Status Change Events

 

Because the Employee Health Care Plan and Flexible Spending Account ("FSA") Plan are governed by Internal Revenue Code rules, enrollment elections are irrevocable during the Plan Year unless an individual experiences a status change event defined by the Internal Revenue Code.

Following a Status Change Event, employees may make one of the following changes (the change must be consistent with the Status Change Event):

• Employee Health Care Plan: enroll in coverage, cancel coverage, add dependents, or drop dependents
  Flexible Spending Account Plan: make an election, change existing election, or cancel existing election

Changes must be made within 90 days of the date of the Status Change Event or before June 30 (the end of the plan year), whichever is earlier. Make changes through UBenefits.

• Enroll or add dependents - the change will be retroactive to the date of the Status Change Event and retroactive payroll deductions will be taken if the change results in a different coverage level (e.g., two-party to family coverage).
• Cancel coverage or drop dependents - the change will be retroactive to the date of the Status Change Event. Payroll deductions will be stopped or changed when the change is entered in UBenefits (unless the Status Change Event is later). Amounts already deducted from pay will not be refunded.

For events other than loss of eligibility, if the change is not made within 90 days of the date of the Status Change Event, it cannot be made until the next Open Enrollment. Open enrollment is in May each year, with changes effective on the following July 1st.
 

Status Change Events Include the Following:

 

Change in Legal Marital Status

• Marriage
• Divorce, Legal Separation, or Death of Spouse

Change in Number of Dependents

• Birth of a Child/Placement of a Child for Adoption or Foster Care
• Death of a Dependent

Dependent Ceases to Satisfy Dependent Eligibility Requirements

• Dependent turns age 26

Employment Status Change (Available if the event affects the employee, employee’s spouse, or employee’s dependent child)

• Termination of Employment - Does not apply for an employee rehired by the University after a break in employment of 31 days or less
• Commencement of Employment
• Strike or Lock-out
• Begin an Unpaid Leave of Absence
• Return from an Unpaid Leave of Absence
• Newly Hired into a Benefit-Eligible Position from an Ineligible Position
• Position is No Longer Benefit-Eligible
• Change in FTE (limited changes)

Involuntary Loss of Other Health Coverage

Change in Medicaid or CHIP Eligibility

• Loss of Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage because you, your spouse, and/or your dependent child are no longer eligible
• You, your spouse, and/or your dependent child become eligible for a state's premium assistance program under Medicaid or CHIP

Significant Dependent Care Cost Changes (Applicable to Dependent Care FSA Only)
 

Specifically Not Included As Status Change Events

 

• Paid Leave of Absence
• Decrease in Pay

For additional information, see the Flexible Spending Account Enrollment Guide or the Summary Plan Description for the health plan option in which you are enrolled or wish to enroll.

If you believe you have experienced a qualified Status Change Event and have questions, please contact the Benefits Department for additional information.