Audit finds ineligible people on U.Va. health plan

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — A pilot audit of the University of Virginia's health plan found 6 percent of employee dependents weren't eligible for coverage.

The audit looked at 10 percent of employees with dependents. If the rate continues for the remaining employees to be checked, more than 850 people could be removed from the plan.

U.Va. chief human resources officer Susan A. Carkeek tells The Daily Progress (http://bit.ly/ZePFym ) that many ineligible dependents are ex-spouses or children who've exceeded the plan's age limit of 26.

The plan covers about 14,000 employees and about 28,000 people. Removing ineligible dependents is expected to save more than $1 million annually.

Carkeek says this is the first audit of U.Va.'s health plan.

Employees have until April 16 to produce verification of dependents' eligibility, such as birth or marriage certificates.

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Information from: The Daily Progress, http://www.dailyprogress.com