FAQs Archive - Page 3 of 4 - BCPSEA Benefits Buying Group

Q: What happens when my Spouse loses their own benefits plan?

If your Spouse loses their own benefits plan and wants to be covered by the BCPSEA Benefits Plan, the following steps must be taken: If you wish to apply for coverage in the BCPSEA Benefits Program, you must complete the BCPSEA Benefits Change form within 31 days of Spouse's benefits plan terminating and provide to the Benefits Administrator. If you wish to make a change in your BCPSEA Benefits Program coverage, you must complete the BCPSEA Benefits Change form and provide this form to the Benefits Administrator. If you wish to waive BCPSEA coverage, you must also complete the Waiver of Coverage form . This change will be effective on the date of application. If Family Status has changed (ie. from Couple to Family), appropriate premium adjustments (if applicable) will be effective the 1st of the month coincident with or next following date of change.

Q: What happens if I lose my Spouse or Dependent Child?

If you lose a Spouse or Dependent Child, the following steps must be taken: You must complete the BCPSEA Benefits Change form terminating coverage for your Spouse or Dependent Child and provide this form to the Benefits Administrator. If you are making an Optional Life or Optional Accidental Death claim, the Benefits Administrator will provide you with an insurance claim form. Benefits Administrator will request a copy of the Spouse or Dependent Child's death certificate. You must complete the insurance claim form and provide to the Benefits Administrator. Termination of coverage will be on the effective date of the change. If the Family Status has change (ie. from Family to Couple), appropriate premium adjustments (if applicable) will be effective the first of the month coincident with or the next following date of change.

Q: What happens when I get divorced or legally separated?

Employees can enrol only one spouse on the BCPSEA benefits program: A legal spouse An estranged spouse (separated) An ex-spouse (divorced) A common-law spouse If you become divorced or legally separated from your Spouse, the following steps must be taken: To delete or change your Eligible Spouse, you are required to complete and sign the BCPSEA Benefits Change Form and provide that form to the Benefits Administrator. You must complete the Common Law Spouse Declaration Form , if applicable, to enrol a new common-law spouse. If the Family Status has changed (i.e. from Couple to Single), appropriate premium adjustments will be effective the first of the month coincident with or the next following date of change. Note: Coverage may not be continued for an ex-spouse without a separation agreement or court order that states the member must continue coverage for the ex-spouse under the "employer-sponsored plan." You may change your Eligible Spouse from an ex-spouse or estranged spouse to a common-law or a new legal spouse on the date the new spouse is eligible for coverage. You will be required to sign a Common Law Spouse Declaration form to enrol a common-law spouse. If you and your common-law spouse stop living together, the common-law relationship is deemed to have ended and the Spouse is no longer eligible for coverage under the BCPSEA Benefits Program.

Q: What happens if I terminate employment with the School District?

If you terminate employment with the School District it is important that you obtain information regarding the conversion privileges for the BCPSEA benefits. You may refer to the Details section for each benefit located in "My Plan" for information regarding the conversion privileges for BCPSEA benefits. You are eligible for the Conversion Privilege if the completed applications for individual insurance and the first premium are received within 31 days after the group insurance terminates or reduces. The Benefits Administrator will provide you with a Notification of Conversion form and the Group Life Conversion Privilege Notification Form that will tell you what benefits you are eligible to convert and contact information for each of the insurers if you are interested in conversion to an individual plan for a specific benefit. If you had Life and/or Optional Life through the BCPSEA plan and you contact Great-West Life, they will provide you with a package of information on applying for the Conversion Privilege for these benefits for yourself and/or your spouse including options available and the associated costs of coverage. The package will be mailed to your home address. Application is completely optional. If you had Basic and/or Optional AD&D through the BCPSEA and you contact AIG, they will provide you with a package of information on applying for the Conversion Privilege for these benefits. The package will be mailed to your home address. Application is completely optional. If you had Extended Health and/or Dental and you are interested in applying for the Conversion Privilege for these benefits, you may access the following conversion form: Extended Health/Dental Conversion form