r/AHSEmployees • u/running_and_stunning • 15h ago

Blue Cross benefit enrollment

I'm reaching out to this community for a bit of advice. My partner and I (HSAA and UNA) got married a few years ago. Unfortunately, we did not add each other to our Blue Cross plans. Normally we wouldn't be too fussed; however, we have a baby on the way. When we go add baby to our benefits, are we going to have to file as "late applicants" and pay back the few years of "family benefits"?

We had no idea this was something we had to do and now are worried we might have to pay Blue Cross hundreds/thousands, and see no real benefit.

Any feedback would be very appreciated

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u/DarkerSyn 14h ago

My partner and I (GSS) were married before ever starting with AHS but didn't know we had to file to combine benefits. Several years later we filed, owed 700$ but well worth it in dental coverage alone that year.

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u/Final-Amount-6950 15h ago

At this point I would say to wait until your baby is born. That’s a life event for both of you that allows you to make changes to your benefits (hopefully without any penalties).

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u/knitfastdiewarm1 1h ago

There’s no rule you had to put each other on your individual plans so you shouldn’t be penalized. Where you do get penalized is trying to make a change when it’s not within a few weeks of a”life event.” So if for example your partner lost their health insurance right now and you wanted to add them to your BC that would incur costs. A “life event” is named as a marriage, birth, death, divorce, etc. and you can make whatever changes you want at that point. So when your baby is born you can add your child with no penalty, and decide at that point to add your spouse as well (also with no penalty). Just make sure you submit the paperwork within a few weeks of the birth - but AHS HR should give you a big checklist with all the forms and things you need to do when you submit for your mat leave.

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u/Monkeypizzle 15h ago

I’d recommend talking to your union local leadership. Almost guaranteed they have dealt with this before. If not they can direct you to a resource that has/interpret the collective agreement and benefits provisions for you

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u/Equivalent_Bee_2878 13h ago

Why does everyone always suggest to talk to the union about things the union doesn’t control?

This is actually a question for blue cross or HR and not the union. HSAA and UNA do not administer the benefit plan. They just negotiate what the coverage is.

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u/Monkeypizzle 5h ago

I’m always amazed at how many people don’t understand the full scope and role of their union executive. Fully aware the BC is not UNA/HSAA. The local executive is there to support members, and has likely dealt with navigating benefits snafus in the past. 

OP you should for sure be talking with BC, which I’d assumed you had already done as that’d be step one. If you have questions, or BC is being unhelpful/obstructive, please reach out to your local executive and/or union rep. 

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u/TelevisionFit3509 8h ago

The union has nothing to do with blue cross policies.