Federal tax law does not allow changes to your benefit elections during the year unless you have a qualified life event change. It also requires a benefits change request be made within a specific timeframe depending on the type of life event. There are no exceptions. View common qualified life events and required documentation (PDF).

Depending on the life event type, the documentation must include:

• Name(s) of affected individual(s) (spouse/domestic partner or dependent)
• Event type (such as birth of child, divorce, or employment change)
• Effective date of change(s) (such as date coverage was date or lost)
• Type of coverage changed (medical, vision, dental)

For example, if you’re adding or dropping coverage, acceptable documentation would include insurance card or letter with details from the other employer or employer’s plan containing the information above.

Your benefits change won’t be approved if it isn’t for an eligible event, doesn’t have the applicable supporting documentation, or isn’t requested within the specified timeframe. Only like coverage will be approved (added or dropped).  For example, if a spouse loses medical coverage only, they may be added to medical coverage only (not also to dental and vision).

Some examples of qualified life event changes include: