NOAA's Billing Blunder: Workers Fired, Then Billed for Non-Existent Health Coverage

Some former employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are in a tough spot. They were fired, then rehired, and then fired again. Now, they're getting bills for health insurance they never had. The workers say they received letters demanding payment for health care premiums. The letters claim the workers owe money for coverage during a time when their plans had already expired. The workers say this is unfair and confusing. The letters come after a series of firings and rehirings at NOAA. In February, the Commerce Department fired over 600 probationary employees. These workers were typically in their first or second year at the agency. In March, a judge ordered many workers to be reinstated. Then, in April, the Supreme Court paused some of the reinstatements, and NOAA fired the workers again. The rush to fire and reinstate workers has led to paperwork mistakes and confusion. Workers say they can't get answers from the agency. Some workers still haven't received separation paperwork. Others have been unable to access health benefits they should have had during reinstatement. One worker, Ya'el Seid-Green, underwent surgery in April while on administrative leave. She thought her health coverage was active. But after the surgery, she learned her coverage was not active. She signed up for a temporary continuation of coverage, but that hasn't worked either. Now, she's getting letters demanding payment for her surgery. The errors suggest leadership problems within the agency. Tim Whitehouse, executive director of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, says the Department of Commerce is causing emotional and financial costs on these employees. He says other agencies have fixed these problems. But the Department of Commerce has not.