In general, you are not able to make changes to your election until the next annual Open Enrollment period unless you experience a Qualified Life Event, as defined by the IRS. However, if you have a Qualified Life Event, you will be able to make benefit changes that are consistent with your Qualified Life Event. Changes to your coverage must be made within 31 calendar days of the event. Otherwise, you cannot make coverage changes until the next annual Open Enrollment period.
Qualified Life Events include, but are not limited to:
Employees who become newly eligible for benefits due to a change in employee status have 45 days, including the day they become eligible, to enroll for benefits.
Benefit changes must be consistent with your Qualified Life Event. For example, if you have a baby, you may add the baby to your coverage. You cannot, however, drop coverage for other family members during that event change.
To see the full list of Qualified Life Events and how each can impact your coverage, view the Life Events/Benefits Matrix.
You must complete the steps below within 31 calendar days of the Qualified Life Event to make changes to your benefit elections:
For questions and assistance with processing a Qualified Life Event, please contact the Benefits Service Center at 1-800-933-3622 (Monday ‒ Friday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm ET).
If you have any questions on making changes in bswift, refer to the following resources:
Please refer to Changing Your Name or Address.
Name changes for an employee or dependent do not automatically notify insurance carriers to issue a new ID card. If you would like a new ID card issued with the updated name, please reach out to the respective insurance carrier(s) to request a new ID card 2 weeks following the update.
If you get married, you may need to make updates to your benefits. Please review the Marriage Event Guide.