Coverage for a new spouse, domestic partner or newborn child is not automatic. If you experience a change in family status, you have 31 days to update your coverage. Please contact the Benefits Office immediately to complete the appropriate election forms as needed. If you do not update your coverage within 31 days from the family status change, you must wait until the next annual open enrollment period to update your coverage.

Eligible Employees

• All regular monthly contract faculty employees greater than 50%
• All regular permanent monthly staff employees with 50% or greater assignments

Eligible Dependents

• Legally married spouse
• Dependent children under age 26
• Domestic partners (affidavit is required)

When Can You Enroll

• During open enrollment
• As an eligible new hire, you may participate in the Life and AD&D benefits on your date of hire
• As an eligible new hire, you may participate in the Medical, Dental, Employee Assistance Program, and Vision benefits on the first day of the month following your date of hire
• Within 31 days of a qualified change in family status as defined by the IRS (see Changes to Enrollment below)

Paying for Your Coverage

The Basic Life and AD&D benefits are provided at no cost to you and are paid entirely by Long Beach City College. You and Long Beach City College share in the cost of the Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Program benefits you elect. Your contributions may be deducted before taxes or after taxes. Having them deducted on a before-tax basis saves you tax dollars. However, you do have the option of having your deductions taken after taxes but you must complete the Post Tax Election form included in the Benefit Guide and return it to the Benefits Office by the last day of the Open Enrollment period. Paying for benefits before-tax means that your share of the cost is deducted before taxes are determined, resulting in more take-home pay for you. As a result, the IRS requires that your elections remain in effect for the entire year unless you experience a status change.

Changes to Enrollment

Our benefit plans are effective July 1st through June 30th of each year. There is an annual open enrollment period each year, during which you can make new benefit elections for the following July 1st effective date. Once you make your benefit elections, you cannot change them during the year unless you experience a qualified change in family status as defined by the IRS.

Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

• Marriage, divorce, legal separation or annulment
• Birth or adoption of a child
• A qualified medical child support order
• Death of a spouse or child
• A change in your dependent’s eligibility status
• Loss of coverage from another health plan
• Change in your residence or workplace (if your benefit options change)
• Loss of coverage through Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Becoming eligible for a state’s premium assistance program under Medicaid or CHIP