Open enrollment is your opportunity to choose the right benefits for 2011, and in most cases you cannot change your options until the next open enrollment period. You can change your benefit elections during the year if you have a change in family or employment status—what the IRS calls a "qualifying event." Changes must be made within 30 days of the event and must be related to the qualifying event.
For example, if you have a baby, you may enroll your child for medical coverage. However, you cannot enroll your spouse in the dental plan at the same time. Typical qualifying events are:
If you experience a qualifying event, you must complete and submit a Qualifying Event Form (.pdf) to make changes to your benefit elections.
For more information, please refer to the FAQs of Qualifying Events (.pdf).
Did you know you can enroll your partner?
Employees are able to enroll lifetime partners in medical, dental and/or dependent life coverage. Partner definition is available in Human Resources. Due to IRS regulations, the following items relate to partner coverage:
You must complete and submit a Partner Agreement Form (.pdf) to enroll your partner.