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  • Change in Employment Status

If you are notified of a change in your employment status contact the Health Service System to learn about the options available for continuing your healthcare coverage.

This information offers a general outline and does not include all the information you may need to know. When you receive the notice informing you of your change in employment status there are three steps you should take to learn about your health coverage options:

  • 1. Consult with your Department Personnel Officer to make sure you understand
        your new personnel status.
  • 2. Confirm with your Personnel Officer that any changes regarding your employment status
        have been entered into the City’s PeopleSoft system.
  • 3. Call or visit HSS Member Services to get information about the coverage options,
        including rates and payment plans, that are available to you. Payments to HSS can be made
        via credit or debit card by completing this form: HSS Auto-Pay Formpdf.

Employees Changing From Full-Time to Temporary Exempt or Part-Time Status

Employees who change from permanent to temporary exempt status will maintain their medical, dental and vision benefits if they meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • 1. Must work 1,040 hours in a rolling 12 month period and
  • 2. Must work a minimum of 20 hours per week

HSS will continue to deduct employee premium con-tributions payments from part-time employee paychecks. If a payroll deduction is not sufficient to pay for premium contributions, the employee must contact HSS directly and pay premiums to HSS on a timely basis, via check, money order, credit or debit card. Missed premium payments will result in termination of coverage.

Employees With Holdover Rights

Employees who are placed on an eligible holdover roster may be eligible to continue medical, dental and vision benefits for themselves and their covered dependents for up to five years, as long as they meet all of the following three requirements:

  • 1. Employees must certify that they are unable to obtain healthcare coverage from another source;
  • 2. Employees must complete and submit a Certificate of Eligibility Form to the
        Health Service System on an annual basis; and
  • 3. Employees must pay the same amount that was deducted from his/her paycheck prior to
        lay off. (Rates are subject to increase each Plan Year).

Employees With No Holdover Rights

Employees who have no holdover rights may be eligible to continue medical, dental and vision coverage under COBRA. The healthcare coverage you had as an active employee will end on the last day of the coverage period in which your employment terminates. For information about COBRA contact FBMC, the COBRA administrator at (800) 342-8017.

Employees Placed On Leave

City employees may be able to continue healthcare coverage through HSS if placed on leave. Certain conditions apply. Read more about continuing healthcare benefits while on a leave of absence.

Former Employees With No Holdover Rights

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) enacted in 1986 offers employees and their covered dependents the opportunity to elect a temporary extension of healthcare coverage in certain instances where coverage would otherwise end. Read more about COBRA. For information about COBRA contact FBMC, the COBRA administrator at (800) 342-8017. As an alternative to COBRA continuation coverage, you may be able to purchase individual health coverage, if available, from your healthcare plan. All employees and dependents who were covered under a Health Service System administered health plan are entitled to a certificate that will show evidence of prior health coverage. This certificate of prior coverage may assist the employee and his or her dependents with purchasing new health coverage that excludes pre-existing medical conditions.