The following notice to employees was posted on the CMS website on August 30, 2011:
There are two possible scenarios for the Special Enrollment Period(s) due to the health plans' 90-day extensions ending on September 28, 2011.
Special Enrollment Period - Scenario 1
If the negotiations between DHFS and the vendors result in any vendor contract not being extended, the CMS Group Insurance Division will hold a Special Enrollment Period from September 1, 2011, through September 16, 2011, only for those members enrolled with the vendor(s) whose 90-day contract is not being extended. Elections made during this Special Enrollment Period would be effective September 29, 2011. Letters and enrollment forms will be mailed to those affected members. The letter would include clear instructions for form completion and submission. Affected members who do not make an election would be defaulted to the CIGNA health plan effective September 29, 2011.
In this scenario, a second Special Enrollment Period would be held for all members from October 17, 2011, through November 4, 2011, with the changes being effective December 1, 2011. This second Special Enrollment Period would be open to all members to change their health carrier only. A postcard will be sent to all members notifying them of the timeframes for this Special Enrollment Period.
Members would not be allowed to add or drop dependents, or make any other change during either of these Special Enrollment Periods.
Special Enrollment Period - Scenario 2
If the contracts with all vendors are extended through June 30, 2012, only one Special Enrollment Period will be held. This Special Enrollment Period would occur from October 10, 2011, through October 28, 2011, with changes being effective December 1, 2011. This Special Enrollment Period would be offered to all members, but would be limited to health carrier changes only. A postcard will be sent to all members notifying them of the timeframes for this Special Enrollment Period.
