Changes Outside of Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is the annual period when eligible employees can enroll in health benefits or make changes to their existing benefit elections for the upcoming plan year. Open Enrollment typically takes place each year between September and October, with specific dates announced and communicated to all staff in August. Elections made during Open Enrollment become effective January 1 of the following year.

Outside of Open Enrollment, employees may only make changes to their health benefits if they experience a qualifying life event, as defined by IRS regulations. Examples include:

Marriage or divorce
Birth, adoption, or placement of a child
Death of a dependent
Loss or gain of other health coverage
A change in employment status that affects benefits eligibility

Important: Benefit elections generally cannot be changed outside of Open Enrollment unless you experience a qualifying life event. Premium costs or payroll deductions do not qualify as a life event and therefore do not permit employees to change health plans during the plan year.

Employees are encouraged to carefully review their benefit options during Open Enrollment and wait for confirmation of their estimated employee health share contribution (payroll deduction) before making their elections. Once Open Enrollment closes, benefit elections will remain in effect for the entire plan year unless a qualifying life event occurs.