Qualifying Change in Status Events

Have you just experienced a major life event, but Open Enrollment for the 2024-2025 Plan Year has ended? You can still make changes to your health benefits if you act quickly!

Some life changes (like marriage or the birth or adoption of a child) allow you to make changes to your benefit elections (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts) outside of an Open Enrollment period. IRS regulations permit you to make changes to your benefits only if you experience a Qualifying Change in Status Event (also referred to as a qualifying life event or QLE). Changes to your benefits must be made within 60 calendar days of the Qualifying Change in Status Event and must be consistent with the qualifying event. For example, if you have a child, you may add them to your medical insurance, but you may not use that event to also discontinue dental coverage for a spouse.

If you do not make changes within 60 calendar days of the Qualifying Change in Status Event, you will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment.

Some examples of Qualifying Change in Status Events and the documents that you are required to submit for each event are:

• Marriage (copy of marriage certificate)
• Divorce / Legal Separation (copy of divorce agreement or legal separation)
• Birth or Adoption of Child (birth: copy of birth certificate or hospital document; adoption: copy of legal adoption agreement)
• Death of your spouse or dependent child (copy of death certificate)
• Gain or loss of other health coverage (letter from other employer or entity documenting loss or gain of coverage; must include name(s) of individuals impacted, including dependents; type of coverage gained or lost; and effective date of start/end of coverage)

If you’ve experienced a Qualifying Change in Status Event, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Benefits & Employee Wellness, at the earliest opportunity, at 505.277.6947 or HRBenefits@unm.edu for further information about making any benefits changes under the following categories:

Health Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision)

• Enroll in coverage
• Cancel existing coverage
• Make a tier change to elections (example: Change from single to family coverage)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Enroll in an FSA
• Increase annual FSA election
• Decrease annual FSA election

Don’t wait for proof documents to submit your Enrollment/Change Form(s)!

All benefits election changes are effective the first day of the month after they have been received and approved by Benefits & Employee Wellness.

For more details about allowable changes outside of Open Enrollment, designated Enrollment/Change Forms, and other information related to Qualifying Change in Status Events, visit our Qualifying Change in Status webpage.

If you have questions, please contact us by calling 505.277.6947 or email us at hrbenefits@unm.edu.