Qualifying Events for Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance: 9 Crucial Changes to Know

Introduction

Employer-sponsored health insurance is a valuable benefit that can provide you and your family with access to affordable healthcare. However, there are certain events that can trigger a "qualifying event," which allows you to make changes to your health insurance coverage outside of the annual open enrollment period.

### Types of Qualifying Events

1. Marriage

Marrying someone who is not covered by your current health insurance plan qualifies as a life event that allows you to add your spouse to your plan or enroll in your spouse's plan. The change must be made within 30 days of the marriage.

2. Birth or Adoption of a Child

The birth or adoption of a child is a qualifying event that allows you to add the child to your health insurance plan. The change must be made within 30 days of the child's birth or adoption.

3. Loss of Other Health Coverage

Losing other health coverage, such as coverage through a spouse or a former employer, qualifies as a qualifying event that allows you to enroll in your employer's health insurance plan. The change must be made within 30 days of losing the other coverage.

4. Change in Income

A significant change in income, such as a raise or a job loss, can qualify as a qualifying event that allows you to change your health insurance coverage. The change must be made within 60 days of the change in income.

5. Change in Marital Status

A change in marital status, such as a divorce or the death of a spouse, can qualify as a qualifying event that allows you to make changes to your health insurance coverage. The change must be made within 30 days of the change in marital status.

6. Change in Employment

A change in employment, such as starting a new job or quitting your job, can qualify as a qualifying event that allows you to make changes to your health insurance coverage. The change must be made within 30 days of the change in employment.

7. Change in Residence

A change in residence, such as moving to a new state or a new home, can qualify as a qualifying event that allows you to make changes to your health insurance coverage. The change must be made within 30 days of the change in residence.

8. Qualifying Event for Domestic Partners

For employers that offer health insurance coverage to domestic partners, a qualifying event for domestic partners may include a change in domestic partner status, such as a marriage or a legal separation.

9. Other Qualifying Events

Other events that may qualify as qualifying events include:

• Change in the availability of health insurance coverage
• Change in the terms of health insurance coverage
• Error in health insurance coverage
• Unforeseen life circumstances

# How to Make Changes to Your Health Insurance Coverage

To make changes to your health insurance coverage due to a qualifying event, you will typically need to:

1. Contact your employer's human resources department.
2. Provide documentation of the qualifying event.
3. Complete a new health insurance enrollment form.

Your new health insurance coverage will typically become effective on the first day of the month following the qualifying event.

Conclusion

Qualifying events can provide you with an opportunity to make changes to your health insurance coverage outside of the annual open enrollment period. If you experience a qualifying event, it is important to contact your employer's human resources department as soon as possible to make the necessary changes to your coverage.

### Additional Resources

• Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
• Qualifying Events for Health Insurance
• How to Make Changes to Your Health Insurance