Life Events
If you are an employee with more than 45 days of service, you may begin, change or cancel your medical, dental or vision coverage during a Life Event as defined by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code and allowed by our plan (view list of allowed events). The birth of a child, adoption, marriage, divorce, and deaths are some examples of Life Events. You have only 30 days from the date of the Life Event to make changes.
Please note: Supporting documentation may be required.
Log in to enroll or make changes
After log in, click "Change My Benefits" to start a Life Event change
Event Guidelines
Please note: if you miss the time limit listed below, you must wait until next Open Enrollment to make a change.
| Event | Time Limit to Make Change | When Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Newly hired employees and their dependents | 45 days from date of hire. | Coverage effective first of the month following date of hire or first of the month if date of hire is on the first of the month. |
| Enroll due to loss of non-WSU coverage, including loss of coverage due to divorce or spouse's loss of benefits | 30 days from loss of coverage. | Change effective first of the month following loss of coverage date or if loss of coverage date is on the first of the month, the loss of coverage date. |
| Adding a new dependent
| 30 days from date of birth, adoption, date of marriage or partnership. | Date of marriage or partnership, birth, adoption or placement if enrollment is completed within 30 days of marriage/partnership/birth/ |
| Acquiring a child by legal guardianship | 30 days from date of guardianship. | Date of guardianship if enrollment is completed within 30 days of guardianship. Cannot change carriers at this point. |
| Acquiring a principally supported child (Subject to eligibility guidelines) | 30 days from date the eligibility requirement is satisfied (9 months for BCBS and 6 months for other carriers) or during Open Enrollment if eligibility requirement has been satisfied. | First of the month following date eligibility requirements are met, or January 1 if enrolled during Open Enrollment. |
| Acquiring sponsored dependents and senior riders (Subject to eligibility guidelines) | Only during Open Enrollment. | January 1 if enrolled during Open Enrollment. |
| Eligible dependent moves to United States or the plan service area | 30 days from the date of the individual's arrival to the United States or the plan service area. | Date of arrival if enrollment is completed within 30 days of arrival. |
| Remove dependent due to:
| 30 days from date of final divorce, termination of partnership or loss of eligibility. | End of the month following divorce or termination of partnership, death or loss of dependent eligibility. |
| Enroll due to:
| Within 30 days of your official return date. | Benefits resume on the 1st of the month following your return to work in an eligible appointment. |
| You experience a family status change during your leave of absence, layoff or termination | 30 days after return if you did not continue coverage during your absence, or 30 days from the date of event if you continued your coverage during your leave, layoff, or termination. |