COMMENT DUE DATE:
June 10, 2009
DATE:
May 27, 2009
Kevin Sharp HRMD (405) 521-6829
Dena Thayer PMU Manager (405) 521-4326
Pat McCracken PMU Specialist (405) 522-1017
RE:
Non-APA WF 09-L
The proposed policy is Non-APA . This proposal is not subject to the Administrative Procedures Act
The proposed effective date is 07-1-09.
CHAPTER 2. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENTS
OKDHS Subchapter 1. Human Resources Management Division
Part 2. Employee Benefits
OKDHS:2-1-65 through OKDHS:2-1-66 [AMENDED]
OKDHS:2-1-71 [AMENDED]
SUMMARY:
OKDHS:2-1-65 is revised to comply with Section 1371 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
OKDHS:2-1-66 is revised to reflect the title of the former Sooner Choice Change Request Form that has been changed to Change Request Form.
OKDHS:2-1-71 is revised for compliance with House Bill 3112.
PART 2. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
OKDHS:2-1-65. Benefits and enrollment
Revised 6-1-04 6-1-09
(a) All eligible Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) employees are required to purchase core benefits.The core benefits include health, dental, basic life, and disability insurance.There is no waiver of insurance coverage.
(b) An employee who meets the requirements of (1) through (4) of this subsection may opt out of participation.The employee will not receive a benefit allowance.An employee may opt out of participation when he or she: has retired from a branch of the United States military.
(1) has retired from a branch of the United States military;
(2) is being provided health care through a federal plan;
(3) provides proof of health care coverage; and
(4) chooses not to purchase core benefits, supplemental life insurance, and dependent life insurance.
(c) A new employee completes a New Hire Enrollment form provided by the Employee Benefits Council (EBC) and submits the form to the Human Resources Management Division (HRMD) within two days of entry on duty (EOD).Within the employee's first 30 days of enrollment date, the employee may make changes to his or her elections.
(d) Failure to submit the New Hire Enrollment form to HRMD within 30 calendar days of EOD results in default enrollment.An employee who fails to make a valid election is deemed to have elected employee-only coverage under the state health medical plan, state dental plan, basic life plan, and the disability plan.It is the responsibility of the employee to read the contents of the Enrollment Guide prepared by EBC prior to electing benefits.Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the month in which the employee is employed in an eligible status.
(e) If the employee elects Health Choice for health insurance, a pre-existing condition clause applies if the member, dependent(s), or both, have not been continuously covered by other group insurance verified by a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Certificate or provides proof of coverage through military or Native American benefits.
OKDHS:2-1-66. Option Period and allowable benefit election changes
Revised 6-1-04 6-1-09
(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.Each employee meeting eligibility requirements who fails to select a proper election under the Flexible Benefit Plan is deemed a participant in the Flexible Benefit Plan.
(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 Sooner Choice 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.
OKDHS:2-1-71. Eligibility for insurance
Revised 6-1-04 6-1-09
(a) Employee.Active Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) employees scheduled to work at least 1,000 hours per year are eligible for insurance.Temporary or seasonal employees are not eligible for insurance.
(b) Eligible dependents.
(1) Eligible dependents include the employee's:
(A) spouse;
(B) unmarried child(ren) up to age 1925; or
(C) unmarried child(ren) up to age 25 who is a full-time student; or
(CD) regardless of age, a child(ren) who is totally disabled and unable to be self‑supporting because of an incapacity that occurred and was verified prior to age 1925.
(2) State eligibility rules require that current employees must apply for coverage on all eligible family members if electing dependent coverage for health, dental, dependent life, or vision.If one dependent is covered, all dependents must be covered, unless proof of other group coverage is provided.
