Circumstances that are considered "Change of Life" or a "Qualifying Event" and allow you to make additions of (to) dependents anytime throughout the year to your health plan include:

• Marriage
• Birth of a child
• Divorce
• Adoption
• Assumption of legal guardianship or court ordered custody
• New step children
• Loss of coverage from another insurance carrier

An Enrollment and Membership Change Form, along with supporting documents, must be submitted to The Department of Human Resources and Medical Benefits within 31 days from the date of qualifying event. Changes are typically effective the first of the month after we receive and process your Enrollment and Membership Change Form. (Forms are available at the Department of Human Resources and Medical Benefits at 200 Orange Street, or union benefits table above, along with the corresponding Bargaining Unit information.)

If it is not received within the 31 days, you will not be able to add your dependent until the next annual Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment applications are typically accepted in May and early June, with effective date of change to be July 1 of that year.

Important note for 10-month employees (21, 40, 42 Pay Periods): date of coverage effective for these employees will be September 1 unless otherwise noted. More details will be made available as the annual Open Enrollment event nears.

To cancel or remove a dependent from your plan, you must also complete and Enrollment and Membership Change Form, listing the persons to be removed, and indicating the 'cancel' column. In the case of Divorce or Legal Separation, we now require a copy of the decree, notice, or other legal notification, to verify that the employee is not required to cover the spouse and any dependent children affected. Our office is not automatically made aware of the dissolution of marriage by the State; it is the employee's responsibility to notify our office and update your records. Removals will be effective the first of the month in which we receive and process the form and supporting documentation.

Please note, if you have recently gone through a divorce you should cancel spouse from the plan and update beneficiaries with HR and the Pension department.

See the Document Requirements list to review the necessary records.

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a federal law that allows separated employees to continue certain insurance benefits at their own cost.

Once the Human Resources office receives notice of your event, we will process the termination of coverage. Soon after, the employee will receive a notice and form from our COBRA Administration regarding the election to continue health benefits. If you choose to continue your benefits, the form must be returned to the Anthem COBRA Administration Department within 60 days of notice. Once your election form is received by the Anthem COBRA Administration Department, you should be billed within 14 days. Claims will not be paid until your payment is received. Payment can be accepted earlier if there are open claims by remitting your payment with your election form.

If you have any questions, please call the COBRA Administration Unit (1-866-800-2272).

Group Life Insurance
Most bargaining units’ contracts contain language detailing the amount of life insurance offered at no cost. Please refer to both your union contract and the Standard Insurance Company Group Life Insurance Certificate.

Additional Life Insurance
The following unions make available the option of purchasing additional life insurance. Insurance coverage amounts and rates vary and are subject to change. Enrollment occurs at time of hire.

• Local 3144
• Executive Management & Confidential Employees

Long-Term Disability
The following unions make available the option of purchasing a long term disability policy. Coverage amounts and rates vary and are subject to change. Enrollment occurs at time of hire.

• Local 3144
• Executive Management & Confidential Employees

Short Term Disability
Eligible employees may be covered by a short term disability policy described in their union contract. Disability benefits are designed to provide cash income to any employee who is totally disabled by a non-job related injury or illness, and is therefore prevented from performing the duties of his or her occupation.

When should I report a Short Term Disability (STD) claim?
Report a claim as soon as you believe your absence from work may extend beyond over seven calendar days. You may report a claim up to four weeks in advance of a planned disability absence, such as childbirth or scheduled surgery.

What number do I call to initiate the claim process?
Please call The Standard’s Disability Claim Reporting Service at 800-378-2395 to report a claim.

How to file a STD claim with The Standard

Vacation Accruals
Eligible employees are covered by the vacation schedule of their union contract.

Sick Leave
Eligible employees are covered by the sick leave schedule of their union contract.

Other Supplemental Plans
The City often hosts open enrollments for non-union negotiated plans and benefits, which the employee may elect to participate in. Watch for email announcements.