More FAQs

I am an active employee. How do I enroll or add a dependent to my City Group Health or Dental Plan?

New employees must enroll in benefits within 30 days of hire date. Coverage will be effective on the first of the month following hire date. The election for coverage will remain in effect for the remainder of the calendar year unless an employee experiences a qualifying life event or family status change. Employees may choose dependent coverage at initial enrollment or later in the year if experiencing a qualifying life event. Employees may revise previous coverage elections to accommodate the life change if the request for change is submitted to the Human Resources Department within 30 days of the event. In order to add dependent coverage at hire or following a qualifying life event, documentation of relationship to the employee must be submitted.  Employees must provide copies of birth certificates for dependent children and copies of marriage certificates to add coverage for a spouse.

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.

I understand that I will not be allowed to continue coverage under the City Group Health Plan after I turn age 65. If my spouse is a dependent on the plan but is younger than me, can he/she stay on the plan even after my coverage is cancelled?

Yes. A spouse under age 65 may continue coverage under the City Group Health Plan even though his or her retiree spouse's plan discontinues at age 65.

If I drop my coverage as a retiree on the City Group Health Plan, will I be allowed to re-enroll in the plan at a later date?

If you are a retiree who was already enrolled in the plan on Oct. 1, 2009 or if you retired on or after Oct. 1, 2009, you will be allowed to enroll or re-enroll in the plan at any time prior to reaching age 65.

How long can I keep my dependent child on my City Group Health Plan coverage?

Dependent children may continue coverage until age 26 unless they are hired into a benefit-eligible position within the City of Tuscaloosa.

Who can answer my questions about the definition of an eligible dependent?

If you read the Dependent Eligibility Matrix and still have questions, there is a customized web site available at www.depconfirm.com/COT You can also call Hodges- Mace, LLC toll free at 1 (855) 210-1938. Representatives are available from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. EST Monday through Friday.

What is passive enrollment?

Passive enrollment means that employees are not required to re-elect benefits for the upcoming year. If an employee takes no action, benefits will remain the same, except for flexible spending accounts.

What is a "qualifying event"?

Family status changes are marriage; divorce; childbirth; adoption of a child; death of a spouse or dependent; or a dependent child or dependent adult reaching the coverage age limit.

Employment status changes are if your employment status with the City changes to a benefit-eligible or non-eligible status, or your spouse’s or adult dependent’s employment changes and affects benefit coverage.

Notify the Human Resources Department within 30 days of the event that you wish to make benefit changes if you experience any of the events listed.

Note on dental plans: The Blue Cross Dental Plan will not allow enrollment of dependents that were previously eligible for coverage but declined the coverage in the past. Periodically, Blue Cross will announce a special enrollment period to allow such enrollments. Human Resources will communicate such periods to employees during the City’s annual benefits open-enrollment period.