Can I change my benefits or add a dependent once I’ve enrolled in my employer’s plan?

Usually, no.

Once your enrollment is complete, you generally can’t switch medical plans or add or drop coverage simply because you changed your mind.

For example, if you chose one medical plan and later decide you would rather have the plan with the lower deductible, you’ll normally need to wait until the next open enrollment to make that change.

There is a difference, though, between changing your mind and correcting a mistake. If you notice that something was entered incorrectly during enrollment, let us know right away. We can find out whether it can be corrected.

Certain events can give you an opportunity to make a change before the next open enrollment.
Getting married is one example. Having or adopting a child is another. Divorce or losing other health coverage may also give you an opportunity to make a change.

The change you make generally needs to relate to what happened. If you have a baby, for example, you may be able to add your new child to your health plan. It doesn’t necessarily mean you can change every benefit you previously elected.
If you’re not sure whether something that happened in your life qualifies, ask us. We can help you figure it out.

Don’t wait.
Many employer health plans give you 30 days from the life event to request the change. There are situations where a different deadline may apply, so it’s better to contact us as soon as something happens rather than trying to figure out the deadline yourself.

A new baby is a good example. Having health coverage yourself doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is automatically enrolled. There are still enrollment steps that need to be completed.

If your spouse or children are covered somewhere else and lose eligibility for that coverage, you may be able to add them to your employer’s plan without waiting for open enrollment.
For example, your spouse may have coverage through their own employer and then lose it after leaving that job. That can create an opportunity to add your spouse—and possibly other family members who were covered under that plan—to yours.

But there is an important difference between losing coverage and choosing to cancel it.
If your spouse or another family member has an individual health plan and simply decides to drop it because they would rather join your employer’s plan—or because their individual plan had a big rate increase—that generally does not create a qualifying event. They would normally need to wait until your employer’s next open enrollment unless something else happens that creates an enrollment opportunity.

If someone in your family is about to lose other coverage, let us know as soon as you can. We can help you figure out whether you can add them and how much time you have to do it.

Yes, generally you can.
Changing your life insurance beneficiary is different from changing your health plan or adding a dependent. You generally do not need to wait for open enrollment or have a qualifying life event to change who receives your life insurance benefit.

It’s a good idea to review your beneficiary after a marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or death in the family. And remember that adding someone to your health plan does not automatically change your life insurance beneficiary.
There can be exceptions—for example, if a court order or an irrevocable beneficiary designation applies—but for most employees, a beneficiary can be changed whenever needed.

If you want to make a change, let us know and we can help you with the beneficiary process.