FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER CANCER BENEFIT PROGRAM
Frequently Asked Questions
Background of the Cancer Benefit Program (the Program) sponsored
by the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT)
Q. Why did FMIT partner with Chubb to offer a cancer benefit Program for eligible Florida
firefighters?
A. FMIT’s Florida Firefighter Cancer Benefit Program will help all local government employers of
firefighters in several keyways. First, employers can instantly comply with the significant
lumpsum benefit requirement of the new Law and reduce its related financial burden.
Employers will also obtain lower pricing through FMIT’s group purchasing platform. Additionally,
FMIT’s partnership with Chubb provides employers with seamless benefit administration. Chubb
is a leading provider of employee benefits is an experienced leader in providing best-in-class
cancer plan administration.
Q. Is the Program available for all eligible employed, full-time firefighters?
A. Yes, provided they satisfy the law’s required term of employment.
Q. Is the Program available for volunteer firefighters?
A. No.
Q. Is the FMIT/Chubb Program the only source of insurance compliant with the Law?
A. Florida Statutes § 112.1816 (the Law) allows for other sources of insurance provided they are
approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation as being compliant with the Law.
Purpose of the Program
Q. What is the purpose of the Program?
A. The Program provides coverage that pays a $25,000 lump-sum benefit to eligible firefighters
when diagnosed with a specified cancer, as mandated under the Law. The Program also
provides an optional $75,000 death benefit.
Q. What is the effective date of the coverage under the Law?
A. Coverage began on July 1, 2019
Q. Who should pay for the insurance coverage under the Law?
A. The Law requires the local governmental employer to provide the benefits, directly or through
insurance such as this Program
Q. What cancers are covered under the Law?
A. The Law specifically lists 21 types of cancer compensable under the Law:
FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER CANCER BENEFIT PROGRAM
1. Bladder cancer
2. Brain cancer
3. Breast cancer
4. Cervical cancer
5. Colon cancer
6. Esophageal cancer
7. Invasive skin cancer
8. Kidney cancer
9. Large intestinal cancer
10. Lung cancer
11. Malignant melanoma
12. Mesothelioma
13. Multiple myeloma
14. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
15. Oral cavity and pharynx cancer
16. Ovarian cancer
17. Prostate cancer
18. Rectal cancer
19. Stomach cancer
20. Testicular cancer
21. Thyroid cancer.
Q. Does the Law specify a lump-sum benefit amount less than $25,000 for less invasive cancers?
A. With the exception of the Law’s requirement that skin cancer be “Invasive Skin Cancer” to
qualify, the $25,000 lump-sum benefit does not vary based on cancer severity.
Q. Are cancers diagnosed prior to the July 1, 2019 effective date covered by the Program?
A. No. Only cancers diagnosed on or after the effective date are covered. Additionally, the
firefighter must be eligible for coverage and enrolled in the Program’s coverage at the time of
diagnosis.
Compliance with the Law
Q. Is the government of Florida creating an insurance Program at the State level?
A. No. Any private insurance company offering a Program must be approved by the Florida Office
of Insurance Regulation.
Q. Has the FMIT/Chubb Program been approved by Florida regulators?
A. Yes. The FMIT/Chubb Program is compliant with the Law and approved by the Florida Office of
Insurance Regulation.
Q. How do I know if I am required to comply with the Law?
FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER CANCER BENEFIT PROGRAM
A. In the most basic terms, as a local governmental employer, if you employ eligible firefighters
then you are subject to the Law.
Q. I’ve determined that I am subject to the Law. How do I comply?
A. There are two methods: First, insurance coverage that complies with the Law can be purchased
via the Program or from another insurer. The insurance offered under the Program has been
specifically created to conform to the mandates of the Law. Alternatively, the local
governmental employer can attempt to create an internal process of directly receiving these
claims as they occur, approving eligibility and paying the lump-sum benefits directly to eligible
firefighters as required by the Law. Eligibility
Q. How does the Law define “firefighter”?
A. “Firefighter” means an individual employed as a full-time firefighter within the fire department
or public safety department of an employer whose primary responsibilities are the prevention
and extinguishing of fires; the protection of life and property; and the enforcement of municipal,
county, and state fire prevention codes and laws pertaining to the prevention and control of
fires.
Q. Is the Program available to all employed full-time firefighters?
A. A currently employed firefighter is eligible for coverage under the Program if the following
criteria are met:
a. The firefighter has been employed by his or her local government employer for at least
five continuous years as a full-time firefighter; and,
b. Has not used tobacco products for at least the preceding five years; and,
c. Has not been employed in any other position in the preceding five years which is proven
to create a higher risk for any cancer.
Q. Is a volunteer firefighter who has served as an employee firefighter for some part of the
required 5-year period eligible?
A. Eligible firefighters must have served as a full-time firefighter employee of the local government
employer for at least five continuous years. Firefighters who have served only on a volunteer-
firefighter basis are not eligible for the Program under the Law.
Q. Who is responsible for determining whether an employed full-time firefighter is eligible for
coverage under the Program?
A. The employer is responsible for determining whether a firefighter is eligible to participate in the
Program, and claims are subject to final review and approval by the Program.
Q. How is “employer” defined in the Law?
A. Following Florida Statute 112.191, the term “employer” means a state board, commission,
department, division, bureau or agency, or a county, municipality, or other political subdivision
of the state.
FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER CANCER BENEFIT PROGRAM
Q. Will a firefighter who satisfied the five-year service requirement prior to 7/1/19, in addition to
the other eligibility requirements, be covered under the Program as of 7/1/19?
A. Yes.
Q. If a firefighter satisfies the eligibility requirements after 7/1/19, when will their coverage be
effective under the Program?
A. Firefighters who satisfy the eligibility requirement after 7/1/19 will be added as a covered
firefighter the date they fulfill any missing eligibility requirements.
Q. Is the employer required to continue the lump-sum coverage when an eligible firefighter ends
employment in the fire service?
A. Yes. The employer must continue the lump-sum benefit for an eligible firefighter for 10 years
following his or her separation from the fire service.
Q. If a firefighter, covered under the Program, decides to leave the career service and becomes a
volunteer firefighter, is the firefighter eligible for coverage?
A. If and when firefighters satisfy the eligibility requirements of the Program, they are covered
under the continuation provision for 10 years following separation from the fire service.
However, to remain eligible, they must remain in their employer-sponsored health plan or group
health insurance trust fund and may not become employed as a firefighter subsequent to their
departure from the career service as noted in the question.
Q. If a newly active firefighter serves three years with one department, then moves to a second
department and satisfies the 5-year full-time employment eligibility requirements, which fire
department pays the benefit premium for the firefighter?
A. The firefighter’s current employer is responsible for premium payment. So, in this scenario, once
the firefighter accrues 5 years of service, the subsequent employer would be responsible for any
benefits owed under the Law.
Q. If a career firefighter is covered under the Program for a number of years with City of Sunflower,
separates from employment with the City of Sunflower for a period of time, and then returns to
firefighter service with City of Sunflower, does the firefighter need to re-satisfy eligibility
criteria?
A. The firefighter would be eligible for continuation coverage for up to 10 years from the date of
separation from City employment, provided they met the eligibility criteria for the Program
initially (we assume he or she did), and he or she was not subsequently employed as a firefighter
following the separation from City employment. He or she would not need to re-satisfy the
eligibility requirements upon return to full-time duty. Once the period of separation from City
employment exceeds 10 years, however, the firefighter would then have to re-establish
eligibility under the Program, including the 5-year period of continuous full-time firefighter
employment.
FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER CANCER BENEFIT PROGRAM
Q. An eligible firefighter separates from employment with the City of Sunflower and the employer
makes available the required 10-year continuation coverage under the Program. The firefighter
then returns to active service for a period of time. After a period of time, the firefighter leaves
the service a second time. Would the firefighter’s second continuation period be 10 years or the
balance of continuation?
A. The Law only mandates that a 10-year period of continuation be provided. Therefore, as long as
the firefighter continues to meet all eligibility requirements for the Program upon his or her
second separation, the second post-employment continuation period would necessarily be 10
years.
Q. When a covered firefighter separates from employment with one employer fire department and
moves to another with no break in service, is the prior employer fire department required to
continue coverage for 10 years?
A. The prior employer fire department is not required to continue coverage for 10 years for an
eligible firefighter who leaves and begins service as a firefighter with another employer fire
department without a break in service. The new employer fire department is required to
assume responsibility for assuring all firefighter eligibility requirements of the Law are met,
including providing any benefits owed under the Law and/or paying Program coverage
premiums for such newly hired firefighter.
Q. When a covered firefighter leaves one department and moves to another with a break in
service, is the prior department required to continue coverage for 10 years?
A. Yes, for up to 10 years unless the firefighter is re-employed as a firefighter sooner. In the case of
re-employment, continuation coverage would end upon re-employment.
Features of the FMIT/Chubb Program
Q. Is the Program compliant with the Law?
A. Yes. The Program provides a lump-sum benefit and death benefit that complies with the Law.
Q. Has the Office of Insurance Regulation approved the plan design and rates marketed under the
Program as compliant with the Law?
A. Yes. The Office of Insurance Regulation approved the Program’s plan and rates: The
FMIT/Chubb Program covers only the cancers listed in the Law
Q. Does the cost for each eligible firefighter vary by age, occupation, or other distinctions?
A. No. The annual cost for each eligible firefighter does not vary under the Program once a plan is
selected by the employer.
Q. Does the annual cost of the 10-year continuation coverage vary from the cost for employed full-
time firefighters?
A. The 10-year continuation coverage cost is the same as the cost for employed fulltime
firefighters.
FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER CANCER BENEFIT PROGRAM
Q. If a firefighter dies of cancer without filing a claim for the lump-sum benefit, would the benefit
still be paid?
A. Yes, provided the firefighter satisfied all eligibility requirements for coverage under the
Program. Premium Administration.
Q. Is the State of Florida paying for any of the employer’s costs for the Program?
A. No.
Q. How do I obtain a quote/proposal through the Program?
A. The employer will provide the Program a roster of eligible firefighters with name, date of birth
and date of hire. The Program will then send back a formal proposal. Any interested local
government employer may contact the Program at FF[email protected]om for more information.
Q. How is the premium calculated?
A. The premium is calculated based upon the number of eligible firefighters (both current full-time
employees and former full-time employees to be covered in the 10-year continuation coverage
group). The employer communicates to the Program the entire eligible firefighter roster and
plan option chosen under the Program. That number is then multiplied by the annual rate to
calculate premium.
Q. When are premiums due?
A. The Program works on an annual billing cycle with an October 1st effective date. Those
participating in the Program will receive an electronic invoice prior to October 1st. Premium is
due 30 days after receipt of the invoice.
Q. Where are premiums sent?
A. Participating governmental employers will remit premiums to FMIT once each year.
Claims Administration
Q. How does a firefighter submit a claim under the Program?
A. The claims submission process is provided below:
1. Upon diagnosis, the firefighter should contact Chubb for claim filing instructions; and to
obtain a claim form;
Chubb A&H Claims Contact Information
Policy Number PTP N18209834
Policy Name Florida Municipal Insurance Trust
Call: 800 336 0627
Email: ACEAandHClaims@Chubb.com
Mail: Chubb Insurance Company
PO Box 5124, Scranton, PA 18505-0556
FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER CANCER BENEFIT PROGRAM
2. For the lump-sum benefit, the firefighter will complete the First Diagnosis Cancer claim
form and submit to Chubb directly.
3. For the death benefit, the firefighter’s next of kin/beneficiary designate for the benefit
will complete the Cancer Death claim form;
4. The firefighter’s employer cannot complete and submit either form on behalf of the
firefighter,
3. Once the claim form is received, Chubb will review the master roster (database of
names of participating firefighters and their employer) to determine eligibility. If the
name appears on the master roster, Chubb then processes the claim;
4. If the name of the firefighter does not appear on the master roster, Chubb will contact
the employer to confirm eligibility of the firefighter;
5. Chubb will direct the firefighter to contact their oncologist for medical records
supporting the diagnosis;
6. If Chubb requires additional records, they will follow up with the attending physician for
any necessary medical records.
Q. Is FMIT involved in claim administration?
A. No. Chubb manages information received from firefighter claimants, the submitted and verified
rosters from the local government employer entity and medical records of the claimant’s
attending physician.
Questions Regarding the Program
Q. If I have Program questions, how do I contact the Program directly?
A. You may contact the Program directly by the following
1. For any questions via telephone toll free – 412-586-1427;
