Oregon Bulletin
March 1, 2011
Rule
Caption: Amended to include new definitions
related to the federal healthcare Reform Act.
Adm.
Order No.: OEBB 1-2011
Filed with Sec. of
State: 2-11-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 2-11-11
Notice Publication
Date: 12-1-2010
Rules Amended: 111-010-0015
Rules Repealed: 111-010-0015(T)
Subject: OAR 111-010-0015 includes rule amendments needed to
respond to the new rescission of coverage provisions and expanded eligibility
for dependent children under age 26 under the federal Health Care reform Act.
Rules Coordinator: April Kelly—(503) 378-6588
111-010-0015
Definitions
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in OEBB
administrative rules, the following definitions will apply:
(1) “Actuarial value” means the expected financial
value for the average member of a particular benefit plan.
(2) “Adverse Benefit Determination” means a denial,
reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole
or in part), for a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination,
or failure to provide or make payment that is based on but not limited to:
(a) A determination of a member’s eligibility to
participate in the plan;
(b) A determination that the benefit is not a covered
benefit; or
(c) A rescission of coverage, whether or not, in
connection with rescission, there is an adverse effect on any particular
benefit.
(3) “Affidavit of Domestic Partnership” means a
document that attests the eligible employee and one other eligible individual
meet the criteria in section (15)(b).
(4) “Benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to,
insurance or other benefits including:
(a) Medical;
(b) Dental;
(c) Vision;
(d) Life, disability and accidental death;
(e) Long term care;
(f) Flexible spending accounts;
(g) Supplemental medical, dental and vision;
(h) Any other remedial care recognized by state law,
and related services and supplies;
(i) Comparable benefits for employees who rely on
spiritual means of healing; and
(j) Self insurance programs managed by the Board.
(5) “Benefits” means goods and services provided under
benefit plans.
(6) “Board” means the ten-member board established in
the Department of Administrative Services as the Oregon Educators Benefit Board
under chapter 00007, Oregon Laws 2007.
(7) “Child” means and includes the following:
(a) An eligible employee’s, spouse’s, or domestic
partner’s biological son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter; adopted child,
child placed for adoption, or legally placed child, who is 25 or younger on the
first day of the month. An eligible employee must provide the required custody
or legal documents to their Educational Entity showing proof of adoption, legal
guardianship or other court order if enrolling a child for whom the employee,
spouse, or domestic partner is not the biological parent
(b) A person who is incapable of self-sustaining
employment because of a developmental disability, mental illness, or physical
disability. There is no age limit for a dependent child who is incapable of
self-sustaining employment because of a developmental disability, mental
illness, or physical disability. When the dependent child is 26 years of age or
older all the following requirements must be met:
(A) The disability must have existed before attaining
age 26.
(B) The employee must provide evidence to the
Educational Entity or OEBB that (1) the person had health plan coverage, group
or individual, prior to attaining age 26, and (2) health plan coverage
continued without a gap until the OEBB health plan effective date.
(C) The person’s attending physician must submit
documentation of the disability to the eligible employee’s OEBB health
insurance plan for review and approval. If the person receives health plan
approval, the health plan may review the person’s health status at any time to
determine continued OEBB coverage eligibility.
(D) The person must not have terminated from OEBB
health plan coverage after attaining the age of 26.
(c) Eligibility for coverage under this rule includes
people who may not be dependents under federal or state tax law and may require
an Educational Entity to adjust an Eligible Employee’s income based on the
imputed value of the benefit.
(8) “Comparable cost (Medical, Dental and Vision)”
means that the total cost to a district for enrollment in OEBB plans comparable
in design to the district’s plan(s) do not exceed the total cost to a district
for enrollment in the district’s plan(s) using the rate(s) in effect or
proposed for the benefit plan year.
(9) “Comparable cost (Basic and Optional Life Insurance,
Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Short and Long Term Disability)”
means that the premium rates of an OEBB plan design option do not exceed the
average, aggregate premium rates of a district’s pre-OEBB plan design in effect
the year prior to implementation.
(10) “Comparable plan design (Medical, Dental and
Vision)” means that the actuarial values of two plan designs are within 2.5
percent higher or lower of each other.
(11) “Comparable plan design (Basic and Optional Life
Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment)” means that 90 percent of
district employees can obtain a maximum benefit through an OEBB plan design
that is within $2,500 of the maximum benefit obtained through a pre-OEBB plan
design in effect the year prior to implementation.
(12) “Comparable plan design (Short and Long Term
Disability)” means 90 percent of the district employees can obtain the same
elimination period, percentage of covered compensation, definition of covered
compensation, coverage period duration, and maximum payment per benefit period
through an OEBB plan design as through a pre-OEBB plan design in effect the
year prior to implementation.
(13) “Dependent” means and includes the Employee’s
Spouse or Domestic Partner, or child as defined by OAR 111-010-0010(7) or other
person having a relation to the subscriber as defined by the Contractor.
(14) “Documented district policies” means Educational
Entities’ policies and practices that apply to an employee group and are
submitted to the Oregon Educators Benefit Board during the plan selection
process. Educational Entities’ policies and practices must be identified and
submitted with the applicable employee group plan selections.
(15) “Domestic partner,” unless otherwise defined by a
collective bargaining agreement or documented district policy in effect on
January 31, 2008, means and includes the following:
(a) An unmarried individual of the same sex who has
entered into a “Declaration of Domestic Partnership” with the eligible employee
that is recognized under Oregon law; or
(b) An unmarried individual of the same or opposite sex
who has entered into a partnership that meets the following criteria:
(A) Both are at least 18 years of age;
(B) Are responsible for each other’s welfare and are
each other’s sole domestic partners;
(C) Are not married to anyone and have not had a spouse
or another domestic partner within the prior six months. If previously married,
the six-month period starts on the final date of divorce;
(D) Share a close personal relationship and are not
related by blood closer than would bar marriage in the State of Oregon;
(E) Have jointly shared the same regular and permanent
residence for at least six months immediately preceding the date the Affidavit
of Domestic Partnership is signed and submitted to the Educational Entity; and
(F) Are jointly financially responsible for basic
living expenses defined as the cost of food, shelter and any other expenses of
maintaining a household. Financial information must be provided if requested.
(G) The eligible employee and domestic partner must
jointly complete and submit to the Educational Entity an Affidavit of Domestic
Partnership form, within five business days of the electronic enrollment date
or the date the Educational Entity received the enrollment/change form. If the
affidavit is not received, coverage will terminate for the domestic partner
retroactive to the effective date.
(c) The domestic partner must notify the Educational
Entity within 31 days of meeting all criteria as defined in 111-010-0015 (15)(b)
or obtaining the “Declaration of Domestic Partnership” which is recognized
under Oregon law.
(d) Educational Entities’ must calculate and apply
applicable imputed value tax for domestic partners covered under OEBB benefit
plans.
(16) “Educational Entity” means public school districts
(K–12), education service districts (ESDs), community colleges and public
charter schools participating in OEBB.
(17) “Eligible employee” means and includes:
(a) “Active eligible employee” means an employee of an
OEBB participating organization who is employed or is in a job-sharing position
on a half time or greater basis or meets the definition of an eligible employee
under a separate OEBB rule or under a collective bargaining agreement or
documented district policy in effect on January 31, 2008.
(b) “Retired eligible employee” means a previously
active eligible employee, who is:
(A) Receiving a service or disability retirement
allowance or pension under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) or
under any other retirement or disability benefit plan or system offered by an
OEBB participating organization for its employees;
(B) Eligible to receive a service retirement allowance
under PERS and has reached earliest retirement age under ORS Chapter 238;
(C) Eligible to receive a pension under ORS 238A.100 to
238A.245 and has reached earliest retirement age as described in ORS 238A.165;
or
(D) Eligible to receive a service retirement allowance
or pension under another retirement benefit plan or system offered by an OEBB
participating organization and has reached earliest retirement age under the
plan or system.
(18) “Employee Group” means employees of a similar
employment type, for example administrative, represented classified,
non-represented classified, confidential, represented licensed, or
non-represented licensed, within an Educational Entity. If one or more
collective bargaining unit exists within an employee group, each unit will be
considered a separate employee group.
(19) “Members” means and includes the following:
(a) “Eligible employee” as defined by OAR
111-010-0015(17)
(b) “Child” as defined by OAR 111-010-0015(7)
(c) “Domestic Partner” as defined by OAR
111-010-0015(15)
(d) “Spouse” as defined by OAR 111-010-0015(25)
(20) “Non-subject District” means a community college,
district or a charter school if the employees are not considered employees of a
school district.
(21) “Oregon Educators Benefit Board or OEBB” means the
program created under chapter 00007, Oregon Laws 2007.
(22) “OEBB participating organization” means a Subject
District, Non-subject District, or Provisional Non-subject District that
participates in benefit plans provided by the Oregon Educators Benefit Board
(OEBB).
(23) “Provisional Non-subject District” means a common
school district, a union high school district, or an education service district
that:
(a) Was self-insured on December 31, 2006;
(b) Had an independent health insurance trust
established and functioning on December 31, 2006; or
(c) Can provide comparable plan designs at a comparable
cost as defined by sections (8) and (10) of this Rule.
(24) “Qualified Status Change (QSC)” means a change in
family or work status that allows limited mid-year changes to benefit plans
consistent with the individual event.
(25) “Spouse” means a person of the opposite sex who is
a husband or wife. Except as provided in Oregon Constitution Article XV,
Section 5a, a relationship recognized as a marriage in another state will be
recognized in Oregon even though such a relationship would not be a marriage if
the same facts had been relied upon to create a marriage in Oregon. The
definition of spouse does not include a former spouse and a former spouse does
not qualify as a dependent.
(26) “Subject District” means a common school district,
a union high school district, or an education service district that:
(a) Did not self-insure on January 1, 2007;
(b) Did not have a health trust in effect on January 1,
2007; or
(c) Does not provide comparable plan designs at a
comparable cost as defined by sections (8) and (10) of this Rule.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.860(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 2-2007(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 9-21-07 thru 3-18-08; OEBB 2-2008, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-08; OEBB
10-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-13-08 thru 2-6-09; OEBB 1-2009, f. &
cert. ef. 1-30-09; OEBB 5-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-10-09 thru 9-4-09;
OEBB 8-2009, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-09; OEBB 12-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
7-31-09 thru 1-26-10; OEBB 19-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09; OEBB 7-2010(Temp),
f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 11-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert.
ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 1-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
Rule
Caption: Amends and adopts changes to the
Oregon Educators Benefit Board’s rules on plan design development and
selection.
Adm.
Order No.: OEBB 2-2011
Filed with Sec. of
State: 2-11-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 2-11-11
Notice Publication
Date: 12-1-2010
Rules Adopted: 111-030-0010, 111-030-0035, 111-030-0040, 111-030-0045,
111-030-0050
Rules Amended: 111-030-0005
Rules Repealed: 111-030-0030, 111-030-0005(T), 111-030-0010(T),
111-030-0035(T), 111-030-0040(T), 111-030-0045(T), 111-030-0050(T)
Subject: Amendments to OAR 111-030-0005 removes specific
benefit plan references and makes the rule applicable to all benefit plans offered
by OEBB. This rule details the selection process through OEBB. 111-030-0010,
111-030-0035, 111-030-0040 and 111-030-0045 establishes the benefit selection
criteria in rule, which previously existed in OEBB board approved policy.
111-030-0050 establishes OEBB’s Premium Rate Structure Selection Process and
Limitations, which previously existed in OEBB board approved policy.
Rules Coordinator: April Kelly—(503) 378-6588
111-030-0005
Benefit Plans Selection through
OEBB
(1) As used in this section, “benefit plans” includes
medical, dental, pharmaceutical, dental, basic life and accidental death and
dismemberment, optional life and AD&D, short and long term disability, long
term care and employee assistance program.
(2) OEBB will offer a range of benefit plans that
provide the flexibility to choose between a number of high quality plan
options.
(3) The process for benefit plans selection includes:
(a) Release of preliminary designs and costs for all
benefit plan options to Educational Entities no later than. 45 days prior to
final selection date. The total number offered may vary each year.
(b) Educational Entities select, or allow each Employee
Group to select, the benefit plan options to be offered to each Employee Group
unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule.
(c) Benefit plan selections for each Employee Group
must be submitted through the MyOEBB Educational Entity plan management section
or an approved electronic format to OEBB no later than June 30 each year. Plan
selection submissions must be authorized by an official with the Educational
Entity.
Stat. Auth: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a), 243.868 (1) & 243.872(2)
Hist.: OEBB 8-2008, f. 6-25-08,
cert. ef. 6-26-08; OEBB 13-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10;
OEBB 20-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09; OEBB 8-2010(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-030-0010
Medical, Pharmaceutical, Dental
and Vision Plan Selection Criteria
(1) Educational Entities may choose or allow up to four
medical plans per Employee Group.
(2) Educational Entities must choose or allow one
pharmaceutical plan for each OEBB Medical Plans 3 through 8 with the following
restrictions:
(a) Pharmacy Plan A only;
(b) Pharmacy Plan B only;
(c) Pharmacy Plan C only;
(d) A combination of Pharmacy Plan A and Pharmacy Plan
C;
(e) A combination of Pharmacy Plan B and Pharmacy Plan
C.
(f) The pharmacy benefits are included in OEBB Medical
Plan 9.
(g) An Educational Entity cannot offer the same OEBB
medical plan to an Employee Group as more than one medical plan option, even if
it is matched with different pharmacy plans.
(3) Educational Entities may choose or allow up to
three OEBB dental plans with or without orthodontia coverage per Employee Group
with the following restrictions:
(a) The orthodontia option must be included in all or
none of the dental plan selections, with the exception of plans 7 and 8 offered
through Willamette Dental.
(b) The HMO dental plan offered through Kaiser
Permanente is only available to an Employee Group that selects a medical HMO
plan offered through Kaiser Permanente.
(4)(a) Educational Entities may choose or allow one
vision plan per Employee Group with the following exception:
(b) An Educational Entity may choose or allow the
addition of a vision plan offered through the HMO if the Employee Group selects
the medical HMO plan.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a), 243.868(1) & 243.872(2)
Hist.: OEBB 8-2010(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-030-0035
Optional Benefit Plans Selection
Criteria
(1) Basic Life Insurance — Educational Entities
may select or allow one Basic Life plan per Employee Group unless otherwise
specified in an OEBB administrative rule. Note: Employee Groups may select one
Basic Life amount and offer optional life. Basic Life requires 100 percent
enrollment if selected.
(2) Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
—Educational Entities may select or allow one Basic AD&D plan per
Employee Group unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule. Note:
Employee Groups can select one Basic AD&D plan and offer optional AD&D
if desired. The Employee Group must select Basic Life coverage to select a Basic
AD&D plan. Basic AD&D requires 100 percent enrollment if selected.
(3) Optional Employee Life Insurance and Optional
Employee AD&D — Educational Entities may select or allow Optional
Employee Life and Optional AD&D for each Employee Group unless otherwise
specified in an OEBB administrative rule. No minimum enrollment requirement.
(4) Optional Spouse/Partner Life Insurance and Optional
Spouse/Partner AD&D — Educational Entities may select or allow
Optional Spouse/Partner Life and Optional Spouse/Partner AD&D coverage for
each Employee Group unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule.
No minimum enrollment requirement. The Employee Group must offer Optional
Employee Life and Optional AD&D to offer this coverage. The Optional
Employee Life Insurance and Optional Employee AD&D must be greater or equal
to Optional Spouse/Partner Life Insurance and Optional Spouse/Partner AD&D.
(5) Optional Child Life Insurance and Optional Child
AD&D — Educational Entities may select or allow Optional Child Life
and Optional Child AD&D coverage for each Employee Group unless otherwise
specified in an OEBB administrative rule. No minimum enrollment requirement.
The Employee Group must offer Optional Employee Life and Optional AD&D to
offer this coverage. Optional Child Life Insurance and Optional Child Life
AD&D requires enrollment in the minimum amount of Optional Employee Life
and Optional AD&D by the employee.
(6) Optional Early Retiree Life Insurance and Optional
Early Retiree AD&D — Educational Entities may select or allow
Optional Early Retiree Life and Optional Early Retiree AD&D coverage unless
otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule. No minimum enrollment
requirement, but enrollment is limited to initial open enrollment period only
and subject to the following restrictions:
(a) Optional Early Retiree Life and Optional Early
Retiree AD&D are only available to early retirees who had this coverage as
an active employee.
(b) The Educational Entity must offer this coverage for
the early retiree to continue enrollment.
(c) When an employee moves from active to retiree
status they may select coverage up to the amount they had as an active
employee, or decrease coverage. Increases in coverage are not allowed.
(7) Voluntary Short Term Disability (STD) —
Educational Entities may select or allow one Voluntary STD plan per Employee
Group unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule. No minimum
enrollment requirement. The employee pays all or part of the premium. An
Employee Group cannot select more than one STD Plan (Voluntary, Mandatory, or
Mandatory/Employee-paid).
(8) Mandatory Short Term Disability (STD) —
Educational Entities may select or allow one Mandatory STD plan per Employee
Group unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule. This plan requires
100 percent enrollment if selected and the premium is employer-paid. An
Employee Group cannot select more than one STD Plan (Voluntary, Mandatory, or
Mandatory/Employee-paid).
(9) Mandatory/Employee-paid Short Term Disability (STD)
— Educational Entities may select or allow one Mandatory/Employee-paid
STD plan per Employee Group unless otherwise specified in an OEBB
administrative rule. This plan requires 100 percent enrollment and the premium
is paid by the employee. An Employee Group cannot select more than one STD Plan
(Voluntary, Mandatory, or Mandatory/Employee-paid).
(10) Voluntary Long Term Disability (LTD) —
Educational Entities may select or allow one Voluntary LTD plan per Employee
Group unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule. No minimum
enrollment requirement. The employee pays all or part of the premium. An
Employee Group cannot select more than one LTD Plan (Voluntary, Mandatory, or
Mandatory/Employee-paid).
(11) Mandatory Long Term Disability (LTD) —
Educational Entities may select or allow one Mandatory LTD plan per Employee
Group unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule. This plan
requires 100 percent enrollment and the premium is employer-paid. An Employee
Group cannot select more than one LTD Plan (Voluntary, Mandatory, or
Mandatory/Employee-paid).
(12) Mandatory/Employee-paid Long Term Disability (LTD)
— Educational Entities may select or allow one Mandatory/Employee-paid
LTD plan per Employee Group unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative
rule. This plan requires 100 percent enrollment and the premium is paid by the
employee. An Employee Group cannot select more than one LTD Plan (Voluntary,
Mandatory, or Mandatory/Employee-paid).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a), 243.868(1) & 243.872(2)
Hist.: OEBB 8-2010(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-030-0040
Long Term Care (LTC) Benefit Plan
Selection Criteria
Educational Entities may select or allow LTC options to
be available for or to each Employee Group unless otherwise specified in an
OEBB administrative rule. OEBB offers employer-paid and employee-paid LTC
options.
(1) Employee-paid LTC is a voluntary plan where members
can choose to enroll. No minimum enrollment requirement.
(2) Employer-paid LTC requires 100 percent eligible
employee enrollment if selected.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a), 243.868(1) & 243.872(2)
Hist.: OEBB 8-2010(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-030-0045
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Plan Selection Criteria
(1) Educational Entities may select or allow an EAP
option to be available to all Entity employees including, but not limited to,
OEBB benefit-eligible employees and their dependents.
(2) Enrollment will happen automatically if selected by
an Educational Entity.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a), 243.868(1), 243.872(2)
Hist.: OEBB 8-2010(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-030-0050
Premium Rate Structure Selection
Process and Limitations
(1) Educational Entities may choose a composite or
tiered rate structure for each Employee Group for medical, dental and vision
coverage unless otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule. The rate
structure selected for each coverage type applies to all individuals electing
to participate as active employees within an Employee Group.
(2) Educational Entities may select a composite or
tiered rate structure for early retirees unless otherwise specified in an OEBB
administrative rule.
(3) Educational Entities may select a composite or
tiered rate structure for part-time employees of an Employee Group unless
otherwise specified in an OEBB administrative rule. If a different rate
structure is selected for part-time employees that structure must apply to all
participating part-time employees within that Employee Group.
(4) Rate structures must be selected during the plan
selection process.
(5) Once an Educational Entity elects a change in rate
structure for a type of coverage within an Employee Group, the rate structure
selection cannot be changed for at least three plan years. The rate structure
change will go into effect on the first day of the next plan year, October 1.
(6) Educational Entities who offered LTD on a composite
rate structure prior to moving to OEBB coverages can continue to do so for two
plan years, 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. This composite rate structure
is available on the mandatory LTD plan which require 100 percent enrollment.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a), 243.868(1) & 243.872(2)
Hist.: OEBB 8-2010(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 2-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
Rule
Caption: Amended to update terms used by
OEBB and include revisions related to the federal Healthcare Reform Act.
Adm.
Order No.: OEBB 3-2011
Filed with Sec. of
State: 2-11-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 2-11-11
Notice Publication
Date: 12-1-2010
Rules Amended: 111-040-0001, 111-040-0005, 111-040-0015,
111-040-0020, 111-040-0025, 111-040-0030, 111-040-0040, 111-040-0050
Rules Repealed: 111-040-0001(T), 111-040-0005(T), 111-040-0015(T),
111-040-0020(T), 111-040-0025(T), 111-040-0030(T), 111-040-0040(T),
111-040-0050(T)
Subject: OAR 111-040-0001 is amended to clarify the effective
date of certain optional benefit plans that are subject to Evidence of
Insurability by the carrier and update terms used by OEBB. 111-040-0025,
111-040-0030 and 111-040-0050 updates terms used by OEBB. 111-040-0040 is
amended to specify when a QSC can be used for Long Term Care. other amendments
include revisions that are needed to respond to the new rescission law of
coverage provisions and the expanded eligibility for the dependent children
under age 26 under the federal Health Care Reform Act.
Rules Coordinator: April Kelly—(503) 378-6588
111-040-0001
Effective Dates
(1) Benefit plan changes or initial elections, unless
otherwise specified in a collective bargaining agreement or documented district
policy in effect on June 30, 2008, are effective on the later of:
(a) The first of the month following a completed online
enrollment in the OEBB benefit management system or submission of a paper
enrollment or change form, or
(b)(A) The first of the month following the date of
hire or the date of eligibility; with the following exception:
(B) The first of the month following approval of
Evidence of Insurability for Optional Life Insurance above the guarantee issue
amount, Long Term Disability, or Long Term Care insurance.
(2) Covered dependent changes are effective the first
of the month following the date of the event causing the dependent to be
eligible under OEBB administrative rules with the following exceptions:
(a) Coverage for a newborn child is effective on the
date of birth. The active eligible employee must add the newborn child to their
benefit plans within 60 calendar days from the date of birth in order for the
newborn child to be eligible for benefit coverage.
(b) Coverage for a newly adopted child is effective the
date of the adoption decree or date of placement for adoption. The active
eligible employee must add the adopted child to their benefit plans within 60
calendar days from the date of the decree or placement in order for the newly
adopted child to be eligible for benefit coverage; and
(A) The active eligible employee must submit the
adoption agreement with the enrollment forms to the Educational Entity.
(B) Claims payments will not be made for expenses
incurred prior to the date of decree or placement.
(C) The first of the month following approval of
Evidence of Insurability for Optional Spouse/Domestic Partner Life insurance
above the guaranteed issue amount, if applicable, or Long Term Care Insurance.
(3) Elections made during an open enrollment period are
effective on the first day of the new plan year. There will be a 12-month
waiting period for services other than preventive dental exams and cleanings
and/or routine vision exams for coverage added during the open enrollment
period if enrolling in a dental or vision plan in which the employee and/or
dependents were previously eligible.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 14-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 8-15-08; OEBB 14-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10;
OEBB 21-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09; OEBB 9-2010(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 12-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru
1-29-11; OEBB 3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-040-0005
Termination Dates
(1) Effective October 1, 2010, benefit coverage for an
active eligible employee, a spouse, a domestic partner, or a child ends on the
last day of the month that eligibility is lost with the following exceptions:
(a) If the employee’s eligibility terminates due to
termination of employment, death, reduction in hours, leave, or other
alteration of the employee’s employment, coverage will end on the last day of
the month in which OEBB receives notification of the event from the Educational
Entity. No retroactive terminations or adjustments are allowed.
(b) If the active eligible employee notifies the
Educational Entity within 31 days after an event terminating eligibility of the
employee’s spouse, domestic partner, or child, coverage for the spouse,
domestic partner, or child will end on the last day of the month in which OEBB
receives notification of the event from the Educational Entity. No retroactive
terminations or adjustments are allowed.
(2) Effective October 1, 2010, if the active eligible
employee fails to notify the employee’s Educational Entity within 31 days after
an event terminating eligibility of the employee’s spouse, domestic partner or
child, this may be considered intentional misrepresentation and OEBB may terminate
coverage retroactively to the end of the month in which eligibility was lost.
If benefits are to be terminated retroactively, OEBB shall give the affected
individual 30 days notice of the termination and an opportunity to appeal
before the retroactive termination takes effect.
(3) Benefit coverage for active eligible employees ends
on the last day of the month that they retire, unless otherwise determined in a
collective bargaining agreement or documented district policy in effect on June
30, 2008. Benefit coverage may be continued based on the requirements and
limitations in OARs 111-050-0001 through 111-050-0050.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 14-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 8-15-08; OEBB 12-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru
1-29-11; OEBB 3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-040-0015
Removing an Ineligible Individual
from Benefit Plans
(1) An active eligible employee is responsible for
removing ineligible spouses, domestic partners and children from their
OEBB-sponsored benefit plans by submitting completed, applicable forms to their
Educational Entity benefits administrator within 31 calendar days after the
date the individual becomes ineligible. Coverage ends on the date identified
under OAR 111-040-0005.
(2) An active eligible employee ending a domestic
partnership must complete and submit a Termination of Domestic Partnership form
and enrollment update forms to the Educational Entity benefits administrator
within 31 calendar days after the event for removal of the domestic partner and
domestic partner’s children from their benefit plan. Benefit coverage for the
domestic partner and domestic partner’s children ends on the date identified in
OAR 111-040-0005.
(3) An Educational Entity is responsible for removing
ineligible individuals from the OEBB benefits management system. The
Educational Entity must complete such removal within 14 calendar days after:
(a) An event resulting in loss of the employee’s
eligibility, or
(b) The receipt of notification of an event resulting
in loss of eligibility of the employee’s spouse, domestic partner or child.
(4) If coverage of an employee’s spouse, domestic
partner or child is terminated retroactively under OAR 111-040-0005(2), then:
(a) The active eligible employee may be responsible for
claims previously paid by the benefit plans to the providers during the period
of ineligibility at the carrier’s discretion; and
(b) Premium adjustments will be made retroactively
based on the coverage end date as identified in OAR 111-040-0005(2), not to
exceed three months of premium dollars.
(5) OEBB shall conduct audits to monitor compliance
with OEBB administrative rules governing eligibility and enrollment.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 14-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 8-15-08; OEBB 9-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11;
OEBB 12-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 3-2011, f.
& cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-040-0020
Open Enrollment
(1) Active eligible employees may make benefit plan
changes or elections and add or remove eligible dependents during open
enrollment periods as designated by OEBB.
(2) Coverage under OEBB-sponsored benefits plans for an
eligible individual added during open enrollment begins on the first day of the
new plan year. Dental and vision coverage added during the open enrollment
period will be limited to preventive dental exams and cleanings and routine
vision exams for the first 12 months of coverage, if the eligible individual
and/or their eligible dependents were previously eligible for the coverage.
Coverage for an individual terminated during open enrollment ends on the last
day of the month of the current plan year.
(3) An active eligible employee hired after the open
enrollment period and before the start of the new plan year has open enrollment
rights.
(4) Benefit plan elections are irrevocable for the new
plan year except as specified in OAR 111-040-0040.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS 243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 14-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 8-15-08; OEBB 12-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru
1-29-11; OEBB 3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-040-0025
Correcting Enrollment and
Processing Errors
(1) Employee Enrollment Errors. Enrollment errors occur
when an active eligible employee provides incorrect information or fails to
make correct selections when making benefit plan elections. The active eligible
employee is responsible for identifying enrollment errors or omissions.
(a) OEBB authorizes Educational Entities to correct
enrollment errors reported by the active eligible employee within 60 calendar
days of the original eligibility date, open enrollment period end date, or
Qualified Status Change date.
(b) Enrollment errors identified after 60 calendar days
of the eligibility date, open enrollment period end date or Qualified Status
Change date must be submitted to OEBB for review and approval based on OAR
111-080-0030.
(2) Benefit Administrator Processing Errors. Processing
errors or omissions occur when benefit plan elections are processed incorrectly
in the benefit system or when a newly-eligible active eligible employee does
not receive correct enrollment information or materials within 31 calendar days
of the eligibility date.
(a) OEBB authorizes Educational Entities to correct
processing errors identified within 60 calendar days of the eligibility date,
open enrollment period end date, or Qualified Status Change date. The
Educational Entity must reconcile all premium discrepancies.
(b) Processing errors identified after 60 calendar days
of the eligibility date, open enrollment period end date, or Qualified Status
Change date must be submitted to OEBB for review and approval based on OAR
111-080-0030. The Educational Entity must reconcile all premium discrepancies
within 30 calendar days of any adjustments made in the system.
(3) The effective date for the correction of either an
employee enrollment error or benefit administrator error is:
(a) Retroactive to the original effective date as
identified in OAR 111-040-0001 if the error was made while adding a coverage
type, dependent, or 111-040-0005(2) if the error is a failure to notify after
an event which terminates eligibility; or
(b) Prospective to the first of the following month as
identified in OAR 111-040-0005(1)(a)(b).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 14-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 8-15-08; OEBB 14-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10;
OEBB 21-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09; OEBB 9-2010(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-040-0030
Late Enrollment
(1) Late enrollment occurs when an active eligible
employee fails to enroll for benefits within 31 calendar days of:
(a) The date of hire or other benefit eligibility date
as identified in OAR 111-040-0001;
(b) The date a spouse, domestic partner, or child gains
eligibility;
(c) The date of marriage to a spouse who was most
recently enrolled as a domestic partner; or
(d) The date of birth of the employee’s biological
newborn child.
(2) OEBB authorizes Educational Entities to approve
late enrollment requests for active eligible employees and dependents when the
request is reported within 60 calendar days of the eligibility dates referenced
in sections (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c) and (1)(d).
(3) OEBB must review and approve all late enrollment
requests based on OAR 111-080-0030 when the request is made more than 60
calendar days after the eligibility dates referenced in sections (1)(a), (1)(b),
(1)(c) and (1)(d).
(4) Approved late enrollment requests, unless
determined otherwise in a collective bargaining agreement or documented
district policy in effect on June 30, 2008, are effective the first of the
month following the date the request is received by a district benefits
administrator or OEBB, except for approved requests to add newborn children
which are retroactive to the month the child was born along with any premium
adjustments.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 14-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 8-15-08; OEBB 14-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10;
OEBB 21-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09; OEBB 9-2010(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-040-0040
Qualified Status Changes (QSC)
(1) Active eligible employees experiencing a change in
family or work status as noted below after annual enrollment, or anytime during
the plan year, have 31 calendar days beginning on the date of the event to make
changes. If the event is gaining a child, as defined by 111-040-0040(2)(c), or
results in a loss of eligibility, the eligible employee has 60 calendar days
after the event to make changes.
(2) The eligible employee can only make changes that
are consistent with the event for themselves and/or dependents.
(3) The employee must report the Qualified Status
Change (QSC) to the employee’s Educational Entity within the specified
timeframe. Failure to report a QSC that will result in removal of a spouse,
domestic partner, or child within the timeframe stated in 111-040-0040(1) may
be considered intentional misrepresentation, and OEBB may retroactively
terminate the individual’s coverage back to the last day of the month in which
the individual lost eligibility. Please refer to the QSC matrix for details on
what changes can occur with each event.
(4) Qualified Status Changes which allow the employee
to make changes to his or her coverage are:
(a) Gain spouse by marriage or domestic partner by
meeting domestic partner eligibility;
(b) Loss of spouse or domestic partner by divorce,
annulment, death or termination of domestic partnership,
(c) Gain a child by birth, placement for/or adoption,
or Domestic Partner’s children (by affidavit of domestic partnership),
(d) Active eligible employee starts new employment and
gains eligibility;
(e) Change in employment status by active eligible
employee which affects eligibility;
(f) Active eligible employee ends employment or other
change in employment status resulting in a loss of eligibility;
(g) Spouse or domestic partner starts new employment or
other change in employment status which affects eligibility;
(h) Spouse or domestic partner’s employment ends or
other change in employment status resulting in a loss of eligibility under
their employer’s plan;
(i) Event by which a child satisfies eligibility
requirements under OEBB plans (for a list of requirements see 111-010-0015);
(j) Event by which a child ceases to satisfy
eligibility requirements under OEBB plans (for a list of requirements see
111-010-0015);
(k) Changes in the residence of the active eligible
employee, spouse, domestic partner, or child (i.e., moving out of the service
area of an HMO);
(l) Reinstatement of coverage. Reinstatement can be
used in the following situations:
(A) Military (USERRA)
(B) When coverage was continued under COBRA
(C) When coverage was terminated in error and there is
no lapse in coverage.
(m) Significant changes in cost of the eligible
employee’s or early retiree’s current plan and tier level that result in a
negative impact of 10 percent or more to:
(A) The amount an active eligible employee or early
retiree must contribute toward benefits.
(B) The amount a spouse or domestic partner must
contribute toward his or her group health insurance plan cost.
(n) Related laws or court orders. For example:
Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO), Medicare, HIPAA, or Family
Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP). Changes are determined by the
applicable law or court order.
(5) Changes in coverage, or contribution amounts that
result in a reduced amount that an employee or eligible dependent must
contribute toward benefits, do not constitute a Qualified Status Change.
(6) The following applies to the Long Term Care benefit
plans only:
(a) Employees can cancel the plan at anytime without a
QSC event.
(b) Plan additions or changes require a QSC event as
defined 111-040-0040(2). The addition of a plan, or change in plans, with a QSC
is subject to a medical evidence review by the LTC carrier.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 14-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 8-15-08; OEBB 10-2009(Temp), f. 5-4-09, cert. ef. 5-5-09 thru
10-31-09; OEBB 11-2009, f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09; OEBB 17-2009(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 10-7-09 thru 4-4-10; OEBB 22-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09;
OEBB 2-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-3-10 thru 8-29-10; OEBB 6-2010, f.
& cert. ef. 8-3-10; OEBB 9-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru
1-29-11; OEBB 12-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB
3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-040-0050
Declination of Coverage
(1) As used in this section:
(a) “Opting out of coverage” means that an individual
elects not to enroll in a medical plan and is eligible to receive a portion of
the cash contribution or other type of remuneration as provided for under a
collective bargaining agreement, documented district policy, or employment
contract.
(b) “Waiving benefits” means that an individual elects
not to enroll in any one of the benefit plans available under the
OEBB-sponsored benefits program and is not eligible to receive any portion of a
cash contribution or other type of remuneration.
(2) Unless otherwise specified in a collective
bargaining agreement, documented district policy or employment contract in
effect on July 1, 2008, an eligible employee may opt out of the OEBB-sponsored
medical benefit plans. Eligible employees electing to opt out must:
(a) Maintain coverage under another employer-sponsored
group medical benefit plan;
(b) Meet the requirements of the district opt out
program in which they are participating;
(c) Submit their election to opt out through the OEBB
benefit management system; and
(d) If requested, provide proof of current coverage
under another employer-sponsored group medical benefit plan.
(3) Eligible employees electing to opt out of the
OEBB-sponsored medical benefit plans may enroll in the dental benefit plans,
vision benefit plans, and optional benefit plans.
(4) The level and type of funds and allowances retained
by eligible employees and districts as a result of opt out programs are
determined through collective bargaining agreements and documented district
policies.
(5) An Educational Entity will provide OEBB with a
written description of its opt out program upon request.
(6) An eligible employee may waive medical, dental and
vision or any combination of benefits provided under the OEBB-sponsored
benefits program.
(7) Elections to opt out of the medical benefit plans
or waive benefits must be made at the time of hire, when initially meeting
eligibility, during an open enrollment period, or following a QSC event.
(8) An eligible employee previously opting out of
coverage or waiving benefits may enroll in benefit plans consistent with a QSC
event or during an open enrollment period.
(a) Coverage for previously OEBB-eligible employees or
a previously OEBB-eligible dependent enrolling in the dental and/or vision
plans during an open enrollment period will be limited to routine and
preventive care for the first 12 months and subject to a 12-month waiting
period for orthodontia coverage.
(b) Eligible employees who enroll in the dental or
vision plans, or add previously OEBB- eligible dependents to the dental and
vision plans, due to a QSC event will not be subject to waiting periods.
(9) Eligible employees electing to not enroll when
initially eligible for optional insurance plans will have to go through a
medical review process to obtain optional life insurance.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 9-2008, f. 6-25-08,
cert. ef. 6-26-08; OEBB 14-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10;
OEBB 21-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09; OEBB 9-2010(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
Rule
Caption: Amendments include rule revisions
related to updating terminology, clarifying language and the federal
Healthcare Reform Act.
Adm.
Order No.: OEBB 4-2011
Filed with Sec. of
State: 2-11-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 2-11-11
Notice Publication
Date: 12-1-2010
Rules Amended: 111-050-0001, 111-050-0010, 111-050-0015,
111-050-0016, 111-050-0020, 111-050-0025, 111-050-0030, 111-050-0035,
111-050-0045, 111-050-0050, 111-050-0060, 111-050-0065, 111-050-0070,
111-050-0075, 111-050-0080
Rules Repealed: 111-050-0001(T), 111-050-0010(T), 111-050-0015(T),
111-050-0016(T), 111-050-0020(T), 111-050-0025(T), 111-050-0030(T),
111-050-0035(T), 111-050-0045(T), 111-050-0050(T), 111-050-0060(T),
111-050-0065(T), 111-050-0070(T), 111-050-0075(T), 111-050-0080(T)
Subject: Amendments include revisions that are needed to
respond to the new rescission of coverage provisions of the federal Healthcare
Reform Act on coverages continued under COBRA and early retiree plans. Other
amendments clarify language relating to retired eligible employees, add Long
Term Care and update terminology used by OEBB.
Rules Coordinator: April Kelly—(503) 378-6588
111-050-0001
Continuation of Group Medical and
Dental Insurance Coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act (COBRA)
COBRA allows an eligible individual losing group health
plan coverage due to a qualifying event to continue their coverage for a
limited time on a self-pay basis.
(1) OEBB will issue or cause the issuance of an initial
COBRA notice explaining the right to continue medical and dental insurance
plans to all newly eligible employees and individuals.
(a) The notice must be mailed to the eligible
employee’s known address immediately following enrollment in OEBB medical or
dental insurance plans. The notice must include all known eligible individuals
residing at the address. Known eligible individuals residing separately from
the eligible employee must be mailed a separate notice at their known address.
(b) The initial COBRA notice must be mailed to
individuals becoming newly eligible due to marriage or the formation of a
domestic partnership.
(2) A COBRA triggering event must cause the loss of
benefit coverage. COBRA triggering events include:
(a) An involuntary reduction in hours or layoff;
(b) A strike or lockout;
(c) The beginning of an unpaid leave of absence;
(d) The termination of employment;
(e) Retirement;
(f) A child no longer satisfying eligibility
requirements;
(g) The loss of employer-sponsored group coverage for
dependents due to Medicare eligibility;
(h) A divorce or termination of a domestic partnership;
and
(i) The death of the employee.
(3) All individuals losing eligibility due to a
triggering event must receive a COBRA continuation notice.
(4) An eligible employee or dependent has 60 days from
the receipt of the COBRA notice to activate their COBRA rights of continuation
and 45 days from the election date to pay the initial premium. Generally,
OEBB-sponsored insurance coverage must be continuous.
(5) Generally, medical plans may be continued under
COBRA provisions for the following basic maximum coverage periods:
(a) 18 months after the date of the triggering events
specified in section (2)(a)–(e) above; and
(b) An 11 month extension is provided to COBRA participants
when there is a disability determination by the Social Security Administration
and the plan is notified within the required timeline, resulting in a 29 month
coverage period; or
(c) 36 months after the date of the triggering events
specified in section (2)(f)–(i) above.
(6) An eligible employee’s spouse or domestic partner
who is 55 years of age or older and who loses benefit coverage due to events
specified in section (2)(h) and (i) above, may continue OEBB medical insurance
coverage for themselves and their children beyond the general 36-month COBRA
continuation period. An eligible individual may continue their OEBB medical
insurance coverage until they are entitled to Medicare, are covered under
another group medical insurance plan or otherwise lose eligibility.
(7) An eligible individual continuing OEBB medical
insurance coverage only or medical and dental insurance coverage under COBRA
provisions has the same rights as active eligible employees for making changes
midyear and during the open enrollment period.
(8) COBRA coverage will terminate on the last day of
the month for which premiums are paid in full.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 2-2007(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 9-21-07 thru 3-18-08; OEBB 7-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-15-08; OEBB
13-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-15-08 thru 2-11-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. &
cert. ef. 1-30-09; OEBB 13-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru
1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0010
Eligibility for Retiree Insurance
Coverage
(1) An eligible retired employee and their eligible
dependents enrolled in an OEBB benefit plan or district benefit plan for active
employees may continue participation in any OEBB retiree, dental, vision, life
or accidental death and dismemberment insurance plan or plans available to his
or her Employee Group if selected by an Educational Entity. Insurance coverage
under the OEBB or district active benefit plans, as an employee or as a
dependent of an employee, and retiree benefit plans must be continuous.
(2) Eligible retired employees and eligible dependents
not yet eligible for Medicare due to age or a disability will have the option
to continue enrollment in an OEBB retiree medical plan. Insurance coverage
under the OEBB or district active benefit plan, as an employee or as a
dependent of any employee, and the retiree benefit plan must be continuous.
(3) A retired employee must be:
(a) Receiving a service or disability retirement
allowance or pension under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) or
under any other retirement or disability benefit plan or system offered by an
OEBB participating organization for its employees;
(b) Eligible to receive a service retirement allowance
under PERS and has reached earliest retirement age under ORS Chapter 238;
(c) Eligible to receive a pension under ORS 238A.100 to
238A.245 and has reached earliest retirement age as described in ORS 238A.165;
or
(d) Eligible to receive a service retirement allowance
or pension under another retirement benefit plan or system offered by an OEBB
participating organization and has reached earliest retirement age under the
plan or system.
(4) A retired eligible employee may continue medical,
dental, vision, optional life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage
for themselves only or may continue to cover any eligible dependents who were
enrolled in the employee’s active plan immediately prior to the retirement as
long as the coverage and plan options are included in the plans offered by the
Educational Entity.
(5) Basic life and basic accidental death and
dismemberment requires 100 percent mandatory enrollment unless otherwise
specified in a collective bargaining agreement in effect on or before September
30, 2009, and the Educational Entity can provide documentation that supports
the administration of this benefit.
(6) A former eligible employee who elects COBRA and is
also eligible for retiree benefits or later becomes eligible as a retired
employee will have the right to transfer the COBRA medical, dental, and vision
insurance coverage to the OEBB retiree benefit plans at any time during COBRA
or within 30 days of the COBRA end date. Insurance coverage under the OEBB
active, COBRA and retiree benefit plans must be continuous.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 2-2007(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 9-21-07 thru 3-18-08; OEBB 7-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-15-08; OEBB
13-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-15-08 thru 2-11-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. &
cert. ef. 1-30-09; OEBB 15-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10;
OEBB 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 2-1-10; OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0015
Medical, Dental and Vision
Termination Dates for Retirees
(1) A retiree enrolled in OEBB retiree insurance plan
that becomes eligible for Medicare coverage may not continue on an OEBB medical
or vision plan, unless they are eligible as a result of end-stage renal
disease. OEBB benefits end the last day of the month prior to the Medicare
effective date. The retiree is responsible for reporting to their Educational
Entity and to OEBB when the retiree is covered by Medicare within 31 days after
the Medicare coverage effective date. Failure to report within this timeframe
may be considered intentional misrepresentation by OEBB and OEBB may
retroactively terminate OEBB coverage back to the last day of the month prior
to the Medicare effective date.
(2) If a retiree becomes eligible for Medicare
coverage, but his or her currently-enrolled eligible dependents are not, these
eligible individuals may continue OEBB medical, dental and vision insurance
coverage until such time as they no longer meet OEBB eligibility requirements
or become eligible for Medicare coverage for reasons other than end-stage renal
disease, whichever occurs first. The eligible individuals must confirm intent
to continue coverage with the retiree plan administrator within 31days after
the retiree’s eligibility for Medicare.
(3) Eligible dependents who were covered on a plan at
the time of retirement who are eligible for Medicare, or who become eligible
for Medicare, may not continue coverage on an OEBB medical or vision plan
unless it is stated in a collective bargaining agreement or documented district
policy in effect on or before February 1, 2010, that they may continue on OEBB
medical plans until the retiree becomes eligible for Medicare with the
following exception: OEBB coverage must end for Medicare-eligible dependents of
a retiree enrolled on a Kaiser Permanente medical plan.
(4) If the retiree is responsible for self-paying all
or partial premiums and fails to remit the premium amount to their Educational
Entity, all coverage will terminate on the last day of the month in which
premiums are paid in full to OEBB.
(5) Dental coverage may be continued subject to the
Educational Entity’s documented district policy or collective bargaining
agreement. Coverage is based on the OEBB dental plans that the Educational
Entity offers to retired OEBB Medicare-eligible individuals.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 2-2007(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 9-21-07 thru 3-18-08; OEBB 7-2008, f. & cert. ef. 4-15-08; OEBB
3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09; OEBB 15-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
7-31-09 thru 1-26-10; OEBB 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 2-1-10; OEBB
13-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f.
& cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0016
Life and Accidental Death and
Dismemberment Termination Dates for Retirees
(1) Retired employees may continue to participate in
any or all coverage and plan options selected by the Educational Entity for his
or her Employee Group until they reach age 65, unless otherwise specified in a
documented district policy or collective bargaining agreement effective on or
before February 1, 2010.
(2) Retirees or dependents of retirees who lose
eligibility for basic or optional life insurance plans due to reaching age 65
can convert their coverage if requested within 31 days of the date the coverage
ends. Requests for conversion of coverage must be made to the Life and AD&D
insurance carrier.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 1-2010, f. & cert.
ef. 2-1-10; OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB
4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0020
Initial Enrollment
(1) A retired eligible employee has 60 calendar days
from the end date of active eligible employee insurance coverage to:
(a) Continue enrollment in OEBB-sponsored medical,
dental, vision, basic life, basic accidental death and dismemberment, optional
life and optional accidental death and dismemberment plans with the same
eligible dependents which were included on your coverage as an active employee;
provided they are offered by the Educational Entity.
(b) Disenroll eligible dependents covered during active
enrollment. Dependents cannot be re-enrolled once they are dropped from
coverage.
(c) Disenroll in any or all plans. Once a retiree drops
coverage the retiree cannot re-enroll.
(2) All coverage and dependent enrollments must be
continuous from the date the active coverage ends.
(3) Coverage not elected at the time of initial
eligibility for early retiree benefits cannot be added at a later date.
(4) Retired eligible employees may choose to continue
enrollment in an OEBB-sponsored medical plan, dental plan, basic life, basic
accidental death and dismemberment, optional life, or optional accidental death
and dismemberment plan, or any combination of these, unless determined
otherwise by a collective bargaining agreement or documented district policy
with the following restrictions:
(a) The retiree must enroll in an OEBB-sponsored
medical plan to continue an OEBB-sponsored vision plan; and
(b) The retiree must enroll in an OEBB-sponsored
optional life or optional accidental death and dismemberment plan to continue
optional spouse or dependent life or accidental death and dismemberment,
respectively.
(c) The Educational Entity offers the plan(s) to their
retiree group.
(5) Plan Change Periods: OEBB will offer an
annual plan change period for retired eligible employees.
(6) A retired eligible employee can change benefit
plans consistent with members of their former active Employee Group.
(7) A retired eligible employee may not add dependents
or enroll in coverage(s) he or she did not select during the initial enrollment
period.
(8) A retired eligible employee may choose to reduce
the amount of optional life and optional accidental death and dismemberment
coverage for themselves and/or their dependents, but may not increase coverage
in these plans.
(9) Qualified Status Changes (QSC): A
retired eligible employee may make changes consistent with the OEBB QSC Matrix.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS 243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 13-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 8-15-08 thru 2-11-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 15-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10; OEBB 1-2010, f.
& cert. ef. 2-1-10; OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11;
OEBB 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0025
Effective Dates
(1) Benefit plan changes or initial elections, unless
otherwise specified in a collective bargaining agreement or documented district
policy in effect on June 30, 2008, are effective on the later of:
(a) The first of the month following a completed online
enrollment in the OEBB benefit management system or submission of a paper
enrollment or change form,
(b) The first of the month following the date of
eligibility; or
(c) The first of the month following the approval date
of additional optional life insurance requested above the guarantee issue
amount.
(2) Covered dependent changes are effective the first
of the month following the date of the event causing the dependent to be
eligible under OEBB administrative rules with the following exceptions:
(a) Coverage for a newborn child is effective on the
date of birth. Retired eligible employee must add the newborn child to their
benefit plans within 60 calendar days from the date of birth for the newborn
child to be eligible for benefit coverage.
(b) Coverage for a newly adopted child is effective the
date of the adoption decree or date of placement for adoption. Retired eligible
employee must add the adopted child to their benefit plans within 60 calendar
days from the date of the decree or placement for the newly adopted child to be
eligible for benefit coverage; and
(A) The retired eligible employee must submit the
adoption agreement with the enrollment forms to the Educational Entity.
(B) Claims payments will not be made for expenses
incurred prior to the date of decree or placement.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 13-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 8-15-08 thru 2-11-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 15-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10; OEBB 1-2010, f.
& cert. ef. 2-1-10; OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru
1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0030
Correcting Enrollment and
Processing Errors
(1) Employee Enrollment Errors. Enrollment errors occur
when a retired eligible employee provides incorrect information or fails to
make correct selections when making benefit plan changes. The retired eligible
employee is responsible for identifying enrollment errors or omissions.
(a) OEBB authorizes Educational Entities to correct
enrollment errors reported by the retired eligible employee within 60 calendar
days of the original eligibility date, annual plan change period end date, or
Qualified Status Change date. Corrections are retroactive to the original
effective date as identified in OAR 111-040-0001.
(b) Enrollment errors identified after 60 calendar days
of the eligibility date, annual plan change period end date or Qualified Status
Change date must be submitted to OEBB for review and approval based on OAR
111-080-0030. If approved, corrections are retroactive to the original
effective date as identified in 111-040-0001.
(2) Benefit Administrator Processing Errors. Processing
errors or omissions occur when benefit plan changes are processed incorrectly
in the benefit system.
(a) OEBB authorizes Educational Entities to correct
processing errors identified within 60 calendar days of the eligibility date,
annual plan change period end date, or Qualified Status Change date.
Corrections are retroactive to the original effective date as identified in OAR
111-040-0001. The Educational Entities must reconcile all premium
discrepancies.
(b) Processing errors identified after 60 calendar days
of the eligibility date, annual plan change period end date, or midyear benefit
plan change date must be submitted to OEBB for review and approval based on OAR
111-080-0030. If approved, corrections are retroactive to the original
effective date as identified in 111-040-0001. The Educational Entity must
reconcile all premium discrepancies within 30 calendar days of any adjustments
made in the system.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 13-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 8-15-08 thru 2-11-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 13-2010(Temp),
f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f. & cert. ef.
2-11-11
111-050-0035
Late Enrollment
(1) Late enrollment occurs when a retired eligible
employee fails to enroll for benefits within 60 days of retirement or fails to
add an eligible dependent within 31 calendar days of:
(a) The date a spouse, domestic partner, or child gains
eligibility;
(b) The date of marriage to a spouse who was most
recently enrolled as a domestic partner; or
(c) The date of birth of the retired eligible
employee’s biological newborn child.
(2) OEBB authorizes Educational Entities to approve
late enrollment requests for retired eligible employees and dependents when the
request is reported within 60 calendar days of the eligibility dates referenced
in sections (1)(a), (1)(b), and (1)(c).
(3) OEBB must review and approve all late enrollment
requests based on OAR 111-080-0030 when the request is made more than 60
calendar days after the eligibility dates referenced in sections (1)(a),
(1)(b), and (1)(c).
(4) Approved late enrollment requests, unless
determined otherwise in a collective bargaining agreement or documented
district policy in effect on June 30, 2008, are effective the first of the
month following the date the request is received by a district benefits
administrator or OEBB, except for approved requests to add newborn children
which are retroactive to the month the child was born along with any premium
adjustments.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 13-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 8-15-08 thru 2-11-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f.
& cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0045
Termination Dates
(1) Effective October 1, 2010, benefit coverage for a
retired eligible employee, a spouse, a domestic partner or a child ends on the
last day of the month that eligibility is lost with the following exceptions:
(a) If the retired employee’s eligibility terminates,
coverage will end on the last day of the month in which OEBB receives
notification of the event from the Educational Entity. No retroactive
terminations or adjustments are allowed.
(b) If the retired eligible employee notifies the
Educational Entity within 31 days after an event terminating eligibility of the
employee’s spouse, domestic partner, or child, coverage for the spouse,
domestic partner, or child will end on the last day of the month in which OEBB
receives notification of the event from the Educational Entity. No retroactive
terminations or adjustments are allowed.
(2) Effective October 1, 2010, if the retired eligible
employee fails to notify the employee’s Educational Entity within 31 days after
an event terminating eligibility of the employee’s spouse, domestic partner or
child, this may be considered intentional misrepresentation and OEBB may
terminate coverage retroactively to the end of the month in which eligibility
was lost. If benefits are to be terminated retroactively, OEBB shall give the
affected individual 30 days notice of the termination and an opportunity to
appeal before the retroactive termination takes effect.
(3) Benefit coverage for a spouse, domestic partner, or
child ends on the last day of the month that a retired eligible employee dies,
unless otherwise determined by a collective bargaining agreement or documented
district policy in effect on June 30, 2008.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 13-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 8-15-08 thru 2-11-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 13-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f.
& cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0050
Removing an Ineligible Individual
from Benefit Plans
(1) A retired eligible employee is responsible for
removing ineligible spouses, domestic partners and children from their
OEBB-sponsored benefit plans by submitting completed, applicable forms to their
Educational Entity benefits administrator within 31 calendar days after the
date the individual becomes ineligible. Coverage ends on the date identified
under OAR 111-050-0045.
(2) A retired eligible employee ending a domestic
partnership must complete and submit a Termination of Domestic Partnership form
and enrollment update forms to the Educational Entity benefits administrator
within 31 calendar days after the event for removal of the domestic partner and
domestic partner’s dependent children from their benefit plan. Benefit coverage
for the domestic partner and domestic partner’s dependent children ends on on
the date identified in OAR 111-050-0045.
(3) An Educational Entity is responsible for removing
ineligible individuals from the OEBB benefits management system. The
Educational Entity must complete such removal within 14 calendar days after:
(a) An event resulting in loss of the retired
employee’s eligibility, or
(b) The receipt of notification of an event resulting
in loss of eligibility of the retired employee’s spouse, domestic partner or
child.
(4) If coverage of an employee’s spouse, domestic
partner or child is terminated retroactively under OAR 111-050-0045(2), then:
(a) The retired eligible employee may be responsible
for claims previously paid by the benefit plans to the providers during the
period of ineligibility at the carrier’s discretion; and
(b) Premium adjustments will be made retroactively
based on the coverage end date as identified in OAR 111-050-0015 and
111-050-0045, not to exceed three months of premium dollars.
(5) OEBB shall conduct audits to monitor compliance
with OEBB administrative rules governing eligibility and enrollment.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 13-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 8-15-08 thru 2-11-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 13-2010(Temp),
f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f. & cert. ef.
2-11-11
111-050-0060
Continuation of Coverage for
Eligible Employees Covered under the Federal Family Medical Leave Act
OEBB will allow Educational Entities to continue
medical, dental and vision coverage for Active Eligible Employees when the
employee is granted leave under the Federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) as
required under related federal rules and regulations.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 16-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 10-16-08 thru 4-13-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f.
& cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0065
Continuation of Coverage for
Eligible Employees Covered under the Oregon Family Leave Act
OEBB will allow Educational Entities to continue
medical, dental and vision coverage for Active Eligible Employees when the
employee is granted leave under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) as required
under related state rules and regulations.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 16-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 10-16-08 thru 4-13-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f.
& cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0070
Continuation of Coverage for Eligible
Employees during an Approved Leave of Absence.
OEBB will allow Educational Entities to continue
medical, dental and vision coverage for Active Eligible Employees when the
employee is granted a leave of absence based on collective bargaining
agreements and/or documented district policies in effect on or before October
1, 2008.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 16-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 10-16-08 thru 4-13-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f.
& cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0075
Continuation of coverage for
Eligible Employees on Active Military Service
OEBB will allow Educational Entities to continue
medical, dental, and vision coverage for Active Eligible Employees as required
under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
and related federal rules and regulations.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 16-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 10-16-08 thru 4-13-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f.
& cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-050-0080
Portability and Conversion of
Coverage
(1) OEBB medical, life and accidental death and
dismemberment carrier(s) will make portability plans available to members in
accordance with related state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
Eligibility criteria for this coverage can be found in carrier member
handbooks.
(2) OEBB life insurance carrier(s) will make conversion
plans available to members in accordance with related state and federal laws,
rules and regulations. Eligibility criteria for this coverage can be found in
the carrier’s member handbook.
(3) OEBB long term care carrier(s) will transfer the
coverage from a Group Long Term Care to an Individual Long Term Care policy and
premiums will be paid directly to the carrier upon request.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 16-2008(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 10-16-08 thru 4-13-09; OEBB 3-2009, f. & cert. ef. 1-30-09;
OEBB 15-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09 thru 1-26-10; OEBB 1-2010, f.
& cert. ef. 2-1-10; OEBB 10-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru
1-29-11; OEBB 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
Rule
Caption: Amended to include revisions
related to the federal Healthcare Reform Act.
Adm.
Order No.: OEBB 5-2011
Filed with Sec. of
State: 2-11-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 2-11-11
Notice Publication
Date: 12-1-2010
Rules Amended: 111-070-0030, 111-070-0040
Rules Repealed: 111-070-0030(T), 111-070-0040(T)
Subject: Amendments include revisions that are needed to
respond to the new rescission of coverage provisions of the federal Healthcare
Reform Act as they relate to the coverage available to part-time community
college and higher education employees eligible for coverage under HB 2557
(2009).
Rules Coordinator: April Kelly—(503) 378-6588
111-070-0030
Termination
(1) OEBB coverage will be terminated under the
following circumstances:
(a) Premiums are not paid in full by the due date.
Coverage is contingent upon the receipt of the full monthly premium payment.
Coverage will be terminated on the last day of the month in which premiums were
paid in full; or
(b) Upon notification and confirmation that an
individual was not eligible for benefits due to adjustments that affect the
individual’s PERS membership. Coverage will be terminated on the last day of
the month in which OEBB receives confirmation of ineligibility; or
(c) Upon notification and confirmation that an
individual was not eligible for benefits due to not being a teaching or
research faculty member during the calendar year upon which eligibility
determination was based. Coverage will be terminated on the last day of the
month in which OEBB receives confirmation of ineligibility.
(2) Eligibility for PERS membership is lost during the
previous calendar year. Coverage will be terminated on the September 30th
following the calendar year in which PERS membership is lost.
(3) Upon loss of OEBB coverage due to a qualifying
event, HB 2557 eligible members and their eligible dependents will have COBRA
rights. Cancellation due to failure to make a premium payment does not
constitute COBRA rights.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 –
243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 4-2010, f. & cert.
ef. 3-15-10; OEBB 14-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11;
OEBB 5-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
111-070-0040
Qualified Status Changes (QSC’s)
(1) HB 2557 eligible members experiencing a change in
family status the plan year, have 31 calendar days beginning on the date of the
event to make changes. If the event is gaining a child, as defined by
111-070-0040(2)(c), or results in a loss of eligibility, the eligible member has
60 calendar days after the event to make changes.
(a) The member must report the Qualified Status Change
(QSC) to the Oregon Educators Benefit Board within the specified timeframe.
Failure to report a QSC that would result in a removal of a spouse, domestic
partner or child within the timeframe stated in 111-070-0040(1) may be
considered intentional misrepresentation by OEBB and OEBB may retroactively
terminate the individuals coverage back to the last day of the month in which
the individual lost eligibility. If benefits are to be terminated
retroactively, OEBB shall give the affected individual 30 days notice of the
termination and an opportunity to appeal before the retroactive termination
takes effect.
(b) The member’s failure to report timely a QSC that
allows the addition of a spouse, domestic partner, or child means that the
individual does not have coverage. The next opportunity the HB 2557 eligible
member has to add their spouse, domestic partner, or child will be during open
enrollment.
(2) The HB 2557 eligible member can only make those
changes that are consistent with the event for themselves and eligible
dependent(s).
(3) Qualified Status Changes which allow the member to
make changes to his or her coverage are:
(a) Gain spouse by marriage or domestic partner by
meeting domestic partner eligibility;
(b) Loss of spouse or domestic partner by divorce,
annulment, death or termination of domestic partnership,
(c) Gain child by birth, placement for/or adoption, or
Domestic Partner’s children (by affidavit of domestic partnership), 60 days
from the event;
(d) Event by which dependent child satisfies
eligibility requirements under OEBB plans (for a list of requirements see
111-010-0015);
(e) Event by which dependent ceases to satisfy
eligibility requirements under OEBB plans (for a list of requirements see
111-010-0015),
(f) Changes in cost or coverage do not constitute a
Qualified Status Change. All changes resulting from a change in cost or
coverage must be made during Open Enrollment.
(g) Related laws or court orders. For example:
Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO), Medicare, or HIPAA. Changes are
determined by the applicable law or court order, and the Family Health
Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP).
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 – 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 4-2010, f. & cert.
ef. 3-15-10; OEBB 14-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11;
OEBB 5-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11
Rule
Caption: Revised definition of eligible
employee.
Adm.
Order No.: OEBB 6-2011(Temp)
Filed with Sec. of
State: 2-15-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 2-15-11 thru 8-13-11
Notice Publication
Date:
Rules Amended: 111-010-0015
Subject: At the December Board meeting, the OEBB Board approved
a required to expand eligibility to certain part-time employees. This revision
to OAR 111-010-0015 includes a revised definition of eligible employee to
include this group.
Rules Coordinator: April Kelly—(503) 378-6588
111-010-0015
Definitions
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in OEBB
administrative rules, the following definitions will apply:
(1) “Actuarial value” means the expected financial
value for the average member of a particular benefit plan.
(2) “Adverse Benefit Determination” means a denial,
reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole
or in part), for a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination,
or failure to provide or make payment that is based on but not limited to:
(a) A determination of a member’s eligibility to
participate in the plan;
(b) A determination that the benefit is not a covered
benefit; or
(c) A rescission of coverage, whether or not, in
connection with rescission, there is an adverse effect on any particular
benefit.
(3) “Affidavit of Domestic Partnership” means a
document that attests the eligible employee and one other eligible individual
meet the criteria in section (15)(b).
(4) “Benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to,
insurance or other benefits including:
(a) Medical;
(b) Dental;
(c) Vision;
(d) Life, disability and accidental death;
(e) Long term care;
(f) Flexible spending accounts;
(g) Supplemental medical, dental and vision;
(h) Any other remedial care recognized by state law,
and related services and supplies;
(i) Comparable benefits for employees who rely on
spiritual means of healing; and
(j) Self insurance programs managed by the Board.
(5) “Benefits” means goods and services provided under
benefit plans.
(6) “Board” means the ten-member board established in
the Department of Administrative Services as the Oregon Educators Benefit Board
under chapter 00007, Oregon Laws 2007.
(7) “Child” means and includes the following:
(a) An eligible employee’s, spouse’s, or domestic
partner’s biological son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter; adopted child,
child placed for adoption, or legally placed child, who is 25 or younger on the
first day of the month. An eligible employee must provide the required custody
or legal documents to their Educational Entity showing proof of adoption, legal
guardianship or other court order if enrolling a child for whom the employee,
spouse, or domestic partner is not the biological parent
(b) A person who is incapable of self-sustaining
employment because of a developmental disability, mental illness, or physical
disability. There is no age limit for a dependent child who is incapable of
self-sustaining employment because of a developmental disability, mental
illness, or physical disability. When the dependent child is 26 years of age or
older all the following requirements must be met:
(A) The disability must have existed before attaining
age 26.
(B) The employee must provide evidence to the
Educational Entity or OEBB that (1) the person had health plan coverage, group
or individual, prior to attaining age 26, and (2) health plan coverage
continued without a gap until the OEBB health plan effective date.
(C) The person’s attending physician must submit
documentation of the disability to the eligible employee’s OEBB health
insurance plan for review and approval. If the person receives health plan
approval, the health plan may review the person’s health status at any time to
determine continued OEBB coverage eligibility.
(D) The person must not have terminated from OEBB
health plan coverage after attaining the age of 26.
(c) Eligibility for coverage under this rule includes
people who may not be dependents under federal or state tax law and may require
an Educational Entity to adjust an Eligible Employee’s income based on the
imputed value of the benefit.
(8) “Comparable cost (Medical, Dental and Vision)”
means that the total cost to a district for enrollment in OEBB plans comparable
in design to the district’s plan(s) do not exceed the total cost to a district
for enrollment in the district’s plan(s) using the rate(s) in effect or
proposed for the benefit plan year.
(9) “Comparable cost (Basic and Optional Life
Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Short and Long Term
Disability)” means that the premium rates of an OEBB plan design option do not
exceed the average, aggregate premium rates of a district’s pre-OEBB plan
design in effect the year prior to implementation.
(10) “Comparable plan design (Medical, Dental and
Vision)” means that the actuarial values of two plan designs are within 2.5 percent
higher or lower of each other.
(11) “Comparable plan design (Basic and Optional Life
Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment)” means that 90 percent of
district employees can obtain a maximum benefit through an OEBB plan design
that is within $2,500 of the maximum benefit obtained through a pre-OEBB plan
design in effect the year prior to implementation.
(12) “Comparable plan design (Short and Long Term
Disability)” means 90 percent of the district employees can obtain the same
elimination period, percentage of covered compensation, definition of covered
compensation, coverage period duration, and maximum payment per benefit period
through an OEBB plan design as through a pre-OEBB plan design in effect the
year prior to implementation.
(13) “Dependent” means and includes the Employee’s
Spouse or Domestic Partner, or child as defined by OAR 111-010-0010(7) or other
person having a relation to the subscriber as defined by the Contractor.
(14) “Documented district policies” means Educational
Entities’ policies and practices that apply to an employee group and are
submitted to the Oregon Educators Benefit Board during the plan selection
process. Educational Entities’ policies and practices must be identified and
submitted with the applicable employee group plan selections.
(15) “Domestic partner,” unless otherwise defined by a
collective bargaining agreement or documented district policy in effect on
January 31, 2008, means and includes the following:
(a) An unmarried individual of the same sex who has
entered into a “Declaration of Domestic Partnership” with the eligible employee
that is recognized under Oregon law; or
(b) An unmarried individual of the same or opposite sex
who has entered into a partnership that meets the following criteria:
(A) Both are at least 18 years of age;
(B) Are responsible for each other’s welfare and are
each other’s sole domestic partners;
(C) Are not married to anyone and have not had a spouse
or another domestic partner within the prior six months. If previously married,
the six-month period starts on the final date of divorce;
(D) Share a close personal relationship and are not
related by blood closer than would bar marriage in the State of Oregon;
(E) Have jointly shared the same regular and permanent
residence for at least six months immediately preceding the date the Affidavit
of Domestic Partnership is signed and submitted to the Educational Entity; and
(F) Are jointly financially responsible for basic
living expenses defined as the cost of food, shelter and any other expenses of
maintaining a household. Financial information must be provided if requested.
(G) The eligible employee and domestic partner must
jointly complete and submit to the Educational Entity an Affidavit of Domestic
Partnership form, within five business days of the electronic enrollment date
or the date the Educational Entity received the enrollment/change form. If the
affidavit is not received, coverage will terminate for the domestic partner
retroactive to the effective date.
(c) The domestic partner must notify the Educational
Entity within 31 days of meeting all criteria as defined in 111-010-0015
(15)(b) or obtaining the “Declaration of Domestic Partnership” which is
recognized under Oregon law.
(d) Educational Entities’ must calculate and apply
applicable imputed value tax for domestic partners covered under OEBB benefit
plans.
(16) “Educational Entity” means public school districts
(K-12), education service districts (ESDs), community colleges and public
charter schools participating in OEBB.
(17) “Eligible employee” means and includes:
(a) “Active eligible employee” means an employee of an
OEBB participating organization who is:
(A) Employed or is in a job-sharing position on a half
time or greater basis; or
(B) Meets the definition of an eligible employee under
a separate OEBB rule or under a collective bargaining agreement or documented
district policy in effect on January 31, 2008; or
(C) An employee of a community college who is covered
under a collectively bargained contract and has worked a class load of between
25 percent and 49 percent for a minimum period of two years and is expected to
continue to work a class load of at least 25 percent. Coverage is limited to
medical to include Kaiser Medical Plan 1A (where available), ODS Medical Plan 8
(with Plan C pharmacy) and ODS Medical Plan 9. The tiered rate structure will
apply to all medical plans.
(b) “Retired eligible employee” means a previously
active eligible employee, who is:
(A) Receiving a service or disability retirement allowance
or pension under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) or under any
other retirement or disability benefit plan or system offered by an OEBB
participating organization for its employees;
(B) Eligible to receive a service retirement allowance under
PERS and has reached earliest retirement age under ORS Chapter 238;
(C) Eligible to receive a pension under ORS 238A.100 to
238A.245 and has reached earliest retirement age as described in ORS 238A.165;
or
(D) Eligible to receive a service retirement allowance
or pension under another retirement benefit plan or system offered by an OEBB
participating organization and has reached earliest retirement age under the
plan or system.
(18) “Employee Group” means employees of a similar
employment type, for example administrative, represented classified,
non-represented classified, confidential, represented licensed, or
non-represented licensed, within an Educational Entity. If one or more
collective bargaining unit exists within an employee group, each unit will be
considered a separate employee group.
(19) “Members” means and includes the following:
(a) “Eligible employee” as defined by OAR
111-010-0015(17).
(b) “Child” as defined by OAR 111-010-0015(7).
(c) “Domestic Partner” as defined by OAR 111-010-0015(15).
(d) “Spouse” as defined by OAR 111-010-0015(25).
(20) “Non-subject District” means a community college,
district or a charter school if the employees are not considered employees of a
school district.
(21) “Oregon Educators Benefit Board or OEBB” means the
program created under chapter 00007, Oregon Laws 2007.
(22) “OEBB participating organization” means a Subject
District, Non-subject District, or Provisional Non-subject District that
participates in benefit plans provided by the Oregon Educators Benefit Board
(OEBB).
(23) “Provisional Non-subject District” means a common
school district, a union high school district, or an education service district
that:
(a) Was self-insured on December 31, 2006;
(b) Had an independent health insurance trust established
and functioning on December 31, 2006; or
(c) Can provide comparable plan designs at a comparable
cost as defined by sections (8) and (10) of this Rule.
(24) “Qualified Status Change (QSC)” means a change in
family or work status that allows limited mid-year changes to benefit plans
consistent with the individual event.
(25) “Spouse” means a person of the opposite sex who is
a husband or wife. Except as provided in Oregon Constitution Article XV,
Section 5a, a relationship recognized as a marriage in another state will be
recognized in Oregon even though such a relationship would not be a marriage if
the same facts had been relied upon to create a marriage in Oregon. The
definition of spouse does not include a former spouse and a former spouse does
not qualify as a dependent.
(26) “Subject District” means a common school district,
a union high school district, or an education service district that:
(a) Did not self-insure on January 1, 2007;
(b) Did not have a health trust in effect on January 1,
2007; or
(c) Does not provide comparable plan designs at a
comparable cost as defined by sections (8) and (10) of this Rule.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.860(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 2-2007(Temp), f. &
cert. ef. 9-21-07 thru 3-18-08; OEBB 2-2008, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-08; OEBB
10-2008(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-13-08 thru 2-6-09; OEBB 1-2009, f. &
cert. ef. 1-30-09; OEBB 5-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-10-09 thru 9-4-09;
OEBB 8-2009, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-09; OEBB 12-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef.
7-31-09 thru 1-26-10; OEBB 19-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09; OEBB
7-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 11-2010(Temp), f.
9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB 1-2011, f. & cert. ef.
2-11-11; OEBB 6-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 2-15-11 thru 8-13-11
Rule
Caption: Amend OEBB’s qualified status
change rule.
Adm.
Order No.: OEBB 7-2011(Temp)
Filed with Sec. of
State: 2-15-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 2-15-11 thru 8-13-11
Notice Publication
Date:
Rules Amended: 111-040-0040
Subject: OAR 111-040-0040 is amended to include a qualified
status change which allows an OEBB member to make a change to their benefit
status selections outside of the annual open enrollment when their
spouse/domestic partner’s annual open enrollment or plan year is different from
OEBB’s.
Rules Coordinator: April Kelly—(503) 378-6588
111-040-0040
Qualified Status Changes (QSC’s)
(1) Active eligible employees experiencing a change in
family or work status as noted below after annual enrollment, or anytime during
the plan year, have 31 calendar days beginning on the date of the event to make
changes. If the event is gaining a child, as defined by 111-040-0040(2)(c), or
results in a loss of eligibility, the eligible employee has 60 calendar days
after the event to make changes.
(2) The eligible employee can only make changes that
are consistent with the event for themselves and/or dependents.
(3) The employee must report the Qualified Status
Change (QSC) to the employee’s Educational Entity within the specified timeframe.
Failure to report a QSC that will result in removal of a spouse, domestic
partner, or child within the timeframe stated in 111-040-0040(1) may be
considered intentional misrepresentation, and OEBB may retroactively terminate
the individual’s coverage back to the last day of the month in which the
individual lost eligibility. Please refer to the QSC matrix for details on what
changes can occur with each event.
(4) Qualified Status Changes which allow the employee
to make changes to his or her coverage are:
(a) Gain spouse by marriage or domestic partner by
meeting domestic partner eligibility;
(b) Loss of spouse or domestic partner by divorce,
annulment, death or termination of domestic partnership;
(c) Gain a child by birth, placement for/or adoption,
or Domestic Partner’s children (by affidavit of domestic partnership);
(d) Active eligible employee starts new employment and
gains eligibility;
(e) Change in employment status by active eligible
employee which affects eligibility;
(f) Active eligible employee ends employment or other
change in employment status resulting in a loss of eligibility;
(g) Spouse or domestic partner starts new employment or
other change in employment status which affects eligibility;
(h) Spouse or domestic partner’s employment ends or
other change in employment status resulting in a loss of eligibility under
their employer’s plan;
(i) Event by which a child satisfies eligibility
requirements under OEBB plans (for a list of requirements see 111-010-0015);
(j) Event by which a child ceases to satisfy
eligibility requirements under OEBB plans (for a list of requirements see
111-010-0015);
(k) Changes in the residence of the active eligible
employee, spouse, domestic partner, or child (i.e., moving out of the service
area of an HMO);
(l) Reinstatement of coverage. Reinstatement can be
used in the following situations:
(A) Military (USERRA)
(B) When coverage was continued under COBRA
(C) When coverage was terminated in error and there is
no lapse in coverage.
(m) Significant changes in cost of the eligible
employee’s or early retiree’s current plan and tier level that result in a
negative impact of 10 percent or more to:
(A) The amount an active eligible employee or early
retiree must contribute toward benefits.
(B) The amount a spouse or domestic partner must
contribute toward his or her group health insurance plan cost.
(n) Different Open Enrollment/Plan Year under a
spouse/domestic partner’s employer plan.
(o) Related laws or court orders. For example:
Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMSCO), Medicare, HIPAA, or Family
Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP). Changes are determined by the
applicable law or court order.
(5) Changes in coverage, or contribution amounts that
result in a reduced amount that an employee or eligible dependent must
contribute toward benefits, do not constitute a Qualified Status Change.
(6) The following applies to the Long Term Care benefit
plans only:
(a) Cancel the plan at anytime without a QSC event.
(b) Plan additions or changes require a QSC event as
defined 111-040-0040(2). The addition of a plan or change in plans with a QSC
is subject to a medical evidence review by the LTC carrier.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS 243.864
Hist.: OEBB 14-2008, f. &
cert. ef. 8-15-08; OEBB 10-2009(Temp), f. 5-4-09, cert. ef. 5-5-09 thru
10-31-09; OEBB 11-2009, f. & cert. ef. 7-31-09; OEBB 17-2009(Temp), f.
& cert. ef. 10-7-09 thru 4-4-10; OEBB 22-2009, f. & cert. ef. 12-17-09;
OEBB 2-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-3-10 thru 8-29-10; OEBB 6-2010, f.
& cert. ef. 8-3-10; OEBB 9-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-3-10 thru
1-29-11; OEBB 12-2010(Temp), f. 9-30-10, cert. ef. 10-1-10 thru 1-29-11; OEBB
3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-11; OEBB 7-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 2-15-11
thru
8-13-11
Rule
Caption: Amends OEBB’s Eligibility and
Policy Term Violation rules.
Adm.
Order No.: OEBB 8-2011(Temp)
Filed with Sec. of
State: 2-15-2011
Certified to be
Effective: 2-15-11 thru 8-13-11
Notice Publication
Date:
Rules Amended: 111-080-0040, 111-080-0045, 111-080-0050
Subject: Amendments to 111-080-0040, 0045 and 0050 include the
addition of new terminology used by OEBB to define an intentional and
unintentional violation, as well as the consequences of each should they occur.
Rules Coordinator: April Kelly—(503) 378-6588
111-080-0040
Eligibility and Policy Term
Violations — Definitions
For the purposes of OAR 111-080-0045 and 111-080-0050,
the following definitions will apply:
(1) “Eligibility or Enrollment Violations” means and
includes a violation of the Oregon Educators Benefit Board’s eligibility or
enrollment rules or policies including fraud or material misrepresentation.
Misstatements, misrepresentations, omissions or concealments on the part of the
OEBB member are not fraudulent unless they are made with intent to knowingly
defraud. OEBB has primary responsibly in investigating such violations. If an
Eligibility Violation is considered a violation of the insurance carrier’s
policy, then the violation may also be considered a Policy Term Violation, and
OAR 111-080-0050 would also apply.
(A) “Intentional Violation” is a violation that has
occurred in which OEBB has electronic documentation that the member took action
in the MyOEBB Member Module during a New Hire event, QSC Request or Open
Enrollment period which resulted in eligibility or enrollment confirmation of
ineligible dependents. Such action verified eligibility status or enrollment in
benefit plans.
(B) “Unintentional Violation” is a violation that has
occurred in which the member was not aware that such violation had occurred and
there is no evidence of the member logging in and enrolling in MyOEBB Member
Module during a New Hire event, QSC Request or Open Enrollment period. Due to
member inactivity, the member may not be aware of previously confirmed
enrollments and/or dependents.
(2) “Policy Term Violations” means and includes a
violation of the insurance carrier’s policy terms. The insurance carrier has
primary responsibility in investigating such violations.
Stat. Auth: ORS 243.860 – 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 16-2010, f. &
cert. ef. 12-10-10; OEBB 8-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 2-15-11 thru 8-13-11
111-080-0045
Eligibility Violations
(1) Unintentional Violation:
(a) OEBB will remove from coverage an ineligible OEBB
member due to eligibility or enrollment violations. Removal from all benefit
plans will be retroactive to the date the individual is determined to have no
longer been eligible, or the effective date of coverage if eligibility criteria
was never met.
(b) When an eligibility or enrollment violation has
been discovered and investigated, OEBB will notify the member and the
Educational Entity with the outcome. If the outcome includes rescission of
coverage, OEBB will give a 30 day notice of such rescission prior to
terminating coverage retroactively to the date the member was no longer
eligible for benefits.
(c) The member may be responsible for any claims paid
during the period of time the member was enrolled inappropriately.
(2) Intentional Violation:
(a) The ineligible member shall be removed from
coverage. The ineligible member’s coverage will be retroactively terminated to
the date the individual is determined to have no longer been eligible, or the
effective date of coverage if eligibility criteria was never met.
(b) The OEBB member shall be terminated along with
remaining dependents from all plans excluding basic and mandatory plans
selected by the educational entity. This will be a prospective termination
lasting for a period of 12 months. The prospective termination will be
effective the first day of the following month that the Intentional Violation
was discovered.
Stat. Auth: ORS 243.860 –
243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 16-2010, f. &
cert. ef. 12-10-10; OEBB 8-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 2-15-11 thru 8-13-11
111-080-0050
Policy Term Violations
(1) An OEBB-contracted insurance carrier may remove
from coverage and/or deny the claims of an OEBB member due to policy term
violations. Removal from coverage for policy term violations is at the
discretion of the insurance carrier.
(a) If a policy term violation results in a termination
from the plan or carrier that the violation was committed, it will not prevent
the member from continuing enrollment in other OEBB types of coverages (e.g.,
medical, dental, vision, life, etc.), as long as they remain an employee and
eligible for these benefits.
(b) If an eligible employee commits a policy term
violation and loses coverage, OEBB will remove the entire family from the
insurance plan since the benefits are extended to his or her dependents through
the eligible employee. If the eligible employee chooses to, and it is offered,
they can enroll in a different carrier plan (if applicable) during open
enrollment and cover themselves and dependents during the upcoming plan year.
(c) If a dependent commits a policy term violation,
OEBB will remove only the dependent from the insurance plan. If the eligible
employee chooses to and it is offered, they can enroll in a different carrier
plan (if applicable) during open enrollment and cover the dependent during the
upcoming plan year, or as defined by the carrier.
(d) The OEBB member who is removed from an OEBB
sponsored insurance plan may appeal the decision through the carrier that
terminated coverage.
(e) When a policy term violation has been discovered
and investigated, the applicable insurance carrier will notify OEBB and the
member with the outcome.
(2) The insurance carrier may do the following when a
member has violated a provision of the policy the OEBB member has enrolled in,
committed fraudulent activity or misrepresentation:
(a) The insurance carrier may retain the value of any
expenditure it made related to the member who committed the fraudulent activity
or misrepresentation.
(b) The insurance carrier may deny future enrollments
of the individual in accordance with the carrier’s policies.
Stat. Auth: ORS 243.860 - 243.886
Stats. Implemented: ORS
243.864(1)(a)
Hist.: OEBB 16-2010, f. &
cert. ef. 12-10-10; OEBB 8-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 2-15-11 thru 8-13-11
Notes
1.) This online version of the OREGON BULLETIN is provided for convenience of reference and enhanced access. The official, record copy of this publication is contained in the original Administrative Orders and Rulemaking Notices filed with the Secretary of State, Archives Division. Discrepancies, if any, are satisfied in favor of the original versions. Use the OAR Revision Cumulative Index found in the Oregon Bulletin to access a numerical list of rulemaking actions after November 15, 2010.
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