frequently asked questions

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Who is eligible?
You are eligible for medical insurance coverage under HUBB if you are not covered by any other medical coverage. If you have other group or individual coverage, you must cancel that coverage to be eligible for HUBB coverage.

Homecare Workers with Medicare coverage or receiving Veteran's Benefits may still enroll in the HUBB program.

In addition to not having other coverage, you are eligible if:

1. You are a full-time part-time, hourly or live-in publicly funded Oregon Homecare Worker; and
2. You are employed through the Client Employed Providers (CEP), Spousal Pay Providers, or Oregon Project Independence and compensated by the Department of Human Services (DHS); and
3. You work 80 or more hours per month for two consecutive months

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Can I enroll my family on my plan?

Yes, beginning April 1, 2006, homecare workers enrolled for HUBB insurance can enroll eligible family members for medical and dental coverage. Family members must be enrolled in medical insurance in order to be eligible to enroll in dental insurance. The cost of family medical and dental insurance is the responsibility of the homecare worker. Contact HUBB regarding how to self-pay your insurance premium

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What is FHIAP, and how can it help me?

Please see the FHIAP page here for the most updated information on the program.

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Do I have to choose a Primary Care Provider (PCP)?

To be eligible for medical benefits from Kaiser Permanente, you must use a Kaiser provider in Kaiser facilities.
To be eligible for benefits from ODS Medical Plan, you must select a primary care physician (PCP) who is participating with ODS to coordinate your medical care. You can search for a provider here

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When does my coverage go into effect?

Once you have worked 80 or more hours for two consecutive months, you must meet a one-month waiting period before coverage goes into effect. The first two months of 80 or more hours plus the waiting period is referred to as the “qualifying period”.

If you qualify for coverage, you must complete and submit an enrollment form during the qualifying period.
Once HUBB receives your enrollment form and you have completed the qualifying period, your coverage will go into effect the first of the month following when you met the qualifications and submitted the form.

Here is an example: If you work 80 or more hours in January and February 2005, you are eligible for coverage April 1, 2005 as long as HUBB receives your enrollment form by March 31, 2005. (March serves as your waiting period.)

In this same example, if HUBB receives your enrollment form on April 5, 2005, your coverage effective date will be May 1, 2005.

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What happens to my coverage if my hours drop below 80?

Once you are enrolled in the HUBB medical plan, you must continue to work 80 hours or more to remain on the plan. If you fail to work 80 hours or more for two consecutive months, once you meet the waiting period, your coverage will end.

Here is an example: If you are enrolled on the plan and your hours drop below 80 in June and July 2005, you will lose coverage September 1, 2005. August serves as the
waiting period.

Once you are enrolled in the HUBB medical plan and your hours drop below 80 hours for one month, you will still be covered. However, if your hours drop below 80 for two
consecutive months, your coverage will be cancelled.

When you lose coverage, HUBB will send you information about continuation of coverage through the COBRA Program. The COBRA Program allows you to continue your
coverage by self-paying the monthly premium.


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What if I move and no longer reside in my plan's area?

If you move out of a plan's service area while enrolled on the plan, you are no longer eligible for that plan. It is important to notify the HUBB Office so that your enrollment can be changed to the responsible insurance carrier in your new area.

I have been enrolled on another plan but recently lost that coverage. Can I enroll in the HUBB plan now?

If you did not enroll in the HUBB plan because you were enrolled in another plan and you lose that coverage, you may request enrollment in the HUBB Program by completing the enrollment form.

HUBB will confi rm that you have met the hours worked requirement. You will be given credit for hours worked in the most recent two-month period plus the waiting period.

If eligibility is established, your coverage will be effective the first of the month after your previous coverage ended. If HUBB is not able to establish eligibility with the most recent months look-back, you will have a gap in coverage until eligibility is established.

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If I am unable to work due to an on-the-job injury, will I loose my health insurance?

Once you are enrolled in the HUBB medical plan and your hours drop below 80 hours for one month due to an on-the-job injury, you will still be covered. However, if your hours drop below 80 for two consecutive months, your coverage will be cancelled.

When you lose coverage, HUBB will send you information about continuation of coverage through the COBRA Program. The COBRA Program allows you to continue your
coverage by self-paying the monthly premium.

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How can I continue my coverage if it ends because my hours drop?

If you lose eligibility for insurance coverage due to a reduction in hours of work, you have the right to continue your coverage under the COBRA Program. COBRA allows
you to elect to continue the same coverage by self-paying the monthly premium. If your hours drop and you lose eligibility, HUBB will send you a COBRA Notice.

Contact the HUBB office for more information. Portability is another continuation option. If you lose eligibility due to a reduction in hours of work, you can continue insurance through your medical insurance plan's portability provisions. You must enroll for portability coverage within 63 days of the end of your HUBB insurance coverage. Contact your insurance carrier for more information.

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How do I re-enroll if I requalify for coverage after my coverage ends due to reduction of hours?

If your hours worked increases and you work 80 or more hours for two consecutive months and meet the waiting period, you will return to benefit-eligible status and be
eligible to re-enroll.

If you return to eligible status you must complete a new enrollment form to restart your coverage. HUBB will automatically send you a new enrollment packet during your qualifying period. If you do not receive an enrollment packet, contact HUBB.

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What if I have a complaint or grievance related to my insurance?

If you have a complaint or grievance about an eligibility issue or an administrative procedure, contact the HUBB Insurance Specialists for assistance. You may ask the Insurance Specialist to review and reconsider the issue. The Insurance Specialist may ask the Administrator for assistance with your issue. You will receive a written response from HUBB.

If you receive a claim denial from an insurance carrier, you must appeal directly to the insurance carrier. The carrier's appeal procedure is outlined in the plan's member handbook. If you wish, you can ask a HUBB Insurance Specialist to assist you with your appeal and verify if the insurance company is acting within the scope of its contract.

You may be asked to authorize the HUBB Insurance Specialist to be involved by providing a signed authorization form.

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What is the “qualifying period”?


Once you have worked 80 or more hours for two consecutive months, you must meet a one-month waiting period before overage goes into effect. The first two months of 80 or more hours plus the waiting period is referred to as the “qualifying period.” If you qualify for coverage, you must complete and submit an enrollment form during the qualifying period. Once HUBB receives your enrollment form and you have completed the qualifying period, your coverage will go into effect the first of the month following when you met the qualifications and submitted the form.

Here is an example: If you work 80 or more hours in January and February 2007, you are eligible for coverage April 1, 2007 as long as HUBB receives your enrollment form by March 31, 2007. (March serves as your waiting period.) In this same example, if HUBB receives your enrollment form April 5, 2007, your coverage will be effective May 1, 2007.

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How will I pay for family coverage?

HUBB has entered into a partnership with the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP) to provide affordable health insurance for homecare workers. FHIAP can help you pay the cost to add family members to your HUBB plan. If you qualify for FHIAP assistance, FHIAP will pay a portion of the premium and you will be responsible for the rest. FHIAP will bill you monthly for your portion of the premium due.

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I have been enrolled on another plan but recently lost that coverage. Can I enroll in the HUBB plan now?

If you did not enroll in the HUBB plan because you were enrolled in another plan and you lose that coverage, you may request enrollment in the HUBB Program by completing the enrollment form. HUBB will confirm that you have met the hours-worked requirement. You will be given credit for hours worked in the most recent two-month period plus the waiting period. If eligibility is established, your coverage will be effective the first of the month after your previous coverage ended. If HUBB is not able to establish eligibility with the most recent months look-back, you will have a gap in coverage until eligibility is established.

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What is Routine Vision Coverage?

Routine vision coverage covers the cost of your routine eye exam (where no medical problems exist), the refraction, frames, lenses and contact lenses up to the plan allowance.

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Do I have to enroll separately for routine vision coverage?

No. Routine vision coverage will be added to your core medical plan. Enrollment in the medical plan will provide routine vision coverage.

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When will I receive my I.D. cards and Plan Handbook?

The insurance company will send you an ID card when your coverage becomes effective. When you seek services, show your medical or dental provider your ID card to identify your coverage. If you need services before you receive your ID card, contact the HUBB office for the group number. If you lose your ID card, a replacement may be requested by contacting the insurance company’s membership services department.


Once enrolled in the medical and dental plan, you will receive a member handbook from the insurance company. Your member handbook provides detailed information about your coverage. It includes information about how to use your medical and dental plan, what services require pre-authorization, limitations and exclusions. Become familiar with your benefits so that you can be a well-informed health care consumer.