DSGI Active Employee FAQs

Frequent Questions & Answers

1. What is Open Enrollment?
   

   During the Annual Open Enrollment Period, all eligible participants may make changes in the State pre-tax benefit more freely than the rest of a plan year. Other than the Open Enrollment Period, "Qualifying Status Change" (QSCs) events are required for changes in pre-tax benefits. Retirees and COBRA participants do not have all the options that active employees have.

2. What if I don't wish to make any changes to my current benefits, and I do not wish to change my Flexible Spending Account(s)?
   

   If you do not want to make any changes, do not complete and submit any forms to the Human Resources Service Center and do not access the web site to make changes. In short, you should do nothing.

3. How can I add, change or cancel my employee health insurance plan during Open Enrollment?
   

   You may make changes on-line on the web site or you may obtain the required form(s) from the Human Resources Service Center and submit the forms by October 24.

4. When will the selections that I make during Open Enrollment take place?
   

   The changes made during the Open Enrollment Period will be effective on January 1 of the following year.

5. What is a Benefit Fair?
   

   DSGI staff are present at Benefit Fairs to answer questions and provide assistance to employees and retirees. Representatives of the various insurance and benefit plans are also present to provide information. The Benefit Fairs are conducted in many cities across Florida.

6. What happens if I miss the October 24 deadline for making benefit changes or new elections?
   

   You must wait until next year's Annual Open Enrollment Period unless you experience a qualifying status change event and request a change in writing within 31 days of your change. Any request to change a benefit election must be consistent with the change that occurred.

7. I've lost my PIN number that allows me to access my benefits over the web site. Can you send me the number again?
   

   By calling the HumanResourcesServiceCenter at 1-866-663-4735 (TTY users dial 904-443-6448), your Personal Identification Number (PIN) can be reset to your birth date preceeded with a "0" (numeric zero). Once reset, you will then be prompted to change your PIN password. However, User Identification/Employee ID numbers will only be mailed to the address of record in the human resources data system.

8. Where can I find a list of network providers for my health insurance plan?
   

   Your health plan provider may have a listing of network providers on its web site. The web site has links and phone numbers to health plan providers. Your health plan's Member Services can also help you locate a network provider.

9. How can I obtain forms?
   

   To obtain a form via the web site, select Forms from the menu. Click on the form of your choice and a window will open displaying the form. You may print a blank form or type the required information onto the form before printing.

10. I selected an insurance plan when I first began my employment with the State of Florida. When can I change to another insurance plan?
    

    Open Enrollment runs from mid-September through mid-October each year. Changes can only be made during the Annual Open Enrollment Period unless you experience a Qualifying Status Change (QSC), as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, between Open Enrollment periods.

11. If I decide to enroll in the new Optional Life and AD&D insurance, must I enroll in the Basic Life and AD&D?
    

    Yes, If you elect to enroll in the Optional Life and AD&D, you must also enroll in the Basic Life and AD&D coverage.

12. Does the State pay any portion of the Optional Life and AD&D premium?
    

    No. The employee pays all the cost of the Optional Life and AD&D on a post-tax basis.

13. Do I have to complete an underwriting form and go through a physical examination in order to enroll in the Optional Life and AD&D insurance?
    

    Yes. If you elect to enroll or increase by more than 1x your base annual earnings, you will be required to complete a short underwriting form; however, no physical exam will be required.

14. May I select a different beneficiary for Optional Life and AD&D?
    

    No. The beneficiary you select for Basic Life and AD&D will also be your beneficiary for the Optional Life and AD&D insurance. However, you may prorate your beneficiary proceeds in any percentage that you desire among your primary and/or contingent beneficiaries.

15. Does the State Group Life Insurance Program affect my income tax responsibilities?
    

    The State Group Life Plan is a "pretax" employee benefit plan, and the premiums are not subject to federal income tax or social security taxes.

    However, some employees are subject to the imputed income provisions of Section 79 of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees have imputed income added to their regular wages for the portion of group life insurance coverage that exceeds $50,000. The imputed income is added to regular wages to determine taxable income. The amount of imputed income is determined from value tables published by the IRS based on the employee's age and cost of the coverage.

16. What is a "non-preferred brand drug"?
    

    A non-preferred brand drug is a drug that does not appear on the Preferred Drug List (PDL). If you purchase a non-preferred brand drug, you will be charged a higher co-payment.

17. Who decides which drugs are included on the PDL?
    

    The State contracts with a professional pharmacy benefits manager to administer the prescription drug program offered under the State Employees' PPO Plan. This pharmacy benefits manager determines which drugs are included or not included on the PDL. Decisions are made based on clinical efficacy and cost.

18. When is the amount of my annual Flexible Spending Account available for reimbursement of my expenses?
    

    The entire amount of a Medical Reimbursement Account annual election is immediately available on the first day of the plan year, but you can only be reimbursed for the actual balance you have deposited in a Dependent Care Account at any given time.

19. How long does it take to receive a reimbursement check from the Flexible Spending Accounts Program?
    

    Generally, you will receive a Medical Spending or Dependent Care Spending Account check within 4 to 6 weeks after the claim and required documentation are received.

20. If I'm not satisfied with a health plan, or if my Flexible Spending Account isn't working out, how can I get out?
    

    Your participation will end the last day of December of the plan year, unless you experience a Qualifying Status Change event that will permit a change in your pre-tax benefits. The QSC must be consistent with the type of change you want to make.

21. I have individual coverage and I am expecting a baby. When should I add my baby?
    

    DSGI strong urges employees anticipating the birth of a child to change to family coverage as soon as they become aware of the pregnancy, but, if individual coverage is in effect at the time of the baby's birth, you will have 60 days from the birth of the child to enroll in family coverage. The effective date of coverage will be retroactive to the beginning of the month in which the child is born and premiums will be due accordingly.

22. I am currently insured under another group insurance plan, but I have accepted a position with the State of Florida. Will my pregnancy be considered a pre-existing condition under the State of Florida Group Health Insurance Program?
    

    Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) contracted with the State of Floridado not have a pre-existing condition limitation. The State of Florida Employees' PPO Plan does have a pre-existing condition limitation, but pregnancy is not subject to the pre-existing condition limitation.

    If you think you might have a pre-existing condition and are enrolling in the PPO Plan, you should submit a request for "waiver of pre-existing conditions"to the Human Resources Service Center.

23. If I terminate my employment, can I keep my health and dental insurance?
    

    Yes, COBRA, a federal law allows you and your covered family members to continue health and dental coverage for up to 18 months, and possibly longer under certain circumstances. To continue other supplemental coverage, you must contact the individual supplemental company for the continuation forms.

24. I am a faculty member and I am usually off during the summer. If I decide to work during the summer, will reimbursement deductions be withheld from my salary?
    

    Any state paycheck received by a reimbursement account participant will be subject to medical and dependent care deductions until the designated annual amount is satisfied. There are no provisions to adjust bi-weekly payroll deductions for reimbursement accounts.