More FAQs

What will Alight do with my documents? Will my personal information be safe with Alight?

Please do not submit original documents to Alight, only photocopies. Once Alight receives your documentation, the paper documentation is converted to an electronic image, which will be stored on secure systems with password-protected access. Your documents will be kept confidential and secure.

Will my benefits stay the same if I don't participate in open enrollment?

Yes, if you do not participate in open enrollment, your benefits will remain the same as they were for 2021 except for flexible spending accounts.

Why do I need to verify my dependent documentation?

This is a tool that will help control health care costs by verifying and removing any ineligible dependents from the City's plan. So start gathering your dependent documents now. If you need to re-order a birth certificate or marriage certificate, now is the time to do so. If you cannot verify a dependent, they will not be eligible to remain on the plan.

My divorce or separation decree requires me to provide benefits for my former spouse. How does that affect me?

Your former spouse does not qualify as a dependent under City of Tuscaloosa BCBS Alabama Medical & Dental and/or VSP Vision Plan(s) and must be removed from coverage on or before the deadline date. City of Tuscaloosa has arranged for Hodges-Mace, LLC to help all removed dependents find alternative coverage. Depending on when the divorce was final, your former spouse may be eligible for COBRA.

Will I receive confirmation once my documentation is received?

Yes. Hodges-Mace, LLC will provide a confirmation postcard via the US Postal Service once your verification is complete. If your required documents were processed but were determined to be incomplete, Hodges-Mace, LLC will send a reminder postcard stating you have not completed the process and should contact them for additional assistance.

What happens to the coverage of individuals who don't meet the definition of an eligible dependent?

Dependents dropped from coverage should seek the assistance of Hodges-Mace, LLC to find alternative coverage. Hodges-Mace, LLC has access to a broad range of affordable alternatives for a variety of situations. Some dependents may be eligible for COBRA coverage due to a qualified event if it occurred recently (such as divorce, legal separation, or aging out). If eligible, dependents will receive a COBRA package. However, receipt of the package does not automatically entitle them to COBRA coverage. For example, parents, grandparents, and siblings of members were never considered eligible dependents under the health plan are not eligible for COBRA coverage. City of Tuscaloosa reserves the right to request documentation proving prior eligibility status such as a divorce agreement, school registration, or court order from individuals who enroll in COBRA.

What should I do if one or more of my enrolled dependents does not meet eligibility requirements as listed in the attached Dependent Eligibility Matrix?

You must check the box in column 'D' next to the dependent's name and fill in the date in column 'E' on the Dependent Verification Affidavit. Your ineligible dependents will be removed from coverage. You may contact Hodges-Mace, LLC to discuss coverage alternatives.

Is this verification even legal?

Yes, dependent verification is a legal process. City of Tuscaloosa has the responsibility to ensure everyone enrolled in the plan meets the eligibility criteria. The specified documentation listed in the matrix will be needed to establish eligibility for your dependents. If Hodges- Mace, LLC does not receive this documentation, you risk your dependents not being covered by the health plan.

How do I know my documents are secure?

Faxed documents are entered into a HIPAA secured system as electronic images and are not printed to paper. Paper documents submitted are converted into electronic images and the paper is saved in a secure facility until they are destroyed upon completion of the project.

Why is City of Tuscaloosa conducting this audit?

City of Tuscaloosa, as defined by the plan, is required by law to administer its health care plan so that it benefits only eligible individuals. The company is also sensitive to the rising cost of health care and recognizes that covering ineligible participants drives up the cost of health care for all eligible employees. As such, City of Tuscaloosa must ensure that benefit dollars are being spent only on eligible participants. Dependent eligibility verification of health plan enrollments is a standard business practice.