Jersey City announces first dependent-eligibility audit for employee health plans

Khadidra McNair, Jersey City’s director of employee benefits, told the municipal council at its Nov. caucus that the city has launched its first-ever dependent eligibility audit to verify that spouses and children enrolled in the city’s medical, dental and prescription plans remain eligible.

McNair said spouses must be legally married to remain on the plans, children may be covered through age 26 for medical and prescription plans and through age 19 on the dental plan unless they enroll as full-time students and provide proof. ‘‘The city has never gone through a dependent eligibility audit. This is the very first time,’’ she said, noting the audit aims to control rising benefits costs by removing ineligible dependents.

She told council members the process began months ago with multiple notices and a secure portal for document uploads; employees may also submit documents directly to her office, which will forward them to the portal. McNair said staff will be flexible for employees who have difficulty uploading information and that the deadline is approaching and may be extended to accommodate late submissions.

The announcement came during routine administrative business; no formal council action on the audit was taken at the caucus. Council members were advised to direct constituents with questions to McNair’s office for help completing the verification process.

The next procedural step is for affected employees to respond to notices and provide documentation. The administration did not specify how many dependents are under review or what penalties, if any, will follow a finding of ineligibility.