SEHP Overview
The information contained on these pages is for employees and prospective employees of Wichita State University only. Employees or prospective employees of WSU Affiliates should contact their human resource office for benefit information.
Benefits-eligible employees of Wichita State University are eligible for coverage through the State of Kansas Employee Health Plan (SEHP) as part of their total compensation.
SEHP Coverage Options
SEHP coverages are more than just medical insurance. Use the links to the right to learn about the different coverage and plan options offered through SEHP. Employees and their dependents can enroll in medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, and supplemental coverages, either independently or in combination. For example, an employee can elect family medical insurance, employee + children dental insurance, and employee-only vision coverage. In this way, employees can save money by only electing the coverages needed.
Making Changes to Coverage
There are three situations in which employees can elect coverage or make changes to their elected coverage. All of these changes are requested and made in the SEHP Member Administration Portal (MAP).
Employees can make changes to their elected coverage in three circumstances:
- Initial Enrollment Period (first 31 days of employment)
- Newly hired benefits-eligible state employees have 31 days from their date of hire to make elections for coverage through SEHP. We encourage employees to enroll as soon as possible so as to minimize the amount of retroactive deductions they may owe on their first check with deductions.
- Coverage elected will begin on their hire date. For example, if the employee start date is July 12, coverage will begin on July 12. This Day 1 coverage makes it more important to enroll as soon as possible so your coverage can get set up for you to use.
- Documentation of dependent status (e.g. marriage license, birth certificate, etc.) is required. Documentation of a qualifying event is not required.
- Annual Open Enrollment (October 1-31)
- SEHP and the State of Kansas observe an active/mandatory Open Enrollment period. Each year, those enrolled in SEHP coverage are required to complete their Open Enrollment elections for the following year. Watch for communication from SEHP, KDHE, and WSU HR teams in September and throughout October for information on plan changes and resources to help you select and enroll in coverage for the following plan year.
- Coverage elected during Open Enrollment will be effective January 1 of the following year.
- Documentation of dependent status (e.g. marriage license, birth certificate, etc.) may be required. Documentation of a qualifying event is not required.
- Mid-year with a Qualifying Event (any time during the year)
- There are two main types of qualifying events: change to other coverage or change
in household. In both cases, the request for coverage change, accompanied by documentation
of the qualifying event must be submitted through MAP within 31 days of the event
date.
- Change to other coverage: If the employee or their dependents gain or lose other coverage
mid-year, their coverage can be added or dropped as appropriate. For example, if a
spouse covered by SEHP begins employment and elects group coverage through that employer,
the WSU employee can request that the spouse be removed from SEHP coverage.
- Documentation of the qualifying event must be provided. When adding a dependent who has not previously held SEHP coverage, dependent documentation must also be provided.
- Termination of coverage will be effective the last day of the month prior to gain of other coverage.
- Beginning of coverage will be effective the first day of the month following the loss of other coverage.
- Change in household: If an employee gains or loses dependents mid-year (such as through
marriage, birth, divorce, and/or death), their coverage can be appropriately updated.
For example, if an employee is married mid-year, their spouse and step-children can
be added to coverage.
- Documentation of the qualifying event must be provided. When adding a newly eligible dependent, dependent documentation must also be provided.
- Coverage for newborns is backdated to the date of birth.
- Coverage for newly acquired spouse/stepchildren is effective the first of the month following the date of marriage.
- Coverage for former spouse and stepchild(ren) ends on the last day of the month in which the member's divorce is finalized.
- Coverage for deceased spouse/dependents terminates on the date of death.
- Coverage for the surviving spouse/dependents of a deceased WSU employee is effective through the end of the month in which the decedent passes. Following that date, the surviving spouse and dependents have continuation options to maintain coverage. Please contact TotalRewards@wichita.edu for further information.
- Change to other coverage: If the employee or their dependents gain or lose other coverage
mid-year, their coverage can be added or dropped as appropriate. For example, if a
spouse covered by SEHP begins employment and elects group coverage through that employer,
the WSU employee can request that the spouse be removed from SEHP coverage.
- There are two main types of qualifying events: change to other coverage or change
in household. In both cases, the request for coverage change, accompanied by documentation
of the qualifying event must be submitted through MAP within 31 days of the event
date.
Questions?
For general questions about coverage and benefits included in the State Employee Health Plan, please contact SEHPBenefits@ks.gov.
For questions relating to your eligiblity for coverage as an employee of WSU, please contact TotalRewards@wichita.edu.
For questions related to whether or how particular procedures, labs, and prescriptions are covered by SEHP plans, contact the plan vendor.
If you have positive or negative feedback relating to Open Enrollment timing, employee cost sharing amounts, the build of the plans, or the choice of vendors, please understand that these decisions are not made by WSU HR, but rather by the State of Kansas Healthcare Commission (HCC).
You can provide your feedback to members of the HCC by emailing them to SEHPBenefits@KS.gov.
Who to Contact
HR Total Rewards Team
totalrewards@wichita.edu
SME: SDM
Revised: 01/08/2023 SDM