Frequently Asked Questions

General

Can I add a dependent to my coverage?
How do I delete a dependent from my coverage?
My child is no longer an eligible dependent and needs coverage. Is there anything available to them through the district?

Medical

I am covered under the HMO. Can I change my primary care physician?
 

Dental

Does my dental plan cover orthodontia?

Vision

Where can I obtain a provider directory?
Does VSP cover laser vision correction surgery?

Section 125 Plan

How much can I contribute to the Section 125 Plan?
Who administers the Section 125 plan?
When can I enroll in the Section 125 plan?
Can I make changes to my election during the plan year?
I am participating in the Section 125 plan and have a question about my medical reimbursement and/or dependent care account. Who can I contact?

403(b) Plan

How much can I contribute to the 403(b) plan?
How do I enroll?
I am currently participating in the 403(b) plan and wish to make a change. What do I need to do?

457 Plan

How much can I contribute to the 457 plan?
How do I enroll?
I am currently participating in the 457 plan and wish to make a change. What do I need to do?

Voluntary Coverage

Can I purchase additional life insurance?

General

Can I add a dependent to my coverage?
You may add an eligible dependent to your coverage during the annual open enrollment period. Circumstances that allow the addition of a dependent to your coverage outside of open enrollment include marriage/creation of domestic partnership or birth/adoption of a child. A change form must be submitted within 30 days of marriage/domestic partnership/birth/adoption date. Additionally, if you are enrolled in a SISC plan, a birth/marriage/declaration of domestic partnership certificate must also be submitted.

How do I delete a dependent from my coverage?
You may delete a dependent from your coverage at any time by submitting a change form prior to the effective date. Dependent spouses who lose coverage due to divorce/separation will be offered COBRA continuation coverage.

My child is no longer an eligible dependent and needs coverage. Is there anything available to them through the district?
When your child no longer qualifies as an eligible dependent, contact Human Resources immediately. Continuation coverage under COBRA will be offered.
As an alternative to COBRA coverage, you may contact your health plan member services for information on conversion or individual plans.

Medical

I am covered under Blue Shield HMO. Can I change my primary care physician?
You may change your primary care physician by contacting the health plan’s member services at the number listed below at 800-424-6521. Changes submitted prior to the 15th of the month will be effective the first of the following month.

Blue Shield 800-424-6521
Blue Cross 800-825-5541

 

Dental

Does my dental plan cover orthodontia?
The United Concordia dental plan covers orthodontia. A co-pay of $1,500 per child and $2,000 per adult is required.
The Delta dental plan does not cover orthodontia.
Note: Expenses incurred for orthodontia qualify under the Section 125 Plan.

Vision

Where can I obtain a provider directory?
Provider directories are available on-line at www.vsp.com.

Does VSP cover laser vision correction surgery?
VSP members who obtain services from VSP approved centers receive a discount for the procedure.
Note: Expenses incurred for laser vision correction surgery qualify under the Section 125 Plan.

Section 125 Plan

How much can I contribute to the Section 125 Plan?
You may contribute from $250 to $4800 per year to a medical expense reimbursement account.
You may contribute up to $5,000 per year to a dependent care reimbursement account.

Who administers the Section 125 plan?
The plan is administered by American Fidelity Assurance Company. They are responsible for enrollment, maintenance of accounts, and processing of reimbursements.

When can I enroll in the Section 125 plan?
You may enroll within 30 days of your hire date, during the annual open enrollment period, or within 30 days of incurring a family status change. Your elections will be for the plan year (or a portion thereof), September 1 to August 31.

Can I make changes to my election during the plan year?
Circumstances under which an election change is permissible are very limited. A change to a dependent care account election may usually be made if there is a family status change (change of marital status, change in number of dependents, change in employment status of employee or spouse, etc.). Generally, no changes are permitted for medical expense reimbursement account elections. Contact American Fidelity for more information.

I am participating in the Section 125 plan and have a question about my medical reimbursement and/or dependent care account. Who can I contact?
You may utilize American Fidelity’s FlexConnection automated voice response system from your telephone. Information available through this system includes current account balances and account activity. Call (800) 325-0654. You may also visit the Online Service Center at www.afadvantage.com.
 

403(b) Plan

How much can I contribute to the 403(b) plan?
The basic limit for 2011 is $16,500. Participants age 50 and over are eligible to make contributions in excess of the basic limit, also known as a “catch-up” contribution. The amount of the “catch-up” contribution is $5,500 for 2011. Additionally, participants with at least 15 years of full-time service with the District may also be eligible to contribute up to an additional $3000 per year, until a total of $15,000 has been utilized. Contributions to the 403(b) plan are not offset by contributions made to the 457(b) plan. Payroll deductions for 403(b) contributions occur tenthly, October through July.

How do I enroll?
You may begin participation at any time during the year. Enrollment is processed by the plan’s third party administrator, Envoy Plan Services. The first step is to set up a 403(b) account with an approved vendor. Next, you will need to complete a Salary Reduction Agreement and submit it to Envoy. Forms, information, and a vendor list are available at www.envoyplanservices.com. You may also call Envoy at 800-248-8858. Additional vendor information is available at www.403bcompare.com.

I am currently participating in the 403(b) plan and wish to make a change. What do I need to do?
Complete a new Salary Reduction Agreement, available at www.envoyplanservices.com and submit to Envoy for processing.

457(b) Plan

How much can I contribute to the 457(b) plan?
The basic limit for 2011 is $16,500. Participants age 50 and older are eligible to make contributions in excess of the basic limit, also known as a “catch-up” contribution. The amount of the “catch-up” contribution is $5,500 for 2011. Participants may be eligible to contribute up to 200% of the annual basic limit during the final three years before their normal retirement age. Contributions to the 457(b) plan are not offset by contributions to the 403(b) plan. Payroll deductions for contributions to the 457(b) plan occur tenthly, October through July.

How do I enroll?
The District offers the following two plans:

AFMaxx Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. American Fidelity Assurance Company administers the plan. Contact an American Fidelity representative for plan information and enrollment instructions. Information is also available in the Human Resources Office. Participation may begin at any time during the year.

CalPERS Supplemental Income 457 Plan. CalPERS administers the plan. You do not need to be a member of CalPERS to participate. Plan information and enrollment materials are available at https://calpers.ingplans.com, by calling the Plan Information Line at 800-260-0659, or from the Human Resources Office. Participation may begin at any time during the year.

I am currently participating in the 457 plan and wish to make a change. What do I need to do?
If you are participating in the AFMaxx Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, contact an American Fidelity representative to complete a new election form. If you are participating in the CalPERS Supplemental Income 457 Plan, you may obtain a change form from https://calpers.ingplans.com, by calling the Plan Information Line at 800-260-0659, or from the Human Resources. Changes may be made at any time during the year.

Voluntary Coverage

Can I purchase additional life insurance?
Yes, the plan provides an option to increase coverage beyond the basic benefit of $50,000 provided by the District. Coverage options range from $10,000 to $500,000 for employee, and $5,000 to $250,000 for spouse. Coverage for dependent children is available. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance is also available to you and your eligible dependents in amounts from $10,000 to $500,000. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction. Enrollment forms are available in the Human Resources Office.

Life insurance policies are also available through American Fidelity. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction. Contact an American Fidelity representative for details.