I attended the California Peace Officers’ Memorial this past month as I have for several years. The memorial serves as a reminder of the dangers we face in the law enforcement professions and gives a formal venue to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our communities. As we honor the fallen, we also focus on making sure the families of those officers are cared for.

Our law enforcement unions were originally formed as benevolent organizations designed to take care of our widowed families. Although our missions have evolved over the years to include negotiating benefits and delving into the political fray, we should never lose focus of our original mission of taking care of our members and their families. PORAC maintains this focus through its various trusts, which are designed to provide assistance to our members. The motto “cops working for cops” also included working for our families.

The Insurance and Benefits Trust of PORAC is committed to the mission by taking are of our members and their families. It’s our goal to provide the best benefits possible. Whether it’s through our medical plans, disability plans or life insurance, we are here to provide peace of mind that you and your family are taken care of. The trust is governed by eight elected trustees, who are active law enforcement officers from the PORAC regions.

One of the areas we serve our members is disability insurance. It’s often misunderstood and sometimes overlooked. I wanted to give a brief explanation of how to apply and what to expect in the process.

How to Submit a Claim

Submitting a claim with the IBT is straightforward, and there are several ways you can obtain the necessary claim submission packet:

• Contact your association’s HR department
• Call the IBT at (800) 655-6397 and select Option 2 for Disability
• Email the IBT at lifeanddisability@ibtofporac.org
• Email Damon Kurtz, Association Retention & Recruitment Manager, at dkurtz@ibtofporac.org

Once you’ve received the claim submission packet, it’s important to carefully review all of the requested items. In February 1960, The Folsom Police Department became the very first agency to enter into the POST program! This will ensure that you understand what information is needed to move the process forward. This is usually the most frustrating part as there are several required documents. The IBT is regulated by the state and documentation cannot be avoided.

What Happens After You Submit Your Claim?

Once your claim documents have been submitted to the IBT, you will be contacted by our Disability Administrative Assistant, who will inform you about your assigned Disability Analyst and the next steps in the process. These include:

• Acknowledgment: Within 10 days of receiving your completed claim forms, you will receive an acknowledgment letter from your assigned Disability Analyst confirming receipt of your claim.
• Claim Review: Your assigned Disability Analyst will thoroughly review the information you’ve submitted. Depending on the complexity of your claim and the timeliness of any additional requested documentation (especially if a Workers’ Compensation claim is involved), this review period may vary.
• Decision Notification: Once the review is complete, your Disability Analyst will notify you about the outcome of your claim. If your claim is approved, you will receive a letter detailing your benefit payments. If further information is required, or if your claim is denied, you will be provided with the necessary instructions and information to provide additional documentation or submit an appeal.

To help address common questions, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions regarding disability coverage on our website’s STD & LTD Facts and Questions page.

Associations can also reach out to me attend your association’s next board/membership meeting. This provides the opportunity for an in-person Q&A session regarding the STD and LTD offerings.

Damon Kurtz

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Featured in the June 2025 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.

Why PORAC Has Continually Trusted California Casualty Since 1969.

When disaster strikes, our members need an insurance partner that stands by them every step of the way. In the wake of the devastating Southern California wildfires, California Casualty’s swift and compassionate response reaffirmed its commitment to those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

A Crisis That Tested Resilience

The January wildfires tore through Southern California, leaving thousands of families displaced and communities forever changed. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, and healthcare professionals—many of whom were both responders and victims—found themselves in urgent need of support.

While the destruction was immense, California Casualty strived to exceed expectations of its policyholders and the California Department of Insurance (CDI), ensuring fast, fair, and compassionate claims handling.

Immediate Action & Unwavering Support

From the first moments of the Palisades Fire, California Casualty proactively reached out to impacted customers, offering guidance, reassurance, and emergency assistance. Customers were met with more than just policy expertise—they were met with genuine care.

How California Casualty Delivered in the Aftermath

• Proactive Outreach: Personal calls to hundreds of policyholders, ensuring they had the support and resources they needed.
• Fast Claims Processing: 241 auto and home claims handled with urgency, with 44% already closed as of March 8, 2025.
• Immediate Financial Assistance: Over $40.6 million already paid to help families rebuild their lives.
• No-Hassle Payments: Accelerated initial contents payments so customers could immediately replace essential daily items.
• Comprehensive Support: Assistance with temporary housing, smoke remediation, structural repairs, and quick payments to expedite a new home purchase when rebuilding wasn’t an option.

Going Beyond Insurance — A Commitment to Community

California Casualty’s dedication went far beyond claims. They actively contributed to wildfire relief efforts by supporting essential local organizations like the POREF Wildfire Fund as well as countless others.

Additionally, California Casualty field representatives personally delivered relief supplies, provided preparedness guides at community events, and ensured that those on the front lines received the support they needed.

People Over Policies

Our members deserve an insurance provider that prioritizes the satisfaction of its policyholders—one that responds with urgency, compassion, and solutions.

California Casualty has proven time and again that they are more than just an insurer. They are a trusted partner who stands by those who serve, ensuring that in moments of crisis, no one is left to navigate recovery alone.

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Featured in the May 2025 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.

The Insurance and Benefits Trust of PORAC (IBT) offers comprehensive HMO and PPO dental coverage through Delta Dental to our retired members. Dental health is crucial to your overall well-being. Healthy teeth and gums are vital not only for maintaining a beautiful smile but also for ensuring overall health. Poor dental hygiene can lead to a host of issues that go beyond toothaches or cavities. These problems can contribute to more serious health concerns such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Therefore, prioritizing dental health is essential for a long, healthy life.

Steps you can take to maintain your dental health include:

1. Brushing your teeth daily. Brushing daily helps to remove plaque buildup, which can cause tooth decay. It is recommended you use a toothpaste with fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent cavities by strengthening your enamel, the hard outer casing of your teeth.
2. Floss your teeth daily. Flossing is a great way to reach the hard to get to crevices between your teeth to remove plaque and food particles. ¹
3. Schedule regular dental cleanings. The IBT offerings of HMO and PPO plans through Delta Dental offer you the opportunity to see qualified dentists throughout the United States.

The IBT has partnered with Delta Dental for many years, offering a broad network of in-network dentists. The Delta Dental plan covers a range of benefits designed to address both routine and more complex dental care needs to ensure members have the support they need for long-term dental health.

Below is a brief comparison of some of the features under the Delta Dental PPO and HMO plans:

Plan Feature	Delta Dental PPO	DeltaCare USA
Can I go to any dentist?	You can visit any licensed dentist to receive coverage, but you’ll save the most at an in-network dentist.	You can visit any dentist from the DeltaCare USA network of certified dentists and dental offices.
What procedures are covered?	Wide range of covered services with no exclusions for most pre-existing conditions. Preventative care is offered at low or no cost.	Plan covers hundreds of procedures with low or no cost on most preventative care. No annual limit on the amount the plan pays.
What if I need to see a specialist?	You do not need a referral from your dentist.	Your dentist will refer you to an in-network specialist.
Are there deductibles and maximums?	Deductibles and annual maximums apply.	No annual deductible or annual maximums apply.

If you are interested in the Delta Dental plans, you can contact an IBT Insurance Service Representatives by calling our office at (800) 655-6397, and selecting Option 1 for Health Plan Members, and Option 1 again for Enrollment/Eligibility. You can also visit the IBT’s Dental page to learn more.

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Featured in the April 2025 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.

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It’s important that you periodically review your insurances to ensure you and your family’s needs are being met and protected. One often overlooked insurance is life insurance. Life insurance is designed to offer you peace of mind that your loved ones will be financially safeguarded should something happen to you. Life insurance provides a payout, commonly referred to as a death benefit, to beneficiaries upon the policyholder’s death.

The death benefit can cover a multitude of expenses, including funeral costs, debts, mortgages, and daily living expenses. The burden of these expenses could fall solely on the surviving family members if there’s no life insurance policy in place. The cost of these expenses could potentially put your loved ones in a difficult financial situation.

The Insurance and Benefits Trust of PORAC (IBT) has partnered with MetLife to provide Supplemental Term Life insurance as well as Accidental Death insurance. These coverages can help alleviate any financials strain your family may face as a result of your untimely passing.

Supplemental Term Life Insurance

While the MetLife plan allows for purchasing additional term life insurance that works in conjuncture with your employer-provided coverage, it offers many additional benefits. The supplemental term life plan, at no extra cost, provides the following:

1. Will Preparation You and your family have access to MetLife Legal plan attorneys to prepare/update a will, living will or power of attorney.
2. Estate Resolution Services You and your family have access to participating MetLife Legal plan attorneys to settle your estate.
3. Grief Counseling Provides up to five counseling sessions with a licensed grief counselor.

Accidental Death Insurance

You may consider adding accidental death coverage to your life plan. Accidental death coverage works in addition to your life plan by covering you 24/7, 365 days a year. Accidental death insurance cover loss of life in the event of a fatal accident.

Life and accidental death insurances offer critical financial protection to your family and helps to ensure their future is secure, regardless of life’s uncertainties. Knowing that family members will be taken care of financially in the event of an unexpected death can reduce stress and anxiety about the future. Life insurance helps people focus on enjoying life in the present without worrying about the financial burdens their loved ones might face in the future.

To learn more about the IBT sponsored life and accidental death insurance please call Damon Kurtz, Association Retention and Recruitment Manager, at (559) 978-8065 or reach out to him via email at dkurtz@ibtofporac.org. You can also learn more by vising the IBT’s Disability, Life and AD&D page.

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Featured in the March 2025 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.

The Insurance and Benefits Trust of PORAC (IBT) offers comprehensive vision coverage through VSP for retired members and active employees whose Association have opted into the IBT sponsored vision plan. Vision health is essential for maintaining a high quality of life. Your vision directly impacts all your daily activities such as reading, driving, and interacting with the world around you. The ability to see clearly is often taken for granted, yet your eyes are constantly exposed to stressors that can impact their function over time. As you age or face environmental factors, maintaining good vision health becomes an increasingly important aspect of your overall well-being.

Most people don’t often think of their eyes when it comes to taking care of their health. But according to the CDC, approximately 12 million people over 40 have some kind of vision impairment in the US and this number is predicted to more than double by 2050.¹ With such a significant increase on the horizon, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to care for your eyes and preserve your vision.

The IBT sponsored VSP plan makes it easier to prioritize your eye health by providing access to a yearly WellVision Exam. Regular eye exams are not only important for checking for vision changes but can also help detect underlying health conditions. Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can begin to affect the eyes in their early stages.² Annual exams through the VSP plan can help identify these issues early, allowing for timely intervention and treatment. The plan also covers essential medical eye care, such as exams and services to monitor ongoing conditions like diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, and other serious eye health concerns.

VSP has been a trusted partner of the IBT for many years, offering a broad network of in-network optometrists and services. The VSP plan covers a range of benefits designed to address both routine and more complex eye care needs to ensure members have the support they need for long-term vision health.

Below is a brief summary of some of the more common benefits covered under the VSP Plan:

If you are interested in the VSP vision plan, you can contact the IBT at (800) 655-6397 to speak with one of our Insurance Service Representatives. You can also visit the IBT’s Vision page to learn more about the additional benefits offered through VSP to participating plan members.

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Featured in the February 2025 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.

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At the Insurance and Benefits Trust (IBT), we are committed to improving the lives of our members by providing comprehensive insurance solutions. As a company focused on customer care and delivering tailored benefits, we understand the importance of adapting our services to meet the evolving needs of our members and their families. In this spirit, we are thrilled to begin the new year by expanding our Disability and Health departments to include a combination of expanded administrative services and additional staff all dedicated to ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience for our members.

We believe that the strength of our company lies in the expertise and passion of our team. In order to better serve our members, we are proud to welcome several new members to our team, each bringing specialized knowledge and experience to the table.

Our expanded staff in our Health department will ensure that we are now able to assist you more efficiently and ensure that your questions are answered promptly. Whether you need help with your insurance plan, have a question about claims, or need support with any of our services, our team is ready and eager to provide the assistance you need.

In addition, the IBT has expanded our Disability and Accounting departments to assist with bringing the administrative duties from Myers-Stevens & Toohey in-house. By managing key functions such as claims processing, policy administration, and customer support directly within the IBT, we can streamline operations for our Disability and Life insurance plans. This shift allows us to have greater control over the quality and accuracy of the services we provide, ensuring that your insurance plans are handled with the utmost care and attention to detail. Additionally, it enhances our ability to monitor and improve the overall customer experience, allowing us to make quicker adjustments and offer more personalized solutions.

At the IBT, our mission is simple: to provide accessible, reliable, and tailored insurance solutions that meet the diverse needs of our members. By introducing dedicated staff and expanding our services, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that you receive the best care, protection, and support possible. We look forward to continuing to serve you with excellence and to growing alongside you as your trusted partner.

If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you every step of the way! The IBT can be reached at (800) 655-6397.

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Featured in the December 2024 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.

The Insurance and Benefits Trust regularly review Short and Long Term Disability plan rates to ensure high standards for members at an affordable cost.

Following extensive deliberation and negotiations with MetLife, and after thorough discussion, the Board of Trustees approved a rate increase during the September IBT Meeting.

It was determined that, effective January 1, 2025, nearly all Short and Long Term Disability plans will experience a modest rate increase of $2.00 or less per month. This adjustment helps maintain the quality and sustainability of these benefits for members.

Safety Plans Effective 1/1/2025

Plan	Rate	Change in Rate
Silver	$18.50	No Change
Gold	$31.50	+$1.80
Platinum	$36.00	+$2.00

Non-Safety Plans Effective 1/1/2025

Plan	Rate	Change in Rate
Gold	$22.80	+$1.30
Platinum	$26.000	+$1.50

Disability can have a profound financial impact on you and your family. While some may manage without income for a short period, few can sustain this over the long term. Planning for such situations is essential to maintaining your family’s financial security and well-being.

The IBT’s Short and Long Term Disability plans offer associations and their members a unique combination of affordability, comprehensive benefits, and outstanding long-term financial stability.

Associations have the option of several group plans to choose to implement and best meet their specific needs. You can join the over 22,000 participating members from 192 associations is securing you and your family’s financial well-being.

Currently the IBT has a dedicated in-house staff to process claims, and beginning January 1, 2025 will bring additional administrative duties in-house. We are here to answer any questions you may have about coverage or the upcoming rate changes. You can contact the Insurance and Benefits Trust at (800) 655-6397.

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Featured in the December 2024 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.

For years now, the Insurance & Benefits Trust (IBT) has been providing PORAC members with exceptional benefits designed by peace officers for peace officers. These benefits provide comprehensive coverage and affordable insurance products for our member participants.

As open enrollment has drawn to a close, the IBT would like to take a moment to review contact information with our members new and old on the coverages available.

Any Health Plan inquiries members have can be directed to the IBT directly by calling (800) 655-6397, and selecting Option 1 for Health Plan Members. We have a dedicated in-house staff whose sole purpose is to assist our members with any issues that may arise when using the Police & Fire Health Plan – including but not limited to: plan coverage and billing questions, Coordination of Benefits questionnaires, replacement insurance cards, and much more.

For concerns regarding pharmacy coverage, members can contact CarelonRX at (833) 261-2460. This is the pharmacy benefits manager the IBT and Anthem have partnered with to provide prescription coverages to members.

The IBT also offers dental and vision coverage through Delta Dental and VSP respectively. Vision coverage is available for active employees and a dental/vision package is available for Retired Associate Members. Delta Dental offers retired members a HMO or PPO plan of their choosing. Any concerns member have regarding dental coverage can be directed to Delta Dental at (800) 765-6003 and any concerns regarding vision can be directed to VSP at (800) 877-7195.

In addition, the IBT has also partnered with California Casualty to provide auto and homeowners insurance plans for our members. California Casualty offers unique coverage, exceptional service and member-only rates you cannot get through companies that insure the general public. Members can reach California Casualty by calling (833) 989-3898.

The IBT also provides a variety of supplemental insurance plans administered by AFLAC. These supplemental plans are designed to assist in offsetting the costs of medical expenses and pay benefits directly to the employees. The plans include Accident Advantage, Critical Care Protection, Cancer Protection Assurance and Hospital Choice. Aflac can be contacted by dialing (858) 344-4331.

Currently, Myers-Stevens & Toohey manages disability and life programs on behalf of the IBT. They can be contacted at (800) 827-4695. As communicated previously, there will be a change to administrative duties with regard to these plans. As we approach January 2025, the IBT will fully manage the disability and life programs in-house. During this transition, feel free to reach out to Damon Kurtz, Association Retention and Recruitment Manager, with any questions. You can reach him by email at dkurtz@ibtofporac.org or by calling (559) 978-8065.

As always, the IBT remains committed to providing quality products and services to all its members through our business partners and we will continue to find ways to enhance these products and services to best suit our member’s needs. For a more in depth look at all coverages offered visit the IBT’s site at ibtofporac.org.

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Featured in the November 2024 issue of PORAC Law Enforcement News.