What Dependents are Eligible for Insurance?
Dependents eligible for insurance are your spouse (legally married); natural or adopted children (regardless of where they live); stepchildren, if you or your spouse has legal or joint custody or shared parenting; children living in the home for whom you are the legal guardian; any dependent child living in your home for 12 months a year who is dependent upon you for support and maintenance as evidenced by being claimed as a dependent on your federal income taxes. Unmarried dependent children are eligible for coverage through the last day of the month of their 24th birthday. Dependent children between the ages of 19 and 24 must be claimed on your income tax or be a full-time student.
What dependents are not eligible?
Dependents not eligible for insurance are ex-spouse (even if court ordered); married children, regardless of age; parents of the employee or spouse; foster children; children in the armed forces on a full-time basis; children over age 24 (unless they meet qualifications for incapacitation); live-in companions who are not legally married to the employee.
What is a full-time student?
One who is registered for at least the number of credit hours that the institution requires in its definition of full-time student status and who attends classes for two of three semesters or three of four quarters in any 12-month period. A letter must be submitted from their school confirming the dependent is a full time student. If the dependent is a full-time student at UTC, complete this form and submit to the Office of Records, 109 Race Hall. If the dependent is a full-time student at Chattanooga State, complete this form and submit to the Records Office at Chattanooga State.
Other Unmarried Dependent Age 19-24 
If your dependent is age 19 - 24 and dependent upon you for support these documents are required:
- Page 1 and signature page of participants prior year Federal Income Tax Return (1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) listing the dependent; or
- Page 1 and Certificate of Electronic Filing of participant's prior year Federal Income Tax Return (1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) listing the dependent.
Health Insurance Dependent Eligibility Audit 
(Revised 7/17/09)
The state has begun mailing letters to health and dental plan participants alerting them to provide Secova, Inc., with proof of eligibility for all enrolled dependents.
Secova is a company hired by the State of TN to make sure that dependents on the state’s health plans are eligible. All individuals enrolled in family coverage will be required to provide proof of eligibility for each enrolled dependent. Plan members who have no dependents will not be required to take any action whatsoever.
The mailing you receive at home tells you what to do. If you have not received your packet or have questions, please call Secova at 1-877-793-3589 toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. View a list of Frequently Asked Questions (revised 8/6/09) about the Dependent Eligibility Audit.
Secova will mail a confirmation notice once your verification is complete. If your Verification form or Required documents are incomplete, Secova will send you a notice that lists what additional information is needed to complete the process. Please send photocopies only, not originals. You are encouraged to black out all financial information and personal data, such as social security numbers.
If you do not respond or do not provide acceptable proof of eligibility by the September 4, 2009 deadline, your dependents will be removed from coverage.
If your dependent is removed from your policy, there are only two ways to reinstate coverage:
1.
Late Applicant Process – requires a $75 non-refundable fee with approval based on answers to a medical questionnaire.
2.
Life Qualifying Event – requires enrollment within 60 days from date of event to add a dependent.
