ACS CORPORATE PARTNERS & BENEFITS

The Standard Insurance Company Group Disability Plan – 2023

Another ACS Member Benefit – Long Term Group Disability Plan Insurance  through The Standard Insurance Company! This plan was specifically designed for our member Doctors of Chiropractic in the State of Alaska. The premium rate comes in at a little over $25.67/thousand in coverage and beats other plans out there hands-down! That’s $211.67/month for $10,000/month coverage! Benefit amount is limited to 60% of your pre-disability monthly earnings – maximum monthly benefit is $10,000 with a 90-day benefit waiting period. The groundwork for this policy was accomplished in 2011 and the plan was implemented January, 2012.

Interested? You can Download the 2023 enrollment packet under FORMS listed below on this page. As this is a “Member Benefit”, membership with the Alaska Chiropractic Society is a MUST!  Here’s the actual Long Term Disability Policy ACS Benefit Summary to review and get a better idea of how this policy differs from others available to Doctors of Chiropractic! 

ACS is pleased to offer its member long term group disability insurance from Standard Insurance Company. The insurance provides chiropractors with income protection against disabilities resulting from a covered physical disease, injury, pregnancy or mental disorder. Our LTD insurance features flexible policy provisions that enable Chiropractors to customize their coverage choices. For questions regarding the long-term disability insurance, call Midwest Employee Benefits at 877-833-5433.

ACS Group Disability Plan Highlights

• Own Occupation to Age 65
• Guaranteed Issue —No Medical Exam
• 60% of Income Covered up to $12,763 per month
• Portability
• Recovery Benefit
• Return to Work Incentive
• Partial Disability starting at 20% loss of earnings
• Payment of FICA Taxes
• Survivor’s Benefit
• Rehabilitation Benefit
• Twelve Month Return to Work Benefit

Member means:

1. A member in good standing of the Policyholder;
2. Actively at Work at least 30 hours each week (for purposes of the Member definition, Actively at Work will include regularly scheduled days off, holidays, or vacation days, so long as the person is capable of Active Work on those days); and
3. A citizen or resident of the United States or Canada. Member does not include a temporary or seasonal employee, a full-time member of the armed forces of any country, a leased employee, or an independent contractor.

Eligibility Waiting Period:

You are eligible on one of the following dates:

If you are a Member on the Group Policy Effective Date (February 1, 2012), you are eligible on that date.

If you become a Member after the Group Policy Effective Date (February 1, 2012), you are eligible on the date you become a Member.

Eligibility Waiting Period means the period you must be a Member before you become eligible for insurance. 

Member means:

1. A member in good standing of the Policyholder;
2. Actively at Work at least 30 hours each week (for purposes of the Member definition, Actively at Work will include regularly scheduled days off, holidays, or vacation days, so long as the person is capable of Active Work on those days); and
3. A citizen or resident of the United States or Canada. Member does not include a temporary or seasonal employee, a full-time member of the armed forces of any country, a leased employee, or an independent contractor.

Eligibility Waiting Period:

You are eligible on one of the following dates:

If you are a Member on the Group Policy Effective Date (February 1, 2012), you are eligible on that date.

If you become a Member after the Group Policy Effective Date (February 1, 2012), you are eligible on the date you become a Member.

Eligibility Waiting Period means the period you must be a Member before you become eligible for insurance. 

December 13, 2021

Greetings!

We are excited to provide you with information on the Long Term Disability plan offered by the Alaska Chiropractic Society. Any member in good standing with the Alaska Chiropracitc Society is eligible. Being a current enrolled member is a requirement for enrolling. 

My agency, Midwest Employee Benefits Inc., will be the broker for the benefit program. We will assist with enrollment, administration of the plan and benefit education. We currently handle several other state Chiropractic plans. Please feel free to contact me at 877-833-5433 with any questions. 

The insurance carrier who will be offering the products is The Standard Insurance Company. They will be offering a group plan for long term disability. 

The plan details and enrollment forms are included in this packet. If you want to enroll on the plan, please complete the materials and return them via email or fax. If you want additional information, please feel free to contact myself or Jill Knutsen directly. 

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely, 

Dawn Knutson ChHC, RHU, REBC, CLTC
Employee Benefit Specialist

NEW in 2021 – There are times in life when you might need a little help coping or figuring out what to do. Take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which includes WorkLife Services and is available to you and your family in connection with your group insurance from the Standard Insurance Company. (The Standard). It’s confidential – information will be released only with your permission or as required by law.  

You, your dependents (including children to age 26) and all household members can contact master’s-degreed clinicians 24/7 by phone, online, live chat, email and text. There’s even a mobile EAP app.  Receive referrals to support groups, a network counselor, community resources or your health plan. If necessary, you’ll be connected to emergency services. 

Your program includes up to three face-to-face assessment and counseling sessions per issue. Read More.  

Program Information:

1. The Standard Group Disability Insurance Highlights – Standard LTD Brochure
2. ACS Benefit Summary for The Standard Group Long Term Disability Insurance
3. ACS Group Long Term Disability Policy – original 2012 policy
4. 2023 ACS Rate Sheet
5. Employee Assistance Program Brochure
6. Midwest Employee Benefits – Contact Information
7. ACS Chiropractor Enrollment and Change Form (Word document download)
8. Alaska ACH Agreement
9. Frequently Asked Questions – 2023

Members interested in applying for disability coverage should complete the following forms and email them to jill@midwestemployeebenefits.com. If you have any questions, please contact Midwest Employee Benefits at 605-323-6610.

1. ACS Enrollment and Change Form 
2. Alaska ACH Agreement

FAQs – download a copy of FAQs

Q: I have elected to participate in the ACS Group DI Plan. How do I obtain a copy of my policy?

A: As a member of the ACS, the society is issued a group disability certificate. You are a member covered under this plan, if you have elected to participate and pay premiums. Coverage can be obtained through our contacts at Midwest Employee Benefits, Inc. A copy of the certificate is available in the Members Only section of the ACS website. You can also obtain a copy of it from our Midwest Employee Benefits representatives.

Q: I have heard that the ACS group disability plan is only offered through Midwest Employee Benefit representatives. Why does my rep not know about the ACS Members Only benefits?

A: There are specific representatives on our group disability benefit plan. They are Dawn Knutson ChHC, RHU, REBC, CLTC and Jill Knutson with Midwest Employee Benefits. They have been associated with the ACS since 2006 and work closely with our organization. 

Q: The policy states that it is through “The Standard Insurance Company” out of Portland, OR. Is this policy written by Northwestern Mutual or The Standard?

A: The policy is written by The Standard and administrated by the Midwest Employee Benefits office. They serve as the brokers for our policy. They helped design this plan specifically for chiropractors and their associations.

Q: Why can’t I keep the Members Only benefits if I let my membership lapse?

A: These benefits are exclusively for members only. They are designed to be a win-win benefit for those that choose to invest in their practice and their professional association. The cost savings provided through the member-only benefit typically “pays for” the annual association dues, and then actually saves money above and beyond that.  

Q:  I have noticed that the payments say Hagan Benefits on my bank statement, who is Hagan?

A: Hagan is the TPA that pays the premiums to The Standard for the coverage. The reason a TPA is used is so that the ACS, MEBS and the financial representatives are at an “arms length” from drafting money from your bank account. The TPA drafts the premium payments and then sends them to the insurance company all at the same time. This must be done this way to prevent the plan from being behind in payment status and to prevent it from lapsing.

Q: When am I eligible to participate in the ACS association group disability plan?

A: The first day of the month after you join the ACS and are in good standing (dues paid).

Q: When does the policy start paying benefits?

A: The policy has a 90 day elimination period. It is similar to a deductible on your health or car insurance. The first 90 days of a disability, there is no monetary reimbursement. After 90 days of total or partial disability, The Standard can start to reimburse you for lost income.

Q: Are there any options to cover me for the time and income lost in the first 90 days?

A: Yes, that could be covered under a group short term disability policy (if your office chooses to purchase one) or individual accident or illness policies. At this time, they are not offered through the ACS. Contact a representative to see if you are eligible. If you wish to discuss these options with Midwest Employee Benefits, they can provide information on these types of contracts. Their toll-free number is 877-833-5433.

Q: Does the ACS Group Disability plan pay for office overhead or office expenses?

A: No. That would have to be covered under a separate insurance called: Disability Overhead Expense or Business Overhead Expense. Contact the plan representatives for details. They offer plans with discounts for ACS members.

Q: How much coverage can I obtain?

A: Up to 60% of your pre-tax gross personal income. Contact one of the financial representatives for additional details.