Under dependent coverage for newborns and children, who are eligible for health benefits at Lubbock ISD?

Child of Subscriber/Employee - a child means a natural child, a stepchild (with proof of marriage to the natural parent and birth certificate of the stepchild), eligible foster child, an adopted child - under twenty-six (26) years of age; this could include a child with whom the Subscriber/Employee has proof of legal guardianship or court order for coverage to be provided for the minor child; a child of your child who is your dependent under federal income tax purposes at the time of application for coverage of the child is made.

Children - a child of any age as noted above but who is and continues to be incapable of sustaining employment by reason of mental or physical handicap and is chiefly dependent upon Subscriber/Employee for economic support and maintenance.  A Dependent Child's Statement of Disability form including medical certification of disability may be required to be submitted within thirty-one (31) days of the date of medical certification and may be required to be provided at the time of application for enrollment and as often as once a year.

Newborn Children Coverage - coverage will be automatic for Subscriber/Employee's (or covered Employee's spouse's) newborn child for the first thirty-one (31) days following the date of birth; coverage will continue for the newborn beyond the thirty-one (31) days only if the child is a dependent and the necessary/required forms and required contributions are completed and made by the Employee/Subscriber with the Risk Management Office to ensure further coverage of that newborn.  Please check the Qualifying Life Events requirements and submit the required forms and follow the process accordingly to ensure coverage.

Newly Adopted Children - coverage will be automatic for a newly-adopted child of the Subscriber/Employee for the first thirty-one (31) days from the date the Subscriber/Employee is in a court proceeding for adoption or thirty-one (31) days from the date the adoption is final.  Coverage will continue beyond the thirty-one (31) days only if the child is an eligible dependent and the necessary forms and required contributions are completed/made by the Employee/Subscriber with the Risk Management Office to ensure further coverage of the adopted child.  Please check the Qualifying Life Events requirements and submit the required forms and follow the process accordingly to ensure coverage.

How do I submit a Qualifying Life Event?

The following steps are required to be completed to submit a Qualifying Life Event:

*The Qualifying Life Event must be submitted through the First Financial platform/portal - FFenroll.

*Submit according to the instructions outlined under the Qualified Life Event process by going to your family listing and by adding a new dependent; you must provide proof of the new dependent, i.e. documentation of birth available from the hospital (do NOT wait for the Social Security card or state issued birth certificate because that may be delayed well after the 31-day time limit), and this must be uploaded in PDF format.  You do, however, need to provide a social security number as soon as possible.

*Follow prompts and submit immediately - you will be notified once the event has been approved or denied. 

*For questions, please contact Risk Management at 806-219-0281, 806-219-0280, 806-219-0283, or 806-219-0235.

Instructions Below:

How to Submit a Qualifying Life Event through FFenroll

What forms are required for a Qualifying Life Event?

A Qualifying Life Event must be submitted and documented through FFenroll (see the Qualifying Life Event information on our webpage).  Please contact Risk Management for assistance or questions - 806-219-0281, 806-219-0280, 806-219-0283, or 806-219-0235.

Remember to always include proof of the recent birth, adoption, etc. by uploading a copy of the proof document(s) in PDF format through the portal. You must submit the request within 31-days of the birth, adoption, etc., or the request will be denied.

What proof should I submit with my request for my qualifying life event?

For newborn births, a copy of the birth certificate is required.  If there is a delay in receipt of the birth certificate to submit with the request, it is important that the employee complete the required information through FFenroll and submit as soon as possible (within 31 days of birth) along with birth documentation such as the newborn's registration paperwork from the hospital, hospital certificate of birth, etc.

For adoptions, relevant court documents are required along with the medical change form.

What is a qualifying life event relating to adding my newborn, a child, or adopted child to my health plan?

A qualifying life event would be the birth/adoption of a child.  Employees may make a change to their current coverage outside of the normal open enrollment period if the proper steps are taken inside the required 31-day window from that event.

How late is too late to add my newborn to my health plan and how do I do it?

Employee's have 31 days from the date of birth of their newborn to add the child to their existing health plan coverage/plan.  

The employee must complete the online process through FFenroll as required with the applicable information provided along with proof of birth (birth certificate) and social security number.  If there is a delay in receipt of the birth certificate and social security number, you should, in the meantime, complete the online process through FFenroll and provide proof of birth documents such as your newborn registration paperwork from the hospital, the hospital's record of birth, etc.  It is very important that the 31-day timeline is adhered to to avoid a denial of the addition of your newborn to your health plan. 

Please see the Qualifying Life Event section of the Frequently Ask Questions for more details, and contact Risk Management with any questions or concerns.

Is there any paperwork I need to complete before I can take off work for maternity leave?

Yes.  Please contact Human Resources at 806-219-0040 or login onto the Lubbock ISD Human Resources website via LISD webpage; Human Resources can walk you through the completion of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) paperwork.

Does Lubbock ISD have paid maternity leave?

No.  The employee's accrued leave is used during an employee's maternity absence and once it is exhausted, then a dock period could be entered depending on each individual's situation. 

Be sure and contact Human Resources (806-219-0040) regarding Family Medical Leave Act forms (FMLA) completion and submission, as applicable. 

Payroll can provide more information about leave balances, etc., and may be reached at 806-219-0231.