Qualifying Change in Status Events

Posted By: HR avatar

Published to Newsletter on Jul 28, 2025

Have you recently experienced a major life event, but Open Enrollment for the 2025-26 Plan Year has already ended?

IRS regulations permit you to make changes to your benefits only if you experience a Qualifying Change in Status Event (also called 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 the changes must align with the event. For example, if you have a child, you can add them to your medical insurance, but you cannot use that event to also cancel your spouse’s dental coverage.

If you do not make changes within 60 calendar days of the event, you will need 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, Divorce or Legal Separation (copy of marriage certificate, divorce agreement or legal separation)
  • Birth or Adoption of Child (copy of birth certificate or hospital document, 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, contact Benefits & Employee Wellness as soon as possible at 505.277.6947 or HRBenefits@unm.edu for more information about making any benefits changes under the following categories:

Health Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision)

  • Enroll in or cancel coverage
  • Make a tier change to elections

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

  • Enroll in an FSA
  • Increase or decrease annual FSA election

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

All benefit election changes take effect on the first day of the month after they have been received and approved by Benefits & Employee Wellness.


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