General Membership Provisions

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the policy of the board of trustees in regard to the general membership provisions of the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan. (1) Terms and Conditions. This rule provides the terms and conditions for membership in the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan (MCHCP). Public entities and members are required to provide complete, true, and accurate information to MCHCP in connection with enrollment, change, or cancellation processes, whether by online, written, or verbal communication. MCHCP may rely on, but reserves the right to audit, any information provided by a public entity or member and seek recovery and/ or pursue legal action to the extent the public entity or member has provided incomplete, false, or inaccurate information. (2) Eligibility Requirements. (A) Active Employee Coverage. An active employee is one who is employed and meets the minimum number of hours worked per year as established by his/her employer. 1. If the public entity allows elected/appointed officials to participate in medical coverage, the definition of an employee includes elected/appointed officials where applicable. 2. The entity will determine the eligibility requirements of waiting periods, required number of working hours, pay status, and contribution levels. 3. An active employee cannot be covered as an employee and as a dependent. 4. If an active employee has been enrolled as a dependent of another MCHCP subscriber as allowed by these rules, and the subscriber dies before coverage as a dependent goes into effect, the active employee may elect coverage as a subscriber within thirty-one (31) days of the date of death. 5. If one (1) spouse is an active state employee or retiree with MCHCP benefits and the other is an active public entity employee or retiree with MCHCP benefits, each spouse may enroll under his or her employer’s plan or together under one (1) employer’s plan. The spouses cannot have coverage in both places. (B) Retiree Coverage. 1. An employee may participate in an MCHCP plan when s/he retires if s/he is fully vested in the retirement plan upon termination and the public entity remains with MCHCP. The public entity must make the benefits available to all retirees, past and future, who meet the vesting requirements. The employee may elect coverage for him/herself and dependents and his/her spouse/child(ren), provided the employee and his/her spouse/child(ren) have been continuously covered for health care benefits— A. Through MCHCP since the effective date of the last open enrollment period; B. Through MCHCP since the initial date of eligibility; or C. Through group or individual medical coverage for the six (6) months immediately prior to retirement. Proof of prior group or individual coverage (letter from previous insurance carrier or former employer with dates of effective coverage and list of persons covered) is required. 2. If the retiree’s spouse is an active public entity employee or retiree and enrolled in MCHCP, both spouses may transfer to coverage under the plan in which his/her spouse is enrolled or from his/her spouse’s coverage to his/her coverage at any time as long as both spouses are eligible for MCHCP coverage and their coverage is continuous. 3. If a retiree who is eligible for coverage elects not to be continuously covered for him/herself and his/her spouse/ child(ren) with MCHCP from the date first eligible, or does not apply for coverage for him/herself and his/her spouse/child(ren) within thirty-one (31) days of his/her eligibility date, the retiree and his/her spouse/child(ren) shall not thereafter be eligible for coverage unless specified elsewhere herein. (C) Survivor Coverage. 1. At the time of a vested active employee subscriber’s death, his/her survivor(s) may elect to continue coverage if the survivor(s) had MCHCP coverage at the time of the subscriber’s death. The deceased subscriber’s spouse/child(ren) who do not have MCHCP coverage at the time of the death may elect MCHCP coverage and become a survivor if the spouse/child(ren) had coverage through group or individual medical coverage for the six (6) months immediately prior to the subscriber’s death. In that case, proof of prior group or individual coverage (letter from previous insurance carrier or former employer with dates of effective coverage and list of persons covered) is required. 2. At the time of a retiree or terminated vested subscriber’s death, his/her survivor(s) may elect to continue coverage if the survivor(s) had MCHCP coverage at the time of the subscriber’s death. 3. If a survivor subsequently marries and elects to add his/her new spouse to his/her coverage and the survivor dies, the new spouse’s coverage ends at midnight on the last day of the month of the survivor’s death (e.g., if the survivor dies November 3, new spouse’s last day of coverage is November 30). Unless otherwise specified in this rule, the new spouse is not eligible to enroll for coverage at the time of the survivor’s death. 4. If there are multiple survivors, once enrolled, the spouse will become the subscriber or, if there are only children, the youngest enrolled child will become the subscriber. (D) Terminated Vested Coverage. 1. An active employee may enroll him/herself and his/her spouse/child(ren) in an MCHCP plan when his/her employment with the public entity terminates if s/he is vested and is eligible for future benefits in a retirement plan with the public entity when s/he reaches retirement age. The employee must elect to continue coverage within thirty-one (31) days of the last day of the month in which his/her employment is terminated. The employee may elect or continue coverage if the terminated vested employee and his/her spouse/child(ren) had coverage— A. Through MCHCP since the effective date of the last open enrollment period; B. Through MCHCP since the initial date of eligibility; or C. Through group or individual medical coverage for the six (6) months immediately prior to termination of employment. Proof of prior group or individual coverage (letter from previous insurance carrier or former employer with dates of effective coverage and list of persons covered) is required. 2. If a terminated vested employee does not elect coverage within thirty-one (31) days of their eligibility date, or if s/he cancels or loses his/her coverage or dependent coverage, the terminated vested employee and his/her dependents cannot enroll at a later date. 3. The terminated vested employee may temporarily continue coverage for him/herself and his/her dependents under the provisions of Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). (E) Long-Term Disability Coverage. 1. An employee is eligible for long-term disability coverage if the employee is eligible for long-term disability benefits from the public entity and the employee may elect or continue coverage if the employee with long-term disability coverage and his/her spouse/child(ren) had coverage— A. Through MCHCP since the effective date of the last open enrollment period; B. Through MCHCP since the initial date of eligibility; or C. Through group or individual medical coverage for the six (6) months immediately prior to becoming eligible for long-term disability benefits. Proof of prior group or individual coverage (letter from previous insurance carrier or former employer with dates of effective coverage and list of persons covered) is required. 2. If an enrolled, vested, long-term disability subscriber becomes ineligible for disability benefits, the long-term disability subscriber and his/her dependents will have continuous coverage as a terminated vested subscriber. If an enrolled long-term disability subscriber is not vested and becomes ineligible for disability benefits, coverage is terminated and the subscriber and his/her dependents are offered COBRA benefits. If an enrolled long-term disability subscriber becomes ineligible for disability benefits and returns to work, the subscriber is considered a new employee and must submit a form to enroll. If the employee’s spouse is an active state employee or retiree, s/he may transfer coverage under the plan in which his/her spouse is enrolled. If the employee wishes to be covered individually at a later date, s/he can make the change, as long as coverage is continuous. (F) Elected/Appointed Official Coverage. 1. If the public entity allows elected/appointed officials to participate in medical coverage, the definition of an active employee includes elected/appointed officials. (G) Dependent Coverage. Eligible dependents include: 1. Spouse. A. Active Employee Coverage of a Spouse. (I) If both spouses have access to MCHCP benefits through two (2) different public entities, the employee and his/ her spouse may elect to enroll in coverage separately through his/her respective employer or together through one (1) of the employers. The employee cannot have coverage through both public entities. (II) If both spouses are employed by the same public entity with access to MCHCP benefits, the employee and spouse may elect coverage either as individuals or under the spouse (if allowed by the employer). B. Retiree Coverage of a Spouse. (I) A public entity retiree may enroll as a spouse under a public entity employee’s coverage or elect coverage as a retiree; 2. Children. A. Children may be covered through the end of the month in which they turn twenty-six (26) years old if they meet one (1) of the following criteria: (I) Natural child of subscriber or spouse; (II) Legally adopted child of subscriber or spouse; (III) Child legally placed for adoption of subscriber or spouse; (IV) Stepchild of subscriber. Such child will continue to be considered a dependent after the stepchild relationship ends due to the death of the child’s natural parent and subscriber’s spouse; (V) Foster child of subscriber or spouse. Such child will continue to be considered a dependent child after the foster child relationship ends by operation of law when the child ages out if the foster child relationship between the subscriber or spouse and the child was in effect the day before the child ages out; (VI) Grandchild for whom the subscriber or spouse has legal guardianship or legal custody; (VII) A child for whom the subscriber or spouse is the court-ordered legal guardian under a guardianship of a minor. Such child will continue to be considered a dependent child after the guardianship ends by operation of law when the child becomes eighteen (18) years old if the guardianship of a minor relationship between the subscriber or spouse and the child was in effect the day before the child became eighteen (18) years old; (VIII) Child of a dependent as long as the parent is a dependent on the child’s date of birth. The dependent and his/her child must remain continuously covered on the plan from the dependent’s child’s date of birth for the child of the dependent to remain eligible; (IX) Child of a dependent when paternity by the dependent is established after birth as long as the parent is a dependent on the date the child’s paternity was established the dependent and his/her child must remain continuously covered on the plan from the dependent’s child’s date of birth for the child of the dependent to remain eligible; (X) Child for whom the subscriber or spouse is required to provide coverage under a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO); or (XI) A child under twenty-six (26) years, who is eligible for MCHCP coverage as a subscriber, may be covered as a dependent of a public entity employee. B. A child who is twenty-six (26) years old or older and is permanently disabled in accordance with subsection (5)(F), may be covered only if such child was disabled the day before the child turned twenty-six (26) years old and has remained continuously disabled. C. A child may only be covered by one (1) parent if his/ her parents are married to each other and are both covered under an MCHCP medical plan. D. A child may have dual coverage if the child’s parents are divorced or have never married, and both have coverage under an MCHCP medical plan. MCHCP will only pay for a service once, regardless of whether the claim for the child’s care is filed under multiple subscribers’ coverage. If a child has coverage under two (2) subscribers, the child will have a separate deductible, copayment, and coinsurance under each subscriber. The claims administrator will process the claim and apply applicable cost-sharing using the coverage of the subscriber who files the claim first. The second claim for the same services will not be covered. If a provider files a claim simultaneously under both subscribers’ coverage, the claim will be processed under the subscriber whose birthday is first in the calendar year. If both subscribers have the same birthday, the claim will be processed under the subscriber whose coverage has been in effect for the longest period of time; or 3. Changes in dependent status. If a dependent loses his/ her eligibility, the subscriber must notify MCHCP within thirtyone (31) days of the loss of eligibility. Coverage will end on the last day of the month that the completed form is received by MCHCP or the last day of the month MCHCP otherwise receives credible evidence of loss of eligibility under the plan. (3) Enrollment Procedures. (A) Active Employee Coverage. 1. The public entity must enroll or waive coverage for a new employee by submitting a form signed by the employee and the payroll representative within thirty-one (31) days of his/ her eligibility date. A new employee’s coverage begins on the first day of the month after the hire date and the applicable waiting period. 2. An active employee may elect, change, or cancel coverage for the next plan year during the annual open enrollment period. 3. An active employee may elect or change coverage for himself/herself and/or for his/her spouse/child(ren) if one (1) of the following occurs: A. Occurrence of a life event, which includes marriage, birth, adoption, and placement of child(ren). A special enrollment period of thirty-one (31) days shall be available beginning with the date of the life event. It is the employee’s responsibility to notify MCHCP of the life event. (I) If paternity is necessary to establish the life event and was not established at birth, the date that paternity is established shall be the date of the life event; or B. Employer-sponsored group coverage loss. An employee and his/her spouse/child(ren) may enroll within sixty (60) days due to an involuntary loss of employer-sponsored coverage under one (1) of the following circumstances: (I) Employer-sponsored medical, dental, or vision plan terminates; (II) Eligibility for employer-sponsored coverage ends; (III) Employer contributions toward the premiums end; or (IV) COBRA coverage ends; or C. If an active employee or his/her spouse/child(ren) loses MO HealthNet or Medicaid status, s/he may enroll in an MCHCP plan within sixty (60) days of the date of loss; or D. If an active employee or active employee’s spouse receives a court order stating s/he is responsible for covering a child(ren), the active employee may enroll the child(ren) in an MCHCP plan within sixty (60) days of the court order; or E. If an active employee submits an Open Enrollment Worksheet or an Enroll/Change/Cancel/Waive form that is incomplete or contains obvious errors, MCHCP will notify the public entity’s Human Resource Department of such by mail, phone, or secure message. The corrected form must be submitted to MCHCP by the date enrollment was originally due to MCHCP or ten (10) business days from the date the notice was mailed or sent by secure message or phone, whichever is later. 4. If an active employee is enrolled and does not complete enrollment during the open enrollment period, the employee and his/her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the plan offered by the public entity for the new year. If the public entity offers two (2) plan options, the employee and his/her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the low cost plan offered by the public entity, effective the first day of the next calendar year. (B) Retiree Coverage. 1. To enroll or continue coverage for him/herself and his/ her dependents at retirement, the employee must submit one (1) of the following: A. A completed enrollment form within thirty-one (31) days of retirement date. Coverage is effective on retirement date; or B. A completed enrollment form within thirty-one (31) days of retirement date with proof of prior medical, dental, or vision coverage under a separate group or individual insurance policy for six (6) months immediately prior to his/ her retirement if s/he chooses to enroll in an MCHCP plan at retirement and has had insurance coverage for six (6) months immediately prior to his/her retirement. 2. A retiree may later add a spouse/child(ren) to his/her current coverage if one (1) of the following occurs: A. Occurrence of a life event, which includes marriage, birth, adoption, and placement of child(ren). A special enrollment period of thirty-one (31) days shall be available beginning with the date of the life event. It is the employee’s responsibility to notify MCHCP of the life event. (I) If paternity is necessary to establish the life event and was not established at birth, the date that paternity is established shall be the date of the life event; B. Employer-sponsored group coverage loss. A retiree may enroll his/her spouse/child(ren) within sixty (60) days due to an involuntary loss of employer-sponsored coverage under one (1) of the following circumstances, and the coverage was in place for twelve (12) months immediately prior to the loss: (I) Employer-sponsored medical, dental, or vision plan terminates; (II) Eligibility for employer-sponsored coverage ends; (III) Employer contributions toward the premiums end; or (IV) COBRA coverage ends; or C. If a retiree subscriber’s eligible dependent loses MO HealthNet or Medicaid status, the retiree may enroll the eligible dependent within sixty (60) days of the date of loss. 3. If coverage was not maintained while on disability, the employee and his/her dependents may enroll him/herself and his/her spouse/child(ren) within thirty-one (31) days of the date the employee is eligible for retirement benefits subject to the eligibility provisions herein. 4. A retiree may change from one (1) medical plan to another during open enrollment but cannot add coverage for a spouse/child(ren). If a retiree is not already enrolled in medical, dental, and/or vision coverage, s/he cannot enroll in additional coverage during open enrollment. 5. If a retiree submits an Open Enrollment Worksheet or an Enroll/Change/Cancel/Waive form that is incomplete or contains obvious errors, MCHCP will notify the retiree of such by mail, phone, or secure message. The retiree must submit a corrected form to MCHCP by the date enrollment was originally due to MCHCP or ten (10) business days from the date the notice was mailed or sent by secure message or phone, whichever is later. 6. If a retiree is enrolled and does not complete enrollment during the open enrollment period, the retiree and his/her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the plan offered by the public entity for the new year. If the public entity offers two (2) plan options, the retiree and his/her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the low cost plan offered by the public entity, effective the first day of the next calendar year. (C) Terminated Vested Coverage. 1. A terminated vested subscriber may later add a spouse/ child(ren) to his/her coverage if one (1) of the following occurs: A. Occurrence of a life event, which includes marriage, birth, adoption, and placement of children. A special enrollment period of thirty-one (31) days shall be available beginning with the date of the life event. It is the employee’s responsibility to notify MCHCP of the life event. (I) If paternity is necessary to establish the life event and was not established at birth, the date that paternity is established shall be the date of the life event; B. Employer-sponsored group coverage loss. A terminated vested subscriber may enroll his/her spouse/child(ren) within sixty (60) days due to an involuntary loss of employer-sponsored coverage under one (1) of the following circumstances and the coverage was in place for twelve (12) months immediately prior to the loss: (I) Employer-sponsored medical, dental, or vision plan terminates; (II) Eligibility for employer-sponsored coverage ends; (III) Employer contributions toward the premiums end; or (IV) COBRA coverage ends; or C. If a terminated vested subscriber’s eligible dependent loses MO HealthNet or Medicaid status, the terminated vested subscriber may enroll the eligible dependent within sixty (60) days of the date of loss. 2. An enrolled terminated vested subscriber may change from one (1) medical plan to another during open enrollment but cannot add a spouse/child(ren). If an enrolled terminated vested subscriber is not already enrolled in medical, dental, and/or vision coverage, s/he cannot enroll in additional coverage during open enrollment. 3. If a terminated vested subscriber submits an Open Enrollment Worksheet or an Enroll/Change/Cancel/Waive form that is incomplete or contains obvious errors, MCHCP will notify the terminated vested subscriber of such by mail, phone, or secure message. The terminated vested subscriber must submit a corrected form to MCHCP by the date enrollment was originally due to MCHCP or ten (10) business days from the date the notice was mailed or sent by secure message or phone, whichever is later. 4. If a terminated vested subscriber is enrolled and does not complete enrollment during the open enrollment period, the terminated vested subscriber and his/her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the plan offered by the public entity for the new year. If the public entity offers two (2) plan options, the terminated vested subscriber and his/ her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the low cost plan offered by the public entity, effective the first day of the next calendar year. (D) Long-Term Disability Coverage. 1. A long-term disability subscriber may add a spouse/ child(ren) to his/her current coverage if one (1) of the following occurs: A. Occurrence of a life event, which includes marriage, birth, adoption, and placement of child(ren). A special enrollment period of thirty-one (31) days shall be available beginning with the date of the life event. It is the employee’s responsibility to notify MCHCP of the life event. (I) If paternity is necessary to establish the life event and was not established at birth, the date that paternity is established shall be the date of the life event; B. Employer-sponsored group coverage loss. A long-term disability subscriber may enroll his/her spouse/child(ren) within sixty (60) days due to an involuntary loss of employer-sponsored coverage under one (1) of the following circumstances and the coverage was in place for twelve (12) months immediately prior to the loss: (I) Employer-sponsored medical, dental, or vision plan terminates; (II) Eligibility for employer-sponsored coverage ends; (III) Employer contributions toward the premiums end; or (IV) COBRA coverage ends; or C. If a long-term disability subscriber’s eligible dependent loses MO HealthNet or Medicaid status, the long-term disability subscriber may enroll the eligible dependent within sixty (60) days of the date of loss. 2. An enrolled long-term disability subscriber may change from one (1) medical plan to another during open enrollment but cannot add a spouse/child(ren). If an enrolled longterm disability subscriber is not already enrolled in medical, dental, and/or vision coverage, s/he cannot enroll in additional coverage during open enrollment. 3. If a long-term disability subscriber submits an Open Enrollment Worksheet or an Enroll/Change/Cancel/Waive form that is incomplete or contains obvious errors, MCHCP will notify the long-term disability subscriber of such by mail, phone, or secure message. The long-term disability subscriber must submit a corrected form to MCHCP by the date enrollment was originally due to MCHCP or ten (10) business days from the date the notice was mailed or sent by secure message or phone, whichever is later. 4. If a long-term disability subscriber is enrolled and does not complete enrollment during the open enrollment period, the long-term disability subscriber and his/her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the plan offered by the public entity for the new year. If the public entity offers two (2) plan options, the long-term disability subscriber and his/her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the low cost plan offered by the public entity, effective the first day of the next calendar year. (E) Survivor Coverage. 1. A survivor must submit a form and a copy of the death certificate within thirty-one (31) days of the first day of the month after the death of the employee. A. If the survivor does not elect coverage within thirtyone (31) days of the first day of the month after the death of the employee, s/he cannot enroll at a later date. B. If the survivor marries, has a child, adopts a child, or a child is placed with the survivor, the spouse/child(ren) must be added within thirty-one (31) days of birth, adoption, placement, or marriage. C. If eligible spouse/child(ren) are not enrolled when first eligible, they cannot be enrolled at a later date. 2. A survivor may later add a spouse/child(ren) to his/her current coverage if one (1) of the following occurs: A. Occurrence of a life event, which includes marriage, birth, adoption, and placement of children. A special enrollment period of thirty-one (31) days shall be available beginning with the date of the life event. It is the employee’s responsibility to notify MCHCP of the life event. (I) If paternity is necessary to establish the life event and was not established at birth, the date that paternity is established shall be the date of the life event; B. Employer-sponsored group coverage loss. A survivor may enroll his/her spouse/child(ren) within sixty (60) days due to an involuntary loss of employer-sponsored coverage under one (1) of the following circumstances and the coverage was in place for twelve (12) months immediately prior to the loss: (I) Employer-sponsored medical, dental, or vision plan terminates; (II) Eligibility for employer-sponsored coverage ends; (III) Employer contributions toward the premiums end; or (IV) COBRA coverage ends; or C. If a survivor’s eligible dependent loses MO HealthNet or Medicaid status, the survivor may enroll the eligible dependent within sixty (60) days of the date of loss. 3. A survivor may change from one (1) medical plan to another during open enrollment but cannot add a spouse/ child(ren). If a survivor is not already enrolled in medical, dental, and/or vision coverage, s/he cannot enroll in additional coverage during open enrollment. 4. If a survivor submits an Open Enrollment Worksheet or an Enroll/Change/Cancel/Waive form that is incomplete or contains obvious errors, MCHCP will notify the survivor of such by mail, phone, or secure message. The survivor must submit a corrected form to MCHCP by the date enrollment was originally due to MCHCP or ten (10) business days from the date the notice was mailed or sent by secure message or phone, whichever is later. 5. If a survivor is enrolled and does not complete enrollment during the open enrollment period, the survivor and his/her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the plan offered by the public entity for the new year. If the public entity offers two (2) plan options, the survivor and his/ her dependents will be enrolled at the same level of coverage in the low cost plan offered by the public entity, effective the first day of the next calendar year. (4) Effective Date Provision. In no circumstances can the effective date be before the eligibility date. The effective date of coverage shall be determined, subject to the effective date provisions as follows: (A) Employee and Dependent Effective Dates. 1. A new employee and his/her eligible dependents or an employee rehired after his/her coverage terminates and his/her eligible dependent(s) are eligible to participate in the plan on the first day of the month following the employee’s eligibility date, as determined by the employer. Except at initial employment, an employee and his/her eligible dependents’ effective date of coverage is the first of the month coinciding with or after the eligibility date and after the waiting period. Except for coverage being added due to a birth, adoption, or placement of child(ren), the effective date of coverage cannot be prior to the date of receipt of the enrollment by MCHCP. 2. The effective date of coverage for a life event shall be as follows: A. Marriage. (I) If a subscriber enrolls and/or enrolls his/her spouse before a wedding date, coverage becomes effective on the wedding date. The monthly premium is not prorated. (II) If an active employee enrolls within thirty-one (31) days of a wedding date, coverage becomes effective the first of the month coinciding with or after receipt of the enrollment form, unless enrollment is received on the first day of a month, in which case coverage is effective on that day; B. Newborn. (I) If a subscriber or employee enrolls an eligible newborn within thirty-one (31) days of birth date, coverage becomes effective on the newborn’s birth date. (II) If a subscriber or employee enrolls an eligible spouse and/or child(ren) within thirty-one (31) days of the birth of the newborn, coverage becomes effective on the newborn’s birth date or the first of the month after enrollment is received, subject to proof of eligibility. The monthly premium will not be prorated. (III) If a subscriber does not elect to enroll a newborn of a dependent child within thirty-one (31) days of birth, s/he cannot enroll the newborn of a dependent at a later date; C. Child where paternity is established after birth. If a subscriber enrolls a child within thirty-one (31) days of the date paternity is established, coverage becomes effective on the first day of the next month after enrollment is received, unless enrollment is received on the first day of a month, in which case coverage is effective on that day; D. Adoption or placement for adoption. (I) If a subscriber or employee enrolls an adopted child within thirty-one (31) days of adoption or placement of a child, coverage becomes effective on the date of adoption or placement for adoption. (II) If a subscriber or employee enrolls an eligible spouse and/or children within thirty-one (31) days of an adoption or placement for adoption, coverage may become effective on the date of adoption, or date of placement for adoption, or the first of the month after enrollment is received, subject to proof of eligibility. The monthly premium will not be prorated; E. Legal guardianship and legal custody. (I) If a subscriber or employee enrolls a dependent due to legal guardianship or legal custody within thirty-one (31) days of guardianship or custody effective date, coverage becomes effective on the first day of the next month after enrollment is received, unless enrollment is received on the first day of a month, in which case coverage is effective on that day; F. Foster care. (I) If a subscriber or employee enrolls a foster child due to placement in the subscriber or employee’s care within thirty-one (31) days of placement, coverage becomes effective on the first day of the next month after enrollment is received, unless enrollment is received on the first day of a month, in which case coverage is effective on that day; or G. Employee. (I) If an employee enrolls due to a life event or loss of employer-sponsored coverage, the effective date for the employee is the first day of the next month after enrollment is received, unless enrollment is received on the first day of a month, in which case coverage is effective on that day. (II) If the life event is due to a birth, adoption, or placement of child(ren), coverage becomes effective on the newborn’s birth date, date of adoption, or date of placement for adoption. The monthly premium will not be prorated. 3. An employee and his/her eligible dependent(s) who elect coverage and/or change coverage levels during open enrollment shall have an effective date of January 1 of the following year. 4. Coverage is effective for a dependent child the first of the month coinciding with or after the Qualified Medical Child Support Order is received by the plan or date specified by the court. (5) Proof of Eligibility. (A) MCHCP reserves the right to request proof of eligibility at any time. If such proof is not received or is unacceptable as determined by MCHCP, coverage for the applicable dependent or spouse/child(ren) will be terminated or will not take effect. (B) An employee and/or his/her spouse/child(ren) enrolling due to a loss of other coverage. The employee must submit documentation of proof of loss to MCHCP through his/her public entity’s Human Resource Department within sixty (60) days of enrollment. (C) A retiree, survivor, terminated vested subscriber, or longterm disability subscriber enrolling his/her spouse/child(ren) due to a loss of other coverage must submit documentation of proof of loss of coverage for his/her spouse/child(ren) within sixty (60) days of enrollment. (D) Documentation is also required when a subscriber attempts to terminate a spouse’s/child(ren)’s coverage in the case of divorce or death. (E) The employee is required to notify MCHCP on the appropriate form of the spouse’s/child’s name, birth date, eligibility date, and Social Security number. (F) Disabled dependent. 1. An employee may enroll his/her permanently disabled child when first eligible or an enrolled permanently disabled dependent turning age twenty-six (26) years and may continue coverage beyond age twenty-six (26) years, provided the following documentation is submitted to the plan prior to the end of the month of the dependent’s twenty-sixth birthday for the enrolled permanently disabled dependent or within thirtyone (31) days of enrollment of the permanently disabled child: A. Evidence from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that the permanently disabled dependent or child was entitled to and receiving disability benefits prior to turning age twenty-six (26) years; and B. A benefit verification letter dated within the last twelve (12) months from the SSA confirming the child is still considered disabled. 2. If a disabled dependent or child over the age of twentysix (26) years is determined to be no longer disabled by the SSA, coverage will terminate the last day of the month in which the disability ends or never take effect for new enrollment requests. 3. Once the disabled dependent’s coverage is cancelled or terminated, s/he will not be able to enroll at a later date. (6) Military Leave. (A) Military Leave for an Active Employee. 1. For absences of thirty (30) days or less, coverage continues as if the employee has not been absent. 2. For absences of thirty-one (31) days or more, coverage ends unless the employee elects to pay for coverage under the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The agency payroll representative notifies MCHCP of the effective date of military leave. An employee who is on military leave is eligible for continued coverage for medical, vision, and dental care for the lesser of: a) twenty-four (24) months beginning on the date the leave begins; or b) the day after the date the employee fails to apply for or return to their position of employment after leave. 3. If the employee is utilizing annual and/or compensatory balances and staying on payroll, the dependent coverage is at the active employee monthly premium. 4. If the employee does not elect to continue USERRA coverage for his/her eligible dependent(s), coverage ends effective the last day of the month in which the leave begins. 5. The employee must submit a form within thirty-one (31) days of the employee’s return to work to be reinstated for the same level of coverage with the same plan as prior to the leave, or if the employee was on military leave during open enrollment or while on military leave had a qualifying life event, the employee may change plans and add his/her spouse/child(ren). The employee must submit a form and an official document indicating the separation date if s/he elects coverage after thirty-one (31) days of returning to work. The form and the official document must be submitted within sixty (60) days from the date of loss of coverage. 6. Coverage may be reinstated the first of the month in which the member returns to employment, the first of the month after return to employment, or the first of the month after the loss of military coverage. (B) Military Leave for a Retired Member. 1. A retiree must terminate his/her coverage upon entry into the armed forces of any country by submitting a form and copy of his/her activation papers within thirty-one (31) days of his/her activation date. 2. Coverage will be terminated the last day of the month of activation. Coverage may be reinstated at the same level upon discharge by submitting a copy of his/her separation papers and form within thirty-one (31) days of the separation date. 3. Coverage will be reinstated as of the first of the month in which the employee returns from active duty, the first of the month after the employee returns, or the first of the month after the loss of military coverage. 4. If the retired member fails to reinstate coverage, s/he cannot enroll at a later date. 5. If the retiree terminates his/her coverage, dependent coverage is also terminated. 6. If a retiree does not elect to continue USERRA coverage for his/her dependent(s), coverage ends effective the last day of the month in which the leave begins. (7) Termination. (A) Unless stated otherwise, termination of coverage shall occur on the last day of the calendar month coinciding with, or after the happening of, any of the following events, whichever shall occur first: 1. Failure to make any required contribution toward the cost of coverage; 2. Entry into the armed forces of any country; 3. With respect to active employee(s) and his/her dependents, termination of employment in a position covered by the MCHCP, except as expressly specified otherwise in this rule; 4. With respect to dependents, upon divorce or legal separation from the subscriber or when a dependent is no longer eligible for coverage. A subscriber must terminate coverage for his/her enrolled ex-spouse and stepchild(ren) at the time his/ her divorce is final; A. The public entity shall notify MCHCP when any of subscriber’s dependents cease to be a dependent as defined in this chapter. B. When a subscriber drops dependent coverage after a divorce, s/he must submit a completed form, a copy of the divorce decree, and current addresses of all affected dependents. Coverage ends on the last day of the month in which the divorce decree and completed form are received by MCHCP or MCHCP otherwise receives credible evidence of a final divorce that results in loss of member eligibility under the plan; 5. Death of dependent. The dependent’s coverage ends on the date of death; A. The public entity shall notify MCHCP of a dependent’s death; 6. A member’s act, practice, or omission that constitutes fraud or the member makes an intentional misrepresentation of material fact; 7. A member’s threatening conduct or perpetrating violent acts against MCHCP or an employee of MCHCP; or 8. A member otherwise loses benefit eligibility. (B) MCHCP may rescind coverage due to non-payment of a premium, fraud, or intentional misrepresentation. MCHCP shall provide at least thirty (30) days written notice before it rescinds coverage. (C) Termination of coverage shall occur immediately upon discontinuance of the plan, subject to the plan termination provision specified in 22 CSR 10-3.080(1). (D) If a member receives covered services after the termination of coverage, MCHCP may recover the contracted charges for such covered services from the subscriber or the provider, plus its cost to recover such charges, including attorneys’ fees. (8) Voluntary Cancellation of Coverage. (A) A subscriber may cancel medical coverage, which will be effective on the last day of the month in which the form is received by MCHCP to cancel coverage. 1. If a subscriber has his/her premium collected pre-tax by qualified payroll deduction through a cafeteria plan, the subscriber may only cancel medical coverage if the reason given is allowed by the cafeteria plan. 2. A subscriber may reinstate medical coverage after a voluntary cancellation by submitting an Enroll/Change/Cancel/ Waive form prior to the end of current coverage. (B) If a member receives covered services after the voluntary cancellation of coverage, MCHCP may recover the contracted charges for such covered services from the subscriber or the provider, plus its cost to recover such charges, including attorneys’ fees. (C) A subscriber cannot cancel medical coverage on his/her dependents during divorce or legal separation proceedings unless s/he submits a notarized letter from his/her spouse stating s/he is agreeable to termination of coverage pending divorce. If premiums are collected pre-tax through a cafeteria plan, medical coverage can only be cancelled at the time of divorce. (D) A subscriber may only cancel dental and/or vision coverage during the year for him/herself or his/her dependents for one (1) of the following reasons: 1. Upon retirement; 2. When beginning a leave of absence; 3. No longer eligible for coverage; 4. When new coverage is taken through other employment; 5. When the member enrolls in Medicaid; or 6. When a retiree cancels medical coverage. (9) Continuation of Coverage. (A) Leave of Absence. 1. An employee on an approved leave of absence may continue participation in the plan by paying the required contributions. The employing public entity must officially notify MCHCP of the leave of absence and any extension of the leave of absence by submitting the required form. 2. If the employee does not elect to continue coverage, coverage for the employee and his/her covered dependents is terminated effective the last day of the month in which the employee is employed. 3. If the employee’s spouse is an active employee or retiree, the employee may transfer coverage under the plan in which the spouse is enrolled. If the employee wishes to be covered individually at a later date, s/he can make the change as long as coverage is continuous. When the employee returns to work, s/he and his/her spouse must be covered individually. 4. Any employee on an approved leave of absence who was a member of MCHCP when the approved leave began, but who subsequently terminated coverage in MCHCP while on leave, may recommence his/her coverage in the plan at the same level (employee only or employee and dependents) upon returning to employment directly from the leave, or if the employee was on leave of absence during open enrollment or while on leave of absence had a qualifying life event or loss of employer-sponsored coverage, the employee may change plans and add spouse/child(ren). For coverage to be reinstated, the employee must submit a completed Enroll/Change/Cancel/ Waive form within thirty-one (31) days of returning to work. Coverage is reinstated on the first of the month coinciding with or after the date the form is received. Coverage will be continuous if the employee returns to work in the subsequent month following the initial leave date. 5. If the employee chooses to maintain employee coverage but not coverage for his/her dependents, the employee is eligible to regain dependent coverage upon return to work. (B) Leave of Absence—Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). 1. An employee must be approved for a leave of absence under FMLA and meet the requirements and guidelines set forth by FMLA and his/her public entity for his/her employer to continue to pay the monthly contribution toward the employee’s and his/her dependents’ coverage. Coverage is continuous unless the employee chooses to cancel coverage. 2. If the employee cancels coverage, coverage ends on the last day of the month in which MCHCP received a premium payment. 3. If the employee canceled coverage, the employee may reinstate coverage by submitting a completed form within thirty-one (31) days of returning to work. Coverage will be reinstated with the same plan and level of coverage as enrolled in prior to the employee taking the leave of absence. If the employee was on FMLA leave during MCHCP’s annual open enrollment, or if while the employee was on FMLA leave, the employee had a qualifying life event or loss of employersponsored coverage, the employee may change plans and add a spouse/child(ren) within thirty-one (31) days of returning to work. 4. If the employee continued coverage and is unable to return to work after his/her FMLA leave ends, his/her coverage will be continuous at the retiree rate or the employee may cancel coverage. (10) Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). (A) Eligibility. In accordance with COBRA, eligible employees and their dependents may temporarily continue their coverage when coverage under the plan would otherwise end. Coverage is identical to the coverage provided under MCHCP to similarly situated employees and family members. If members cancel COBRA coverage, they cannot enroll at a later date. 1. Employees voluntarily or involuntarily terminating employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct) or receiving a reduction in the number of hours of employment may continue coverage for themselves and their dependent(s) for eighteen (18) months at their own expense. 2. If a subscriber marries, has a child, or adopts a child while on COBRA coverage, subscriber may add such eligible spouse/child(ren) to the subscriber’s plan if MCHCP is notified within thirty-one (31) days of the marriage, birth, or adoption. The subscriber may also add eligible spouse/child(ren) during open enrollment. 3. Dependents may continue coverage for up to thirty-six (36) months at their own expense if the employee becomes eligible for Medicare. 4. A surviving dependent who has coverage due to the death of a non-vested employee may elect coverage for up to thirty-six (36) months at their own expense. 5. A divorced or legally separated enrolled spouse and stepchild(ren) may continue coverage at their own expense for up to thirty-six (36) months. 6. Children who would no longer qualify as dependents may continue coverage for up to thirty-six (36) months at their (or their parent’s/guardian’s) own expense. 7. If the Social Security Administration determines a COBRA member is disabled within the first sixty (60) days of coverage and the disability continues during the rest of the initial eighteen- (18-) month period of continuation of coverage, the member may continue coverage for up to an additional eleven (11) months. 8. If the eligible member has Medicare prior to becoming eligible for COBRA coverage, the member is entitled to coverage under both. (B) Premium Payments. 1. Initial payment for continuation coverage must be received within forty-five (45) days of election of coverage. 2. After initial premium payment, MCHCP bills on the last working day of the month. There is a thirty-one- (31-) day grace period for payment of regularly scheduled monthly premiums. 3. Premiums for continued coverage will be one hundred two percent (102%) of the total premium for the applicable coverage level. Once coverage is terminated under the COBRA provision, it cannot be reinstated. (C) Required Notifications. 1. To be eligible for COBRA, the subscriber or applicable member must notify MCHCP of a divorce, legal separation, a child turning age twenty-six (26), or Medicare entitlement within sixty (60) days of the event date. 2. The human resource/payroll office of the subscriber must notify MCHCP of an employee’s death, termination, or reduction of hours of employment. 3. If a COBRA participant is disabled within the first sixty (60) days of COBRA coverage and the disability continues for the rest of the initial eighteen- (18-) month period of continuing coverage, the member must notify MCHCP that s/ he wants to continue coverage within sixty (60) days, starting from the latest of 1) the date on which the SSA issues the disability determination; 2) the date on which the qualifying event occurs; or 3) the date on which the member receives the COBRA general notice. The member must also notify MCHCP within thirty-one (31) days of any final determination that the individual is no longer disabled. (D) Election Periods. 1. When MCHCP is notified that a COBRA-qualifying event has occurred, MCHCP notifies eligible members of the right to choose continuation coverage. 2. Eligible members have sixty (60) days from the date of coverage loss or notification from MCHCP, whichever is later, to inform MCHCP that they want continuation coverage. 3. If eligible members do not choose continuation coverage within sixty (60) days of lost coverage or notification from MCHCP, coverage ends. (E) Continuation of coverage may be cut short for any of these reasons: 1. The state of Missouri no longer provides group health coverage to any of its employees; 2. Premium for continuation coverage is not paid on time; 3. The employee or dependent becomes covered (after the date s/he elects COBRA coverage) under another group health plan that does not contain any exclusion or limitation with respect to any pre-existing condition s/he may have; 4. The employee or dependent becomes entitled to Medicare after the date s/he elects COBRA coverage; or 5. The employee or dependent extends coverage for up to twenty-nine (29) months due to disability and there has been a final determination that the individual is no longer disabled. (F) MCHCP assumes coverage for existing COBRA members until their eligibility period expires or until the public entity terminates coverage with MCHCP, whichever occurs first. (11) Missouri State Law COBRA Wrap-Around Provisions. (A) Missouri law provides that if a member loses group health insurance coverage because of a divorce, legal separation, or the death of a spouse, the member may continue coverage until age sixty-five (65) under two (2) conditions: 1. The member continues and maintains coverage under the thirty-six- (36-) month provision of COBRA; and 2. The member is at least fifty-five (55) years old when COBRA benefits end. The qualified beneficiary must apply to continue coverage through the wrap-around provisions and will have to pay the entire premium. MCHCP may charge up to an additional twenty-five percent (25%) of the applicable premium. (B) For a member to continue coverage under this subsection, a member must either— 1. Within sixty (60) days of legal separation or the entry of a decree of dissolution of marriage or prior to the expiration of a thirty-six- (36-) month COBRA period, the legally separated or divorced spouse who seeks such coverage shall give MCHCP written notice of the qualifying event, including his/her mailing address; or 2. Within thirty (30) days of the death of an employee whose surviving spouse is eligible for continued coverage or prior to the expiration of a thirty-six- (36-) month COBRA period, the public entity or surviving spouse shall give MCHCP written notice of the death and the mailing address of the surviving spouse. (C) Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the notice, MCHCP shall notify the legally separated, divorced, or surviving spouse that coverage may be continued. The notice shall include— 1. A form for election to continue the coverage; 2. The amount of premiums to be charged and the method and place of payment; and 3. Instructions for returning the elections form by mail within sixty (60) days after MCHCP mails the notice. (D) Continuation of coverage terminates on the last day of the month prior to the month the subscriber turns age sixty-five (65). The right to continuation coverage shall also terminate upon the earliest of any of the following: 1. The state of Missouri no longer provides group health coverage to any of its employees; 2. Premium for continuation coverage is not paid on time; 3. The date on which the legally separated, divorced, or surviving spouse becomes insured under any other group health plan; 4. The date on which the legally separated, divorced, or surviving spouse remarries and becomes insured under another group health plan; or 5. The date on which the legally separated, divorced, or surviving spouse reaches age sixty-five (65). (12) Members who are eligible for Medicare benefits under Part A, B, or D must notify MCHCP of their eligibility and provide a copy of the member’s Medicare card within thirty-one (31) days of the Medicare eligibility date. If Medicare coverage begins before turning age sixty-five (65), the member will receive a Medicare disability questionnaire from MCHCP. The member must return the completed questionnaire to MCHCP for the Medicare eligibility information to be submitted to the medical vendor. (13) Members are required to disclose to the claims administrator whether or whether not they have other health coverage and, if so, information about the coverage. Once the information is received, claims will be reprocessed subject to all applicable rules. (14) Communications to Members. (A) It is the member’s responsibility to ensure that MCHCP has current contact information for the member and any dependent(s). (B) A member must notify MCHCP of a change in his/her mailing or email address as soon as possible, but no later than thirty-one (31) days after the change. (C) It is the responsibility of all members who elect to receive plan communication through email to ensure plan emails are not blocked as spam or junk mail by the member or by the member’s service provider. (D) Failure to update a mailing or email address may result in undeliverable mail/email of important informational material, delayed or denied claims, loss of coverage, loss of continuation rights, missed opportunities relating to covered benefits, and/ or liability for claims paid in error. (15) Deadlines. Unless specifically stated otherwise, MCHCP computes deadlines by counting day one (1) as the first day after the qualifying event. If the last day falls on a weekend or state holiday, the plan administrator may receive required information on the first working day after the weekend or state holiday. AUTHORITY: section 103.059, RSMo 2016.* Emergency rule filed Dec. 20, 2004, effective Jan. 1, 2005, expired June 29, 2005. Original rule filed Dec. 20, 2004, effective June 30, 2005. Emergency amendment filed Dec. 20, 2007, effective Jan. 1, 2008, expired June 28, 2008. Amended: Filed Dec. 20, 2007, effective June 30, 2008. Emergency amendment filed Dec. 22, 2009, effective Jan. 1, 2010, expired June 29, 2010. Amended: Filed Jan. 4, 2010, effective June 30, 2010. Emergency rescission and rule filed Nov. 1, 2011, effective Jan. 1, 2012, expired June 28, 2012. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Nov. 1, 2011, effective May 30, 2012. Emergency rescission and rule filed Oct. 30, 2012, effective Jan. 1, 2013, terminated May 29, 2013. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Oct. 30, 2012, effective May 30, 2013. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 30, 2013, effective Jan. 1, 2014, expired June 29, 2014. Amended: Filed Oct. 30, 2013, effective June 30, 2014. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 29, 2014, effective Jan. 1, 2015, terminated May 30, 2015. Amended: Filed Oct. 29, 2014, effective May 30, 2015. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 28, 2015, effective Jan. 1, 2016, expired June 28, 2016. Amended: Filed Oct. 28, 2015, effective May 30, 2016. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 28, 2016, effective Jan. 1, 2017, expired June 29, 2017. Amended: Filed Oct. 28, 2016, effective May 30, 2017. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 31, 2018, effective Jan. 1, 2019, expired June 29, 2019. Amended: Filed Oct. 31, 2018, effective May 30, 2019. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 30, 2019, effective Jan. 1, 2020, expired June 28, 2020. Amended: Filed Oct. 30, 2019, effective May 30, 2020. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 27, 2023, effective Jan. 1, 2024, expired June 28, 2024. Amended: Filed Oct. 27, 2023, effective May 30, 2024. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 25, 2024, effective Jan. 1, 2025, expired June 29, 2025. Amended: Filed Oct. 25, 2024, effective May 30, 2025. *Original authority: 103.059, RSMo 1992.