Life-Changing Events Questions and Answers

What is a life-changing event that will allow me to make changes to my benefits?
During your employment with the company, you may experience life-changing events that may impact you and/or your dependents eligibility for benefits. When these events occur, you will have an opportunity to make certain changes to your benefits within a specified period of time. The most common life-changing events include the following:

• Birth or adoption
• Marriage
• Dependent loses coverage; gets a new job
• Employee or dependent(s) becomes eligible for Medicare
• Divorce, annulment, or legal separation
• Qualified medical child support order
• Dependent child turns 23 or marries
• Death of spouse/child

How do I make changes to my benefits when I experience a life-changing event such as getting married/divorced/having a baby?
First, contact your local HR department in writing by e-mail, letter, or fax within 31 days of the life-changing event to complete the notification process. Once your local HR department has documented your notification, a Benefits Enrollment Form will be sent to your home address.

Next, complete the Benefits Enrollment Form that is sent to your home address, sign and return it to your local HR department by the due date printed on the form. Don't forget to submit proper documentation to support the life-changing event with your Benefits Enrollment Form. Keep a copy of all forms and documentation for your records.

NOTE: You must follow the process outlined above to add your newborn to your company benefit plans. The hospital cannot add your newborn to your medical plan and you cannot add your newborn to your medical plan by calling UnitedHealthcare.

What will happen if I do not notify my local HR department within 31 days of the life-changing event?
If you do not complete the process outlined above within the deadline, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to make changes to your benefits. The open enrollment period takes place in the fall with benefit changes effective January 1.

What will happen if I do not return the Benefits Enrollment Form to my local HR department by the due date?
Your benefit elections will remain the same. You will not be able to make changes to your benefits until open enrollment with coverage effective January 1, unless you experience another life-changing event.

What other life-changing events will allow me to make midyear changes to my benefits?
Your local HR department has a Life-Changing Event Matrix that outlines all of the situations that qualify as life-changing events and allow you to make changes to your benefits outside of the normal open enrollment period.

How am I charged for the additional premiums when adding someone to my health care benefits? (e.g.: marriage, birth)
Health care premiums are deducted per paycheck pretax.

For some life-changing events to add coverage, benefits become effective on the first day of the next full benefit coverage period after you contact your local HR department and complete the notification process. Such events include:

• Marriage
• Divorce, legal separation, or annulment
• Dependent's employer's plan decreases coverage
• Open enrollment under a dependent's employer's plan

Changes to premium deductions become effective with the first full paycheck after the coverage effective date.

For other life-changing events to add coverage, benefit changes become effective on the date of the event. Such events include:

• Birth, adoption, or placement for adoption
• Dependent's change in employment status that results in a loss of coverage
• Qualified medical child support order
• Dependent moves into coverage area

Changes to premium deductions become effective with the first full paycheck following the date of the event. You are responsible for paying premiums retroactive to the date of the event.

Note: According to IRS regulations, a change to your flexible spending account annual election amount will not go into effect until the first day of the next full benefit coverage period after the date of the event.

It's been 2 weeks since I completed the notification process with my local HR department. What if my Benefits Enrollment Form hasn't arrived at my home yet?
Notify your local HR department as soon as possible and confirm that they have your correct home address. They will request another form to be mailed out to you as long as you request a reprint of the form within 31 days of the date you originally completed the notification process.

Back to Top