XP: HR ladies---please come in

Ali2302

Does this sound normal?

My partner at work needs some help. She opts out of our company's health care plan because she's on her husband's plan through his employer. He's looking to leave his job next month, and so my partner wants to pick up our healthcare through our employer.

When she talked to our corporate headquarters they told her that this situation doesn't qualify as a life changing event, and so she can't sign up for healthcare until open enrollment in December.

Is this typical? I have no experience with the HR side---but it seems odd that she'd have to get her own personal policty under these circumstances.

Any advice is helpful---thanks!

93nole

I am not in HR but I was on my husband's ins through work and when he left his job, I moved us to mine. I had to do it within 30 days of his last day on the job though. It may also depend on your plan. Sorry if this didn't help.

stacyinluv

This should be a qualifying event.  Typically in these types of situations, you have 30 days from the date to elect.  I would have your friend re-explain the situations and ask your HR what the qualifying events are. 

Ali2302

Thanks for the help ladies.

update--- I was able to find the paperwork from our provider which clearly indicated this as a qualifying event. So she sent it over to corporate HR asking to clarify how to proceed.

I appreciate the advice.

YourSong

I think general rule is that it has to be after the event, can't pre-plan.

emilyandbrady

it is not a qualifying event until he leaves his job.  until then, as far as insurance is concerned, nothing has changed.

karent7205

Sorry if I am late in responding - I am only on here every few days! In my experience, and I work for a very large corporation, if an employee had health coverage elsewhere and then lost that health coverage, it does qualify as "life event' and therefore would not necessitate waiting until open enrollment. I don't know if there a difference if the coverage is "dropped" voluntarily because he is leaving his job on his own or if it is lost involunatrily (if he was displaced or terminated).