Employee Medical Contribution Supplement Program
Applcation Period is CLOSED for FY10 Program
HealthLine July 2009 - Information on the Medical Insurance Supplement,
2008 Annual Income Tiers for Supplement Program
Your department's HR/Benefits personnel
FY10 Medical Insurance Supplement Program (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010)
The supplement for medical insurance will again be available to qualified low-income state employees with dependent children. The supplement will be used to reduce the cost of medical insurance for the FY10 Plan Year (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010) for qualified and approved employees.
Who is eligible for the Supplement?
The supplement is for low-income employees with dependent children currently enrolled in one of the state's medical insurance options, as well as those not currently enrolled. Employees not enrolled, but who are approved, will be given an opportunity at a later date to enroll in one of the state medical options.
Employees must meet the following MINIMUM qualifications for the FY10 Medical Supplement Program
1. Hired prior to July 1, 2009
2. Eligible for state medical insurance options
3. Have a dependent child eligible for state medical coverage.
4. Had a 2008 calendar year household income of 300% or less of the 2008 Federal Poverty Level (FPL). (What are these levels?) The FPL is tied to the number of people in your household.*
5. Filed a 2008 federal income tax return
6. Employee and dependent children must be enrolled in, or willing to enroll in, one of the state's medical insurance options for the FY10 Plan Year (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010).**
* Example - 300% of the 2008 Federal Poverty Level for a single parent with two children (a total of three household members) is an annual income of $44,001 up to $52,800.
Household income is the income for calendar year 2008 of all adults living in the household, under one roof at the time of application - the employee, a spouse, children over the age of 16, and any other adults living in the household.
Caution: Please read the rest of this article for information on how the money is to be distributed among different tiers (200%, 250% and 300%) of the Federal Poverty Level.
** Employees NOT currently enrolled in one of the state's medical options, but who are awarded the supplement, will be given an opportunity at a later date to enroll in state medical coverage.
Applying for the Supplement
- Application period: August 3 - 14, 2009. Employees must use the online application process that will be acccessed through this site, although the application will not be available until August 3, 2009.
- The application will require information on the employee, family members, household members, and household income (the income of all members of the household).
- No documentation is required with the online application, but will be required at a later date, after the employee's initial acceptance. At that time, employees should be prepared to provide tax returns for all household earners (employee, spouse, children over 16 who filed taxes, and any other adults in the household) and dependent documents, such as birth certificates.
- After the application period closes, applications will be reviewed in August and September.
- Those whose applications are initially approved for the supplement will be contacted with further instructions regarding documentation and enrollment (if not already enrolled).
- Supplements will be awarded in October or November.
How much will the supplement be?
The amount of supplement for individuals is unknown, as that amount will depend on the total number of approved applicants. The more approved applicants there are, the smaller the supplement for each individual.
Not everyone who meets the minimum qualifications will receive the supplement, as the money is to be awarded based upon demonstrated need, according to the statute that governs this program. Those applicants who are awarded the supplement should not expect the supplement to completely cover all of their medical insurance premiums. It is more likely to cover only a portion of the premium.
There is the possibility that because of ongoing state budget issues, the funding for this program could be diverted for other uses by the state legislature in the 2010 Session that begins in January. This could eliminate the program for the remainder of the FY10 plan year. Should this unlikely event happen, the State will determine and communicate the options available to employees receiving the supplement.
How will the money for the supplement be distributed among qualified applicants?
Qualified applicants will be divided into three tiers.
Tier 1 - 2008 annual household income at or under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Tier 2 - 2008 annual household income at or between 201% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
Tier 3 - 2008 annual household income at or between 251% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Level
2008 Annual Income Tiers for Supplement Program
The money will be distributed first to Tier 1 applicants. Money cannot be distributed to Tier 2 applicants until 100% of the medical insurance premiums for all applicants in Tier 1 can be paid by the supplement. Money cannot be distributed to Tier 3 applicants until 100% of the medical premiums of Tier 2 can be paid. If 100% of the premiums for Tier 1 applicants cannot be covered by the program, applicants in Tier 2 and Tier 3 will not receive any supplement.
What is the purpose of this program?
The 2007 statute authorizing the program is designed to address the cost of medical insurance for low-income state employees with children. Part of the reasoning behind the program is the fact that state employees are not eligible for CHP+, the federal program to help insure the children of low-income families. The money for the program comes from the state's share of the settlement from the federal tobacco lawsuit.
Questions? Limited computer / Internet access?
Employees with questions or limited computer / Internet access should contact their agency benefits or human resources (HR) offices. Personnel in these offices can answer questions, as well as offer assistance in accessing and completing the online application.
Find your HR/Benefits office with the following list -
Your department's HR/Benefits personnel
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally provide false, incomplete, or misleading facts or information for any benefits enrollment or application process, affidavit, or other document or process for the purpose of defrauding or attempting to defraud the State of Colorado with regards to the application for benefits, benefits premiums or claim for benefits. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines, denial of enrollment in any or all of the state's group benefit plans, civil damages, termination of enrollment in any or all of the state's benefit plans, or as provided in regulations, statutes, and written directives.
More Supplement Program Information
Supplement Program Q&As
2008 Annual Income Tiers for Supplement Program
Related Links
Medical Insurance
Premiums
Who is my human resources contact?
HealthLine
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