Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When do I have to notify HR of a life event?
You must notify HR within 30 days of the date the life event occurs. There are no exceptions to this rule, and you risk losing coverage or having to carry double coverage if you miss this important deadline.
What benefits am I allowed to changed when I have a life event?
Medical, dental, vision, FSA, disability, and term life insurance, depending on the Qualified Life Event you experienced.
Who qualifies as an eligible dependent?
- Your spouse (not including a common law spouse or domestic partner)
- A child under the age of 26 including: natural child, step child, foster child, an adopted child or a child who is lawfully placed for legal adoption
- A disabled child of any age
- A child under the legal guardianship of the employee – Legal guardianship documentation or tax return showing the child as a dependent may be required
When can I add my spouse as a qualifying event?
- Marriage (marriage certificate required)
- Loss of spouse’s insurance coverage due to job loss (documentation is required)
- Loss of spouse’s Medicare or Medicaid insurance coverage (documentation is required)
- Loss of spouse’s COBRA coverage (documentation required)
- Spouse’s employer has benefit open enrollment (documentation required)
When can I add my child as a qualifying event?
- Birth or adoption (birth certificate or hospital verification of birth facts required)
- Loss of child’s insurance coverage because of a spouse or ex-spouse’s job loss (documentation required)
- Loss of child’s CHIP/Medicaid insurance coverage (documentation required)
- Loss of child’s COBRA coverage (documentation required)
- Divorce (divorce decree required)
- Spouse’s employer has benefit open enrollment (documentation required)
- Court ordered change in who is responsible for child’s insurance coverage (documentation required)
- Relatives other than parents (e.g. grandparent, aunt, uncle) must be able to show legal guardianship of the child or that they claim the child on their tax return as a dependent (documentation required)
When can I drop my spouse as a qualifying event?
- Divorce (divorce decree required)
- Separation from spouse is NOT a qualifying event
- Death (death certificate required)
- Spouse’s employer has benefit open enrollment and enrolls in new benefits (documentation required)
- Spouse changes employer and enrolls in new benefits (documentation required)
When can I drop my child as a qualifying event?
- Divorce (divorce decree required)
- Separation from spouse is NOT a qualifying event
- Death (death certificate required)
- Spouse’s employer has benefit open enrollment and enrolls in new benefits (documentation required)
- Spouse changes employer and enrolls in new benefits (documentation required)
- Court ordered change in who is responsible for child’s insurance coverage (documentation required)
