Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Employees who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate in the health, dental and vision benefit programs sponsored by the CSU: 

STAFF/MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

• appointed to at least half-time (.50) or more, and
• an initial appointment duration of more than six months (six months and one day) 

 

FACULTY EMPLOYEES

• appointed to at least half-time (7.5 WTU's' or greater), and
• an initial appointment duration of more than six months (six months and one day). 

Temporary Academic Year Lecturers and Coaches

• appointed to at least 0.4 timebase (6.0 WTU's' or greater), and
• initial appointment duration is for at least one semester.

You have 60 days from the date of the eligible appointment to enroll in a medical plan.  After 60 days, an employee has the opportunity to request enrollment either as a "Special Enrollment" or "Late Enrollment" event. Late Enrollment would require a 90-day waiting period for coverage to become effective.  Special Enrollments are usually effective the 1st of the month following submission of your enrollment form to the Office of Human Resources.  Please see the Office of Human Resources for further information regarding Special or Late Enrollment events.  Employees who enroll and wish to change from one plan to another may only do so during the annual Open Enrollment period.

You have 60 days from the date of the eligible appointment to enroll in a dental plan. After 60 days, enrollment would only be allowed during the annual Open Enrollment period.

A change in the employee's family status (i.e., birth, adoption, marriage, domestic partner, death) must be reported to the Office of Human Resources within 60 days of the event to avoid delays in benefit effective dates, including a delay until the following annual Open Enrollment Period.

Your children, adopted children, stepchildren, or domestic partner's children who are under age 26 may be added to your health plan regardless of whether they live with you.

Another person's child under age 26 may be eligible for coverage if a parent-child relationship exists. An Affidavit of Parent-Child Relationship (PDF) must be filed prior to enrollment and be updated upon request.

To add your registered domestic partner to your health plan, you must:

• Add them within 60 days after the date of registration of your domestic partnership.
• Provide a copy of your Declaration of Domestic Partnership.
• Provide your domestic partner's Social Security number.

Your domestic partner's children who are under age 26 may be added to your health plan regardless of whether they live with you.

COBRA Continuation Coverage provides you the option of continuing your medical, dental and/or vision plans for up to 18 months (or longer in some cases). You would be responsible for paying the entire premium amount to the carriers, plus a 2% administrative fee. The provisions of COBRA also apply to dependents who lose coverage.

You can purchase health coverage through Covered California, California's health insurance marketplace, as an alternative to purchasing COBRA coverage. You may be eligible for premium tax credits through Covered California to help you pay for coverage if you lose your CalPERS health benefits. Even if you don't qualify for tax credits, you may shop Covered California for health coverage options as an alternative to COBRA.

Please contact Human Resources for further information.