SECTION 260:50-3-17. Dependents

  Eligible dependents may be enrolled by new employees with their coverage effective concurrently with the employee's coverage if the member has signed the insurance change form requesting such coverage within the member's initial thirty [30] day enrollment period. Dependent coverage not elected at that time shall not become available until the next enrollment period. Dependents are not eligible for any coverage in which the member is not enrolled. Exceptions may apply for dependents electing COBRA or Survivor coverage. When one eligible dependent is covered, all eligible dependents must be covered for all elected coverage. The spouse or dependent may elect not to be covered when the spouse or dependent is covered by other corresponding and verifiable health, group dental or vision coverage. The member can elect not to cover dependents who do not reside with the member, are married, are not financially dependent on the member for support, have other coverage or are eligible for Indian or military health benefits. The spouse may elect not to be covered provided a statement signed by the employee and the spouse is submitted to the Insurance/Benefits Coordinator. Dependent's benefits shall only be covered under one primary insured except in the case of dependent life. Excepted Benefits do not qualify as other coverage for purposes of this rule.

(1)   Newborns may be added to coverage with the completion of an insurance change form and remittance of any appropriate premium for the month of birth to the Insurance/Benefit Coordinator within thirty [30] days after the date of birth of the newborn.

(2)   When one or more eligible dependents are currently covered, the newborn must be added to the same coverage.

(3)   Where a newborn is added to coverage, all other eligible dependents must be enrolled in coverage if they are not currently enrolled. A member can waive health, dental, or vision coverage for their spouse.

(4)   Eligible dependents who lose other health, group dental or vision insurance coverage may be added to the equivalent health, dental or vision coverage offered through EGID within thirty [30] days after the loss of the other insurance coverage if those dependents have been continuously covered by the other health, dental or vision insurance, or have been eligible for treatment at military or Indian health facilities. Notice and proof of the loss of other coverage and termination date of other coverage must be submitted within thirty [30] days after the loss of the other coverage. At the insured's option, in order to avoid a break in coverage this Plan shall become effective on the first [1^st] day of the month during which the insured actually lost previous coverage, provided the insured pays the full premium for that month. Otherwise, coverage shall become effective under this Plan on the first [1^st] day of the month following notice of the loss of other coverage. Excepted Benefits do not qualify as other health coverage for purposes of this rule.

(5)   Newly acquired dependents may be added if the election is made within thirty [30] days after the qualifying event, or other federally required mandate, or during the annual enrollment period as established by EGID. Documentation proving the qualifying event may be required. The effective date of coverage will be the first [1^st] day of the month following notification to EGID of the qualified event except for newborn or adopted dependent children.

(6)   Provided all other eligibility requirements are satisfied, adopted eligible dependent children, eligible children for which guardianship has been newly granted to the insured or the insured's spouse, or eligible children of which the insured has been newly granted physical custody pending adoption, guardianship, or other legal custody, may be covered from the first [1^st] day they are placed in the insured's physical custody, only upon payment of the full monthly premium for that individual, not prorated, and only after written notice has been given to EGID within thirty [30] days after obtaining physical custody. Copies of all documents relating to the matter are also required.

(7)   At the insured's option, coverage for eligible dependent children newly placed in the insured's physical custody may become effective on the first [1^st] day of the second month following placement, if written notice is provided within thirty [30] days after the date of placement, or at the next option period as established by EGID.

(8)   In the absence of a court order indicating adoption, guardianship, legal separation or divorce, an insured may apply for coverage on other unmarried children living with the insured provided: (1) the insured submits a copy of his most recent federal income tax return showing the child was listed as the insured's dependent for income tax deduction purposes; and (2) if the last federal income tax form requested above does not list the child, the insured shall be required to provide an Application for Coverage for Other Dependent Children form prescribed by the Plan; and (3) coverage, if approved, shall begin on the first [1^st] day of the month following approval, and will never apply retroactively except in the case of a newborn which shall be added the first [1^st] of the month of birth; and (4) all other applicable eligibility requirements must be satisfied; and (5) all necessary premiums have been paid. EGID shall have the right to verify the dependent's status, to request copies of the insured's federal income tax returns from time to time, and to discontinue coverage for such dependents if they are found to be ineligible for any reason.

[Source: Added at 31 Ok Reg 1390, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1767, eff 1-1-16; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 766, eff 1-1-17; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1352, eff 1-1-19; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1620, eff 1-1-20]