FAQs
Q: Where can I find an Annual Open Enrollment form?
All benefits information can be found on our dedicated website www.employeeconnects.com/COPBenefits/. To enroll in your benefits, you must go online at www.plansource.com/login.
Q: Outside of annual enrollment, when can I add or drop a spouse/domestic partner or child to health and dental plans?
A: You need to have a Qualifying Event - You have 30 days from the date of the event to make your change(s). The coverage will be effective the first day of the month following the Life Event date. It’s very important to notify Human Resources (HR) as soon as possible to avoid delays. You will need to go into PlanSource to submit your change and this will automatically notify HR. This is the same process in the case of dropping a spouse following a divorce, or dropping a domestic partner upon ending the domestic partnership - you need to go into PlanSource to submit this change. In the case of dropping a dependent, you will want to do it immediately so that COBRA coverage can be offered.
Q: Are there any waiting periods for dental insurance?
A: No. Once your benefits take effect, there are no additional wait periods applied for any dental service
Q: How long do I have to add my child to the dental plan from date of birth or adoption?
A: A child may be added any time between birth or date of adoption up to 30 days following the child’s 3rd birthday. If the child is not added by 30 days following the 3rd birthday, the child may be added at the next annual enrollment period.
Q. How do I order a replacement medical ID card?
This can be done by calling Meritain at 800-925-2272, going online at www.meritain.com, or by accessing your account
Q. How do I check to see if my doctor is a participating provider?
A. To provide high-value network and Aetna network doctors and providers, call Included Health at 800-925-2272, or visit the website.
Q. What does the health plan offer so that I can improve my health?
- Fitness Reimbursement: Covered programs improve cardiovascular condition, muscular strength/endurance and flexibility (for example, health clubs, gyms, yoga, martial arts, pilates, swim programs). The benefit is administered by the City’s Benefits Division, not by Meritain.
- Smoking Cessation:
- Medication: Prescription medication & over-the-counter (OTC) filled at a pharmacy payable at 100% administered by Meritain.
- Hypnosis: benefits are payable at 100% after a $10 therapy visit copayment administered by the City’s Benefits Division, not by Meritain.
- Smoking Cessation classes: payable at 100% administered by the City’s Benefits Division, not by Meritain.
- Nutrition Counseling: The health plan provides benefits for nutritional counseling when required for a diagnosed medical condition at $0 co-payment.
Q. How long may I keep my child on the health/ dental/vision plan?
A. Children may be covered by the City’s health plan. They do not have to be dependent on the parent/subscriber for tax purposes; they do not have to be students; they do not have to be unmarried and living in the same home as the parent/subscriber. Children will remain on the City’s health plan until the end of the month in which they turn 26 unless you complete paperwork to remove them from the plan.
Q. When can I add or drop a spouse/domestic partner or child from the health and dental plans?
A. There are two ways this can be done:
- Qualifying Life Event: You have 30 days from the date of the event to make your change(s). The coverage will be effective the first day of the following month. You will need to process a Qualified Life Event through PlanSource and provide documentation of the Life Event.
- Annual Enrollment: Each June for an effective date of July 1st. No qualifying event is needed to make a change during this period.
Benefit counselors are standing by between 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM EST. (language support is available).
- Call (866) 245-0753. Benefit counselors are standing by between 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST. (language support is available)
- Access PlanSource:
To Login, go to www.plansource.com/login and enter your username and password.- Username: Your username is the first initial of your first name, up to the first six letters of your last name, and the last four digits of your SSN. For example, if your name is Taylor Williams, and the last four digits of your SSN are 1234, your username would be twillia1234.
- Password: Your initial password is your birthday in the YYYYMMDD format. For example, if your birthdate is June 4, 1979, your password would be 19790604.
- The first time you log in, you will be prompted to change your password.
- Schedule an appointment with a benefits counselor by clicking below.