Special Open Enrollment Period 2011

The 2011 Annual State Health Insurance Open Enrollment has been delayed due to the timing of recent SEBAC negotiations and the time needed for ratification of the Agreement.  It is anticipated that the annual open enrollment will begin in the middle of August 2011 and run through the middle of September 2011 for coverage effective October 1, 2011.  Further information will be provided when available.
 
In order to implement changes as a result of the federal “Affordable Care Act” regarding dependent status that take effect July 1, 2011 and to permit other dependent coverage changes, the Office of the State Comptroller will conduct a special enrollment period for employees and retirees.  The special enrollment period will begin June 15, 2011 and run through July 15, 2011 for coverage effective July 1, 2011.  This will permit currently enrolled employees and retirees to add eligible dependents to their existing health plan.  Employees and retirees will not be allowed to change plans (POE to POS) or insurance carriers or cancel dental coverage until the annual open enrollment period referenced above.

During the special enrollment period from June 15, 2011 through July 15, 2011, employees and retirees may add any eligible dependents to their current plan.  In addition, children age 19 up to age 26 who were previously ineligible for coverage under the plan may be added during the special enrollment period.

REVISED CHILD ELIGIBILITY RULES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2011

In accordance with the “Affordable Care Act” medical/prescription drug eligibility rules are revised to allow enrollment of the Subscriber's natural, adopted child, or stepchild who are:

1) Up to age 26;

2)  Any age if permanently and totally disabled, and who are enrolled as a dependent in the State plan or an equivalent plan at the time the disability occurred;

3)  And, whether or not they are:

(a)  Married (a dependent's spouse or the employee's grandchildren are still not eligible for coverage);
(b)  Living in Connecticut;
(c)  Living with the Employee;
(d)  In School;
(e)  Financially dependent on the employee; or
(f)  Eligible to enroll in their employer's health coverage.

Eligibility rules for the state dental plans are not affected by the federal “Affordable Care Act”.
 
Employees and retirees who fail to add eligible dependent during this special enrollment period will not be permitted to add such persons until the next annual open enrollment period expected to take place later this summer, or until a qualifying event such as a loss of coverage or life status change occurs.

Enrollment Procedure and Requirements for Retirees:

In order to add a dependent to Health Insurance during this Special Enrollment Period, Retirees should submit a letter with the appropriate required documentation to:

Office of the State Comptroller
Retirement Health Insurance Unit
55 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-1775
Fax #:  (860) 702-3556

Documentation requirements for enrollment of dependents for health insurance benefits are as follows in accordance with DAS Memo 11-01a:

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