If the Local Government agency has a probationary period, the employee must satisfy that probationary period in order to meet eligibility for insurance. In cases of probationary periods, the hire date and the eligibility date are not the same.
This will allow the member the full 30 day eligibility time to make elections and submit dependent verification. In the past, ABC’s were informed to use the first day of the previous month. This is no longer the case. This lessens room for error and helps the Benefits Administration Quality Assurance team to accurately and timely close events.
Example of Local Government agency with a 30 day probationary period:
If the employee’s original hire date is 3/5, using 3/5 as day 1, the 30 day probationary period will be satisfied on 4/3 and the first day of eligibility is 4/4. The ABC will use 4/4 as the eligibility date on the hire eForm and the insurance coverage begin date is 5/1. Insurance coverage begins on the first day of the month after eligibility is met. Once eligibility is met, the ABC has 30 days to submit all documentation for the enrollment. The deadline is 5/3.
Example of Local Government agency with a 60 day probationary period:
If the employee’s original hire date is 3/5, using 3/5 as day 1, the 60 day probationary period will be satisfied on 5/3. The ABC will use 5/4 as the eligibility date on the hire eForm and the insurance coverage begin date is 6/1. Insurance coverage begins on the first day of the month after eligibility is met. Once eligibility is met, the ABC has 30 days to submit all documentation for the enrollment. The deadline is 6/3.
Example of Local Government agency with a 90 day probationary period:
If the employee’s original hire date is 3/5, using 3/5 as day 1, the 90 day probationary period will be satisfied on 6/2. The ABC will use 6/3 as the eligibility date on the hire eForm and the insurance coverage begin date is 7/1. Insurance coverage begins on the first day of the month after eligibility is met. Once eligibility is met, the ABC has 30 days to submit all documentation for the enrollment. The deadline is 7/3.
NOTE: In the event the Local Government agency does not have a probationary period, the hire date and the eligibility date are the same.
Example of Local Government agency without a probationary period:
If the employee’s original hire date is 3/5, the ABC will use 3/5 as the eligibility date on the hire eForm and the insurance coverage will begin 4/1. The hire date and the eligibility date are the same. The ABC has 30 days from 3/5 to submit all documentation for enrollment. The deadline is 4/4.