Employee Matters

This column is prepared by staff of the Employee Compensation and Benefits Services office. E-mail the office at employee@bussvc.wisc.edu, or call 263-7556 or 262-5650. For more information, visit the EC&BS Web site, http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/ecbs.html, or e-mail employee@bussvc.wisc.edu.

Dependent status

If you have dependent children covered under your insurance plan, you should review your benefits package annually. Dependent eligibility is typically determined by age, full-time student status, financial dependency and, sometimes, marital status. Each plan, however, has its own specific definition of an eligible dependent. So as dependents reach ages 19-25 or have a change in status, coverage eligibility may be changed.

Where is eligibility information located?

See “Coverage End Dates for Dependents” on the EC&BS Web site. The chart outlines the insurance plans that provide coverage for dependent children, as well as each plan’s eligibility rules.

Is there a standard definition of a full-time student?

A full-time student usually is defined as one who is enrolled in an institution that provides a schedule of classes and whose principal activity is education for a specified number of credits. A person usually is considered enrolled on the first day of classes. Enrollment is considered continuous during any intervening vacation period. Contact the institution directly if you are uncertain of your child’s status. Please note that students who enroll but later drop out and receive tuition refunds may be retroactively dropped from coverage.

Does each plan monitor eligibility?

Only the health insurance plans and dental and excess medical plan provider monitor continued eligibility. If you have dependent children covered under either of these programs, the providers will mail you dependent questionnaires in fall and spring to verify continuing eligibility. The plans will terminate coverage if you do not return the questionnaire.

Why is it important to report dependent status changes?

If you do not report changes, then you and the university may be paying higher premium costs for dependents not eligible for coverage; you may not receive a full refund if the coverage is not changed timely; your dependents may miss deadlines for COBRA/coverage continuation eligibility; your dependents may not be eligible for re-enrollment if they once again become eligible for coverage.

How soon should dependent status changes be reported?

Most changes must be reported within 30 days and often require you to file a new application or information change form. Your department payroll and benefits coordinator can provide these documents.

Who do I contact if I have further questions?

Visit the EC&BS Web site at http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/ecbs.html, or send your question to employee@bussvc.wisc.edu.