Take note of the following for the
annual open enrollment period — and all year.

Before you drop coverage for any plan, please refer to the applicable plan SPD to understand the consequences and determine whether you will be eligible to re-enroll in that plan.

Note for Survivors in the Family Security Program (FSP):
Survivors in the FSP are not eligible to add new dependents to medical coverage at any time. Also, if you drop or lose Alcatel-Lucent medical coverage for any reason, you can never re-enroll.

  • Is a POS option not listed as a coverage option on the YBR website? You may live in an area with limited access to doctors and hospitals in a POS network. If a POS option is not shown as an available option on the YBR website, you can still enroll in a POS option if you are comfortable with the distance between you and POS network doctors and hospitals. If you are currently enrolled in a POS option for 2012 under these circumstances, your POS coverage will not automatically carry over to 2013.
    If you are eligible to enroll in a POS option for 2013 and it is not listed as a coverage option on the YBR website, just call the Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center at 1-888-232-4111 during the annual open enrollment period to enroll. Please note: POS options are not available to survivors in the Family Security Program (FSP).
  • Looking for an in-network UnitedHealthcare POS provider? Use the information below when you are looking for an in-network POS provider on the UnitedHealthcare website (remember, you can also find in-network providers using the YBR website):
    • On www.myuhc.com, choose "UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus." If you live in Maine, Massachusetts or New Hampshire, choose "Harvard Pilgrim Choice Plus."
  • Keep in mind: Changes in your doctor's or healthcare provider's network participation are not considered qualified status changes. Medical carriers' contracts with network providers may expire at any time during the year. You will not be able to make changes to your coverage and/or add/drop dependents outside of the annual open enrollment period due to these types of changes. Visit the BenefitAnswers Plus website for more information about qualified status changes.
  • Do you cover a dependent child who does not rely on you for more than half of his or her support? If this situation applies to you, notify the Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center at 1-888-232-4111 so the appropriate tax will be applied. The amount that Alcatel-Lucent pays to cover your dependent child who does not rely on you for more than half of his or her support is known as "imputed income," and is reported as taxable income to you. This income is subject to both tax and FICA withholding, and the amount depends on the medical option you elect and whom you elect to cover. You may want to consult a personal tax advisor about tax implications.
  • Are you dropping a dependent from coverage? (What you should know about COBRA.) COBRA is not offered to dependents removed from coverage during the annual open enrollment period. If your dependent is experiencing a qualified status change and you remove him or her from your coverage during the annual open enrollment period, your dependent will not be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage. To be eligible for COBRA, dependents experiencing a qualified status change must be removed through the "Life Events" section on the YBR website (or by calling the Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center) within 31 days of the qualified status change.
  • Thinking of opting out of coverage?
    • If you are an employee or class I dependent (see the YBR website for the definition of a class I dependent), you have the option to waive your coverage.
    • When you opt out of medical (which includes prescription drug) coverage, you are also opting out of dental and vision coverage, and vice versa.
    • You may be eligible to opt back in to medical (which includes prescription drug), dental and vision coverage without a requirement of a physical during a future annual open enrollment period or if you have a qualified status change.
    • You may be required to complete additional forms, depending on the city and/or state in which you live.
  • Want to opt out of Group Legal coverage? Alcatel-Lucent provides Group Legal coverage at no cost to eligible employees. However, because Alcatel-Lucent pays the cost, it is considered taxable income to you. If you wish to waive your coverage, you may do so during the annual open enrollment period, or during the year if you have a qualified status change, through the YBR website or by calling the Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center.
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1 Includes employees on a leave of absence (LOA), sickness or accident disability, long-term disability (LTD) or workers' compensation, COBRA participants and survivors in the Family Security Program (FSP).