90 day insurance eligibility missed

[heart attack]

The HR rep at the branch of the company I work for erroneously informed me that I had to wait 6mos before I could sign up for company health insurance. Turns out it was on a 90 waiting period that should have been up in Oct '08.

Two weeks ago my husband had a heart attack and subsequently a quadruple bypass......without insurance coverage supposedly.

What can I do. Can the co be forced to make my coverage retroactive and cover this medical event? Can my husband be covered going forward without any coverage limitations - ie; saying this is a preexisting condition now - being imposed.

Help - we have $100k in medical bills in just 11 days!

[jahid420]

Dependent Child Insurance Eligibility
The Insurance Department has received numerous phone calls regarding the recent legislation that was enacted in MN Statutes changing the definition of eligible dependents on health and dental plans to include all unmarried dependents through age 24 regardless of student status. This statute takes effect at the beginning of the next plan year after January 1, 2008. Anoka-Hennepin's next plan year starts September 1, 2008; therefore, the mandate will not impact Anoka-Hennepin's Plans or dependents until then. Anoka-Hennepin continues to require proof of student status for dependents age 19 - 24 in order to cover them under our health and dental insurance plans. More information on this issue will be available to employees during the Insurance Open Enrollment the end of May.

Health Insurance Benefits
Eligibility for district health insurance is defined in the contracts, working agreements, or personnel policies for each employee group.

Eligible employees may enroll for health insurance benefits within 30 days from the first day of work in a benefit eligible position or during the open enrollment period which is held during the month of May of each year. The only other time changes may be made to health insurance is within 30 days of a qualifying life changing event. Qualifying life events are defined in the Anoka-Hennepin Health and Hospitalization Summary Plan Description and may include events such as marriage, divorce, birth or death of dependent, death of spouse, insurance change as a result of employment change, change from part-time to full-time status of employees, open enrollment of spouse, student status change or employee taking an unpaid leave of absence.

During the last legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature revised the definition of 'dependent' eligible for health and dental plan enrollment Minnesota, effective for our plan year beginning September 1, 2008. The new state definition reads, "Dependent means a spouse or unmarried child under the age of 25, or a dependent child of any age who is disabled." Therefore employees may enroll their "dependents" up to age 25 in Anoka-Hennepin's Health and/or Dental Plans. Contact the Insurance Department to determine if there is a tax liability for the employee.

All open enrollment changes take effect September 1. Specific questions may be answered by calling Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations & Benefits - Insurance at 763.506.1080

During the last legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature revised the definition of 'dependent' eligible for health and dental plan enrollment Minnesota, effective for our plan year beginning September 1, 2008. The new state definition reads, "Dependent means a spouse or unmarried child under the age of 25, or a dependent child of any age who is disabled." Therefore employees may enroll their "dependents" up to age 25 in Anoka-Hennepin's Health and/or Dental Plans. Contact the Insurance Department to determine if there is a tax liability for the employee.

All open enrollment changes take effect September 1. Specific questions may be answered by calling Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations & Benefits - Insurance at 763.506.1080

Anoka-Hennepin Dental Insurance Benefit Summary

Delta Dental Website


Life Insurance Benefits
Eligibility and benefit levels for district group term life insurance are defined in the contracts, working agreements, or personnel policies for each employee group. Each eligible employee receives a Certificate of Insurance at the time of enrollment, effective on the first active day at work in a benefit eligible position.

Employees are eligible for term life insurance benefits on the first day of active employment in a benefit eligible position or during the open enrollment period, which is held during the month of May of each year. Changes in beneficiaries of the life insurance policy can be made at any time.

All open enrollment changes take effect September 1. Specific questions may be answered by calling Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations & Benefits - Insurance at 763.506.1080


Supplemental Life Insurance Benefits
The Supplemental Life Insurance Plan allows eligible employees to choose the amount of insurance that best suits their needs. This is an employee-purchased benefit administered by the Anoka-Hennepin Schools. All premiums are paid by the employee through payroll deductions. Each eligible employee receives the Certificate of Insurance at the time of enrollment

Eligible employees may enroll for supplemental term life insurance benefits within 30 days from the first date of hire. Open enrollment for supplemental life insurance does not occur every year, but employees will be notified in the event of an open enrollment opportunity. Changes in beneficiaries of the life insurance policy can be made at any time.

Specific questions may be answered by calling Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations & Benefits - Insurance at 763.506.1080

Long-Term Disability Plan
Anoka-Hennepin purchases for all full time benefit eligible employees a long term disability plan. Long-term disability insurance benefits may be available for insurance eligible employees who have been actively at work prior to being totally disabled for 90 consecutive calendar days. Accumulated sick leave for any duty days missed during the 90 day elimination period may be used. Beginning on the 91st day the employee will begin to accrue benefits at the rate of two-thirds of the annual base salary.

The employee must apply for Social Security and/or PERA/TRA benefits; and, if eligible to receive benefits, the benefit under the school district plan will be reduced by an equivalent amount so the benefit does not exceed the two-thirds maximum. If eligible for the school district benefit, the employee will receive a benefit check about 120 days after the date of disability.

The Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations & Benefits - Insurance Department will send the required forms for LTD and information on continuation of health, dental and life benefits upon notification that a medical leave of absence will reach 90 days. Questions regarding long-term disability insurance may be directed to Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations & Benefits - Insurance at 763.506.1080.

Flexible Benefit Plan
The Flexible Benefit Plan is available to all insurance eligible employees for pre-tax qualifying expenses as defined by IRS regulations. The purpose of the "Flex Plan" is to increase take-home pay by paying some individual expenses with pre-tax dollars. Eligible expenses include employee medical premiums, medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance, and dependent care/children's day care. By estimating eligible expenses, an eligible employee can set up pre-tax accounts to pay these eligible expenses. Participation is encouraged because of the individual tax savings, but conservative estimates are encouraged because money allocated for these expenses must be incurred during the Flex Plan year or money is forfeited. It is a good idea to estimate expenses on the low side.

Eligible employees may enroll in the Flex Plan within 30 days from the first date of work in the benefit eligible position or during the open enrollment period which is held during the month of May of each year. The only other time limited changes may be made to the Flex Plan is within 30 days of a qualifying life changing event. Qualifying life events are defined in IRS regulations for flexible benefit plans and may include events such as marriage, divorce, birth or death of dependent, death of spouse, insurance change as a result of employment change, change from part-time to full-time status of employees, open enrollment of spouse, student status change or employee taking an unpaid leave of absence. Specific details regarding enrollment and changes are in the Flexible Benefit Plan Description Booklet. Questions may be directed to Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations & Benefits - Insurance at 763.506.1080.

Open enrollment documents are sent to eligible employees during open enrollment and are also available in the Anoka-Hennepin Labor Relations & Benefits - Insurance Department at the Educational Services Center.

Flexible Benefit Plan Document

[SSandecki]

When she said 6 months was she refering to when you are eligible or "when open enroll is available for you to sign-up". There is a big differences and many medical providers that employers use no longer allow mid-year additions of new employees and those employees must wait until open enrollment.

[LawsuitLawyer]

When she said 6 months was she refering to when you are eligible or "when open enroll is available for you to sign-up".