Qualifying Life Events

Qualifying Life Events

Information on Qualifying Life Events

A Qualified Life Event is an opportunity for an employee to make mid-year change(s) to their benefit plan. The type of life event the employee experiences will dictate the change(s) available to the employee.

31-Day Deadline

Employees have 31 days from the date of the Qualified Life Event to notify the Human Resources Department and submit all supporting documentation. The Plan will determine if the change request is permitted and if so, changes become effective on the first day of the month following the approved change in status event (except for newborn and adopted children, who are covered back to the date of birth, adoption, or placement for adoption). Failure to meet the 31-day deadline may also create the following results:

• Jeopardize your eligibility to make changes to your benefit plan
• Loss of coverage for you and/or your eligible dependent(s)
• Loss of COBRA rights for your dependent(s)

IMPORTANT: After open enrollment period is completed, generally you will not be allowed to change your benefit elections or add/delete dependents until next years’ open enrollment, unless you have Qualifying Life Event. Examples include the following:

• Change in marital status (marriage, divorce, legal separation, annulment or death of a spouse)
• Change in number of dependents (birth, adoption, placement for adoption, or death of a dependent)
• Child requires coverage due to a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO)
• Change in dependent eligibility (child marries or reaches the maximum age of 23)
• Covered person has become entitled to Medicaid or Medicare
• Change in employment status or work schedule of employee, spouse or dependent (new job, loss of job, change from full-time to part-time)
• Change in spouse’s insurance (spouse’s open enrollment)

You must return your completed enrollment form to the HR Department within 31 days of Qualifying Life Event or you will have to wait until the next open enrollment of your change to be effective (07/2010).

YCT Qualifying Life Events Chart

YCT Benefits Election Form

YCT Benefits Election Guide