Library: Policy

OKDHS:2-1-66. Option Period and allowable benefit election changes

Revised 7-1-09

(a) Enrollment.  Choices of benefit plans are made on an annual basis, as defined by the Employee Benefits Council (EBC), by eligible employees during the Option Period. 

• (1) EBC establishes eligibility requirements for all benefit plan options.
• (2) Eligible employees are required to elect medical and dental plans.  Employees who have retired from a branch of the United States military may opt out of participation per OKDHS:2-1-65(b).
• (3) Employees who fail to make a valid election are deemed as electing the same core benefit plans during the previous Option Period in which a valid election was made if that election is available.  EBC will establish a default election if the previous election is not offered.  Employees who meet the requirements and choose to opt out of participation must renew this election each year.  Failure to submit the appropriate form and documentation results in the employee receiving default enrollment.
• (4) Coverage is effective January 1 of the plan year.
• (5) Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) do not roll over and must be elected during Option Period.
  • (A) The elected amount must be utilized within the plan year.
  • (B) FSA claims must be submitted for services received within the previous plan year within 90 days following the end of the plan year.
  • (C) The elected amount in the plan is forfeited if claims are not received according to Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

(b) Changes outside of Option Period.  Changes may be made only as a result of a qualifying event.  Qualifying events are defined in the current EBC Enrollment Guide.

• (1) The Change Request Form, with supporting documentation, must be submitted to the Benefits Section of the Human Resources Management Division (HRMD) within 30 days of the qualifying event.
• (2) Effective dates of changes are determined by the policies of the governing boards.
• (3) The effective dates of coverage for changes made to correct errors are determined by EBC.