General Benefits Questions and Answers

Who is eligible for health care benefits?
As a full-time U.S. employee, you are eligible for medical, dental, prescription drug and vision coverage. For new employees, once enrolled, coverage under this plan becomes effective on the first day of the third consecutive calendar month following their first day of work as a full-time employee. For part-time employees whose status changes to full-time, coverage becomes effective on the first day of the third consecutive month following their first day of work as a full-time employee. (Hawaii employee eligibility guidelines)

New employees must enroll in the plan by logging in to Benefits Central at benefits.ehi.com within 31 days of hire or becoming benefits eligible. When you first visit Benefits Central, you will need to create a password to begin. Click create or reset your password from the new users or new passwords box near the top right of the screen and follow the instructions. Employees must submit their employee ID, last four digits of their Social Security number, zip code and date of birth to meet Benefits Central's initial log in requirements. Follow the prompts in the Actions box to complete your benefits enrollment. If you do not log in to Benefits Central and complete your benefits enrollment within 31 days of your hire date, you will default to employee only coverage at the tobacco rate through UnitedHealthcare's PPO600 plan which is packaged with dental coverage through Delta Dental and prescription drug coverage through Express Scripts.

After I enroll, when does my health care coverage start?
Medical, dental, prescription drug and vision coverage for you and your eligible dependents begins on the first day of your third consecutive month following your first day of work as a full-time employee. For example, if your first day of work is April 11, your coverage begins on July 1.

How do I change my coverage?
Benefit election choices remain in effect for the entire plan year (Jan 1-Dec 31) or until coverage ends. You cannot change your benefit elections until the next Annual Enrollment unless there is a qualifying life-changing event. Check with Benefits Central department for more information or go to
Life-Changing Events on this site.

What if I do not want health care coverage?
Medical, dental and prescription drug plans are bundled into one benefit package. If you elect to waive health care coverage, check “No Coverage” on your Benefits Central screens when completing your benefits enrollment through Benefits Central. You have 31 days of hire or becoming benefits eligible to elect or decline coverage.

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