Dependent Certification Required in 2009
Katie Shockley
Benefits Services
Did you know that Ohio State has approximately 27,000 dependents on its health plans? Are you aware that enrollment processes to verify eligibility for certain dependents have differed over time? Because most of our faculty and staff don’t make plan changes from year to year, many don’t actively participate in the annual Open Enrollment period. As a result, the university has chosen 2009 as the year all health plan members will certify eligibility for any dependent they are covering on the plan(s).
Why Is Ohio State Doing This?
As the university continues its efforts to control costs, it also remains committed to providing high quality health care that is affordable for faculty and staff. Literature and recent experience indicate that reviewing dependent eligibility could identify approximately 5 percent of currently covered dependents who don’t meet the eligibility criteria specified by the plan. At an average member cost of over $3,200 per year, covering these additional individuals could be costing the plan more than $4 million annually.
While health care coverage is critical for everyone, Ohio State’s objective is to preserve benefit funds and ensure that the highest access to care is maintained for its faculty, staff, and dependents who meet the plan’s specified definition of eligibility. Other relatives and individuals living with you, who don’t meet the eligibility criteria, may qualify for the coverage Ohio State makes available for sponsored dependents. While you’re responsible for paying the entire premium for this coverage, it does provide an option for some individuals who may not otherwise have any coverage available to them.
What Should I Do?
Ohio State is continuing to work on the details around the timing and process for dependent certification and more information will be mailed this spring. You can review the dependent eligibility guidelines at hr.osu.edu/benefits/benefiteligibility.htm.
To determine who is an eligible dependent, use the step-by-step decision tree when you answer the Dependent Certification questionnaire at hr.osu.edu/benefits/dependentcertification.htm. Your answers will determine benefit eligibility for your:
- child
- spouse or same-sex domestic partner
- sponsored dependent
If your dependent meets eligibility criteria, plan changes may not be necessary.