Reduction in Force for Active Employees
Reduction in Force (RIF) and Health Coverage
State employees who lose their jobs as a result of a reduction in force (RIF) will continue to have coverage under the State Health Plan for up to 12 months, as long as the employee:
- was covered by the Plan at the time of separation from service
- has 12 or more months of service or is an employee of local school administrative unit and has completed a contract term of employment of 10 or 11 months.
Employees may continue coverage for themselves and their eligible dependents during this 12-month period. Employees who elect not to continue coverage under RIF immediately following separation from employment may not obtain RIF coverage at a later date.
An employee is no longer eligible for RIF health coverage if the employee is provided health coverage on a non-contributory basis by a subsequent employer. In other words, the employer pays 100% of the premium for the employee.
If an employee is Medicare-eligible, Medicare becomes primary health coverage and the State Health Plan will be secondary once the RIF health coverage begins. Therefore, it is important for the employee to enroll in Medicare Part B in order to receive the same level of coverage.
Employees who do not have the required months of service to qualify for RIF benefits may continue health coverage for themselves and their qualified dependents under COBRA at full cost. Refer to the COBRA Plan Overview section.
How to Enroll
Employees need to confirm their eligibility for RIF health coverage with their Health Benefits Representative (HBR). The HBR will enroll the employee, along with eligible dependents, into the RIF health coverage.
Paying Your Premiums
The employer continues to pay the employer amount of the premium while the employee is enrolled in the 12-month RIF health coverage. Employees will be billed directly by the Plan's individual bill administrator, iTEDIUM, for their portion of the premium.
iTEDIUM will mail employees a Welcome Kit that will outline the billing process prior to receipt of their first bill. Employees have the option to pay their premiums by mail, online, by phone, or automatic bank draft.
Premium payments are due by the first day of the effective month. The premium payment grace period ends thirty (30) days after the due date. If the premium is not paid in full by the final day of the grace period, the coverage will be canceled. This applies to employees who are partially or fully contributory. If the premium amount due is only for dependent coverage, then only the dependent coverage will be terminated; however, if the premium is for the subscriber and the dependents, all members of the family will have their coverage canceled.
Such members and/or their dependents who are terminated for non-payment cannot be reinstated, even with a qualifying life event (QLE) that otherwise under Section 125 would allow for an eligible member who is not covered to enroll. Any member whose coverage is canceled for non-payment of premium will be eligible to enroll during the next Open Enrollment period.
For detailed information on the policy for cancellation for non-payment, view the Policy and Procedure on Arrears.
Continuing RIF Health Coverage (Forever RIF)
After 12 months, members and their eligible dependent(s) may continue health coverage on a fully contributory basis. Prior to the cancellation of the 12-month RIF health coverage, the member will be sent the Forever RIF offer letter and may elect to enroll in health coverage by calling the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Line at 855-859-0966. iTEDIUM will bill the member directly for the full amount of the premium.
The member may remain covered under Forever RIF as long as the required monthly premium is paid. Dependent children are eligible to continue coverage until they cease to be an eligible dependent.