NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 63
Former Player Life Improvement Plan


  • Section 1. Maintenance
    (a)

    The current terms of the Former Player Life Improvement Plan (“FPLIP”), will be continued and maintained in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement, except as amended below. The FPLIP, and all past and future amendments thereto as adopted in accordance with the terms of the FPLIP, are incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement, provided, however, that the terms used in the FPLIP and definitions of such terms are applicable only to the FPLIP and shall have no applicability to the Agreement unless the context of this Agreement specifically mandates the use of such terms.

  • Section 2. Joint Replacements

    The Joint Replacement benefit shall be continued under the FPLIP. Different levels of benefits are provided to eligible former players depending on whether they are covered by medical insurance.

    (a)

    Former players covered by medical insurance will be entitled to the lesser of $5,250 ($10,500 in the case of a bilateral procedure) or the former player’s co-insurance for health care items and services related to the joint replacement surgery, provided the expense was incurred within one year of the former player’s surgery and would be eligible for payment under the NFL Player Insurance Plan.

    (b)

    If a former player is not covered by insurance and qualifies to receive charitable care from the NFL Player Care Foundation under the charitable care standards established and interpreted by the NFL Player Care Foundation’s board of directors (to the extent the NFL Player Care Foundation continues to provide such charitable care to former NFL players), the former player will be treated at a participating healthcare facility qualified to perform the joint replacement. The FPLIP will pay 20% of a pre-negotiated rate. In addition, if such former player experiences complications from joint replacement surgery, the FPLIP will pay 100% of the reasonable and customary amount charged for the treatment of the complications up to a maximum of $250,000, provided the expense is incurred within one year of surgery.

    (c)

    Limitations. No benefits will be paid for revisions of prior procedures that replaced a joint. Bilateral procedures will not be available for former players who qualify for payment pursuant to Subsection 1(b) of this Article.

  • Section 3. Discount Prescription Drug Benefits

    The benefit shall be continued under the FPLIP as follows;

    (a)

    Eligible former players and their dependents who are not eligible for coverage under the NFL Player Insurance Plan are eligible for a discount prescription drug benefit. Eligible former players and their dependents will be issued a card that provides immediate discounts for prescription drugs at participating retail pharmacies in the United States.

    (b)

    Limitations. There is no discount for over-the-counter or non-prescription medication. The discount card benefit may not be used in conjunction with any other plan or program, including Medicare, that provides similar benefits.

  • Section 4. Assisted Living Benefits

    All eligible former players shall continue to be entitled to certain discounts and preferred access at participating assisted living providers.

  • Section 5. Spine Treatment Benefit

    Eligible former players shall continue to receive facilitated access and comprehensive, coordinated evaluation at participating medical centers. Each facility will designate one orthopedic surgeon as a point of contact to coordinate and oversee all aspects of an eligible former player’s evaluation.

  • Section 6. Neurological Benefit

    Eligible former players shall continue to receive facilitated access and comprehensive, coordinated evaluation at participating medical centers. Each facility will designate one of its neurologists or neurosurgeons as a point of contact to coordinate and oversee all aspects of an eligible former player’s evaluation.

  • Section 7. Life Insurance Benefit

    Eligible former players who (i) have neither reached their normal retirement age nor actually retired under the Retirement Plan and (ii) are not eligible for Life Insurance benefits under the NFL Player Insurance Plan, shall continue to be covered by a term life insurance policy, except effective September 1, 2020, the FPLIP shall be amended to increase the amount of the life insurance to $40,000, plus $2,000 for each Credited Season in excess of a player’s required number of seasons to vest under the Retirement Plan, up to a maximum of $50,000.

  • Section 8. Medicare Supplement

    Effective September 1, 2020, the FPLIP shall be amended to eliminate the current Medicare Supplement benefit and replace such benefit with an individual Medicare Supplement HRA account to include a monthly nominal credit of $160 (increasing to $200 effective September 1, 2026) to reimburse an eligible former player who is eligible for Medicare for monthly premiums incurred for the purchase of a Medicare Supplement or Advantage Plan. Except for the player’s first monthly premium, for which the player must first pay out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement under his individual Medicare Supplement HRA account, the cost of the player’s premium, not to exceed the greater of the premium cost or the above maximum, shall be deposited in the player’s personal bank account prior to its due date. Any excess amount above the premium, up to the maximum, shall remain in the player’s nominal Medicare Supplement HRA account and may be used to pay future premiums. Any account balance remaining upon the player’s death shall be forfeited.

  • Section 9. Administration

    The NFL shall continue to administer the FPLIP.

  • Section 10. NFLPA Review

    The NFLPA shall have the right to review and approve all programs and any changes made to the programs that are or have been implemented pursuant to the FPLI Plan.