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Audit of Eligible Dependents by Aon Consulting
The State of New Jersey is mandated to conduct a continuous review of the various employers participating in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) for the purpose of ensuring that only eligible employees and their dependents are receiving heath care coverage under the program. As a result, the State has retained the services of Aon Consulting to conduct a Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit (DEVA) for State employees with dependents enrolled in SHBP.
State employees with dependents enrolled in SHBP should expect to receive a communication from Aon Consulting directly to their homes with instructions related to the audit and provision of legal documentation to confirm the dependent status of all enrollees. It is important that you complete the questionnaire and forward the required documentation within the timeframe provided.
Since ineligible dependents are one reason health care costs are increasing, this audit is a way to verify that those listed as dependents in the Programs meet the definition of “dependent” as described in N.J.A.C. 17:9-3.1.
Providing ineligible dependents with health coverage is not always intentional on the part of the employee/retiree. For this reason, as part of the DEVA, the SHBP is allowing an amnesty period during which employees/retirees will have the opportunity to voluntarily identify any ineligible dependents and therefore avoid any penalties or other legal action. After the close of the amnesty period, there will be legal consequences as outlined under Chapter 89, P.L. 2008 for employees/retirees who are found to have knowingly enrolled, or attempted to enroll ineligible dependents under the programs.
