What is Considered a Qualifying Life Event?

Qualifying Life Events are changes that occur outside of Open Enrollment and can affect your benefit needs. Certain events make you eligible to change your benefits before the next annual Open Enrollment. You have 30 days from the date of a Qualifying Life Event to make changes. Eligibility documents are required for adding or removing dependents. Refer to your Healthcare Benefits Guide for more details.

          •   Request a Qualifying Life Event
          •   Definitions and Required Documents

Marriage, Domestic Partnership, Divorce, or Legal Separation:

          1. Action required within 30 days of event date
          2. Enroll or drop coverage online at the Benefit Enrollment System
          3. Update your Beneficiary(ies) Designation
          4. Provide required documents to the Benefits Office within 30 days
          5. Notify medical providers if new ID cards are necessary
          6. Retain Benefit Summary from online enrollment for future reference
          7. Notify HR Payroll Officer of any:
               ○   Name change
               ○   Social Security Card change
               ○   Address change
               ○   W4 Reporting change
               ○   Direct Deposit change

Becoming a Parent/Grandparent:

If you have recently become a parent/grandparent due to birth of a child or grandchild, adoption, addition of stepchild or legal ward your next steps are below.

          1. Action required within 30 days of event date
          2. Enroll or drop coverage online at the Benefit Enrollment System
          3. Update your Beneficiary(ies) Designation
          4. Provide required documents to the Benefits Office within 30 days
          5. Notify medical providers if new ID cards are necessary
          6. Retain Benefit Summary from online enrollment for future reference
          7. Notify HR Payroll Officer of any:
               ○   W4 Reporting change

Changes to Coverage Due to Death of Eligible Dependent, Loss/Gain of Other Group Coverage, Medical Support Court Order, Eligibility or Ineligibility to Medicaid/Medicare/CHIP coverage:

          1. Action required within 30 days of event date
          2. Enroll or drop coverage online at the Benefit Enrollment System
          3. Update your Beneficiary(ies) Designation
          4. Provide required documents to the Benefits Office within 30 days
          5. Notify medical providers if new ID cards are necessary
          6. Retain Benefit Summary from online enrollment for future reference
          7. Notify HR Payroll Officer of any:
               ○   Name change
               ○   Address change
               ○   Direct deposit change
               ○   W4 Reporting change

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Qualifying Life Events FAQ

Which Children Can Be Enrolled? 
Children up to age 26 are eligible, even if:
          •   They do not live with you
          •   They are not full-time students
          •   They are married
          •   They are financially independent
          •   They have access to other health coverage

Are there Coverage Options for Children Over Age 26?
Yes, there are four different options for coverage of children over the age of 26.

          •   OPTION 1: Disabled Dependent Coverage. The Cooperative allows coverage for a disabled dependent who reaches the limiting
              age of 26, to continue if the dependent:
                 ○   Is and continues to be incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of intellectual/developmental disability, mental
                     or physical handicap;
                 ○   Is and continues to be primarily dependent upon the employee for support and maintenance; and
                 ○   The disability began before reaching the limiting age.

          •   OPTION 2: Dependents Employer.  Loss of coverage through the Franklin County Cooperative group plan may provide
              opportunity to enroll into dependents employer group plan.

          •   OPTION 3: COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires continuation of health care
              coverage to be offered for up to 36 months for a dependent who loses coverage due to a loss of eligibility.

          •   OPTION 4: Healthcare Marketplace/Individual Policy. The Marketplace offers "one-stop shopping" to find and compare private
              health insurance options. For more information about the Marketplace, go to HealthCare.gov. Multiple insurance carriers
              offer individual policies, including but not limited to United Healthcare, Medical Mutual of Ohio, Aetna, Humana, and Anthem.
              There is typically some type of medical underwriting involved, but this can be a less expensive alternative.

How Soon Must I Notify of a Life Event Change? 
You must notify the Benefits Office within 30 days of Qualifying Life Event.

How Do I Change Beneficiaries for Life Insurance? 
Log onto Benefit Enrollment System, select "Change My Benefits" > "Basic Info". If you experience trouble processing the request, please contact the Benefits Office. A Benefits Representative will be happy to assist you.

What if I Miss the 30-Day Enrollment Window? 
You have a 30-day window to enroll in Benefits. If you miss your 30-day window you and your eligible dependents will not be able to enroll or change your benefit election until the next Open Enrollment period.

What Happens If I Lose Employment? 
Continuation of Healthcare Coverage: COBRA coverage under the Franklin County Cooperative Health Improvement Program, (the "Cooperative") includes medical, prescription drug, dental, vision and behavioral health. All eligible employees can elect COBRA coverage for a period of up to 18 months and dependents for up to 36 months. Contact the Benefits Office for current plan year COBRA rates.