Healthcare Information

 

Fellow Spirit ALPA Pilots,

 

Your MEC is dedicated to assisting pilots with timely information on the status and availability of the health and welfare benefits that were offered by the Company. The following information is what is known at the time of this communication and may change as more information becomes available. Please note that the information in this communication does not constitute financial advice or tax guidance.

You are now the advocate of your own healthcare.

 

The Company announced a shutdown on May 2, 2026. When flight operations ceased, all non-management pilots and their benefits were terminated. Here is what this means as of today:

Medical (including prescription), Dental, and Vision Coverage Status

• The Company has 14 days from the date benefits ended to provide your COBRA eligibility to Inspira.
• Until the Company provides COBRA eligibility, plans will appear as active in the insurance carriers’ portals and systems. Your access to care is there, but proceed with caution (see below).
• Once COBRA notification has been transmitted to Inspira coverage will be retroactively terminated to May 2, 2026, and any care received in the interim will be denied and billed directly to you. This means you will be financially responsible for all costs/bills associated with care obtained after May 2, 2026, even if the plan is appearing as active.

COBRA Eligibility

• Check the Inspira website for your COBRA eligibility to appear. If you do not see access to enroll in COBRA by May 16, 2026, contact Spirit HR.
• Do not call Inspira to inquire about COBRA until you have verified you are eligible on their website. Inspira is unable to make any exceptions to allow COBRA eligibility; the Company drives this process.
• When you can confirm COBRA eligibility, also ensure family members and covered dependents previously covered by the medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending plans are listed as eligible beneficiaries for COBRA coverage.
• At this time, COBRA coverage will only be available until May 31, 2026.

The COBRA Process

• Your COBRA offer will only include plans that you were enrolled in before the shutdown or plans of equal or lesser value. You may not elect a higher benefit plan or a new benefit plan.
• You have 60 days to elect COBRA coverage.
• Your cost for COBRA coverage will be the Pilot plus Company parts of the monthly premium, plus a 2% administrative fee.
• Electing COBRA will not automatically restore coverage; Inspria has to notify the insurance carriers of COBRA elections, and this process may take up to 30 days.
• If you elect COBRA and do not pay for coverage, benefits retroactively terminate May 2, 2026.

• The termination of the Spirit benefit plans has generated a Special Enrollment opportunity; you have options. Depending on the path you wish to follow the Special Enrollment period will last between 30 and 60 days. Be mindful of the deadline for enrollment when choosing replacement coverage.
• If you have a spouse or domestic partner who has other coverage available through their employer, find out if your loss of coverage qualifies as an enrollment life event. 
   
  • Be prepared to provide proof of loss of coverage as requested. Typically, a copy of the COBRA offer letter is sufficient, but other documents may be allowed. 
     
• If you do not have access to other coverage through a spouse or domestic partner, you may obtain coverage individually through the Marketplace, Healthcare.gov, or purchase coverage directly from an insurance carrier in your state (BCBS, UHC, Aetna, Cigna, etc.).
   
  • You may be asked about your previous year’s income when applying for coverage through the Marketplace. This question determines whether you qualify for a subsidy.
     
  • Whether you purchase coverage though the Marketplace or as an individual you will be required to show proof of loss of coverage. The insurance carrier will advise what document(s) qualify as proof of loss of coverage.

• The HSA plan is not eligible to be extended under COBRA, and contributions cease on your last pay. You own your HSA plan. Whether you choose to leave your funds in the current account or move them to a new vendor you will most likely incur a monthly maintenance fee. Be on the lookout for communication directly from the HSA vendor for next steps to maintain your account.
• If you qualify, you may open a new HSA account or transfer funds in your current account, please note you are limited in the amount you may contribute to this account for the remainder of 2026, based on the number of months left in the year. Your local bank or retirement plan vendor may be able to assist you in making decisions that meet your financial needs.
• The HRA plan funds are technically, no longer available. Your HRA debit card may or may not work. It is prudent to assume that the card will be retroactively terminated on May 2, 2026. The Company owns these funds and chooses how and when funds are available.
• The FSA and Dependent Care Accounts are technically terminated, and may be treated as COBRA elections with a 2% administrative fee.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

• The STD and LTD plans terminated as of May 2, 2026.
• If your claim for STD or LTD is in a paid benefit status, payments will continue as long as you continue to meet the qualifying guidelines as disabled.
• STD claims will not be converted to LTD claims.
• STD and LTD claims in process will most likely terminate.
• New STD and LTD claims will not be accepted regardless of the date of disability.

Supplemental Pilot Paid Benefits

These benefits ceased as of May 2, 2026. If you wish to continue benefits, you may do so by contacting the following providers for the specific benefit:

For Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity AFLAC Benefits you can continue these benefits by remitting payment directly to AFLAC. Call AFLAC at 1-800-443-3036. You must keep your policy current, or it may be terminated. AFLAC also has a portability feature where you can convert the group policy to an individual policy. This must be completed within 31 days by calling AFLAC at 1- 800.443.3036.

For Supplemental Life Insurance by UNUM, you can utilize the portability or conversion to continue your Supplemental Life Insurance by contacting HR for an application. We also recommend contacting UNUM at 1.800.343.5406. For Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage by Zurich, you can convert your supplemental policy to an individual policy by contacting Zurich directly. You can logon to the Zurich AD&D conversion website at: https://enroll.zurichna.com/conversion. You can also call Zurich at 1.888.634.6780, Option 2.

As a last note, remember that you are your own advocate for your healthcare and your healthcare insurance coverage at this time. Be mindful of all requests and deadlines to ensure you secure and maintain the benefits that meet your specific needs.

We recognize how painful this time may be for you. More information will follow soon—spa.alpa.org is your primary source of information.