Dependent Student Status Requirements Have Changed

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act contains a provision requiring group health employer plans that provide dependent coverage for children to make such coverage available for an adult child until the child turns age 26.

Effective January 1, 2011, dependents under age 26 are eligible to receive medical and dental benefits if they are eligible dependents of one of the following groups:

• Eligible full-time City of Chicago employees
• Eligible Police and Fire Employees Receiving City Paid Benefits At Age 55 and Before Age 65

This means that the previous requirement to submit proof of student status is no longer required for the employees described above. An employee’s date of hire is no longer a criterion for dependent eligibility.

Dependent Student Status Requirements Have Changed

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act contains a provision requiring group health employer plans that provide dependent coverage for children to make such coverage available for an adult child until the child turns age 26.

Effective January 1, 2011, dependents under age 26 are eligible to receive medical and dental benefits if they are eligible dependents of one of the following groups:

• Eligible full-time City of Chicago employees
• Eligible Police and Fire Employees Receiving City Paid Benefits At Age 55 and Before Age 65

This means that the previous requirement to submit proof of student status is no longer required for the employees described above. An employee’s date of hire is no longer a criterion for dependent eligibility.

Fall Student Status Requirements For Dependents Of Annuitants

If you are either a Non-Medicare Eligible Annuitant or a Medicare Supplement  Annuitant, medical benefits for your eligible dependent(s) will terminate at midnight prior to their 19th birthday.

Medical benefits can be extended until their 22nd birthday if you submit satisfactory “proof of student status” in both the Fall and Spring of each year (within required timeframes) confirming that your eligible dependents are full-time students at an accredited college or university.

The following two documents must be submitted to the Benefits Management Division  twice a year or your dependent(s) will not have medical insurance through the City of Chicago for the full calendar year:

1)    Letter from the school’s Registrar's Office confirming full-time student status for the current school term.

Helpful Hints – This letter is often issued on the school’s multicolored letterhead or has a raised seal. It cannot be a copy or facsimile (fax). It cannot be dated before October 1st  of the current Fall school term. It must state the student is enrolled on a “full-time” basis. Please Note: The student’s school determines the definition of full-time.

2)    Copy of full or partially paid tuition bill or grants for the current school term.

Helpful Hints – The student's name must appear. Various forms of proof of payment are acceptable including a copy of the student’s grant letter or student account printed from the Internet. The bill must be at least partially paid.

Dental benefits for your dependent(s) terminate at midnight before their 19th birthday regardless of their student status. Eligible dependents who lose medical and/or dental coverage at age 19 may elect coverage through the PHSA (Public Health Service Act) Continuation of Coverage program. Call 1-877-299-5111 for further PHSA details.

Spring Student Status Requirements For Dependents Of Annuitants
If you are either a Non-Medicare eligible annuitant or a Medicare eligible annuitant, medical benefits for your eligible dependent(s) will terminate at midnight before their 19th birthday.

Medical benefits can be extended until their 22nd birthday if you submit satisfactory “proof of student status” in both the Fall and Spring of each year (within required timeframes) confirming that your eligible dependents are full-time students at an accredited college or university.

The following two documents must be submitted to the Benefits Management Division  twice a year or your dependent(s) will not have medical insurance through the City of Chicago for the full calendar year:

1)    Letter from the school’s Registrar's Office confirming full-time student status for the current school term.

Helpful Hints – This letter is often issued on the school’s multicolored letterhead or has a raised seal. It cannot be a copy or facsimile (fax). It cannot be dated before February 1st of the current Spring school term. It must state the student is enrolled on a “full-time” basis. Please Note: The student’s school determines the definition of full-time.

2)    Copy of full or partially paid tuition bill or grants for the current school term.

Helpful Hints – The student's name must appear. Various forms of proof of payment are acceptable including a copy of the student’s grant letter or student account printed from the Internet. The bill must be at least partially paid.

Dental benefits for your dependent(s) terminate at midnight before their 19th birthday regardless of their student status. Eligible dependents who lose medical and/or dental coverage at age 19 may elect coverage through the PHSA (Public Health Service Act) Continuation of Coverage program. Call 1-877-299-5111 for further PHSA details.

Fall Student Status Requirements For Dependents Of Annuitants

If you are either a Non-Medicare Eligible Annuitant or a Medicare Supplement  Annuitant, medical benefits for your eligible dependent(s) will terminate at midnight before their 19th birthday.

Medical benefits can be extended until their 22nd birthday if you submit satisfactory “proof of student status” in both the Fall and Spring of each year (within required timeframes) confirming that your eligible dependents are full-time students at an accredited college or university.

The following two documents must be submitted to the Benefits Management Division  twice a year or your dependent(s) will not have medical insurance through the City of Chicago for the full calendar year:

1)    Letter from the school’s Registrar's Office confirming full-time student status for the current school term.

Helpful Hints – This letter is often issued on the school’s multicolored letterhead or has a raised seal. It cannot be a copy or facsimile (fax). It cannot be dated before October 1st  of the current Fall school term. It must state the student is enrolled on a “full-time” basis. Please Note: The student’s school determines the definition of full-time.

2)    Copy of full or partially paid tuition bill or grants for the current school term.

Helpful Hints – The student's name must appear. Various forms of proof of payment are acceptable including a copy of the student’s grant letter or student account printed from the Internet. The bill must be at least partially paid.

Dental benefits for your dependent(s) terminate at midnight before their 19th birthday regardless of their student status. Eligible dependents who lose medical and/or dental coverage at age 19 may elect coverage through the PHSA (Public Health Service Act) Continuation of Coverage program. Call 1-877-299-5111 for further PHSA details.

Spring Student Status Requirements For Dependents Of Annuitants

If you are either a Non-Medicare eligible annuitant or a Medicare eligible annuitant, medical benefits for your eligible dependent(s) will terminate at midnight before their 19th birthday.

Medical benefits can be extended until their 22nd birthday if you submit satisfactory “proof of student status” in both the Fall and Spring of each year (within required timeframes) confirming that your eligible dependents are full-time students at an accredited college or university.

The following two documents must be submitted to the Benefits Management Division  twice a year or your dependent(s) will not have medical insurance through the City of Chicago for the full calendar year:

1)    Letter from the school’s Registrar's Office confirming full-time student status for the current school term.

Helpful Hints – This letter is often issued on the school’s multicolored letterhead or has a raised seal. It cannot be a copy or facsimile (fax). It cannot be dated before February 1st of the current Spring school term. It must state the student is enrolled on a “full-time” basis. Please Note: The student’s school determines the definition of full-time.

2)    Copy of full or partially paid tuition bill or grants for the current school term.

Helpful Hints – The student's name must appear. Various forms of proof of payment are acceptable including a copy of the student’s grant letter or student account printed from the Internet. The bill must be at least partially paid.

Dental benefits for your dependent(s) terminate at midnight before their 19th birthday regardless of their student status. Eligible dependents who lose medical and/or dental coverage at age 19 may elect coverage through the PHSA (Public Health Service Act) Continuation of Coverage program. Call 1-877-299-5111 for further PHSA details.