Here are some common questions about Open Enrollment.

Getting
Started

What is the Open Enrollment Period?

The Open Enrollment period is a period of time, determined by your employer, during which you are allowed to make any changes to your current benefits.

Note: No changes are allowed after the commencement of a new plan year, unless you experience a qualifying event.

When are healthcare benefits effective and for how long?

The benefits are effective April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

What should all eligible employees do during this Open Enrollment period for benefits effective?

 

  • Visit your benefits webpage at dadeschools.net and under “Highlights” click on “2020 Benefits.”
  • Log into the employee portal and carefully review your current 2020 Benefits Statement. This statement will display your healthcare benefits for the remainder of the 2020 plan year. Please note, the enrollment period for Flexible Benefits has ended.
  • If you currently or electing to decline healthcare coverage through the School Board, you must submit proof of other group or state funded healthcare coverage along with your completed Declination of Healthcare Coverage Affidavit.
  • If you cover your spouse or domestic partner on a medical plan, review your response in the Surcharge Affidavit to confirm their medical coverage status has not changed.
  • If making changes to your current 2020 healthcare benefit, you must complete and submit your enrollment election. Remember to print your Employee Benefits Confirmation Statement.
What happens if I do not log into the employee portal and review my Benefits Statement by the enrollment deadline?

If you do not log into the employee portal and review your Benefits Statement during this Open Enrollment period, the following will occur:

  • Your current healthcare coverage will continue; there are no plan design or premium changes.
  • Your dependent(s)’ healthcare coverage will continue; there are no plan design or premium changes
  • If you opted out of healthcare, this election will continue and you will have to submit proof of other group or state-funded healthcare coverage.
  • If you are being deducted the spouse/domestic partner annual surcharge, the deductions will continue. However, you should review your response in the Surcharge Affidavit to confirm their medical coverage status has not changed.
How will I know when I can access the online enrollment application?

You will be provided access to the online enrollment application during the Open Enrollment Period, March 2, 2020 through March 13, 2020.

When is the last day to make a change for benefits effective April 1, 2020?

If making changes, you must complete your online enrollment selections by 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2020.

When is the online enrollment application available?

The application is available during the Open Enrollment period 24 hours/7 days a week.

What if I do not have a computer or Internet access available?

During the Open Enrollment period: if you do not have access to the Internet, you may visit an Open Enrollment Representative for assistance at:

School Board Annex Building
1501 NE 2nd Avenue, Room 324
Miami, Florida 33132
(8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Additionally, you may have access to the Internet by using the Media Center of your school or nearby school or a public library.

Coverage

What if I enroll and I want to change my benefits selections?

You may log into the enrollment site and change your healthcare benefits selections as many times as you want throughout the Open Enrollment period. Your last saved and submitted selections will be your benefits, effective April 1, 2020. Changes made to your healthcare benefits during the Open Enrollment period of March 2, 2020 through March 13, 2020, until 11:59 p.m., will be effective April 1, 2020. For full-time employees, the first deductions will be taken on the payroll date April 10, 2020.

What changes can I make during Open Enrollment?

During this period, you may make changes to your current healthcare benefits, delete, or add eligible dependent.

Can I select coverage for myself through one benefit plan and another for my family?
No. You and your eligible dependent(s) must be covered with the same benefit plan and provider.
Can I decline healthcare coverage?

Yes. You may decline healthcare coverage. You must provide proof of other group or state-funded program coverage. Enrollment in an individual healthcare plan does not qualify. Additionally, you must agree to the provision set forth in the affidavit.

If I decline healthcare coverage, what happens to the Board contribution towards my healthcare coverage?

In lieu of healthcare coverage, you will receive $100 per month paid bi-weekly through the payroll system, based on our deduction pay schedule (subject to withholding and FICA) as follows:

  • 10-month employees will receive their payments in 20 pay checks.
  • 11-month employees will receive their payments in 24 pay checks.
  • 12-month employees will receive their payments in 26 pay checks.

If you do not provide proof of other group healthcare coverage or state-funded healthcare coverage, you will be automatically assigned to the Cigna LocalPlus (Employee-only) healthcare plan and standard Short-term Disability.

If electing to decline healthcare coverage during this Open Enrollment, you are required to submit proof of enrollment in another group or state-funded program, even if previously submitted.

Will I be able to view and print a confirmation of my 2020 benefits selections?

Yes. Prior to enrollment you can view your 2020 Benefits Statement and verify you are enrolled in the benefits you need.

Will OAP 10 and OAP 20 continue to be offered at a cost to the employee for employee-only coverage?

Yes. OAP 10 and OAP 20 will continue to be offered with an employee cost share, based on the employee’s benefits salary. OAP 10 will only be available to those currently enrolled in the plan.

Is there a free healthcare option being offered?

Yes. The Cigna LocalPlus Plan, employee-only coverage, is being offered at no cost to all benefits eligible employees.

How do I view the Cigna Healthcare directories?

To view participating providers in Cigna: log in to www.cigna.com and click on “Find a Provider”.

How do I prove that my spouse/domestic partner has or does not have group coverage available through her/his employer?

During the online enrollment, the application will display an Affidavit and you will be given the opportunity to click on the box that best describes the status of your dependent's group coverage.   

  • If you cover your spouse/domestic partner on your healthcare plan and your spouse/domestic partner has coverage available from his/her own employer, an additional annual surcharge of $500 will be charged. The annual surcharge will be billed on a bi-weekly basis according to your pay schedule.
  • If you cover your spouse/domestic partner on your healthcare plan and your spouse/domestic partner does not have an employer sponsored healthcare plan available to him/her, the spousal surcharge will not be applied.

Dependent

What do I need to submit to ensure that my dependent(s) will have coverage?

If not previously submitted, you will need to submit dependent eligibility verification. Otherwise, your dependent’s coverage may be terminated.

Will my current Adult Child dependent’s coverage continue?

Yes. Your currently enrolled dependent adult child’s, age 26-30, coverage will continue. However, you must submit dependent eligibility documentation with the completed enrollment form by the enrollment deadline. A dependent adult child, who reaches age 30, will have his coverage terminated at the end of the calendar year in which he reached the age of 30.

Leave & Termination

If I take a Board-approved leave of absence, whom do I contact about my benefit?

Once your leave is approved and the Office of Risk and Benefits Management receives notification, you will be eligible for applicable benefits in accordance to your Bargaining Unit and type of leave. You will be billed for employer-paid benefits in accordance to the type of leave and labor contact. Additionally, you will be billed for all employee-paid benefits.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools implements the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) through provisions contained in the School Board Rules and collective bargaining agreements.

For questions regarding your benefits while on leave, please call the Leave Billing Specialist at 305-995-7458.

What happens to my benefits if I terminate employment?

Your coverage will cease at the end of the calendar month in which employment terminates. Benefits will remain in effect through August 31st for 10-month employees who terminate employment during the last month of the school year.

Note: An individual who loses coverage under the plan becomes entitled to elect COBRA. The individual has the right to continue his or her medical, dental, and vision coverage under COBRA law for a period of 18 months and/or Medical FSA deposits until the end of the plan year following termination of employment. The individual must notify the COBRA specialist at the Office of Risk and Benefits Management at 305-995-1285 or 305-995-7137.

M-DCPS Logo in white

Office of Risk and Benefits Management
1501 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 335
Miami, Florida 33132
Mon - Fri, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
www.dadeschools.net
305-995-7129

FBMC Service Center
Mon - Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
1-855-MDC-PS4U (1-855-632-7748)