Trenton Public School District

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General Health Benefits Information

• How can I learn more about the health benefits offered by the district?

  Summaries of all benefit plans are posted on the district website, under Benefits, and then by specific type of benefit (medical, prescription, dental, vision, life insurance, LTD, Flexible Spending, etc.). In addition, summaries are also available.

• When can I enroll in health benefits?

  Employees have up to 60 days from hire date to enroll in health benefits through the BenefitSolver web page, or during annual Open Enrollment in October. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure they have completed their enrollment within the 60-day window. Failure to complete enrollment will result in having to wait until the next Open Enrollment period (currently, October of each year).

• When are my benefits effective?
  • Dental and Vision 1^st of the month following 60 days
  • Health Benefits 60 days from date of hire 
  • Flexible Spending 60 days of date of hire

• I need to enroll in health benefits due to losing my other health coverage? What do I do?

  If an employee is enrolled in health benefits outside the district and has a loss of coverage, the employee has up to 60 days from the date the other coverage ended to enroll in the District’s benefits. Log into BenefitSolver and Complete a Change My Benefits, Life Event, Loss of Other Coverage. Once you have completed the change in BenefitSolver, you will need to provide the Benefits office with appropriate documentation. This will include a COBRA notice or statement from the other insurance company showing the date coverage is terminated.

• How do I add a newborn to health benefits?

  Within 60 days from the date of birth, you can add a newborn to your health benefits. Log into BenefitSolver and select Change My Benefits. Under Life Event, select Birth, and follow the screens to add the baby. As soon as you receive the birth certificate and Social Security Card upload documents into the BenefitSolver portal. Note: many times, the birth certificate and social security card are received after 30 days. Do not delay in adding the child to BenefitSolver while waiting for these documents. Please note, if you choose to change health plans when adding a newborn, the new plan will be effective back to the birth. Any claims processed under the old plan will be reprocessed under the new health plan.

• How do I add a new spouse to health benefits?

  Within 60 days of the date of marriage, you can add your spouse to health benefits. Log into BenefitSolver and select Change My Benefits. Under Life Event, select Marriage, and follow the screens to add your spouse. Once this is complete, scan/email or interoffice mail a copy of your marriage license to the Benefits Office. If you are also adding any stepchildren, scan/email their birth certificates as well.

• What is a Qualified Life Event (QLE)?A change in your situation such as getting married, having a baby, or losing health insurance coverage, can make you eligible for a special enrollment period, allowing you to enroll in health insurance outside the district’s annual open enrollment period. Examples of such Qualified Life Events (QLE) are: birth/adoption/gaining dependent through a qualified medical support court order; marriage; divorce or legal separation; death of the policyholder; involuntary loss of employer sponsored coverage or Medicaid coverage; exhaustion of COBRA.

• What is Proof of Eligibility?

Proof of Eligibility is required to enroll a dependent in health benefits. For a legal spouse, proof of eligibility is a copy of the marriage certificate that has been properly recorded with the County and/or State (a church ceremony document will not be acceptable if it does not meet these requirements), plus a copy of a ‘joint document' dated in the past 90 days. (Note: joint document is not required for adding a spouse resulting from a recent marriage). Examples of acceptable Joint Documents are a utility bill, mortgage/lease statement, auto insurance statement, property tax statement, or the most recent year 1040 Federal tax form, first page, financial info blacked out. For a dependent child, proof of eligibility is a birth certificate or court document that establishes the relationship between employee and dependent.

• How long can my dependent child be covered on my health benefits?

Dependent children can remain covered until the end of the year in which they turn age 26 for health insurance. Dependent children will automatically be removed -. No action is required on the part of the employee.

Vision – End of Month in which dependent reaches age of  26  (vsp.com)

Dental – Age 19 up to Age 25 with Full-time Student Status  

Eastern (732) 634-4810, Dental www.deltadentalnj.com or 800-335-8265 (ID cards are not required)

• I am resigning from the district. How long do my benefits continue?

Your health benefits will continue until the end of the month of your last workday in your regular position. For example, if you resign effective December 3 (last workday), your health benefits will end at midnight December 31.

 COBRA - Continuation of Coverage 

The district utilizes an outside vendor for our COBRA administration. You will receive a COBRA packet soon after your last date of active employment. You have 60 days to elect COBRA coverage with no lapse in coverage. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Benefits office.

• I am retiring from the district. How long do my benefits continue?

  Benefits for retirees (health coverage), is typically 60 days from effective retirement date (i.e. Last Day Worked 1.1.24 benefits expire on 2/28/24. 

• Are there other benefits the district provides?

• The district provides for Supplemental Benefits that can be purchased and paid through payroll deductions offered through third party vendors. Currently, these benefits include Flexible Spending, Aflac accident and critical illness policies. These supplemental benefits are elected at time of hire or during open enrollment. Please be aware the carrier may request additional information and make a determination as to whether or not an employee qualifies for enrollment in those plans.

• RETIREMENT:

PSERS can be reached at 1-888-773-7748 or at their website: psers.pa.gov.

Benefits office can support with questions regarding COBRA, transferring of benefits, etc. 

Benefits Department

BENEFIT CARRIER CONTACTS

Benefit Carrier Contacts