FAQS

Getting
Started

What is a new employee and when do benefits become effective for employees hired on or after January 1st, 2022?
  • A new employee is defined as an employee without active benefits. Following a 90- calendar day waiting period, new hires will be eligible for Board-paid healthcare (Cigna SureFit plan (employee-only)), life insurance (at one time your annual base salary, decided per your Bargaining Contract) and standard short term disability. Coverage will be effective on the 91st day.

     

    NOTE: As a result of COVID19, this waiting period has been waived and your healthcare, life and short-term disability plans are effective as of your date of hire.

     

    You will be able to enroll in a plan of your choice during the following plan year after satisfying 12 months of continuous employment in a benefits eligible position. Additionally, employee-paid benefits elected for yourself and for your dependents will be effective the first of the month following the first payroll deduction.

Must all new employees enroll?

Yes. You must complete your enrollment by logging in to www.dadeschools.net. As a new employee, you will receive an e-mail prompting you to enroll online for your flexible benefits 60 days after your date of hire. You must enroll online by the deadline stated in the email.

What is the deadline for completing my online enrollment?

Your initial enrollment period is 30 calendar days from the date of your email notification. You will not be able to make change to your benefits after your initial enrollment period deadline until the next open enrollment period, unless you’ve experienced a qualifying Change of Status event.

Coverage

What if I want to change my benefits selection after I enroll?

You may change your benefits selection as many times as you wish until the end of your initial enrollment period.

Can I select coverage for myself through one healthcare plan benefit and another for my family?

 No. You and your eligible dependents must be covered with the same healthcare plan.

Can I elect not to be covered?

In lieu of healthcare coverage, you will receive $100 per month paid bi-weekly through the payroll system based on your deduction pay schedule (subject to withholding and FICA) as follows:

  • 10-month employees will receive their payment in 20 pay checks.
  • 11-month employees will receive their payment in 24 pay checks.
  • 12-month employees will receive their payment in 26 pay checks.
  • If you do not provide proof of other group healthcare coverage, you will be automatically assigned the Cigna SureFit (employee-only) healthcare plan.
What if I do not enroll?

If you do not complete your enrollment in the allotted time:

  • You will automatically be assigned to Cigna SureFit (employee-only) healthcare plan and no dependent healthcare coverage. Coverage will be effective on your 91st day.
  • You will automatically receive Standard Short-term Disability coverage and Life Insurance at one times your annual base salary (amount is decided per your Bargaining Contract). Coverage will be effective on your 91st day.

NOTE: As a result of COVID19, this waiting period has been waived and your healthcare, life and short-term disability plans are effective as of your date of hire.

 

  • You will not have any flexible benefits (i.e. dental, legal, etc.) and no dependent coverage.

 

These benefits will be effective for the remainder of this plan year, as long as your full-time employment with Miami-Dade County Public Schools continues.

Can I select coverage for myself through one flexible benefit plan provider and another for my family?

No. You and your eligible dependents must be covered with the same flexible benefit and provider.

How do I view the Cigna or Flexible Benefit Plan Provider Directories?

To view participating providers in Cigna: log in to www.cigna.com and click on “Find a Provider.”

To view participating providers in the Flexible Benefits Plans: log in to www.dadeschools.net, click on “2022 Benefits”.

Dependent

If electing dependent coverage or employee-paid benefits, when will my first deduction be taken and what is the effective date on these benefits?

The first deduction for benefits will be taken from the last pay check of the month in which you enroll and your benefits are processed. The effective date is the first of the following month after that first deduction is taken.

What do I need to submit to ensure that my dependent(s) will have coverage?

You will need to submit dependent eligibility verification documentation. Failure to submit this required documentation will result in the termination of your dependent(s) coverage.

Enrollment

Your Benefits

u

FAQ's

Rates

M-DCPS Logo in white

Office of Risk and Benefits Management
1501 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 335
Miami, Florida 33132
Mon - Fri, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
www.dadeschools.net
305-995-7129

FBMC Service Center
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
1-855-MDC-PS4U (1-855-632-7748)