8.02 Dental Insurance

Effective Date: September 1, 2013 (revised)

Purpose:

Eligible employees may choose to enroll in one of two Group Dental Plans presently offered by the College upon hire or during the annual open enrollment period. This policy describes the benefits and procedures for obtaining them.

Procedure:

Eligibility/Enrollment

Enrollment is available to all continuing employees with an FTE of .5 or more.

Eligibility starts on the first day of the month coinciding with or following employment. For those who do not enroll in a dental plan at the time of employment or who cancel dental insurance during the course of employment, future eligibility is subject to conditions established by the carriers. Those who wish to enroll in a Trinity plan at a later date because prior dental coverage has ended may do so provided they enroll within 30 days following termination of previous coverage.

Family members of eligible employees may be enrolled at the time of hire; thereafter, within 30 days of the time they become members of the family (i.e., as of the date of marriage, adoption, etc.) Family members may also enroll during the annual open enrollment period which occurs in November for a January 1 effective date. Employees who change or enroll in plans during an open enrollment period each year for themselves and eligible family members need not demonstrate evidence of insurability.

Costs

For employees with an FTE of .75 or more, the College currently pays 75% of the premium for coverage. The College pays 50% of the premium for those employees eligible for part-time benefits. The two coverage categories are: employee only and family. The employee share of monthly premium costs is deducted from paychecks. For employees not scheduled to work during certain periods of the year deductions owed for premiums will accrue until the first paycheck upon returning to work. Employees who do not return to work will be responsible for repaying the College.

Unless elected otherwise in writing, the employee contribution for group dental insurance premiums is deducted from the individual’s paycheck on a pre-tax basis, which means that federal income tax and Social Security tax are not withheld from these amounts. This salary reduction benefit is allowable under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Termination of Coverage/COBRA

Dental coverage ceases either on the last day of the month in which termination of employment occurs, or on the last day of the month during which the employee no longer meets eligibility requirements for the plan. Coverage for employees on Military Service Leave ends as of the last day of active employment.

A group health insurance continuation privilege under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) is available for most employees and/or their dependents who are no longer eligible for group dental coverage, including those on Military Service Leave. It is the employee’s obligation to notify the Human Resources Department of any dependents who are no longer qualify under the group dental plan. Failure to do this jeopardizes their benefits under COBRA. Specific guidelines for extension of benefits will be provided by the Human Resources Department.

All information regarding rates, levels of coverage, comparison of benefits, enrollment and claim forms is available in the Human Resources Department and is subject to change without notice.

See the following policies for further relevant information:

4.05 Termination of Employment 62

6.51 Deductions from Pay and Pay Advices 170

7.13 Military Service Leave227