Columbia University is committed to offering quality, affordable healthcare plans to you and your eligible dependents. As part of this commitment, Columbia University will soon begin verifying the eligibility of spouses enrolled in Columbia University medical plans. This serves to make sure we comply with plan eligibility requirements and federal laws, such as ERISA and applicable tax codes.
Columbia University is partnering with a third-party vendor, WTW, a long-time benefits partner with extensive experience in this area to manage the audit. We want to give you advance notice of this project so you know what to expect.
Why is Columbia University verifying the eligibility of dependent spouses?
Verifying dependent eligibility is an industry best practice to ensure only eligible spouses receive coverage from our health plans.
What is the dependent audit process?
As an employee who covers a spouse on a health plan, you may be asked to provide documents that confirm your spouse’s eligibility. Examples of documentation you may be asked to submit include marriage certificates and proof of residence in the same household. You can submit documentation securely online, by mail or secure fax, and will have approximately ten weeks to complete this process.
What happens if I have enrolled an ineligible dependent on the plan?
At the end of the process, all ineligible spouses will be removed from medical as well as dental, basic vision, and/or optional vision coverage if they are enrolled.
What are the next steps?
Please look for more information from the WTW Dependent Verification Service Center in the next week. We appreciate your cooperation with the audit process.
Sincerely,
Michael Bloom
Associate Vice President, Benefits
Columbia University Office of Human Resources
