State of California

  M E M O R A N D U M

  REFERENCE CODE:
  98-027

  DATE:
  June 24, 1998

  TO:
  Personnel Officers
  Personnel Transactions Supervisors
  Personnel Transactions Staff

  FROM:
  Department of Personnel Administration
  Benefits Division

  SUBJECT:
  Group Legal Services Plan Changes

  CONTACT:
  Marie Pereira, Personnel Management Analyst
  (916) 324-9365, CALNET 454-9365
  FAX: (916) 322-3769
  OFFICE VISION: DPA(MariePereira)
  INTERNET: MariePereira@DPA.CA.GOV


  This memo provides information on the name change for our 
  current Group Legal Services Plan carrier, use of one 
  convenient toll free phone number to handle all customer 
  service needs, and expanded hours of coverage for the 
  customer service center.
  
  
  CARRIER NAME CHANGE
  
  Effective July 1, 1998, our carrier for the State's Group 
  Legal Services Plan, Midwest Legal Services, Inc., (MLS) is 
  changing its name to the ARAG ( Group.  In 1989, MLS was 
  purchased by the ARAG ( Group which is a German-based 
  company that provides legal insurance throughout the world.  
  Until now, MLS and ARAG ( have maintained separate 
  identities.  Nothing is changing but the name.  The company 
  will continue to be an industry leader with a strong 
  commitment to providing outstanding quality service and 
  access to professional legal advice for our plan members.  
  The new name will reflect their growth as not only a 
  national, but global company.  The new web site address is 
  
  All current enrollment forms will still be accepted by the 
  State Controller's Office and by ARAG ( Group.  Please 
  continue to exhaust current supplies when enrolling newly 
  eligible employees.  Before the end of the year, the ARAG ( 
  Group will have all new communication materials and 
  enrollment forms, which will be available before the next 
  open enrollment period in March/April 1999.
   
  CUSTOMER SERVICE
  
  Currently, plan members can use two separate toll free 
  numbers, one for accessing legal telephone advice, and one 
  for customer service. Beginning July 1, 1998, ARAG( Group 
  will be offering easier access to services with one phone 
  number and expanded office hours to better serve plan 
  members.  On July 1, 1998, members will call (800) 247-4184 
  for assistance.  (Note: both of the current numbers will 
  remain active for several months.  Thereafter, the second 
  line will be dropped and a message will instruct the plan 
  member which number to call.)  The new customer service 
  line hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central 
  Standard Time (5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time).
  
  
  EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION
  
  In late August or September 1998 the ARAG ( Group will send 
  a letter, directly to all plan members' home addresses, 
  explaining the changes.  Employees will also be given a new 
  identification card and an updated attorney listing.
  
  We appreciate your continued assistance in explaining the 
  Group Legal Services Plan to your employees and processing 
  the enrollment documents on a timely basis.  If you have 
  any questions regarding this memo, you may call Susan Wong 
  at (916) 324-9378, CALNET 454-9378, internet 
  CALNET 454-9365, internet mariepereira@dpa.ca.gov.
  
  
  
  Kathie Vaughn, Chief
  Benefits Division