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Changing Medical/Dental Enrollment
for Faculty, Staff & Librarians

Special Open Enrollment - Divorce, Dissolution of a Qualified Domestic Partnership, or Legal Separation

Where subscriber's dependent no longer meets eligibility criteria due to the subscriber's divorce, dissolution of qualified domestic partnership, or legal separation (as documented by a court order).

Options Required Actions
If you are the subscriber and you previously waived medical insurance coverage:
  • You must enroll yourself in medical insurance coverage if you do not have other group medical coverage.

Within 60 days of the event, submit the following documentation to the Benefits Office:

  • Employee Enrollment/Change Form
  • Copy of court order documenting legal separation
  • Proof of Loss is required if ending coverage was not noted in the Divorce Decree
If you are the subscriber and you are already enrolled:

You must:

Remove your ex-spouse or former qualified domestic partner* when a divorce or dissolution of a domestic partnership is finalized, even if a court order requires that you provide health insurance for the ex-spouse or former partner. Consequences for not removing the ex-spouse or former partner's coverage may include:

  • Dependent's loss of eligibility to continue enrollment under one of the continuation options (i.e. COBRA)
  • Subscriber may be billed for claims paid by the health plan for services after the dependent lost eligibility
  • Subscriber is responsible for premiums paid by the employer for the dependent's health plan enrollment after the dependent lost eligibility.

You may:

  • You may change your medical and/or dental plan.

Within 60 days of the event, submit the following documentation to the Benefits Office:

  • Employee Enrollment/Change Form
  • Copy of court order documenting legal separation
  • Proof of Loss is required if ending coverage was not noted in the Divorce Decree
Special Notes*
  • Subscribers may remove a lawful spouse in the event of a legal separation documented by the court order, provided the court order does not require the subscriber to maintain the spouse’s health coverage.
Coverage Begins
  • Coverage and/or Plan Change: Begins the first day of the month following the dependent's loss of eligibility from the plan.
  • Ineligible Dependent : Enrollment ends the last day of the month in which they are no longer eligible to be on the plan.
Important Reminders
Resources

Flexible Spending Account

Dependent Care Assistance Program

COBRA (Continuing Insurance)

Loss of Coverage

Life Insurance

Long Term Disability Insurance

 

Beneficiary Designation/Change Forms:

Long Term Disability Change Form

Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation/Change Form

DRS Retirement Plan Beneficiary/Change Form

UWRP Beneficiary Designation/Change - Contact your fund sponsor(s) for the appropriate form.

Disclaimer: The Qualifying Life Event(s) shown above highlights benefit options arising from a change in family status. It does not substitute for official plan documents. If there is a conflict between the information on this site and an official plan document, the official plan document will govern. Plan availability and eligibility may change depending on your employment status and/or actions of the Washington State Health Care Authority.

Changing Enrollment