Maybe we will need to prove proof of citizenship too:
TriMet is conducting an audit to ensure that only those that are eligible, are receiving TriMet’s health benefits. The eligibility audit began this spring with an amnesty phase that concluded May 18. All ineligible dependents that were reported during this phase have been removed from our health care plans. The audit period, where you will need to verify the eligibility of all the dependents remaining on your TriMet health care plan is beginning. This means you will have to supply documentation, like tax returns, marriage and/or birth certificates, for each of your eligible dependents by Aug. 3, 2012. On or around June 30, you will receive a list of acceptable documents and step by step procedures in the mail. Dependent Eligibility Audit
TriMet is conducting an audit to verify the eligibility of enrolled dependents covered under our healthcare plans for both union and non-union employees and retirees. This process is being conducted to ensure only eligible dependents are provided coverage under the plan. Ineligible dependents enrolled in the plan can increase costs – costs that both you and TriMet share in one way or another. The plan has a fiduciary obligation to ensure that plan assets are used exclusively for the benefit of eligible individuals. It is each employee’s responsibility to ensure covered dependents continually meet the plan’s eligibility requirements and to provide supporting documentation upon request.
Mercer Health & Benefits Administration, LLC is helping TriMet to conduct this audit. If you have questions regarding the process, please contact Mercer Customer Service at 1-800-974-5127 Monday – Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central Time.
Amnesty Period April 20, 2012 – May 18, 2012
The initial phase of this audit begins with an amnesty period. “Amnesty” means you will be forgiven completely if you report your ineligible dependents covered by TriMet’s healthcare plans during the amnesty period. While you will be forgiven, ineligible dependents will be removed from TriMet’s healthcare plans.
At this time, we ask you to review the Plan’s eligibility requirements and remove from coverage any dependent that is not eligible for coverage.
If you determine you have ineligible dependents during the amnesty period, they will be removed from coverage effective May 31, 2012, with absolutely no penalty or adverse employment action of any kind.
Preparation for Audit Period May 19, 2012 - July 1, 2012
Audit Period July 2, 2012 – August 3, 2012
During the audit period you will be required to provide paper documentation verifying the eligibility of each dependent you have identified as an eligible dependent. If you have dependents covered under TriMet’s healthcare plans and you do not provide eligibility documents during the audit after the amnesty period ends, your employment will be terminated.
Employees
If an employee provides inadequate documents during the audit period, ineligible dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and TriMet will seek reimbursement for 2012 employer paid premiums for the ineligible dependent coverage to the extent permissible by law.
If an employee fails to participate in this audit by refusing to submit eligibility documents by the end of the audit period, your employment will be terminated, the ineligible dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and TriMet will seek reimbursement for 2012 employer paid premiums for the ineligible dependent coverage to the extent permissible by law.
Retirees
If a retiree provides inadequate documents during the audit period, ineligible dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and TriMet will seek reimbursement for 2012 employer paid premiums for the ineligible dependent coverage to the extent permissible by law.
If a retiree fails to participate in this audit by refusing to submit eligibility documents by the end of the audit period, ineligible dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and TriMet will seek reimbursement for 2012 employer paid premiums for the ineligible dependent coverage to the extent permissible by law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mercer Annual Privacy Notice
Mercer Compliance Brochure
Dependent Eligibility Requirements
What are my options for submitting my amnesty response to Mercer?
Fax: If responding by fax, your response may be sent to 1-212-948-1901. In order to comply with laws regarding data protection, Mercer is unable to receive social security numbers via fax.
Mail: If responding by mail, a pre-addressed envelope has been provided with your packet.
During the audit period, how do I obtain the required documentation?
You may have provided TriMet with copies of the required documentation previously. Because circumstances may have changed and because the purpose of this audit is to establish eligibility for all dependents at the same point in time, you will need to provide documents to Mercer during this audit. In order to maintain the integrity of an independent audit process, TriMet will not provide employees or Mercer with copies of documents previously submitted.
An official certificate of every birth, death, marriage, and divorce should be on file in the locality (state, city or county) where the event occurred. You may also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vital records page to request specific documents by state and obtain information on the approximate costs and time of delivery. TriMet or Mercer will not reimburse any cost associated with obtaining the appropriate, required documentation.
A copy of your tax return may be requested from the Internal Revenue Service or by contacting the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040.
What information is needed when accessing the website for the first time?
**This website will be available in July 2012 during the audit phase.**
To register on the website for the first time, go to https://verifymydependents.mercer.com and click on the “Need a Password?” link. You will then be prompted to create your own username and password by entering your Mercer Audit ID from the packet sent to your home address, date of birth and the case sensitive security code displayed on the screen.
You can confirm receipt of your documents as well as monitor the Audit progress and dependent status by visiting https://verifymydependents.mercer.com.
What are the consequences if I am found to be covering an ineligible dependent during the audit period?
Employees: If an employee provides inadequate documents during the audit period, ineligible dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and TriMet will seek reimbursement for 2012 employer paid premiums for the ineligible dependent coverage to the extent permissible by law.
If an employee fails to participate in this audit by refusing to submit eligibility documents by end of the audit period, your employment will be terminated and the ineligible dependent(s) will be removed from coverage.
Retirees: If a retiree provides inadequate documents during the audit period, ineligible dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and TriMet will seek reimbursement for 2012 employer paid premiums for the ineligible dependent coverage to the extent permissible by law.
If a retiree fails to participate in this audit by refusing to submit eligibility documents, ineligible dependent(s) will be removed from coverage and TriMet will seek reimbursement for 2012 employer paid premiums for the ineligible dependent coverage to the extent permissible by law.
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