What you should do when a loved one dies

BY IRENE CARD AND BETSY CHANDLER

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE

This column is being reprinted because of numerous requests. It has been several years since we wrote and published this but we have received numerous calls asking us to do it again. You may wish to print this out and save it. Though you may not wish to think about it, there are certain procedures that should be followed when a loved one dies. This column will address some of the items that should be taken into consideration at this most difficult time.

You should send a letter to all of the insurance companies with whom the deceased had insurance: health, life, disability, auto etc. Be sure to indicate the policy number, identification number, and the insured's full name as it appears on the policy. Give them the date of death and ask them to send you a premium refund for the remaining unused portion of the premium.

Social Security must be notified. Their number is 1-800-772-1213. If the deceased was on Medicare, this call will enable Social Security to notify the Medicare carrier of the date of death. This call will also start the process for obtaining the Social Security spousal death benefit, which is presently $255.00.

Health insurance companies, in most cases, do not require a copy of the death certificate, (which is given to you by the doctor). To collect on a life insurance policy, you must send a certified copy of the death certificate.

Bills against the estate must be submitted to the Executrix/tor or attorney handling the estate within six months after the death providing that the "Rule Limiting Creditor's" has been established. If this has been set up, notice of the death will be published in the newspapers, and creditors are thereby given notice that they have six months to submit bills etc. This makes it easier for the family to be able to settle the estate without having to worry that after it is all settled they will be hit with more bills or sued. If this has not been set up, the regular statute of limitation applies, which is approximately six or seven years. To set this up, contact the Surrogate's Office in your area, or the attorney handling the estate.

Next week's column will give you a checklist for the responsible person surviving a death.

Irene Card & Betsy Chandler are both licensed insurance professionals working at MIC Insurance Services, a health insurance services company. If you have questions relative to this column or other related topics, we invite you to call (973) 492-2828, browse our past columns on our web site at www.micinsurance.com.