Certain changes in your staff member status, such as going on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP) and separation from service, will end your health insurance coverage. However, as a paying member, you have the option to extend your medical coverage, including for your currently enrolled family members, under specific conditions. Coverage extension is only available to insured staff members and insured family members as a direct continuation of their existing coverage. 

In case you do not wish to extend your coverage for the period of SLWOP, upon your return, your dental and optical credit balance will be set as for new members, i.e. in the first calendar year, calculation will be done pro rata on a monthly basis and the credits of upcoming months may not be used in advance.

If you are retiring at the end of your SLWOP, an extension of your coverage during SLWOP will be a prerequisite to be eligible for After Service Health Insurance (ASHI) during retirement. ASHI is only available as a continuation of your previous active-service coverage in a contributory health insurance plan of the United Nations, without any interruption between your active-service and retirement status.

Before the beginning of SLWOP 

Find below a summary regarding the administrative formalities to follow if you go on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP) and opt to retain your insurance coverage for the entire period.

• Once HR approves your SLWOP, you need to contact UNSMIS (unsmisaffiliations@un.org) before commencing your SLWOP to request the extension of your coverage.
• UNSMIS will calculate the monthly premium amount based on your last payslip deduction.
• You will have to pay both your share and the Organization’s share during SLWOP.
• Payment in monthly instalments is not allowed, you must pay the full contribution amount at once and in advance, before leaving the Organization. 

An additional extension beyond the initially requested period is possible only in case your SLWOP is further extended beyond its original end date. Failure to secure health insurance coverage during SLWOP automatically forfeits the possibility to apply for coverage in the event SLWOP is extended. 

Upon your return from SLWOP 

Upon your return to work following your SLWOP, re-enrollment is not automatic (except for UNHCR employees).

• If your organization uses Umoja, you have 31 days from your return to complete the necessary steps in Umoja ESS.
• For insured members of member Organizations that do not utilize Umoja, it is necessary to request re-enrollment by submitting the standard affiliation form to your HR focal point within 31 days of your return. If you do not comply with the 31-day deadline, you may take action to cover yourself and any eligible family members during the annual enrollment campaign.
• If you are employed by UNHCR, your re-enrollment will be automatic upon returning to work, requiring no further action on your part. 

If you return from SLWOP earlier than expected, resulting in an overpayment, you may contact us by email (unsmisaffiliations@un.org) to recover the amount you paid in advance for the period.