Having a Baby or Adoption of a child

Change in Spouse's Coverage

If your spouse has a change in benefits, you may be eligible to update your insurance plan.

The following 2 events will allow for a change in benefits:
1. If the spouse’s employer coverage causing gain or loss of coverage
2. Spouse changes coverage during Open Enrollment

Marriage

Deciding to get married is a major life step and one that is worthy of sincere congratulations.

Once you are married (check with your HR department for timeframes), you may add your spouse to your existing medical, dental, or vision coverage, enroll in a medical plan, change to another option 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 long term care 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, retirement savings, and pension plans.


Other Benefit Plans Contact your Human Resources Department for information about adding a new dependent to your other benefit plans. Also, take the time to review your financial and insurance plans to make any changes to your coverage, contributions or beneficiary designations.

You must consult your HR Department within 30 days from the date of the event to make changes.

Social Security Card If you legally change your name because you get married, you will need to apply for a corrected Social Security card with your changed name. Failure to do so could delay a tax refund coming to you or prevent some of your pay from being credited properly to your Social Security record, which could cause your future Social Security benefits to be less than they should be. You will need to provide a recently issued document, such as your marriage license / certificate, as proof of your legal name change. If the document you provide does not give the Social Security Administration enough information to identify you in its records, you will be asked for an identity document showing your old name and another in your new name providing evidence of your identity. You will need to fill out an Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) form and submit it to the Social Security Administration. You can download a copy of the SS-5 form and instructions in an electronic format from here and print it out at your leisure. The instructions include details on acceptable evidence of your identity. Also, you can visit the Social Security website or call 1-800-772-1213.

Separation and Divorce

Ending a relationship usually involves questions about the division of property and often the custody of children. By having a quality support team, it will reduce the stress that couples and families feel during this experience.

Within 30 days of the date the divorce decree is signed, you may elect any medical coverage you are losing under your spouse’s plan. If you currently cover your spouse, you must drop his or her coverage for medical, dental, vision, and group term life, but continue to cover your children. You may also elect to change your medical and dependent care FSA amount. 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, retirement savings, and pension plans. Prior to the final decree, you may not drop a spouse in anticipation of the final decree.

Remove Spouse from Benefits

The Loss of a Loved One

The death of a loved one, whether expected or unexpected, is often has a devastating effect on you and other family members.

Navigating the grieving process can be challenging, but the other changes associated with the loss of a loved one can also be difficult to comprehend and deal with. Getting your loved one's estate and finances in order, for example, can pose obstacles and certainly many questions. You'll need to review your loved one's papers as well as their benefits package.

Notify Human Resources to remove dependents from benefit plans. Your employer Human Resources Department will work with the beneficiaries to handle the necessary paperwork.


Within 30 days of the death, you may elect any medical 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 although 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, retirement savings, and pension plans. You will need to complete the appropriate forms and provide a copy of the certified death certificate.

Note: In general, a certified copy of the death certificate will be required.

Social Security: Contact your nearest Social Security office for information on survivor benefits as the spouse or children may be entitled to a survivor benefit.  For more information call (800) 772-1213.

Be prepared to provide:

• The death certificate (or a certified copy)
• The Social Security number of the deceased
• The decedent's latest W-2 form or tax return
• The name and address of the decedent's employer
• Social Security numbers of spouse and minor children
• Birth certificates of spouse and minor children
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce papers, if applicable
  
  

Qualifying Life Event

A qualifying life event (QLE) is an event deemed acceptable by the IRS that may allow participants in cafeteria plans to change their benefit elections.
You may change your benefit elections during the annual Open Enrollment period or during the year if you experience a Qualifying Life Event. A Life Event change permits employees to make certain mid-year benefit changes consistent with the qualifying event. You must consult your Benefits Administrator within 31 days from the date of the event to make changes.

Qualifying Life Events:

Medicare Entitlement

Employees that have become entitled to or lose their Medicare or Medicaid may be eligible to make benefit changes.

Entitlement to or loss of eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid:

If an employee or the employee's dependent becomes entitled to or loses eligibility for Medicare (Part A or Part B) or Medicaid they may be able to make changes to their benefit plans.

Contact your Human Resources Department to confirm eligibility and determine what can be changed based on your specific situation.



Changes must be reported within 30 days of the eligibility change. You may add or drop medical, dental, or vision coverage for yourself or the applicable family member. 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.