Mandatory Enrollment in Medical

HRGuyMS

Our company is in the process of redesigning our benefits program. Can an employer enroll an employee in medical insurance (employer paid) even though the employee states that he does not want the coverage because he is covered under a spouse's plan or other plan (TRICARE)? The net result of enrolling all employees is reduced rates due to increased participation.

mushroomHR

If our employees choose not to enroll in our health plan which is fully paid by the employer, the employee signs a waiver of coverage and we do not cover them. This is perfectly acceptable with our carrier. I would check with your insurance company about this though.

marc

We had to enroll all of our EEs to get the good rate. We did have some EEs with TRICOR and several who have free coverage through the Native American coverage options. All were required to enroll.

A couple were really upset about it, but as long as we were paying 100% coverage, it was OK for us to require it. One EE was given the choice of enrolling or finding work elsewhere. She enrolled.

irenesmsaclaims

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 03-03-04 AT 07:09PM (CST)[/font][br][br]Typically, an insurance company will require 100% participation if the employee contribution is 0. It's because of adverse selection. They want all of the healthy ones to go with the sick ones. Why would a person waive free coverage, when most plans are not first dollar, 100% anymore? They would have primary and secondary with coordination.

SMace

There are some instances where they could get burned with the coordination of benefits. Our health insurance waives the co-insurance limit when someone has other insurance coverage. Otherwise we would get stuck with the entire bill once they hit the limit. They would keep on paying the 20 or 40% no matter how big the bill.

Peyton Irby MS

>Our company is in the process of redesigning our
>benefits program. Can an employer enroll an
>employee in medical insurance (employer paid)
>even though the employee states that he does not
>want the coverage because he is covered under a
>spouse's plan or other plan (TRICARE)? The net
>result of enrolling all employees is reduced
>rates due to increased participation.


i don't know how the forum reposted your question in this reply. i am unaware of any legal obstacle of requiring 100% when you pay for it.
Peyton Irby
Editor, Mississippi Employment Law Letter
Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A.
(601) 949-4810
[email]pirby@watkinsludlam.com[/email]

Peyton Irby MS

unaware of any legal obstacle of NOT being able to require participation. sorry for the NOT being omitted.
Peyton Irby
Editor, Mississippi Employment Law Letter
Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A.
(601) 949-4810
[email]pirby@watkinsludlam.com[/email]