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These rules govern which employees can become members of the Health Service System and which member dependents may be eligible for coverage.

Member Eligibility

HSS administers health benefits for eligible San Francisco City & County Employees (including the San Francisco Superior Court), Retirees, SFUSD employees, SFCCD employees and eligible dependents. HSS requires a valid Social Security number for all individuals enrolled in an HSS administered health plan.

City and County of San Francisco Employees

The following City employees are eligible to participate in the Health Service System as defined in San Francisco Administrative Code Section 16.700:

  • All permanent employees of the City and County of San Francisco whose normal work week is not less than 20 hours;
  • All regularly scheduled provisional employees of the City and County of San Francisco whose normal work week is not less than 20 hours;
  • All other employees of the City and County of San Francisco, including temporary exempt “as needed” employees,who have worked more than 1040 hours in any consecutive 12 month period and whose normal work week is not less than 20 hours.
  • Elected Officials
  • All members of designated boards and commissions during their time in service to the City and County of San Francisco as defined in San Francisco Administrative Code Section 16.700(c).
  • All officers and employees as determined eligible by the governing bodies of the San Francisco Transportation Authority, San Francisco Parking Authority, San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, Treasure Island Development Authority, San Francisco Superior Court and any other employees as determined eligible by ordinance.

Retirees

Newly eligible retirees must enroll in an available medical and/or dental plan within 30 days of their retirement effective date. You must provide the Health Service System with a completed Retiree Enrollment Application and all required documentation within this initial 30 day enrollment period. Health Service System Rules requires that to be eligible for retiree healthcare coverage the retiree must have been a member of the Health Service System at some time during their active employment. Other restrictions may apply.

SFUSD Employees

Employee eligibility for HSS healthcare coverage is determined by the San Francisco Unified School District. Please confirm your eligibility with the SFUSD Benefits Office. The following SFUSD employees may be eligible for healthcare coverage administered by the Health Service System. Note: Temporary Exempt or “As Needed” SFUSD employees are not eligible for HSS administered healthcare coverage.

  • All full-time Permanent Civil Service and Permanent Exempt SFUSD employees whose normal work week is not less than twenty (20) hours.
  • All part-time Permanent Civil Service and Permanent Exempt SFUSD employees who work less than 20 hours per week will be eligible upon completion of 1040 hours in a 12 month period.
  • All Provisional SFUSD employees will be eligible upon completion of 1040 hours in a 12 month period unless otherwise approved by the SFUSD Board.

SFCCD Employees

Employee eligibility for HSS healthcare coverage is determined by the Governing Board of the San Francisco Community College District. Review the SFCCD Benefits Guide or contact the SFCCD Benefits Office for more information.

Spouses and Domestic Partners

A member’s legal spouse or domestic partner may be eligible for HSS healthcare coverage. Proof of marriage or registered domestic partnership is required, as well as the dependent’s Social Security number. Proof of Medicare enrollment must also be provided for a same sex spouse or domestic partner (of either gender) who is age 65 or older, or Medicare-eligible due to a disability. Enrollment in HSS benefits must be completed within 30 days of the date of marriage or partnership. In that case, coverage begins on the first day of the coverage period after a completed application and eligibility documentation is filed with HSS. Legal spouses and domestic partners can also be added to a member’s coverage during annual Open Enrollment.

Natural Children, Step-Children, Adopted Children

A member’s natural child, stepchild, adopted child (including child placed for adoption), and the natural or adopted child of a member’s enrolled domestic partner are eligible for coverage up to 26 years of age. Eligibility documentation as required by HSS must be provided upon initial enrollment of the child.

Legal Guardianships and Court Orders

Children under 19 years old who are placed under the legal guardianship of an enrolled member, a member’s spouse, or domestic partner are eligible. If a member is required by a court’s judgement, decree or order to provide health coverage for a child, that child is eligible up to age 19. The member must provide HSS with proof of guardianship, court order or decree by required deadlines.

Disabled Children

Children who are disabled may be covered beyond the age limits stated previously, provided all of the following criteria are met. (A newly hired employee who enrolls an adult disabled child age 26 or older must meet all requirements below except 1 and 2.)

  • 1. Adult child was enrolled in an HSS medical plan on the child’s 19th birthday and continuously for at least one year prior to the child’s 19th birthday;
  • 2. Adult child was continuously enrolled in an HSS- administered medical plan from age 19 to 26;
  • 3. Adult child is incapable of self-sustaining employment due to the disability;
  • 4. Adult child is unmarried.
  • 5. Adult child permanently resides with the employee member;
  • 6. Adult child is dependent on the member for substantially all of his economic support, and is declared as an exemption on the member’s federal income tax;
  • 7. Member submits to HSS acceptable medical documentation–a certification that an adult child is enrolled in Medicare due to a Social Security-qualifying disability, or HSS disabled dependent forms completed and signed by a physician–at least 60 days prior to child’s attainment of age 26 and every year thereafter as requested;
  • 8. All enrolled dependents who qualify for Medicare due to a disability are required to enroll in Medicare. Members must notify HSS of any dependent’s eligibility for, and enrollment in, Medicare;
  • 9. Once enrolled, the member must continuously enroll the disabled adult child in HSS coverage and Medicare (if eligible) to maintain future eligibility.

Social Security Numbers Required

Members and dependents who do not have a Social Security number on file at HSS risk having benefits terminated. Social Security numbers for newborns must be provided within 6 months of the date of birth. Visit www.ssa.gov/pubs/10023.html for more information. If your dependent does not qualify for a Social Security number, please contact HSS at (415) 554-1750.

Financial Penalties for Failing to Disenroll Ineligible Dependents

It is the responsibility of the member to notify HSS within 30 days and cancel coverage for a dependent who becomes ineligible due to divorce, dissolution of partnership, age or any other reason. If a member fails to notify HSS, the member may be held responsible for payment of the costs of all ineligible dependent health premiums and any medical service provided.