Page 15 - Ventura Foods | Leave Of Absence | Employee Procedures

Continuing Your Non Union
Benefits While on Leave
If you have exhausted your sick time, vacation time, and bridge pay during your leave, please follow the steps below to continue your benefits during your leave:
• You will need to contact the Ventura Foods Benefits Department at benefits@venturafoods.com to make arrangements to continue paying your share of the premiums while on leave if you are not eligible for the company sponsored Bridge Pay program (see above Bridge Pay section for more details).
• While on an approved leave for up to a maximum of six (6) months you will be permitted to continue your benefits, where allowed by law. You will be responsible for your usual contribution for these benefits while on leave.
• All payments are due by the 1st of the month. If payment is not made within the timeframe specified, your group health insurance may be canceled. Payments should be mailed to the following address:
ATTN: Ventura Benefits Department 40 Pointe Dr.
Brea, CA 92821
At Ventura Food’s discretion, the company may pay your share of the premiums during your leave and recover these payments from you upon your return to work or otherwise following your leave.
• If you need to add a new child to your benefits,
please go to https://map.empyreanbenefits.com/ ventura/login and process a qualified life event / birth transaction within 30 days of the birth or adoption.
• If you fail to return to work following your leave, you may be liable for payment of any health insurance premiums paid by Ventura Foods during your leave.
• You have a minimum 90 day grace period to make premium payments. If payment is not made timely, your group health insurance may be canceled.
Exhausting Benefits
While on Leave (6 months)
For those that lose eligibility after 6 months of being on leave, you will receive a letter from Ventura’s COBRA administrator explaining your right to COBRA continuation coverage. If you elect coverage and pay the required premiums within the time limit stated in the letter, your COBRA coverage will be retro-active to the first day
after you lost active employee coverage.
Ventura Foods | Team Members Leave of Absence Guide 15