You may be able to cover your foster child or ward on your insurance coverage through SEGIP if:
You or your spouse have “permanent, full and sole legal and physical custody” of the child, and this specific status is stated in a court order.
A court document proves that you or your spouse have the “powers and responsibilities of a parent who has not been deprived of custody” and you can prove that the relationship is intended to last until the child reaches the age of majority.
You may change your medical, dental, child life, and pre-tax benefits.
Medical and dental
Add medical and dental coverages by submitting the Qualifying Status Change form.
Following the request to add a dependent, you will be asked to provide proof of dependent eligibility. A detailed letter asking for appropriate documentation will be sent to your home.
Drop medical and dental coverage by submitting the Qualifying Status Change form if coverage is enrolled with spouse’s employer due to the addition of the new foster child or ward.
If you are dropping medical coverage for yourself, and you receive the full employer contribution, you must also submit the Waiver of Medical Coverage form and provide proof of other coverage for yourself, your spouse, and eligible dependents.
You cannot change your medical or dental claims administrator.
Child life insurance
Add child life coverage by completing the Optional Life and Disability Insurance Application.
Pre-tax accounts
You may elect a new or increase an existing Medical Dental Expense Account (MDEA).
You may elect a new or increase an existing Dependent Care Expense Account (DCEA).
You can make changes to your MDEA and/or DCEA by completing and returning to SEGIP the Change in Participation form.
You must add medical, dental, and optional life coverages within 30 days of a court approving the foster child or ward status, including the day of the event.
You must drop medical, dental, and optional life coverages within 60 days of a court approving the foster child or ward status, including the day of the event.
Pre-tax Accounts
Changes to pre-tax accounts must be made within 30 days of a court approving the foster child or ward status, including the day of the event.
Timing is everything
An enrollment is completed by submitting the required forms to the SEGIP office no later than the last day of the enrollment period.
Do not delay submitting your application by the deadline. Call SEGIP at 651-355-0100 within your enrollment period when there is a delay obtaining documents. Late applications will not be processed.
If the enrollment is not completed within the allowed period, your next opportunity to change your coverage is during the next annual Open Enrollment or upon another qualified life event.
Changes to medical, dental, and optional life are effective the day a court approves the foster child or ward status.
Changes to your MDEA and DCEA pre-tax accounts take effect the day the court approves the foster child or ward status or the first day of the pay period in which SEGIP receives your completed form, whichever comes later.
