STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION		55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775 TELEPHONE: (860) 702-3480 TELEFAX:(860) 702-3489
MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD for DISABILITY RETIREMENT
HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT COMMITTEE
	STATE OF CONNECTICUT RETIREMENT & BENEFIT SERVICES DIVISION OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER

HEALTHCARE POLICY & BENEFIT SERVICES DIVISION

October 13, 2009

TO THE HEADS OF ALL STATE AGENCIES

I. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this memorandum is to (1) advise of the annual open enrollment for the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) and (2) restate the DCAP payroll, enrollment, and election change processing procedures.

II. ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT

The open enrollment period for the 2010 DCAP Plan Year is scheduled for November 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009.

For the 2010 Plan Year we will not conduct agency statewide informational sessions. In that connection, we are asking agencies to display the attached DCAP flyer on your agency bulletin board. Additionally, the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) will insert a DCAP open enrollment announcement in employee paychecks dated October 23, 2009. These announcements are the only statewide communications issued to employees regarding the 2010 Plan Year enrollment.

Employees interested in participating in the program are responsible for obtaining the necessary enrollment applications and meeting all associated deadlines. Applications are available by download via the OSC web site: www.osc.state.ct.us/empret/dcapprog/index.html , or by contacting the program's administrative services provider, Progressive Benefit Solutions (PBS) at 1-866-906-8023 or by visiting their web site at: www.ctpbs.com . Employees who fail to return the application before the deadline, will be denied participation in the program; no late applications will be accepted; no exceptions will be made.

III. PROCESSING PROCEDURES

A. Enrollment Procedures:

PBS is responsible for the enrollment of eligible employees who wish to participate in DCAP. Employees are entitled to enroll in DCAP during one of the following periods:

1. The annual open enrollment period;
2. Within thirty-one days of the hire date; and
3. Within thirty-one days of a change in family status which makes the employee eligible to participate.

B. Payroll Procedures:

Payroll processing of DCAP applications will be performed by PBS. For payroll purposes, agencies are not responsible for processing DCAP enrollment applications.

C. Election Changes:

Once enrolled, changes in elections are allowed only under the following circumstances:

1. Participant terminates employment;
2. Participant experiences a family status change, such as marriage, divorce, death of a spouse or dependent, birth or adoption of a child, changes in spouse's employment status.

Participating employees who wish to make an election change, or terminating employees must complete the DCAP Benefit Enrollment/Change Form with PBS within thirty-one days of the change in status.

Employees who are out on any leave of absence including worker's compensation, do not need to enroll during the annual open enrollment period. Upon return to work, employees have 31 days to enroll in DCAP.

Employees may obtain enrollment/change forms and claim forms by download via the OSC web site: www.osc.state.ct.us/empret/dcapprog/index.html, the PBS web site: www.ctpbs.com or by contacting PBS toll free at 1-866-906-8023.

IV. CONCLUSION

Your anticipated assistance in making the program accessible to your agency's employees is appreciated. The DCAP not only assists employees in managing their dependent care expenses while reducing their taxable income, it saves the State money as well.

Questions concerning the DCAP open enrollment period may be directed to PBS at the above listed number. Questions pertaining to this memorandum may be directed to the Healthcare Policy & Benefit Services Division, Employee Benefits Unit at (860) 702-3543.

Very truly yours,

NANCY WYMAN, STATE COMPTROLLER

By:

Thomas C. Woodruff, Ph.D., Director

TW/MH/AA
Attachment

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