Alright, here’s the deal with the Plan’s Shortage of Hours rules: make your payment on time, and everything hums along smoothly. Miss the payment, or send it late, and you’ve lost a small but predictable opportunity to maintain uninterrupted coverage under the Health and Benefit Plan.
It’s not catastrophic — COBRA exists for a reason — but you might see this article for what it is: a gentle nudge, a chance to notice that paying attention and timing matters, and that both are entirely within your control.
There’s Nothing Heroic About Ignoring Six Months of Repeated Warnings
Again, payments must arrive at the Plan Office by the due date. And when I say, “due date,” I don’t mean casually mentioned once in passing. No — we’ve listed it so many times, in so many places, that it’s practically become a chant, or a mantra echoing from 7200 Mississippi Street. For the smart, it’s like following the glow of the star atop the Christmas tree — guiding them straight to where they need to be. Others? Who knows. I suspect that they think we were summoning a deity, or “manifesting” a miracle, not reminding them of a very important date.
And just to make absolutely sure no one missed it, we’ve plastered that date everywhere — on the billing notice mailed to you recently, in every monthly newsletter since June, or right there on the front page of the Fund’s website for the past six months. In many cases, it’s appeared in both places at once, like tinsel on a tree that somehow keeps multiplying. Oh, and let’s not forget the explanation of benefits we issued to you… just saying. Basically, if dates were Christmas lights, this one is practically blinding.
So, if you miss it, it’s not because we didn’t try. You literally had multiple, repeated, glaring opportunities to know the deadline.
And let’s be honest — “I forgot”? Yeah, that’s not even in the running for a good excuse. “I lost the notice”? Even worse. You’ve got pay stubs, newsletters, the SPD, the website — or, for the truly brave, a quick call to the Fund Office.
So…., claiming ignorance at this point is like strolling into a courtroom dressed as a giant candy cane, juggling flaming torches, and asking the judge for sympathy. Cute? No. Slightly horrifying? Absolutely. Persuasive? Not in the slightest.
Here’s the thing: everyone who’s ran into a shortage of hours situation this time around isn’t new. None of them. The rules haven’t changed in years. So, if you’re one and thinking of claiming ignorance — think again. You’re not a rookie, and these aren’t secret rules written in invisible ink.
An Astonishing Level of Optimism
And for the record, asking the Board to accept a late payment now is like running to the gate after the plane’s left and yelling, “But I really needed this flight!” Sure, that’s inconvenient for you, but do you expect them to delay everyone else? Call the plane back? What exactly do you think fairness looks like in that scenario? Deadlines exist for a reason. They’re not arbitrary. They’re there to keep things running for everyone.
What’s the Smart Money Betting On?
Oh, come on — it’s betting on déjà vu. The same folks, the same deadline, the same cinematic rerun of ‘Whoops, I Forgot’ – in short, the same predictable miss. It’s these individual’s pattern. A habit so well-rehearsed it becomes performance art.
Unfortunately, it’s the kind of performance art you walk past briskly, eyes averted — because really, why bother? There’s nothing remotely fascinating about it, nor anything compelling enough to make you pause and wonder.
Why do we say that? First, because it’s true. Secondly, and more importantly, here’s the thing about patterns: they can be rewritten at any time. You can choose to show up early, to lean in, to make the small promise — and keep it. Or, not. Just remember, professionalism and providing coverage for you and your family isn’t about remembering the deadline; it’s about caring enough not to forget.
But imagine the impossible — you pay on time. The Fund Office gasps. Angels sing. Somewhere, Warren Buffett raises an eyebrow in approval. Civilization lurches forward an inch.
So yes — the bet’s against you. But for once, maybe shock the bookies. Pay on time. Be the year end plot twist 2025 didn’t see coming.