Full-time and Part-time Food Service employees must enroll!
If you do not enroll, your benefits will terminate on:
December 31, 2023
AFSCME Part-time Food Service Employee Benefits
Eligibility for Board-paid healthcare will be determined monthly after the last payroll in each month and will be based upon attaining 3,300 or more hours and five or more years of service in an applicable part-time food service job code. Coverage for eligible employees will begin on the first of the month following the determination of eligibility.
Keep In Mind:
- In order for PTFS employees not to lose their eligibility for board-paid healthcare, they need to have continuous employment.
- Board-approved leave is always an option. You will need to contact the Leave Office.
AFSCME Part-time Food Service Employee Benefits
All benefits-eligible part-time employees are provided the opportunity to enroll in our benefits program. In this program, you may select the benefits you need for yourself and your eligible dependents. The premium for these benefits WILL NOT be deducted from your paycheck.
We are here to support, guide and assist you with your enrollment: therefore, we are providing face-to-face, telephonic and virtual enrollment assistance with a Benefits Representative. To schedule an appointment with a Benefits Representative and to select what type of enrollment assistance you would like, use one of the link below.
For general questions regarding the 2024 open enrollment, please call the FBMC Service Center at 1 (855) 632-7748, Monday – Friday, 7 am to 7 pm.
What You Need to Know:
Important Enrollment Information
- When an employee is determined to be newly eligible, the following occurs:
- A benefits enrollment package is mailed to the employee’s address on record.
- The employee will automatically be auto-assigned to the Cigna SureFit (employee only) healthcare plan, which is the free Board-paid option. However, the employee can elect to enroll in the Cigna OAP High or Cigna OAP Standard healthcare plan, which are offered with a bi-weekly employee cost-share. The employee will need to submit their completed enrollment form and the election will be effective as of the eligibility date.
- The employee may purchase any of the offered flexible benefits for themselves and their eligible dependents by contacting FBMC Benefits Management at 1(844) 627-8273 , Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm ET or via email, MDCPSNewHIre@fbmc.com. You will be invoiced monthly by FBMC for these benefits.
Important Enrollment Information
This is a mandatory enrollment for Cigna healthcare. The School Board continues to offer the current Cigna healthcare plans (OAP High, OAP Standard, and SureFit) and Flexible Benefits.
Employee-only and dependent(s) rates remain the same for the Cigna SureFit and OAP Standard Healthcare plans.
Employees enrolled in the Cigna OAP High will experience a slight increase in both employee and dependent premiums. We encourage you to review the Cigna OAP Standard plan, which provides you the same access to your current provider at a potentially lower out of pocket expense.
If you are currently enrolled in Flexible Benefits (i.e. dental, vision, HIC, legal, etc.), those benefits will continue for the 2024 plan year. There will only be a slight rate increase to the UnitedHealthcare PPO dental plans.
If you do not make a healthcare election during the enrollment period, the following will occur:
- Your and your dependent’s current Cigna healthcare coverage will terminate on December 31, 2023.
- If you are currently declining healthcare coverage, your opt-out election will terminate on December 31, 2023. If you wish to continue your enrollment in this election, you must select it during this open enrollment period, submit the Declination of Healthcare Coverage Affidavit and proof of other group or state-funded healthcare coverage. Sole submission of these documents does not mean that you have elected to decline healthcare coverage.
- You will be automatically assigned to the Cigna SureFit (employee only) healthcare plan. This plan requires the selection of a Primary Care Physician (PCP); therefore, Cigna will assign you a participating provider based on your zip code.
If you are currently enrolled in Flexible Benefits, those benefits will continue for the 2024 plan year. There will be a slight rate increase to the UnitedHealthcare PPO dental plans.
Declination of Healthcare Coverage (Opt-Out) Provision:
- If an employee is currently enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and/or other group insurance, they may decline their healthcare coverage and receive $100 per month, paid bi-weekly through the payroll system (subject to withholdings and FICA).
- They must provide proof of other group or state-funded healthcare coverage.
Enrolling in Healthcare Coverage:
You must complete the 2024 Healthcare Benefits Enrollment Form by the open enrollment deadline of November 3, 2023.
If you wish to decline your healthcare coverage, because you are currently enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and/or other group insurance, you must select the opt-out option during this enrollment period. Additionally, you must submit proof of active healthcare coverage with a current date. If the proof is not submitted, you will be automatically assigned to the Board-paid Cigna SureFit healthcare plan. Sole submission of these documentation does not mean that you have elected to decline healthcare coverage.
Spousal/Domestic Partner Surcharge:
- Employees who enroll a spouse or domestic partner in a medical plan are required to disclose at the time of enrollment if their dependent has access to group healthcare coverage from their own employer. If so, you will be charged and an annual surcharge of $800 on a bi-weekly basis via payroll deductions. If not, the spousal/domestic partner surcharge will not be applied.
Deduction Per Pay Period | Deducciones Por Periodo de Pago | Dediksyon Pou Chak Peryod Peye |
10-month employees $40.20 | Empleado de meses: $40.20 | 10 mwa anplwaye: $40.20 |
Enrolling in or Changing Your Flexible Benefits:
Complete the 2024 Flexible Benefits Enrollment form. You must include your first monthly premium made payable to FBMC with your enrollment form before the deadline of November 3, 2023. The effective date of coverage will be January 1, 2024.
You may also complete your enrollment online through FBMC’s online self-service benefits enrollment platform. Visit TransAmerica.Benselect.com/MDCPS to complete your online enrollment. You must have your employee ID and your confidential PIN. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your SSN + the last 2 digits of your birth year.
For additional information, please contact the FBMC Service Center at 1(855) 632-7748, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Healthcare Plans:
- The School Board continues to offer the current Cigna healthcare plans (OAP High, OAP Standard, and SureFit).
- Employee-only and dependent(s) rates remain the same for the Cigna SureFit and OAP Standard Healthcare plans.
- Employees enrolled in the Cigna OAP High will experience a slight increase in both employee and dependent premiums.
- The Cigna SureFit plan will be the free option (employee-only) for benefits eligible employees. Selection of a Primary Care Physician (PCP) is required at the time of enrollment. If a PCP is not selected, Cigna will assign you a participating provider based on your zip code.
- You must live in the tri-county (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) service area.
- Dependent premiums for healthcare will continue to be subsidized for employees who are eligible for Board-paid benefits.
Termination of Employment:
-
If you are no longer employed by the School Board, you will be provided the opportunity to continue your benefits in accordance with the Federal COBRA Law. You will be provided the ability to continue your medical, dental and/or vision plan if active and paid up to date at the time of termination.
FAQs
Getting
Started
What is the Open Enrollment Period?
The Open Enrollment period is a period of time, determined by your employer, during which you are allowed to make any changes to your current benefits.
When are the benefits effective and for how long?
The benefits are effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
Do I need to enroll?
Cigna healthcare
Yes. This is a mandatory enrollment for Cigna healthcare, therefore in order to continue your participation in a School Board offered plan you must complete your enrollment by November 3, 2023.
Flexible Benefits
No. This is a changes only enrollment for Flexible benefits, therefore your current Flexible Benefits will continue for the 2024 plan year.
Getting
Started
As an AFSCME Part-time Food Service employee, when do I become eligible for board-paid healthcare coverage?
Eligibility for Board-paid healthcare will be determined monthly after the last payroll in each month and will be based upon attaining 3,300 or more hours and five or more years of service in an applicable part-time food service job code. Coverage for eligible employees will begin on the first of the month following the determination of eligibility.
When I meet my eligibility for board-paid healthcare, is there a free healthcare option offered?
Yes. The Cigna SureFit Plan is being offered at no cost to all benefit’s eligible employees.
If I am enrolled in the Cigna SureFit healthcare plan, do I need to select a Primary Care Physician?
Yes, the selection of a Primary Care Physician (PCP) is required at the time of enrollment. If a PCP is not selected, Cigna will assign you a participating provider based on your zip code.
How would I pay for my dependent's coverage?
The medical premiums for dependents will be deducted from your paycheck on a bi-weekly basis.
Employees who enroll a spouse or domestic partner in a medical plan are required to disclose at the time of enrollment if their dependent has access to group healthcare coverage from their own employer. If so, you will be charged an annual surcharge of $800 on a bi-weekly basis via payroll deductions. If not, the spousal/domestic partner surcharge will not be applied.
Will the School Board subsidize my dependent healthcare premium?
No, the Board will not pay a portion of your dependent healthcare coverage.
How do I prove that my spouse/domestic partner has group coverage available through her/his employer?
On the enrollment application, select the box that best describes the status of your dependent’s group coverage.
- If you cover your spouse/domestic partner on your healthcare plan and your spouse/domestic partner has coverage available from his/her own employer, an additional annual surcharge of $800 will be charged. The annual surcharge will be deducted on a bi-weekly basis according to your pay schedule.
- If you cover your spouse/domestic partner on your healthcare plan and your spouse/domestic partner does not have an employer sponsored healthcare plan available to him/her, the spousal surcharge will not be applied.
Will I continue to receive the Flex Credit Dollars?
Employees represented by the AFSCME Union and enrolled in a healthcare plan will receive an annual flex credit of $115. The flex credit will be added to the employees’ gross income and paid through the payroll system based on the number of payroll checks the employee receives.
- 10-month employees (20 paychecks) – $5.75
- 11-month employees (24 paychecks) – $4.79
- 12-month employees (26 paychecks) – $4.42
What are my choices if I have healthcare coverage outside the School Board (group healthcare, Medicare, or Medicaid)?
You can opt-out of the board offered healthcare plan and in lieu of healthcare coverage, the board will contribute $100.00 per month. You will receive $100.00 a month, paid bi-weekly through the payroll system based on the deduction pay schedule (subject to withholding and FICA) as follows:
- 10-month employees will receive a $60.00 payment in 20 paychecks
If I am opting out of the Board offered healthcare plan, must I submit any additional documentation?
Yes, if you are opting out of the Board offered healthcare plans you must provide proof of the other group, Medicare, or Medicaid enrollment. In addition, you will need to submit and sign the Declination of Healthcare Affidavit with the proof.
Can I enroll in accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage?
No, AFSCME employees can’t enroll in this benefit.
Can I purchase flexible benefits?
Yes, you can purchase flexible benefits by calling FBMC at 1(855) MDC-PS4U (1-855-632-7748) and requesting an enrollment form.
Will my healthcare benefits continue if I am on a Board-approved leave of absence?
If you are out on a Board-approved leave that is eligible for benefits, your healthcare coverage will continue. You will be billed by FBMC for all employee-paid benefits.
For additional information regarding your current leave status or you want to apply for leave contact the Leave Office at 1 (305) 995-7090.
Eligibility
What changes can I make during this enrollment period?
You could change your current medical and/or flexible benefits plan(s), add an eligible dependent or delete a currently covered dependent.
Coverage
How do I enroll?
To enroll for healthcare coverage:
- You must complete your enrollment by completing the 2024 Healthcare Benefits Enrollment Form by the open enrollment deadline of November 3, 2023.
- If you wish to decline your healthcare coverage, because you are currently enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and/or other group insurance, you will need re-enroll in this option during open enrollment. Additionally, you must submit proof of active healthcare coverage with a current date. If the proof is not submitted upon request, you will be automatically assigned to the Board-paid Cigna SureFit healthcare plan
To enroll/ change your flexible Benefits:
- Complete the 2024 Flexible Benefits Enrollment form. You must include your first monthly premium made payable to FBMC with your enrollment form before the deadline of November 3, 2023. The effective date of coverage will be January 1, 2024.
- You may also complete your enrollment online through FBMC’s online self-service benefits enrollment platform. Visit https://transamerica.benselect.com/MDCPS to complete your online enrollment. You must have your employee ID and your confidential PIN. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your SSN + the last 2 digits of your birth year.
To-Do List
We recommend before you begin the online enrollment process you collect the following information:
- Your M-DCPS Portal Username and Password
- Dependents’ Name(s)
- Dependents’ Date(s) of Birth
- Dependents’ Relationship(s)
- Dependents’ VALID Social Security number(s)
- Proof of dependent eligibility must be submitted to the Office of Risk and Benefits Management for all added dependent(s), upon request. Otherwise, coverage may be terminated for any dependent whose eligibility has not been verified; claims incurred will not be paid and any premiums deducted will not be automatically issued.
- Disable the pop-up blocker on your computer to allow your Confirmation Notice to display at the end of your enrollment session.
- Employees covering a domestic partner of the same sex and legally married can add their eligible domestic partner on a tax-free basis with a copy of a marriage certificate.