Question for military guys who have transitioned to Delta w/o guard/reserve/retirement TRICARE coverage:

I know Delta gives its new hires the opportunity to sign up for medical benefits when they get hired regardless of enrollment window. Outside of the enrollment window you can't enroll or make changes, unless you have a "life event."

When I read about life events I understood it to mean if we lost our coverage under a previous employer then we could enroll in Delta's plan.

My question is this: Since I get 6 months of TAMPS benefits do I need to enroll in Delta medical benefits now or can I wait until my TAMPS ends then enroll since I lost my previous coverage?

I am in a similar situation to you...DAL New hire except I am going to the AF Reserves w/6 months of TAMP. Upon the expiration of TAMP I will enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select which I think is around $200-$300 a month.

In your case, if you are not transitioning to the Guard Reserves and don't have the option to pick up any TRICARE then you might have to enroll in the e benefits health care during your open enrollment period since it is an election coverage for the 2015 calendar year. Your TAMP will run out before the end of 2015, so you would probably want to ensure you have coverage even though it will overlap with TAMP essentially making the TAMP useless since you are paying for the DAL healthcare starting in 2015.

You might inquire with the HR folks, but I dont think you can pick up coverage halfway or at some random point during the year...

I understand that, what i'm trying to understand is wouldn't my loss of coverage under the military be considered a Life Event allowing me to enroll?

Yes, it is a life event. I have been doing it for 7 years. When my Tricare coverage is about to expire, I call HR folks & get enrolled in Delta benefits. I carry Delta dental & life insurance through Delta for the wife & kids even when I'm on AD.

135TOAD: Just to be clear; I can skip the window now to save some money and just prior to my benefits running out (for me and family) I call HR to sign up?

My plan is to enroll in dental and vision for them and life for me now; then in 6 months enroll everyone in full benefits.

PLEASE call 1800-USA-ALPA on Monday morning and ask to speak to the retirement and insurance specialist. Also, as the secretary for her email address as the lady that does our R&I is very prompt answering emails but is often unreachable by phone.

I would get an answer from her directly just to be safe rather than relying on an anonymous web board - no offense to 135Toad...

Thanks for the number. I'll be doing that!

None taken. Always good to get the info straight from the one that matters. I was just passing along my personal experience.

This is the best advise you are going to get!

My wife is in HR and says that you have special HIPAA enrollment rights:

"You and/or your dependent(s) are eligible for a HIPAA special enrollment under the following circumstances.
Loss of Other Health Coverage
If you, your spouse or dependent were eligible but declined enrollment in Delta medical and/or dental coverage previously (when initially eligible, at Annual Open Enrollment or when a qualified life event change occurred) because of other medical or dental coverage, and employer contributions toward the
other medical or dental coverage end — or you and your dependents lose eligibility for the other coverage due to any of the following reasons:
 Divorce or legal separation
 Death
 The plan is changed so that you, your spouse or your dependent are no longer eligible
 Termination of employment
 Reduction in hours
Note: Loss of coverage due to nonpayment of Premiums, voluntarily discontinuing that coverage or fraud does not trigger a special enrollment event. Also, special enrollment rights do not apply to vision coverage.
The special enrollment rights last for 60 days only; therefore, you must enroll within 60 days after your or your dependents’ other medical or dental coverage ends (or after the employer stops contributing toward the other medical or dental coverage)."