State Health Benefits Commission AON DEPENDENT AUDIT UPDATE June 3, 2009
	As many of you know, the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) is conducting a required audit of all public employees regarding eligibility coverage for dependents. Reportedly, the letter went out to 25,000 State employees as a first batch. When we became aware of this, the Council subsequently demanded that the State negotiate over deadlines and the ways in which data was being collected. Council representatives and other public employee unions subsequently met with the State to voice their concerns and obtain more information. We stated that there should be a period of time to educate members concerning the qualifications for a dependent and to allow members to voluntarily remove any ineligible dependents. We also questioned the need for all of the documents requested. The intitial deadlines were changed and concerns about document security have been addressed. This follwoing link will provide you with an updated list of required documentation: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/shbp-sehbp-required-documentation-chart.pdf The audit is mandatory and will eventually be done on all public employees. For more answers, click the follwoing link: SHBP Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit Frequently Asked Questions Finally, Fred Beaver, Director of the Division of Pensions and Benefits, stated that any member who believes that a dependent is improperly proposed for termination has a right to file an appeal, which will be heard by the State Health Benefit Commission. Beaver indicated that prior to action on the appeal by the Commission, the dependent in question will not be terminated.
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