Employee Matters
Dependent status changes
Employees’ dependent children are eligible for coverage under the following plans: state group health insurance, state group life insurance spouse and dependent coverage, individual and family life child coverage, dental and excess medical (EPIC) insurance, DentalBlue insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, the Employee Reimbursement Accounts (ERA) program and Spectera Vision insurance.
Eligibility is determined by age, full-time student status, financial dependency and martial status. Each plan defines an eligible dependent differently.
During 2007 has your child:
- turned 19 and is no longer enrolled as a full-time student?
- enrolled or re-enrolled as a full-time college student?
- graduated from college?
- dropped out of college? married?
- turned 25?
Review your benefits if any of these events occur.
Is your child considered a full-time student?
A full-time student means a person who is enrolled in and attending an accredited institution, whose principal activity is education, for a specified number of credits. A student is recognized as a full-time student on the first day of classes. Student status includes any intervening vacation period if the child continues to be a full-time student. Contact the institution directly if you are uncertain of your child’s enrollment status.
Where can I find eligibility information?
Dependent eligibility rules are summarized at General Benefits Information, and select “Coverage End Dates for Dependents”.
Does each plan monitor eligibility?
No. Only the state group health plans and the dental and excess medical (EPIC) plan send Dependent Verification Forms to verify eligibility. Forms were mailed the week of Oct. 22. The deadline to return the Dependent Verification Form to the health plan is Nov. 30. If the health plans receive the verification forms after Nov. 30 or not at all, the dependent’s health insurance coverage will end as of Dec. 31.
If you carry both state group health insurance and dental and excess medical (EPIC) insurance, then you must return both questionnaires.
You are responsible for monitoring your dependents’ eligibility for coverage under any other plans. You may contact OHR to help you determine if any action is needed.
Why is reporting changes so important?
Because status changes can:
- affect the premium that you pay.
- affect the premium the university pays on your behalf.
- ensure your child can continue coverage when group coverage eligibility is lost.
- ensure your dependent can become an eligible dependent again if circumstances change.
How soon should status changes be reported?
Most changes must be made within 30 days of the event. The necessary form(s) can be downloaded from the Employee Forms PDF file.