Cook
County Employee Benefits
2008 Online Enrollment
Questions & Answers
Getting
Started
Do
I have to change my health care plan during open enrollment?
No. The open enrollment period gives you a chance to evaluate how
well your current health care plan meets your needs. If you want,
you may change to another health care plan at this time. If you are
satisfied with your plans, you do not need to respond during open
enrollment. The flexible spending plans are the only plans that have
to be re-designated each year.
If
I want to change my plan, how do I do so?
From October 15th through October 30th, you can go onto the Cook County
website and change your health or dental plan and enroll in the flexible
spending accounts. If you don’t want to change your HMO, but
want to change your doctor, please call the plan directly at the number
listed.
Do
I have to complete a new enrollment form?
No. You will receive a personal information statement in the mail
that shows you your current benefits choices. If you are happy with
those choices, simply file the statement away with your other health
care documents. If you decide to make a change, our website is available
24/7 from October 15th through October 30th.
Please
note that if you are interested in participating in the County’s
Flexible Spending Account benefit, you may enroll on our website from
October 15th through October 30th. Or, you may return your personal
information sheet to the benefits office before the 30th. This is
true each year, regardless of whether you’ve used an FSA in
previous years.
How
do I know which plan is right for me?
You need to consider your health care needs and those of your family
– and the way you prefer to receive care. HMO members choose
a primary care physician and a medical center at which they receive
all of their care. PPO members may choose whether to receive service
inside or outside the PPO network. A PPO member does not need to pre-
select a primary care physician. Because PPO members have a wider
variety of choices, they are asked to help pay for their coverage
through contributions, deductibles and co-payments. Review the costs
for each plan thoroughly before making your decision.
If
I’ve been opting out of my medical benefits, do I need to re-enroll
for that choice?
No. Your choice to opt out will be continued automatically. If you
need to “opt back in” at any time, you will need to provide
proof that your other coverage was terminated within 31 days.
If
I change my mind about my plan later in the year, can I make a change
at that time?
No. You may not change plans again until the next open enrollment
period. In certain circumstances, you may qualify to change the number
of dependents covered and/or the specific site where you receive your
care (as long as it’s within the same network). In most cases,
however, the changes you make now remain in effect until the next
open enrollment period.
Are
my contributions changing?
The contributions from your paycheck will be changing June 1, 2008.
The amount that you will pay will be based on who you are covering
on your health plan. Our website and our open enrollment materials
outline these changes. Please review the costs, as you will be unable
to change your plan until the next open enrollment.
What
happens if I am “off” the payroll because of a leave of
absence or Workers’ Compensation? Do I still make contributions?
Yes. You will be billed from the Revenue department. If you do not
make the required contributions, your coverage will be terminated.
Can
I change my primary care physician during the year?
Yes – simply contact your plan at the toll-free number provided.
You may change your primary care physician at any time during the
year. Open enrollment is the time to change plans, not doctor sites.
Do
my dependents have to go to the same primary care physician that I
do?
No. While you and all of your dependents must be covered by the same
plan, each person may select his or her own primary care physician.
Emergency
Care/Hospitalization
My
HMO plan says that coverage is provided for “emergencies”
only if the situation meets certain criteria. What are those criteria?
Most medical plans define “emergencies” as situations
that are immediately life-threatening, such as severe chest pains,
unconsciousness, massive bleeding and shock. While the plans realize
that your immediate concern is to get help, they suggest you call
your primary care physician (or its 24-hour answering service) before
going to a hospital. Of course, in extreme situations, obtain care
immediately – but be sure to call, or have a family member call,
your primary care physician within 24 hours of the emergency.
Dependent/Family
Coverage
If
my spouse and I both work for the County, how can we cover our children?
All family members must be covered under the same plan. You may select
which employee is primary, and this person will cover all family members.
What
if I want to add a dependent, like a new spouse or child?
You may enroll a new dependent during the open enrollment period as
long as he or she is eligible for coverage. (Eligible dependents include
your spouse/domestic partner, unmarried natural or adopted children
and stepchildren.) Complete the personal information statement and
forward it to the address at the top of the form– along with
certified copies of marriage and/or birth certificates. These documents
will be returned to you; for faster service, enclose a self-addressed
stamped envelope. Enrollment of dependents is not available on our
website. Please send the personal information statement.
To enroll
new, qualified dependents during the year, you must complete and submit
the Employee Benefits Enrollment Form within 31 days of the event
(marriage, birth, adoption, etc.). It’s understood that certificates
take some time to process, however you must submit an enrollment form
within 31 days to qualify for coverage. Forward the appropriate certificates/documents
upon receipt to the benefits office, and they will be returned to
you as soon as possible. If you do not enroll within this time period,
you must wait until the next open enrollment period to enroll the
dependent.
Prescriptions
Has
prescription coverage changed under any of the medical plans?
Yes, there are cost changes related to the prescription benefit that
begin 12/1/2007. Make sure to read the materials mailed to your home
or check our web site for all of the details.
