Qualifying Life Events
A qualifying life event is a large change in your situation, that allows you to make alterations to your benefits. If you feel you have or soon will have a qualifying life event it is important to notify your HR as soon as possible. They will let you know if the event does meet the standard set by the IRS and what documentation they will need from you to complete your enrollment change.
4 basic types of qualifying life events.
(The following are examples, not a full list.)
- Loss of health coverage
- Losing existing health coverage
- Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP
- Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent’s plan
- Changes in household
- Getting married or divorced
- Having a baby or adopting a child
- Death in the family
- Changes in residence
- Moving to a different ZIP code or county
- A student moving to or from the place they attend school
- Other qualifying events
- Changes in your income that affect the coverage you qualify for
- Leaving incarceration (jail or prison)
- Court order requiring coverage
Limitations and Restrictions
Most qualifying events require employees to notify their HR person within 30 days of the event.
A qualifying event is limited to the individual that is affected by the event. For instance, a birth or adoption qualifies child to enroll in their parent’s existing coverage, but does not qualify the parents to make changes to their coverage.
Events usually require some kind of documentation for your HR person to make changes with the insurance carrier. If you have an event HR will let you know what documentation you can provide.
