Benefits Guide & Insurance Rates

As an eligible employee, you may enroll at the following times:

• As a new hire, you may participate in the company’s benefits program on the first day of the month following your hire date (i.e., date of hire: September 15, benefits begin October 1); enrollment must be completed prior to your first day of eligibility
• Each year, during open enrollment
• Within 30 days of a qualifying event as defined by the IRS

• After the initial enrollment period changes can only be made during the District’s Annual Open Enrollment period (mid-September to mid- October).
• If you previously declined coverage, or have increased to full time status, you may enroll at that time. 
• New coverages begin January 1 of the following year.  If you have previously waived coverage because you had coverage elsewhere, you may enroll within 60 calendar days after the loss of coverage.
• Other coverage changes can only be made in the event of a change in family status:
  • Marriage, divorce, legal separation or annulment
  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • A qualified medical child support order
  • Death of a spouse or child
  • A change in your dependent’s eligibility status
  • Loss of coverage from another health plan
  • Change in your residence or workplace (if your benefit options change)
  • Loss of coverage through Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Becoming eligible for a state’s premium assistance program under Medicaid or CHIP 

You may enroll eligible dependents within 60 days of your date of hire or if their status changes. 

Coverage for a new dependent is not automatic. If you experience a qualifying event, you have 30 days to update your coverage. Please contact Payroll & Benefits immediately following a qualifying event to complete the appropriate election forms as needed. If you do not update your coverage within 30 days from the qualifying event, you must wait until the next annual open enrollment period to update your coverage.  

• Your eligible dependents include, legally married spouse, children under the age of 26, regardless of student or marital status, dependent children of any age if they are incapable of self-support due to mental or physical handicap (physician certification is required every 2 years) Registered domestic partner as defined by the State of California (domestic partner registration & affidavit required).
• Children are considered eligible up to the age of 23 for health and vision insurance.
• Dental coverage extends to age 19 for non-full time students and 25 for full-time students.  Proof of full time status required.  

You will be notified when a dependent child reaches age 26 with options for COBRA.  If you or your dependent does not respond to the COBRA notification, the dependent will be dropped from insurance on the effective date of ineligibility.

If a child or spouse gains other insurance, it is the employee’s responsibility to present proof of that coverage and request that the dependent be dropped from the employee’s insurance.  In the case of a divorce, the Benefits Department must be notified within 60 days of the final decree.  Proof of the final decree must be presented to remove the spouse as a dependent.  

Adding dependents requires a marriage license for a spouse; domestic partnership agreement (from the State of California) for a domestic partner; certification of date of birth for biological child; adoption certificate for adopted children, birth certificate with spouse’s name for step-children; state certification for guardians or foster parent situations. 

Deleting dependents requires, proof of other coverage; divorce decree; or death certificate. 

You are covered for the month following your date of resignation if you had coverage during the month in which you resign.  If you resign at the end of the school year, you are covered through September.  

You will be offered COBRA coverage, which can last for 18 to 36 months.  COBRA is totally participant paid at 102% of the group premium. 

FAQ

2024 Insurance Rates

2023 Insurance Rates