Open Enrollment FAQs

Open Enrollment FAQs

Q: Who can I add onto my Medical Insurance?

Eligible dependents are as follows: spouse, same gender life partners (for employees represented by  CASA, SPAP and PFT only), and children under the age of 26. Please review the “General Documents Required” page on our website for more information.

Q: Do I have to complete a letter of attestation every year?

At this time you are not required to submit a letter of attestation if your spouse’s eligibility for employer healthcare has remained the same. An attestation is required for any enrollment change requests such as adding a newborn or enrolling a spouse for the first time. You are obligated to contact the Benefits Office, benefits@philasd.org within 30 days, if your spouse’s eligibility were to change.

Q: How do I add my spouse and/or child(ren) to my coverage during Open Enrollment?

Complete the SDP Health Application and Attestation Form that is available on our website and submit it with supporting documentation, such as a Marriage Certificate or a Birth Certificate. This can be sent to benefits@philasd.org or by fax to 215-400-4631. Please review the “General Documents Required” page on our website for more information.

Q: Will my dependent(s) be removed if I do nothing during Open Enrollment?

No. Dependent(s) will only be removed with an application from the the employee, or when they reach age 26.

Q: I am getting married and/or having a child after the Open Enrollment period. Can I enroll them now?

No; however, there is a special enrollment period when you can add dependents to your coverage throughout the year. Once you experience a qualifying event, such as a marriage or birth of child, you may enroll your dependent within 30 days of such event.

* For example, you are getting married on July 21, 2017. You have 30 days to add your spouse to your coverage. If you do not add your spouse within the 30 days, you will have to wait until Open Enrollment of the following year. The same policy applies to adding a child due to adoption, gain of custody, or birth.

Q: When am I eligible to switch to Personal Choice?

Members of PFT and SPAP may change from Keystone Health Plan East HMO coverage to Personal Choice PPO after four years of full-time service is completed. For example, if you were hired in September 1, 2009, four years of service was completed on September 1, 2013.

CASA members may select the Personal Choice 20/30/70% plan during the Open Enrollment period following their first year of CASA service.

Non-Represented employees can elect Personal Choice at the time of hire or during the annual Open Enrollment period.

Q: How do I change from Keystone to Personal Choice?

Complete the SDP-Health-Application and Attestation. Completed forms can be sent to benefits@philasd.org or by fax to 215-400-4631.

Q: How much do I have to pay if I change to the Personal Choice PPO coverage?

Premiums are based on your position and union representation, who is enrolled in your coverage, and in some cases your annual salary. Review cost information on the Premium Co-Share page.

Q: How do  I know what medical plan I am enrolled in?

Check your medical insurance cards from Independence Blue Cross. Your plan name will be listed on the card.

Q: Can I make changes to my dental, vision and prescription coverage?

CASA, SPAP and Non-Represented employees may make changes to their Dental, Vision and Prescription coverage during the Open Enrollment period. PFT, District 1201/32 BJ and Local 634 employees should contact their unions to  learn how to make changes to these plans.

Q: I have medical insurance outside of the School District of Philadelphia. Can I waive coverage and get paid?

Employees are eligible to waive health coverage, but do not receive compensation in lieu of coverage.

Q: What is the spousal surcharge?

For  Non-Represented Employees:

You may be subject to a $40 per pay additional charge for your medical benefits if your spouse/life partner is eligible for medical coverage through his/her employer, regardless of his/her enrollment status.

For CASA represented employees:

You may be subject to a $40per pay additional charge for your medical benefits if your spouse/life partner is eligible for medical coverage through his/her employer, regardless of his/her enrollment status.

For PFT  and SPAP represented Employees:

You may be subject to a $75 per month additional charge for your medical benefits if your spouse/life partner is eligible for medical coverage through his/her employer, regardless of his/her enrollment status.

Q: What do I need to do if I believe I am not subject to the spousal surcharge?

If your spouse/life partner works for an employer other than the School District of Philadelphia, you are eligible to waive the surcharge if they are not entitled to medical coverage through his/her employment. You must complete and submit a SDP Health Application and Attestation Form during the Open Enrollment period or within 30 days of a qualifying event.

Q: My spouse is retired and eligible for Medicare. Am I subject to the spousal surcharge?

You are only subject to the spousal surcharge if your spouse/life partner is eligible for coverage on account of their current, active employment.

Q: When can I apply for Wage Continuation coverage?

All employees can apply for Wage Continuation coverage during the annual Open Enrollment period or at time of hire.

Q: When can I cancel my Wage Continuation coverage?

All employees can only cancel coverage during Open Enrollment.

Q: How can I check to see if I am enrolled in Wage Continuation coverage?

Your Wage Continuation coverage is listed in your leave balance and your paycheck if you have a payroll cost for coverage. Not all positions are eligible for Wage Continuation coverage and not all employees have a payroll cost for Wage Continuation coverage.  You can view your leave balance through the Employee Payroll Information application. Your School District of Philadelphia email name and password are used for access. If you do not know the name and password, call the Technology Help Desk at (215) 400-5555 for assistance. Please note that the balances shown are all subject to a post separation audit. Your paycheck references this.

From the School District of Philadelphia main website (http://www.philasd.org) go to the Employee Portal. In the Employee section, enter your email name and password.  Your email user name should exclude the “@philasd.org” designation.

Launch the “Payroll Information” application. Enter the last four digits of your social security number when prompted.  You can then select Leave Balances tab.

Q: Where can I send my Wage Continuation form?

Enrollment application and cancellation forms can be sent to benefits@philasd.org or by fax to 215-400-4631.  If faxing, please call 215-400-4630 to confirm receipt before the deadline.

Q: When does my Wage Continuation coverage become effective?

For 10 and 12 month employees who apply during the Open Enrollment period, Wage Continuation coverage will be effective the beginning of the 10 month school year, August 16, 2023.

Q: When does my Wage Continuation cancellation become effective?

For 10 and 12 month employees who cancel coverage during the Open Enrollment period, Wage Continuation coverage will be cancelled July 1, 2023.

Q: How do I enroll in Life Insurance?

If you declined life insurance at the time of your hire, you are now eligible to elect the Term Life insurance policy based on your position.  Complete the Google form or email lifeinsurance@philasd.org to enroll. If wish to purchase additional coverage, please visit the Voluntary Benefits page.

Q: How do I complete the PDF application?

The SDP Health Application and Attestation Form is best supported by Chrome or Internet Explorer, but view the Resources page for more information on completing and submitting a fillable PDF form.

Q: How do I complete the google Open Enrollment application?

You should be logged into your District google account in order to complete the form. This form is in place of the fillable PDF.

If you are faxing or mailing paperwork, call 215-400-4631 or email benefits@philasd.org to confirm receipt.  Due to our office closures, we do not encourage mailing in your request as this may not be received by the deadline. We are not responsible for forms that were not faxed properly or are illegible. Employees requesting an Open Enrollment request should keep a copy of the request along with proof of submission.

Benefit changes as a result of a qualifying life event will be accepted during the year; however, these must be received by the Benefits Office within 30 days of the qualifying event date. Examples of life events are birth of a child, marriage, divorce, adoption, loss/gain of other health insurance, etc.