FAQ For Non-GIC Eligible Commonwealth Employees

When will my coverage begin?

Once an employee has enrolled, it will ordinarily take two pay periods for the employee to fully pay a month’s premium for health insurance through Commonwealth Choice, and coverage will begin on the first day of the month after which the full premium has been paid.  Please see the following table for additional details:

*Employees who enroll later in the month should consider increasing their first deduction amount by contacting their payroll director, or making direct payments to Commonwealth Choice, to guarantee the start of the coverage period.  To make a direct payment, once enrolled the employee will receive a confirmation indicating the monthly premium due.  Please specify the account number and the employee reference number to apply payment appropriately and timely. The first month’s premium must be paid in full and due no later than 5 business days prior to the coverage date.  Please send payments to:
 

Commonwealth Choice

554 Main St

Worcester, MA 01608

How do I enroll in a health insurance plan?

Using the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ employer identification number (Employer ID # 149683) or the UMass employer identification number(Employer # 152368) as login information, the employee should go to MAhealthconnector.org or call 1-877-MA-ENROLL to compare and select a plan.  Persons who are hearing impaired may use TTY service by calling 1-888-213-8163.

Be aware that employees will be asked to enter the last four digits of their Social Security number, their date of birth and zip code which will be verified against the file sent from the payroll system, HR/CMS or e*mpac.  This will complete verification so the employee can then compare and select a plan.  If a mismatch occurs, employees will be directed back to their payroll office.

For pre-tax coverage, the selection of coverage must be made within the 45-day new hire enrollment period.  After 45 days, the login information provided by Commonwealth Choice will no longer be valid.

Electing coverage (or “shopping”) sooner will help expedite the start of payroll deductions and avoid any need for additional payments.

How will my paycheck be affected?

It is an employee’s responsibility to ensure that the monthly premium is being paid in full and that deductions are taken in a timely manner.  The monthly deduction amount is based on the premium for the selected health insurance plan.

What if I am not paid on a bi-weekly basis?

Employees paid on an irregular schedule can request an additional prepayment amount through their department.  The employee needs to ensure that sufficient deductions to cover the cost of the plan are taken prior to the benefit month.

What if I have several jobs within the Commonwealth?

Employees with multiple jobs must ensure that the payroll office deducts from the correct job record in HR/CMS.  Employees will be responsible for oversight if they request splitting deductions over multiple job records.

What if I miss a payment?

Commonwealth Choice will contact the employee for any balance due to collect the remainder of the monthly premium amount.  Employees will need to make payment on a post-tax basis.  Failure to pay the full premium amount will result in coverage being cancelled.

One-time adjustments and other changes to the deduction amount can be made but only for coverage periods related to employment by requesting that the employee’s payroll director enter in an additional deduction amount.  Make-up deductions are allowed; however, employees should be aware of Commonwealth Choice’s rules regarding payments (see section on Rules Regarding Payments/Delinquency).

Employees with multiple jobs or not on regular work schedules will need to closely manage their paychecks and adjust deduction amounts or make additional payments as needed.

Can I purchase a plan before my coverage begins?

Employees who are on a waiting period for benefit coverage to begin can purchase coverage directly from Commonwealth Choice on a post-tax basis by visiting MAhealthconnector.org and purchasing a plan through the “Individual and Family” shopping option.  They may also call 1-877-MA-ENROLL.  Persons who are hearing impaired may use TTY service by calling 1-888-213-8163.  All such activity will occur outside the Commonwealth’s Section 125 plan and will not be deducted through payroll.  Thus, it will not receive the pre-tax benefit.

I already have Commonwealth Choice coverage.  How do I switch my plan to the Commonwealth Plan?

If an employee already has health insurance coverage through Commonwealth Choice on a direct pay (Individual/Family) basis, the employee will need to voluntarily cancel his/her policy and re-enroll using the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Employer ID # 149683. The UMass Employer ID # is 152368.

A direct pay policy can be cancelled at any time.  A cancellation is accepted in person, by phone, fax, email and regular mail.  The cancellation is effective the last day of the month for which the premium is paid in full.

To ensure there is no interruption in coverage the employee will need determine the cancellation date of the direct pay policy by considering that it will ordinarily take two pay periods to fully pay a month’s premium for health insurance through your employer.  Remember that coverage will begin on the first day of the month after which the full premium has been paid.

Call 1-877-MA-ENROLL for further assistance.  Be sure to have the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Employer ID # 149683 or the UMass Employer ID # 152368 on hand.

Is an employee who is eligible for GIC coverage also eligible for coverage under the Section 125 plan for non-GIC eligible employees during the two month waiting period before GIC benefits begin?

No.  This Section 125 pre-tax benefit plan is only available to employees who are not eligible for GIC coverage.  However, employees who are waiting for GIC coverage to begin can purchase coverage directly from Commonwealth Choice on a post-tax basis (see answer to previous question).

Rules Regarding Payments/Delinquency

• Each employee’s department receives enrollment information and deducts premium. 
• The Commonwealth makes payment through deductions taken from employee paychecks.  The Commonwealth is not responsible for any premium shortfall.
• Accounts are considered delinquent when a partial premium payment, or no payment, is received prior to the first day of the coverage month.
• Payment can be received up to five business days prior to the first day of coverage month.
• If an account is delinquent for 60 days from the first day of the coverage month in which payment is due, coverage will be terminated.
• Re-instatement of lapsed coverage is allowed twice per plan year as long as all back premiums and reinstatement fees are paid by the subscriber and coverage has not lapsed for longer than 90 days.
• There are no late fees.

This information provided by the Group Insurance Commission.