Changing Plan Elections
Open Enrollment
During the annual open enrollment period, eligible employees can enroll in or make changes to medical and flexible spending account elections. Employees can also change their optional life insurance deduction method (pre-tax or after-tax) or decrease or waive this coverage. Proof of good health is required to add optional life insurance, increase the level of optional life insurance or apply for dependent life insurance.
The open enrollment period typically occurs in November each year with changes effective the following January 1st.
Open enrollment information is sent to most employees via email and CityTalk announcements. Information and enrollment forms are mailed to the homes of employees who do not have computer access at work.
Mid-year Changes
Medical Plan
A change in status (such as gain or loss of other group coverage, marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, death, etc.) may allow you to change your plan elections mid-year. Depending on the nature of the change, you may be able to:
- Enroll for coverage
- Waive coverage
- Switch from single to family coverage or from family coverage
You cannot change medical plans (for example, switch from the Elect network to the Choice network) mid-year. Those changes can only be made during open enrollment.
The requested change must be consistent with your change in status and you must complete a Medical and Dental change form (pdf) within 30 days after the change occurs (the 30-day limit does not apply in the event of a birth or adoption).
To ensure that your dependents are properly enrolled for benefits, please submit copies of marriage/birth certificates for enrolled dependents to the Benefits Office Room 100, 250 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. You may, instead, fax these documents to (612) 673-2533.
Flexible Spending Accounts
A change in status may also allow you to change your flexible spending account elections. The requested change must be consistent with your change in status and you must complete a Spending Accounts Change Form (pdf) within 30 days after the change occurs.
Dependent Life Insurance
You may discontinue dependent life insurance coverage at any time by completing a Decrease or Waiver Form and returning it to the benefits office.
Evidence of good health is required to apply for dependent life insurance after you are first eligible. Complete the entire evidence of insurability packet and return it to the Benefits Office. Your application will be reviewed by the life insurance company. Note: In order to apply for dependent life insurance, you must elect optional employee life insurance.
Optional Employee Life Insurance (after-tax contributions)
If you pay for optional employee life insurance with after-tax contributions, you can decrease or waive coverage at any time. You must complete a Decrease or Waiver Form and return it to the benefits office.
Evidence of good health is required to apply for optional life insurance or to increase the coverage amount after you are first eligible. Complete the entire evidence of insurability packet and return it to the Benefits Office.Your application will be reviewed by the life insurance company.
Last updated Dec. 27, 2011