The State of Rhode Island and the University of Rhode Island
offers

UnitedHealthcare health coverage
Delta Dental dental coverage
VSP (Vision Service Plan) vision coverage

• You can participate in health coverage if you are a biweekly paid State of Rhode Island employee regularly scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week and more than six months in duration. Both individual and family coverage are available.

• Employees who fail to enroll within 30 days of their hire date will be ineligible for health, dental, and vision benefits until the next annual open enrollment period.

•  A new application must be processed within *60 days of your marriage date in order to add your spouse to your medical coverage.  Please come to URI Employee Benefits with a copy of your marriage certificate.

• To add a child to your medical coverage, a change must be processed within *30 days of the birth/adoption. Please come to URI Employee Benefits with your hospital discharge papers/court papers and complete a change form, or call Pamela Sherman at 874-9054.

*Please be aware that you must wait for the next annual open enrollment to add an individual if your paperwork is not received in Employee Benefits within the specified time frame listed above.

• You and your dependents enjoy the same level of coverage. A family plan includes your spouse and any unmarried dependent children. Unmarried dependent children are covered until January 1 following their 19th birthday. Coverage is extended for unmarried dependent children who are full-time students at an accredited institution until January 1 following their 25th birthday for dental coverage; or part time (9 credits) for medical coverage.

• If you are a biweekly paid State of Rhode Island employee (not a University employee), but you are not eligible for health insurance benefits, you may choose to obtain coverage at the group rate by having the premiums deducted from your biweekly paycheck. You must complete the applications. Be advised that it takes two to five weeks to cancel health insurance, and no refunds can be made on monies deducted from your paycheck.  Please contact Pamela Sherman at 874-9054 if interested.

• The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) is legislation which may allow continuation of health coverage at the group rate for a specific length of time when an event takes place that causes an employee or their dependent(s) to lose their health coverage. The State of Rhode Island's COBRA Office, located at One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908, (401) 222-3279, will automatically send a notice when employment is terminated if eligible for this benefit.
  

• If employment is terminated your health coverage will end on the last day of the pay period in which you terminate.  

• If you have medical coverage through another plan, you can elect to waive State of Rhode Island sponsored health coverage at any time of the year by completing a waiver form.

• In lieu of State of Rhode Island medical coverage, employees who waive their medical coverage will receive a pro-rated amount of $2,002 each December. This does increase your taxable income each year. 

• When waiving your medical coverage, you are still eligible for dental and vision insurance coverage for you and your dependents.

• A waiver can only be rescinded during open enrollment or upon a "Change in Family Status".

Need Help?        Contact Employee Benefits or call 874-9054, 874-2921 or 874-2778.

08/31/2007