Status Change Events
Because the Employee Health Care Plan and Flexible Spending Account (“FSA”) Plan are governed by Internal Revenue Code rules, enrollment elections you make are irrevocable during the Plan Year unless you experience a status change event defined by the Internal Revenue Code.
Employees can enroll, cancel or change elections in the Employee Health Care Plan and enroll in FSA accounts during Open Enrollment each year.
If you experience a Status Change Event, you may make one of the following changes (the change you make must be consistent with your Status Change Event):
- Employee Health Care Plan: enroll in coverage, cancel coverage, add dependents, or drop dependents (if you are already enrolled in coverage, you cannot enroll in or cancel dental coverage)
- Flexible Spending Account Plan: make an election, change your election, or cancel your election
You must request the change within 90 days of the date of the status change event or before June 30 (the end of the plan year), whichever is earlier.
- To add or drop dependents to your existing Health Care Plan coverage or to cancel coverage, use the Health Care Coverage Change Form
- To enroll in the Health Care Plan, use the Health Care and Dental Coverage Enrollment Form.
- To change your FSA election, use the FSA Change Form.
If you wish to enroll in coverage or add dependents, the change will be effective on the date of the Status Change Event if your form is submitted timely. Retroactive payroll deductions will be taken.
If you wish to cancel coverage or drop dependents, the change to your payroll deduction will be made in the pay period in which your completed form is received by the Benefits Department (unless your Status Change Event is later). Amounts already deducted from your pay will not be refunded.
In the event your form is not received within 90 days of the date of your Status Change Event, you will need to wait until the next Open Enrollment to make the change. Open enrollment is in April each year, with changes effective on the following July 1.
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.