Alabama Insurance Commissioner David Parsons today announced plans for a meeting to be held April 18 to provide information regarding the continuation of health insurance coverage for employees of LTV Steel Gadsden Plant. Effective March 31, 2002, health coverage for approximately 4,000 employees and retirees of LTV Steel in Gadsden was terminated.
Commissioner Parsons explains that those employees whose coverage through LTV Steel was secondary to Medicare are eligible for a guaranteed issue Medicare supplement plan offered by any insurance company licensed to sell this product in the state of Alabama. Persons interested in this coverage should call an insurance agent or company for details.
Employees under age 65 may be eligible for guaranteed issue individual health coverage through the Alabama Health Insurance Plan. Persons interested in this coverage should call 1-877-619-2447 for an application and information packet. Commissioner Parsons stressed that employees are only eligible for this coverage for 63 days from the termination date of March 31, 2002.
A meeting has been scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2002, at the Gadsden Activity Center, 623 Broad Street, Gadsden, AL. Representatives from the Alabama Department of Insurance, the Alabama Health Insurance Plan, the U. S. Department of Labor and the Etowah County Council on Aging will be present to answer questions and discuss health coverage options.
For further information about the meeting, please contact Judy Glavaris of the Etowah County Council on Aging at (256) 543-3616.