Vested Subscribers

You may participate in an MCHCP plan when your employment with the State terminates provided you are a vested member and meet certain requirements. To be vested means you were employed by the State a minimum of five years and you are eligible for a benefit from the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) or the Public School Retirement System (PSRS) as a State employee when you reach retirement age.

As prescribed by law, you must meet one of the following requirements to participate in an MCHCP plan as a vested subscriber, you:

• Have had coverage through MCHCP since the effective date of the last Open Enrollment period.
• Have had other health insurance for the six months immediately prior to the termination of state employment - proof of insurance including effective dates of coverage and termination date is required.
• Have had coverage since first eligible.

You must elect to continue coverage (as defined by law) within 31 days from the last day of the month in which your employment terminated. You are responsible for the full cost of the coverage from the date of termination. If you are a terminated vested subscriber and are also the spouse of a State subscriber (either active or retired), you may choose to be covered under your spouse. If you do not elect coverage, or if you cancel coverage, for yourself or your dependents as a vested subscriber you cannot enroll at a later date. You may continue coverage under the provisions of COBRA; however, when COBRA coverage ends, you cannot enroll as a vested or retired subscriber.

An Employment Record (M-1) form must be completed by your human resource/payroll representative and sent to MCHCP indicating the termination date. Once MCHCP receives the termination, a letter and enrollment form are sent to you to complete and return to MCHCP in order for you to be enrolled as a vested subscriber.

If you participate in an MCHCP plan as a vested subscriber, your dependents may also participate if they meet one of the previously listed qualifications.

If your dependents do not meet the qualifications to participate as dependents, they are eligible to retain coverage for up to 36 months under COBRA.

New dependents of a terminated vested subscriber may be enrolled when first eligible (within the first 31 days of a marriage, birth, or adoption). If you do not add new dependents when first eligible, they cannot be enrolled at a later date, unless they qualify for coverage due to a loss of coverage as described. See Survivor(s) of Terminated Vested Subscribers section for additional information.

As a vested subscriber, if you take your retirement as one lump sum, you forfeit your right as a vested employee. Coverage can only be continued under COBRA for 18 months if you meet the definition of a COBRA principal qualified beneficiary.