Employee Benefits
Overview
Benefits and costs are all separate and you do not have to be enrolled in one in order to be enrolled in another.
If an employee is hired to work less than full time, or wishes to enroll dependents, there will be a cost associated with the benefits selected. To determine the cost, please contact the Insurance Department at 831-645-1252.
Qualifying Events
There are many events that occur during the year that would allow employees to make a change to their health benefits. However, the changes must be consistent with the event. Here are a few of the life changing events:
- Birth of Child
- Marriage
- Gain of Other Insurance
- Decrease in Work Hours
- Legal Adoption
- Divorce
- Death
- Dependent Reaching Maximum Age Limit
- Legal Guardianship
- Involuntary Loss of Other Insurance
- Increase in Work Hours
When any one of these events occur, or are going to occur, it is best to contact the Insurance Department right away to ask if the event will allow you to make a change to your health insurance benefits. A window period of 30 days, from the date of the event, is provided for you to complete a change.
If you miss the window period, a change may not be made until another qualifying event occurs. Please contact 831-645-1252 to discuss your qualifying event. Some changes can affect your pay so please do not wait until the last minute to contact the Insurance Department.
Dental and Vision
Registering for Teledoc
There have been a number of MCSIG members who have encountered an issue with registering with Teladoc resulting in them being charged a $45 copay, instead of no charge. The problem happens when a member is entering information that does not match the Teladoc system.
For example, an incorrect zip code will cause the member to not be found. This prompts the member to see if their benefits can be found using their insurance information on their Anthem ID card, which results in a $45 copay.
To avoid this issue, members should NOT select the “Look me up using my health or insurance provider.” Instead, members are recommended to call Teladoc’s call center at 1-800-TELADOC (835-2362), if they are having issues registering their account or have been charged a co-pay.
As a reminder, MCSIG members also have access to the following Teladoc enhanced benefits at no charge:
- Dermatology
- Tobacco Cessation
- Sexual Health
As long as you are enrolled in an employer group medical plan, and want to continue working, you do not have to sign up for Medicare Part B. Medicare Part A is for hospitalization and does not cost an employee, who is 65 years of age or older, anything to have. However, Medicare Part B does have a cost and will not pay benefits, as your primary insurance, as long as you are enrolled in a group medical plan.
What You Should Know Before You Retire?
When you terminate employment by resigning, or retiring, you can then sign up for Medicare Part B with no penalty for not taking it when you turned 65. Download form CMS-L564E and have the MPUSD Insurance Department complete the bottom half of the form providing proof of group coverage from effective date to end date. Take the form with you to Social Security when applying for Medicare Part B.
If you are currently enrolled in a MCSIG medical plan, please take a moment to read the Retiree Guidelines.
If you want more information regarding Medicare Benefits please contact Medicare at 1-800-999-1118 or 1-800-633-4227.
