Employer Bulletin

Local Employers
Vol. 18, Local A
February 2, 2001

Bulletin Reports on Changes for Ordering ICI Forms, Reporting Deadline and Update on Premiums

Ordering Income Continuation Insurance Forms

Effective immediately employers need to request Income Continuation Insurance (ICI) booklets, claims packets or forms directly from CORE, INC. via e-mail at ICILTDI@COREINC.com or by calling 1-800-960-0052. Attached to this Bulletin you'll find an order form that can be faxed to CORE, INC. at (310) 348-7126. You can download a copy of the Income Continuation Insurance Forms/Booklets Order Form from ETF's Internet site, etf.wi.gov under Employer Forms and Brochures. United Wisconsin Insurance Company (UWIC) will no longer fill requests for these items.

ICI Employee Transaction Reports (ET-5901) must arrive at CORE, INC. Seven Days Before Check Date

CORE, INC. must receive the ICI Employee Transaction Reports (ET-5901) at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the check date. For example, for checks dated February 22, 2001, CORE, INC. must have the ICI Employee Transaction Report (ET-5901) prior to February 16, 2001. These reports may be sent to CORE, INC. via fax at (310) 348-7126, or mailed to CORE, INC at P.O. Box 451639, Los Angeles, CA 60045.

Update ICI Premiums on March Report

Local employers offering Income Continuation Insurance (ICI) must update payroll records and calculate new ICI monthly premiums, which will be effective March 1, 2001. The premiums are based on calendar year 2000 Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) earnings and the elimination period selected by each employee.

The updated premiums must be reported on your March 2001 Income Continuation Monthly Premium Report -- Local (ET-1629), which is due at the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2001. To obtain a copy of this form, contact CORE, INC. directly or you may download a copy from ETF's Internet site at etf.wi.gov under Employer Forms and Brochures.

Please write "Annual Review and Update Completed" on the bottom of your March 2001 report to indicate that you have completed this process. Use the following instructions to complete your review of ICI premiums. See also: Subchapter 608 of the Wisconsin Public Employers ICI Administration Manual (ET-1145).

1. Determine each insured employee's WRS earnings for 2000. If an employee was newly hired or had an interruption in earnings of three consecutive months or more, the WRS earnings for 12 months will be an estimate.
2. Verify that you are reporting employees by the correct elimination period.
3. Use the guidelines listed in the Wisconsin Public Employers ICI Administration Manual (ET-1145) to calculate the amount of the monthly premium for each employee (Chapter 4) and the employer contribution (Chapter 5). The premium rates in effect are attached to this Bulletin. Note: Premium rates have not changed since November 1, 1999.
4. The resulting total premiums will be the amount paid and reported beginning February 20, 2001 (for March 2001 coverage) and ending January 22, 2002 (for February 2002 coverage).

NOTE: When an employee has a permanent change in the percentage of appointment, such as a change from part-time to full-time employment, premiums must be adjusted at the time the change occurs.

If an adjustment was not made at the time the change in appointment occurred, payment of the additional premiums--or refund of overpaid premiums--should be made from the month of the change to the end of the calendar year on the report due February 20.

For more information, please contact the Employer Communication Center at (608) 264-7900.