How to Use Your Benefits

Confirm Your Coverage

Review the coverage we provide to confirm that your situation is a covered matter. You should also call our Administration Office at 866-678-8647 to confirm your eligibility.

Select an Attorney

Select an attorney and make an appointment. For your convenience, we’ve prepared a list of participating attorneys who have agreed to limit their fees to the rate our plan will pay. You may select any qualified U.S. attorney, not just the ones on this list. However, if the attorney you select charges more per hour than the plan maximum, you will be responsible for making up the difference.

Print out the Claim Form

Print out a claim form, fill out the top portion, and bring it with you the first time you visit the attorney’s office.  Your attorney must sign and submit the form to the Administration Office, along with an itemized bill for the services you receive.  We ask that they try to get this done within 30 days of providing the services.

Each member using the Plan must complete and submit a Request for Benefits form, which must be signed by both the member and his/her attorney. In the case that you will be incurring subsequent charges, your attorney can retain a photocopy of both sides of the first claim for use in submitting any future billing on the same matter. This will allow the Administration Office to properly identify you and your Plan and relate to any prior claims submitted for you. This form should be sent to the Administration Office with your attorney’s first billing in each matter. Delays in forwarding your agreement could hinder the processing of your claim and create a potential for loss of benefits.

A Request for Benefits Claim Form must be completed on a per-claim basis and sent to the Administration Office. The forms are not available for on-line completion but may be printed and sent in. Altered documents are not accepted by the Plan. If you have any questions regarding the forms, contact the Administration Office at 866-678-8647.

Invoices for Services

Invoices for services provided during the Plan year must be submitted for payment no later than (60) sixty days after the end of the Plan year. Since the Plan year ends June 30, all bills for services provided prior to July 1 must be received by the Administration Office no later than August 31. The Plan reserves the right to deny any claims submitted after these deadlines.

ELIGIBILITY

Who is Eligible?

If you are an ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 bargaining unit member for whom the State makes contributions to this plan, then you are a covered participant. Your dependents may also be covered participants. Not sure if you’re eligible? Call our Administration Office at 866-678-8647 and we’ll check for you.

What is Covered?

Covered matters include most civil actions, except those arising from a business you own.  This benefit does not apply to criminal cases or worker’s compensation cases. You also cannot use it for actions against the State, the union, or other State employees.  If you’re not sure whether or not your particular situation is a covered matter, consult the Plan Booklet or give us a call.

More Information

Other Plan limitations and exclusions may apply.  Consult the Plan Booklet on this site for the details, and call the Administration Office if you have any questions.