Dependent Eligibility
Your dependents may also be covered under the benefit plans described below.
*Dental coverages have a dependent child maximum age of 19 (end of month of reaching age 19) or a maximum age of 23 for full-time students (end of month of reaching age 23).
**UHC Medical and Vision plans have a dependent child maximum age of 26 years.
***Dependent Life Insurance is 21 years of age, or 23 if a full-time student.
Dependent Verification
You may be asked to provide the Benefits Help Desk proof of dependent eligibility, which may include one or more of the following:
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Affidavit of Qualifying Adult
- Adoption Certificate
- Placement Certificate
- Document of Guardianship
- Other as necessary
Spousal Coverage
If your spouse is employed or retired and is eligible for medical benefits through their employer, they are eligible for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s health insurance plan. You will incur a monthly spousal surcharge in addition to your medical coverage contributions/premiums, if you elect to enroll your spouse in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s health insurance plan.
New Hire Coverage
As a new employee you have 30 days from date of hire to make your benefit elections. It is important you review the benefit information and enroll in benefits during your initial new hire eligibility period. If you do not enroll by that deadline, you will not be eligible for coverage until the following annual open enrollment period or if you experience a qualifying event. Following enrollment, your coverage is effective the first of the month following 30 days of service.
Termination of Coverage
If employment is terminated, the end date of your benefits is determined by your Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Cobra Continuation of Coverage
When you or any of your dependents no longer meet the eligibility requirements under this plan, you may be eligible for continued coverage as required by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1986.
Making Changes During the Year
Unless you experience a life-changing qualifying event, you cannot make changes to your benefits until the next open enrollment period. You must notify the Benefits Help Desk of such change(s), THROUGH WORKDAY, within the noted days from the event as shown in the below table. Failure to notify the Benefits Help Desk within the timeframe noted (and provide any necessary dependent documentation) will require you to wait until the next open enrollment period to make your change. For questions, please see your Benefits Help Desk representative.
Turning Age 65 and Becoming Medicare Eligible
If you are an active employee and have reached the age of 65, you may be wondering about Medicare. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you should receive an advisory notice from Medicare about three (3) months before your 65th birthday for your initial enrollment period. Otherwise, you must actively enroll in Medicare yourself by contacting your local Social Security office as you will not receive a mailed notice of eligibility.
If you are turning age 65 during the plan year but will continue working in a benefits-eligible position, you have the option of enrolling in Medicare Part A (hospital) coverage, which is typically premium-free. You may also enroll in Part B (medical) coverage at your cost. If you do so, your Group Health medical plan remains your primary and Part B (Medical Insurance), which does have a fee involved, would coordinate as secondary coverage to your Group Health medical plan.
Medicare will allow you to delay your enrollment in Medicare Part B until you officially retire, without a late enrollment penalty (enrollment in Medicare Part A is optional). Employees more typically enroll in Part A and defer Part B until retirement. For additional information on Medicare eligibility and enrollment periods, please visit www.Medicare.gov.
Beneficiary Designation
In addition to electing or making benefit changes during open enrollment, it is important to designate a beneficiary for your life insurance. Your beneficiary is the person(s) who will receive your life insurance benefits, if/when you die. If you have a beneficiary in place, or if your family situation has changed, now is the time to ensure all information on record is correct. If you do not name a beneficiary, your benefits will automatically go to your estate. For additional information contact the Benefits Help Desk.
