Getting married. Becoming a parent. These and other life events may affect your benefits, so it’s important to know when you are required to take action. Most benefits elections are made during the annual Open Enrollment period each fall. However, if you experience a Qualifying Status Change, you may be required to make changes to your benefits within 30 days of the event.
Qualifying status change events
A Qualifying Status Change (QSC) refers to a significant life event that has an impact on an individual's benefits coverage needs. QSCs enable employees to modify their medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account (FSA), and voluntary accidental death and dismemberment coverage outside of the regular open enrollment period in the fall. The nature of the qualifying event must align with the change being requested. QSCs include, but are not limited to:
- Change in legal marital status: Marriage, death of a spouse, divorce, or annulment.
- Change in the number of dependents: Birth, adoption, or death of a dependent.
- Change in dependent status: A dependent losing coverage under another plan, such as a spouse losing coverage from their employer.
- Change in employment status: This includes the termination of a spouse or dependent’s employment, an unpaid leave of absence of more than 30 calendar days, or a change from part-time to full-time or vice-versa, which affects health insurance coverage.
Reporting and documentation requirements
In the event of a QSC, which requires a benefits change (such as divorce or loss of medical coverage for a dependent), employees must report the change in Workday or via the Workday mobile app within 30 days of the life event and provide supporting documentation substantiating the change. Examples of documentation include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, birth certificate, or death certificate. This documentation is required to help ensure the validity of the requested changes. Learn more.
By recognizing the life events that trigger benefits changes, employees can make informed decisions about modifying their medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, and voluntary accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
For more information, contact HR-Total Rewards, your pay and benefits team, by completing the online inquiry form.
