April 1, 2023.
Employers should notify eligible employees of the supplemental ICI enrollment opportunity and direct interested employees to contact the appropriate human resources or payroll/benefits personnel for an Income Continuation Insurance Application (ET-2366). The application must be returned to the employer by close of business on March 1, 2023.
Eligible employees on leave of absence during the open enrollment period have 60 days from the date they return to work to apply for supplemental ICI coverage. Employees currently receiving ICI benefits may enroll when they return to work and are no longer receiving ICI benefits. Their supplemental coverage will be effective the first day of the month that first occurs during their 60-day enrollment period, but no earlier than April 1, 2023.
Who is eligible for supplemental ICI coverage during the annual supplemental coverage enrollment period?
Employees who currently have standard ICI coverage and whose annual earnings exceeded $64,000 in 2022.
Who pays the premium?
During the premium holiday, no premiums are due. Once the premium holiday ends, the employee will be responsible for paying the entire premium for the supplemental ICI coverage; there is no employer share. Employers cannot contribute any portion of the supplemental ICI premium.
How does supplemental coverage affect the potential benefit level?
Employees with supplemental ICI coverage are eligible for a maximum benefit of $7,500 per month (75% of maximum monthly earnings of $10,000).
Employees with annual earnings greater than $64,000 who are not enrolled in supplemental ICI coverage are limited to a maximum benefit of $4,000 per month.
How to apply:
Eligible employees must complete the employee section of the Income Continuation Insurance Application (ET-2366), indicating the election of supplemental ICI coverage. The application must be returned to the employer by close of business on March 1, 2023.
Employers will:
- Validate that the employee is eligible for supplemental ICI coverage.
- Complete the employer section of the application.
- Make two copies. Give a copy to the employee and retain a copy for verification purposes.
- Send the original application to ETF.
Reporting Instructions
Although no premiums are due for 2023 coverage, it will still be necessary to submit the monthly premium report to report covered individuals.
Log into myETF Benefits (MEBS) through the ETF website:
- From the ETF homepage, hover your mouse over Employers and select Insurance Programs from the drop-down menu
- Click on the myETF Benefits Administrator button
- Follow the onscreen instructions for logging in
- Once myETF Benefits loads, hover your mouse over to the Disability drop-down tab (see graphic below)
- Select ICI from the dropdown menu
The initial screen prompts you to complete the contract counts (i.e. number of employees), total premium, and employee-paid portions categorized by regular and supplemental ICI. Total and employee-paid premiums will be zero.
Employers who have not registered for online reporting for ICI must complete the Online Access Security Agreement (ET-8928) and check the box for “ICI Premium Payment.”
For more information about obtaining MEBS access and logging in, see the Employer Training page of the ETF website.
Changes to ICI Coverage Levels, Premium Structure in 2024
Starting in 2024, the ICI Program will consolidate its standard and supplemental coverage levels into a single level of coverage of earnings up to $120,000.
This change means:
- There will be only one level of coverage, with no option for supplemental coverage.
- ETF will no longer use the terms “standard” and “supplemental” to describe coverage.
- Employer contributions will continue all the way up to the $120,000 limit.
Note: This change will not affect the current premium holiday for local employers.
ETF will send out additional information and updated materials in the future about this plan change. If you have questions, please contact your case manager.