Miscellaneous Provisions
The employer has the right, in its sole discretion, from time to time, to amend this plan by written amendment signed by the President or other authorized officer of the employer. The effective date of any such amendment shall be the date it is signed or such other date as the amendment may specify. The employer will notify participants of amendments.
The employer has the right to terminate or suspend this plan at any time, in its entirety or in part. The plan will pay no benefits for expenses incurred on or after the effective date of termination.
Except as described in this provision, no act or statement of any person shall have the effect of amending the plan, creating coverage or of waiving any of its provisions or requirements.
The employer may require employees to contribute toward the cost of participant and dependent coverage. The employer may determine the amount of the required contributions from time to time at its discretion and will advise participants in advance of any changes in such amount.
From time to time and at its discretion, the employer may determine the funding method for benefits under this plan which may include, without limitation, policies of insurance, self-funding and partial self-funding. Currently, the employer self-funds and pays all benefits due under this plan out of its general assets.
Confidential Medical Information
Each covered person acknowledges that the plan administrator and Claims Administrator may review and disclose any and all confidential medical information to the extent reasonably necessary and appropriate to the performance of their respective duties under this plan and each covered person, by accepting coverage under this plan, consents to such review and disclosure.
No person shall have any claim against the employer, the plan or the plan administrator except for the amount of regular plan benefits due under this plan.
This plan’s use of any preferred provider network does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of any hospital, physician or other provider. No person shall have any claim against the employer, the plan, the plan administrator or their appointees arising out of injuries caused by any provider.
This plan does not create a contract of employment between the employer and any employee nor does it affect the status of any person as an employee-at-will.
The plan administrator has the right to interpret and construe the terms and provisions of this plan and determine eligibility for benefits. It has the right to resolve any conflicts or ambiguities in the plan and the right to determine any issues of fact or law which may bear on the plan’s obligation to pay benefits.
Words used in this plan which take the masculine form shall be construed to include the feminine form. Similarly, words used in the singular or plural shall be construed as including the plural or singular respectively as circumstances and context may require.
The Effective Date of this plan is January 1, 1997.
The Restatement Date of this plan is January 1, 2002.