Part-time Food Service Employees

At this time, open enrollment is only for employees who are represented by Unions who have had successful negotiations and ratification.

This is a mandatory enrollment for Cigna Healthcare. If you do not enroll during this open enrollment period, your and your dependents’ current healthcare coverage will terminate on December 31, 2025.

To continue offering healthcare options that meet the needs of our employees, the Board’s contribution strategy will focus on guiding employees toward cost-effective solutions by aligning premiums with claims experience and addressing dependent subsidies, while ensuring $0 increases to employee-only premiums on two plan options, $0 increases for children’s coverage, and the continued offering of a $0-cost plan option.

If you are currently enrolled in Flexible Benefits (i.e. dental, vision, HIC, legal, etc.), your current benefits will continue for the 2026 plan year. There will be no plan design changes for the 2026 plan year. There will be slight rate increase in the dental plan; therefore, premium increases will automatically be applied.

We are here to support, guide and assist you with your enrollment: therefore, we are providing face-to-face, telephonic and virtual enrollment assistance with a Benefits Representative. Visit https://staging.mdcpsbenefits.com/scheduler/ to schedule an appointment with a Benefits Representative and to select what type of enrollment assistance you would like or by calling 1 (855) 632-7748, Monday- Friday, 7 am – 7 pm, EST.

Active Scheduler

Eligibility for Board-paid healthcare will be determined monthly after the last payroll in each month and will be based upon attaining 3,300 or more hours and five or more years of service in an applicable part-time food service job code. Coverage for eligible employees will begin on the first of the month following the determination of eligibility.

Keep In Mind:

In order for PTFS employees not to lose their eligibility for board-paid healthcare, they need to have continuous employment.
Board-approved leave is always an option. You will need to contact the Leave Office.

What You Need to Know:

Important Enrollment Information

When an employee is determined to be newly eligible, the following occurs:

A benefits enrollment package is mailed to the employee’s address on record.
The employee will automatically be auto-assigned to the Cigna SureFit Network (employee only) healthcare plan, which is the free Board-paid option. However, the employee can elect to enroll in the Cigna OAP Extended Network or Cigna LocalPlus Focused Network healthcare plan, which are offered with a bi-weekly employee cost-share. The employee will need to submit their completed enrollment form and the election will be effective as of the eligibility date.
The employee may purchase any of the offered flexible benefits for themselves and their eligible dependents by contacting FBMC Benefits Management at 1 (844) 627-8273 , Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm ET or via email, MDCPSNewHIre@fbmc.com. You will be invoiced monthly by FBMC for these benefits.

Important Enrollment Information

This is a mandatory enrollment for Cigna healthcare. The current Cigna healthcare plans (OAP Extended Network, LocalPlus Focused Network and SureFit Network) will continue to be offered. The Cigna SureFit healthcare plan (employee only) will continue to be the free option for all benefit’s eligible employees.
If you do not make a healthcare selection, you will be automatically assigned to the Cigna SureFit Network (employee only) healthcare. This plan requires the selection of a Primary Care Physician (PCP); therefore, Cigna will assign you a participating provider based on your zip code. This plan does not require referrals.
If you are currently declining healthcare coverage, your opt-out election will terminate on December 31, 2025. If you wish to continue your current declination of healthcare election, you must elect to opt-out by the enrollment deadline and submit the Declination of Healthcare Coverage Affidavit with proof of current other group or state-funded healthcare coverage. Sole submission of these documents does not mean you have elected to decline healthcare coverage.
If you are currently enrolled in Flexible Benefits, those benefits will continue for the 2026 plan year with no changes in plan design. There will be slight rate increases in the dental plans; therefore, premium increases will automatically be applied.

Enrolling in Healthcare Coverage:

You must complete the 2026 Healthcare Benefits Enrollment Form by the open enrollment deadline.
If you wish to decline your healthcare coverage, because you are currently enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and/or other group insurance, you will need re-enroll in this option during open enrollment. Additionally, you must submit proof of active healthcare coverage with a current date. If the proof is not submitted upon request, you will be automatically assigned to the Board-paid Cigna SureFit Network (Employee only) healthcare plan.

Declination of Healthcare Coverage (Opt-Out) Provision:

If an employee is currently enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and/or other group insurance, they may decline their healthcare coverage and receive $100 per month, paid bi-weekly through the payroll system (subject to withholdings and FICA).
They must provide proof of other group or state-funded healthcare coverage.

NOTE: M-DCPS’ healthcare coverage meets affordability and minimum value standards; therefore, you are ineligible for financial assistance (premium tax credits) to purchase Exchange/Marketplace coverage. Individual Exchange/Marketplace healthcare coverage are not eligible to receive opt-out money based on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Rules on Employer-Sponsored Coverage.

Spousal/Domestic Partner Surcharge:

Employees who enroll a spouse or domestic partner in a medical plan are required to disclose at the time of enrollment if their dependent has access to group healthcare coverage from their own employer. If so, you will be charged and an annual surcharge of $800 on a bi-weekly basis via payroll deductions. If not, the spousal/domestic partner surcharge will not be applied.

Deduction Per Pay Period	Deducciones Por Periodo de Pago	Dediksyon Pou Chak Peryod Peye
10-month employees $40.20	Empleado de meses: $40.20	10 mwa anplwaye: $40.20

Enrolling in or Changing Your Flexible Benefits:

Complete the 2026 Flexible Benefits Enrollment form. You must include your first monthly premium made payable to FBMC with your enrollment form before the deadline. The effective date of coverage will be January 1, 2026.
You may also complete your enrollment online through FBMC’s online self-service benefits enrollment platform. Visit https://transamerica.benselect.com/MDCPS to complete your online enrollment. You must have your employee ID and your confidential PIN. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your SSN + the last 2 digits of your birth year.

Healthcare Plans

Flexible Benefits:

If you are currently enrolled in Flexible Benefits (i.e. dental, vision, HIC, legal, etc.), those benefits will continue for the 2026 plan year. If you do not want to make any changes to your current Flexible Benefits, you do not need to re-enroll. There will be no plan design changes for the 2026 plan year. There will be slight rate increase in the dental plans; therefore, premium increases will automatically be applied.

The School Board offers a broad range of high-quality flexible benefits to eligible part-time employees. You are eligible to enroll in any of the following flexible benefits plans:

Dental:
- Delta Dental (DHMO & PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Dental (DHMO & PPO)
Vision: EyeMed
Identity Theft Protection: ID Watchdog
Short-Term Disability: The Standard
Long-Term Disability: The Standard
Legal:
- ARAG
- MetLife (Not offered to employees represented by United Teachers of Dade (UTD))
Hospital Indemnity Coverage (HIC): Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife)
Voluntary Life: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife)

NOTE: The cost of those benefits WILL NOT be deducted from your paycheck. FBMC Benefits Management will send a monthly invoice for your healthcare benefit.

Enrolling in or Changing Your Benefits:

Enroll for Healthcare Coverage:

You must complete the 2026 Healthcare Benefits Enrollment Form by the open enrollment deadline.
If you wish to decline your healthcare coverage, because you are currently enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and/or other group insurance, you will need re-enroll in this option during open enrollment. Additionally, you must submit proof of active healthcare coverage with a current date. If the proof is not submitted upon request, you will be automatically assigned to the Board-paid Cigna SureFit Network (Employee only) healthcare plan.

Enroll/Change your Flexible Benefits:

To make changes or enroll in Flexible benefits please complete the 2026 Flexible Benefits Enrollment form. You must include your first monthly premium made payable to FBMC with your enrollment form before the deadline. The effective date of coverage will be January 1, 2026.
You may also complete your enrollment online through FBMC’s online self-service benefits enrollment platform. Visit https://transamerica.benselect.com/MDCPS to complete your online enrollment. You must have your employee ID and your confidential PIN. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your SSN + the last 2 digits of your birth year.

If enrolling your eligible dependent(s) in your benefits, you must have a valid Social Security Number at the time of enrollment for each dependent. You must also submit proof of eligibility documentation (i.e., marriage certificate for spouse, birth certificate for natural children) upon request. If you do not provide the required documentation, coverage will be terminated.
You and your dependent(s) must be enrolled in the same healthcare plan.
If you cover your spouse/domestic partner on your healthcare plan and your spouse/domestic partner has coverage available from his/her own employer, an additional annual surcharge of $800 will be charged, which is $40.20 bi-weekly, will be deducted via payroll. Please make sure to select the appropriate response on the online enrollment application. Surcharge only applies if your eligible dependent has access to group healthcare coverage through their employer.

If your eligible dependent’s access to group healthcare coverage changes mid-year, please contact FBMC at (305) 995-7404.

Dependent Coverage:

If enrolling your eligible dependent(s) in your benefits, you must have a valid Social Security Number at the time of enrollment for each dependent. You must also submit proof of eligibility documentation (i.e., marriage certificate for spouse, birth certificate for natural children) upon request. If you do not provide the required documentation, coverage will be terminated.
You and your dependent(s) must be enrolled in the same healthcare plan.

If enrolling your eligible dependent(s) in your benefits, you must have a valid Social Security Number at the time of enrollment for each dependent. You must also submit proof of eligibility documentation (i.e., marriage certificate for spouse, birth certificate for natural children) upon request. If you do not provide the required documentation, coverage will be terminated.
You and your dependent(s) must be enrolled in the same healthcare plan.
If you cover your spouse/domestic partner on your healthcare plan and your spouse/domestic partner has coverage available from his/her own employer, an additional annual surcharge of $800 will be charged, which is $40.20 bi-weekly, will be deducted via payroll. Please make sure to select the appropriate response on the online enrollment application. Surcharge only applies if your eligible dependent has access to group healthcare coverage through their employer.

If your eligible dependent’s access to group healthcare coverage changes mid-year, please contact FBMC at (305) 995-7404.

Additional Information:

Benefits Salary being used for the current Open Enrollment is your employee annual salary as of June 30, 2024.

Termination of Employment:

If you are no longer employed by the School Board, you will be provided the opportunity to continue your benefits in accordance with the Federal COBRA Law. You will be provided the ability to continue your medical, dental and/or vision plan if active and paid up to date at the time of termination.

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FAQs

Getting
Started

As an AFSCME Part-time Food Service employee, when do I become eligible for board-paid healthcare coverage?

When I meet my eligibility for board-paid healthcare, is there a free healthcare option offered?

Yes. The Cigna SureFit Plan Network is being offered at no cost to all benefit’s eligible employees.

If I am enrolled in the Cigna SureFit Network healthcare plan, do I need to select a Primary Care Physician?

Yes, the selection of a Primary Care Physician (PCP) is required at the time of enrollment. If a PCP is not selected, Cigna will assign you a participating provider based on your zip code.

How would I pay for my dependent's coverage?

The medical premiums for dependents will be deducted from your paycheck on a bi-weekly basis.

Will the School Board subsidize my dependent healthcare premium?

No, the Board will not pay a portion of your dependent healthcare coverage.

How do I prove that my spouse/domestic partner has group coverage available through her/his employer?

On the enrollment application, select the box that best describes the status of your dependent’s group coverage.

If you cover your spouse/domestic partner on your healthcare plan and your spouse/domestic partner has coverage available from his/her own employer, an additional annual surcharge of $800 will be charged. The annual surcharge will be deducted on a bi-weekly basis according to your pay schedule.
If you cover your spouse/domestic partner on your healthcare plan and your spouse/domestic partner does not have an employer sponsored healthcare plan available to him/her, the spousal surcharge will not be applied.

Will I continue to receive the Flex Credit Dollars?

Employees represented by the AFSCME Union and enrolled in a healthcare plan will receive an annual flex credit of $115. The flex credit will be added to the employees’ gross income and paid through the payroll system based on the number of payroll checks the employee receives.

10-month employees (20 paychecks) – $5.75
11-month employees (24 paychecks) – $4.79
12-month employees (26 paychecks) – $4.42

What are my choices if I have healthcare coverage outside the School Board (group healthcare, Medicare, or Medicaid)?

You can opt-out of the board offered healthcare plan and in lieu of healthcare coverage, the board will contribute $100.00 per month. You will receive $100.00 a month, paid bi-weekly through the payroll system based on the deduction pay schedule (subject to withholding and FICA) as follows:

10-month employees will receive a $60.00 payment in 20 paychecks

If I am opting out of the Board offered healthcare plan, must I submit any additional documentation?

Yes, if you are opting out of the Board offered healthcare plans you must provide proof of the other group, Medicare, or Medicaid enrollment. In addition, you will need to submit and sign the Declination of Healthcare Affidavit with the proof.

Can I enroll in accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage?

No, AFSCME employees can’t enroll in this benefit.

Can I purchase flexible benefits?

Yes, you can purchase flexible benefits by calling FBMC at 1(855) MDC-PS4U (1-855-632-7748) and requesting an enrollment form.

Will my healthcare benefits continue if I am on a Board-approved leave of absence?

If you are out on a Board-approved leave that is eligible for benefits, your healthcare coverage will continue. You will be billed by FBMC for all employee-paid benefits.

Getting
Started

What is the Open Enrollment Period?

The Open Enrollment period is a period of time, determined by your employer, during which you are allowed to make any changes to your current benefits.

When are the benefits effective and for how long?

The benefits are effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

Do I need to enroll?

Cigna Healthcare

Yes. This is a mandatory enrollment for Cigna Healthcare. If you do not enroll during this open enrollment period, your and your dependents’ current healthcare coverage will terminate on December 31, 2025. If you are currently declining healthcare coverage, your opt-out election will terminate on December 31, 2025.

If you do not make a healthcare selection, you will be automatically assigned to the Cigna SureFit Network (employee only) healthcare. This plan requires the selection of a Primary Care Physician (PCP); therefore, Cigna will assign you a participating provider based on your zip code.

Flexible Benefits

No. This is a changes only enrollment for Flexible benefits, therefore your current Flexible Benefits will continue for the 2026 plan year with no changes in plan design. There will be slight rate increases in the dental plans; therefore, premium increases will automatically be applied.

Eligibility

What changes can I make during this enrollment period?

You could change your current medical and/or flexible benefits plan(s), add an eligible dependent or delete a currently covered dependent.

Coverage

How do I enroll?

To enroll for healthcare coverage:

You must complete your enrollment by completing the 2026 Healthcare Benefits Enrollment Form by the open enrollment deadline.
If you wish to decline your healthcare coverage, because you are currently enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and/or other group insurance, you will need to re-enroll in this option during open enrollment. Additionally, you must submit proof of active healthcare coverage with a current date. If the proof is not submitted upon request, you will be automatically assigned to the Board-paid Cigna SureFit Network healthcare plan

To enroll/ change your flexible Benefits:

Complete the 2026 Flexible Benefits Enrollment form. You must include your first monthly premium made payable to FBMC with your enrollment form before the enrollment deadline. The effective date of coverage will be January 1, 2026.
You may also complete your enrollment online through FBMC’s online self-service benefits enrollment platform. Visit https://transamerica.benselect.com/MDCPS to complete your online enrollment. You must have your employee ID and your confidential PIN. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your SSN + the last 2 digits of your birth year.

For additional information, please contact the FBMC Service Center at 1 (855) 632-7748, Monday – Friday, 7 am to 7 pm EST.