Health benefits are DISTRICT PAID for benefit eligible employees (full time faculty and permanent classified employees with 50% or greater assignment) and their eligible dependents. Child Development Center teachers have a separate schedule of benefits (call ext. 3053 or ext. 2889 for more information).
Effective Date of Benefits: For new permanent full-time employees, most benefits are effective on the first day of the month following the date of hire. For example, if you are hired on May 9, your benefits would be effective on June 1. Exceptions are life insurance and long term disability insurance which have later effective dates.
Enrollment: New employees must complete enrollment forms within 30 days from date of hire. Employees not enrolling within this time frame must wait until the next annual open enrollment period.
Eligible Dependents: Legal spouse, qualified domestic partner; eligible dependent children of domestic partner, and genetic/adopted children to age 26 which includes a stepchild. A legal guardian, and foster child, are considered eligible dependents until they reach the age of 18. An unmarried child who is incapable of self-sustaining employment because of mental or physical impairment that occurred prior to reaching the age limit for unmarried children may continue as a family member as long as disabled. A Physician’s certification is required. However, the medical insurance provider will make the final determination and may require additional documentation. Such certification must be completed within 31 days of the child’s maximum age birthday. Annual verification may be requested.
Adult Child to Age 26: Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, a dependent between the ages of 19 and 26 who is not a full time student, who may or may not be married and who may or may not be your tax dependent, is eligible to continue medical, dental, and vision coverage until the age of 26, provided they are not eligible for another employer’s group health plan (except that of the other parent). This restriction will be lifted effective January 1, 2014 in accordance with PPACA rules.
Domestic Partners: Palomar College extends health coverage to domestic partners; however, a tax liability may be imposed to the employee. Both the employee and their domestic partner must sign an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership. Registering with the State of California may provide certain tax advantages.
Governing Board Policy on Domestic Partners
Family Status Changes: Life events such as marriage, divorce, dissolution of domestic partnership, the birth of a child, or a change in student status must be reported within 30 days of the date of the event. Delays in reporting such changes may adversely impact continued coverage.
For more information about benefits, please contact the Benefits Specialist at ext. 2889 or ext. 3053.