Qualifying Life Events

At times, life takes unexpected turns. During such times, changes may happen outside the regular new hire or annual open enrollment period. These qualifying events (QLE) allow you to enroll or cancel coverage outside the regular enrollment period. This includes events during summer or holiday breaks while you may not be at work.

Employees have 30 days from the event date to make changes via the UKG portal under “My Benefits” and submit the required documentation of the QLE to Human Resources (if unable to upload in the portal). If you miss the QLE window, you must wait until the next open enrollment period to enroll and/or drop coverage.

Qualifying Life Events include, but are not limited to:

  • Changes in employee’s marital status: marriage, divorce, legal separation, annulment, death of spouse.
  • Changes in dependent status include birth, adoption, placement for adoption, death, or dependent eligibility due to age, marriage, or student status.
  • Changes in employment status or work schedule that affect benefits eligibility: employee, spouse, dependent.
  • Changes in residence affect available plan options, such as employee, spouse, and dependent.

Please click on the event below for further information on a Life Event and to see what documentation is required to make changes.

Marriage

Within 30 days of the date of marriage, you may add your spouse to your existing medical, dental, or vision coverage, or drop your coverage to go on your spouse’s plan. You may also elect to change your medical FSA amount, and elect spouse coverage under our various life and voluntary critical illness/accident plans.  You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a copy of your certified marriage certificate.  You should also review your beneficiary designations for life insurance and retirement plans.

Divorce

Within 30 days of the date the divorce decree is signed, you may elect any coverage you are losing under your spouse’s plan. You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a copy of the first and last pages of your certified divorce decree.  You should also review your beneficiary designations for life insurance and retirement plans.  Prior to the final decree, you may not drop a spouse except during Open Enrollment.

Birth or adoption of a child, or having a child placed in your custody or guardianship through the court

Within 30 days of the birth, adoption (official placement or final decree), or court order, you may add the child to your existing medical, dental, or vision coverage, or drop your coverage to go on your spouse’s plan.  You may elect to change your medical FSA amount, and start or change a dependent care FSA. You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a copy of the certified birth certificate, adoption placement order or decree, or court order.

Death of a spouse or covered dependent

Within 30 days of the death, you may elect any coverage you are losing under your spouse’s plan.  If you currently cover your deceased dependent, you must drop his or her coverage for medical, dental, or vision, and you may continue to cover the rest of your family.  You may also elect to change your medical and dependent care FSA amounts.  Again, you should review your beneficiary designations for life insurance and retirement plans. You must complete the appropriate forms and provide a copy of the certified death certificate.

Becoming eligible (or losing eligibility) for Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP

Within 30 days of the eligibility change, you may add or drop medical, dental, or vision coverage for yourself or the applicable family member.  In addition, your plan may permit you to add or drop coverage if you gain or lose eligibility for a Medicaid or CHIP premium assistance subsidy. You may also elect to change your medical FSA amount.  You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a copy of the notification letter from Medicare, or Medicaid or CHIP.

If your spouse’s employment status changes causing a gain or loss of eligibility for coverage

Within 30 days of the date of the status change (such as moving between full-time and part-time), you may elect medical, dental, or vision coverage for yourself and your spouse and children, or drop your coverage to go on your spouse’s plan.  You may also elect to change your medical FSA amount.  You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a letter from your spouse’s employer on their letterhead verifying the effective date of the change, listing all coverage being gained or lost, and listing all covered individuals.

Change in a spouse’s employer causing gain or loss of coverage

Within 30 days of the separation or the new hire date, you may elect medical, dental, or vision coverage, or drop your coverage to go on your spouse’s plan.  You may also elect to change your medical FSA amount.  You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a letter from your spouse’s employer on their letterhead verifying the effective date of the change, listing all coverage being gained or lost, and listing all covered individuals.

A change in residence to an area not covered by your current option

Within 30 days of the move, you may change your option/election only to a plan that covers the area to which you moved.

If your spouse changes coverage during his/her employer’s Open Enrollment period

Within 30 days of the Open Enrollment, you may elect medical, dental, or vision coverage, or drop your coverage to go on your spouse’s plan.  You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a letter from your spouse’s employer on their letterhead verifying the effective date of the change, listing all coverage being gained or lost, and listing all covered individuals.

If a Qualified Medical Child Support Order is established for a dependent

Within 30 days of the order, you may add the child to your existing medical, dental, or vision coverage or new coverage for yourself and the child.  You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a copy of the Qualified Medical Child Support Order.

Enrollment in Marketplace coverage

Within 30 days after enrolling in Marketplace medical coverage, you may drop medical coverage. You may not drop or change dental, vision or medical FSA coverage.