As an employee, you have the right to purchase Continuation Coverage from the Fund if:
- your employment terminates (either voluntarily or involuntarily) for any reason other than gross misconduct; or
- your hours are reduced to less than the minimum required for eligibility.
Your spouse (or ex-spouse if a ‘qualified beneficiary’) has the right to purchase Continuation Coverage if:
- your employment terminates (either voluntarily or involuntarily) for any reason other than gross misconduct; or
- your hours are reduced to less than the minimum required for eligibility; or
- you die while participating in the plan; or
- you are divorced or legally separated and a judgement has been granted terminating your ex-spouse’s eligibility; or
- you or your ex-spouse remarries within 36 months of your divorce, providing the ex-spouse was eligible on the date of remarriage and the divorce was less than 36 months ago.
Your dependent children have the right to purchase Continuation Coverage if:
- your employment terminates (either voluntarily or involuntarily) for any reason other than gross misconduct; or
- your hours are reduced to less than the minimum required for eligibility; or
- you die while participating in the plan; or
- your dependent child ceases to meet the definition of “dependent child” used by the Fund (e.g. your stepchild no longer resides in your home).
You, your spouse or your dependent children must notify the Fund in the event of a divorce, remarriage or change in dependent status. The Fund must receive this notification within 60 days of the date on which coverage would terminate as a result of the qualifying event.
You, your spouse or your dependent children are not entitled to Continuation Coverage (COBRA) if:
- you transfer to a management position and are eligible for the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) dental plan; or
- you retire and elect the GIC Retiree Dental Plan or the City of Boston Retiree Dental Plan; or
- you transfer to a position in another bargaining unit that offers dental benefits; or
- your spouse or dependent child(ren) becomes eligible to participate in their own dental benefit plan.