Before processing group insurance claims for non-disabled dependent children whose 19th birthday occurred prior to January 1, 2004, the Maryland State Employee Benefits Division requires that a valid Certification of Dependent Eligibility form be on file. Faculty and staff must submit a new certification form at the beginning of each academic semester for any dependents that turned 19 during 2003 and are full-time students. These forms must be completed and returned directly to the medical plan. Be sure to keep a copy for your records! Failure to comply with this requirement will result in cancellation of all MD state coverage for the ineligible dependent. In addition, the employee will be billed for the full individual premium for the number of months the ineligible dependent remained enrolled.
Remember that the Maryland State benefits program allows coverage for non-disabled dependents over age 19 only if they are certified full-time students and only through the end of the calendar year in which they turn 25 or the end of the month when they cease to be a full-time student, whichever occurs first.
The Certification of Dependent Eligibility form can be found on the Towson University Office Human Resources Benefits website {http://www.towson.edu/hr/} under Forms or on page 88 of your 2004 State of Maryland Summary of Benefits book. Materials needed to apply for continuation of coverage under COBRA after the loss of dependent eligibility, are available from the Towson University Office of Human Resources.
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x46018 email: {dcurtis@towson.edu} or Gail Price, x46017 email: {gprice@towson.edu}
