Can Massachusetts employees be covered through a private plan?
Yes. Employers can apply for an exemption for Paid Medical Leave (and go through the state for the Paid Family Leave) or apply for an exemption for both Paid Medical Leave and Paid Family Leave. Unum will have solutions for both! Please contact your Unum representative to obtain the Declaration of Insurance that is required as part of the exemption application.
Once you have your Declaration of Insurance you can begin the exemption application process and through MassTaxConnect. Here is the link to get you started.
If you are offering a private plan only for the medical component of the MA PFML you are still responsible for collecting contributions for the Paid Family leave portion of the program and remitting these to the state by January 31, 2020 for the fourth quarter.
If you choose to self-insure you must work with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts directly to obtain a Declaration specific to self-insured plans as part of the exemption process. In addition, you must furnish a surety bond to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you are self-insuring please refer to the following bond requirements.
Disclaimer: This Declaration serves as an intent to have a private plan to replace either the Paid Medical Leave portion of the MA PFML program or the Paid Family and Medical Leave of the MA PFML program. You must work with your Unum representative to ensure that you have a private policy in place by 01/01/2021.
Unum is not currently offering standalone coverage for the Paid Family Leave component of the MA program.
If you apply for a private plan exemption and later choose to go through the state, you will be responsible for remitting retroactive premiums back to 10/01/2019.