Human Resources

Life Changes


What is a Family Status Change?

A Family Status Change is a personal event that warrants a review of Employee benefits. If one or more of the following events occur during the Plan year an Employee would be eligible to make a mid-year election change:

  • A change in legal marital status (such as marriage, divorce or death of Spouse).
  • A change in the number of Dependents (such as birth, adoption of a child or death of a Dependent).
  • Termination or commencement of employment for the Employee, Spouse or Dependent.
  • Change in work hours for Employee, Spouse or Dependent. (i.e. full-time to part-time)
  • Dependent satisfying or ceasing to satisfy an eligibility requirement for a particular benefit.
  • A change in residence for Employee, Spouse or Dependent.
  • Gaining or losing eligibility for the Medicaid/CHIP Program.

Status Change "Consistency Rule"
Medical/dental/vision coverage changes must satisfy a consistency rule. That is, a change in medical/dental/vision coverage level or election change must be on account of and correspond with a change in status that affects eligibility for coverage under the medical/ dental/ vision plan. This includes a change in status that results in an increase or decrease in the number of an employee’s family members or dependents who may benefit from coverage.

An election change must be “on account” of an event and the election change must be made within 31 days of the qualified event (60 days allowed for birth of a child or gaining Medicare/Medicaid eligibility).

If the Family Status Change is a qualifying event, the Employee will need to complete a Change in Family Status Form, Salary Reduction Authorization and a new Enrollment Form (Salary Reduction and Enrollment forms are available from the Benefits Department) if they are adding or removing Dependents.

Family Status Changes are often accompanied by other personal changes. This is a good time to confirm address, phone number, direct deposit account number and beneficiary designations so that the Benefits and Payroll Departments have all the current information on file.

When does eligibility begin when a family status change occurs?

Except for marriage, birth or adoption of a newborn, and becoming eligible or losing eligibility for the Medicaid/CHIP Program, all enrollment changes must be made within 30 days of the family status change event.

Regence Blue Sheild of Idaho Medical Coverage

Newborn children's enrollment shall be effective from moment of birth, provided application is made within sixty (60) days following date of birth and the appropriate premium (if any) is received. Enrollment for adopted newborn children placed within sixty (60) days of the child's date of birth shall be effective from the date of birth. Enrollment for adopted newborn children placed after sixty (60) days of the child's date of birth shall be effective from the date of placement.

New spouse shall have thirty (30) days from the date of marriage to become enrolled. Enrollment shall be effective the first day of the month following the status change event.

Dependency ceases. Coverage terminates the end of the month in which:

  • When the spouse is no longer a legal spouse of the Enrolled Employee
  • When you (or your spouse's) child who is under age 26, will no longer be eligible for coverage without meeting the following requirements:
    • You (or your spouse's) natural child, step child, adopted child, or child legally placed with you (or your spouse) for adoption;
    • A child for whom you (or your spouse) have court-appointed legal guardianship; and
    • A child for whom you (or your spouse) are required to provide coverage by a legal qualified medical child support order (QMCSO).
    • A child who is not eligible for other medical group coverage through their own employment

Delta Dental Coverage

Dependency ceases. Coverage terminates the end of the month in which:

  • When the spouse in no longer a legal spouse of the enrolled employee.
  • Dependent child(ren) will no longer be eligible if married or upon reaching the maximum age for coverage at twenty-six (26) and is not eligible for other dental coverage if age twenty-five (25).

Willamette Dental Coverage

Dependency ceases. Coverage terminates the end of the month in which:

  • When the spouse in no longer a legal spouse of the enrolled employee.
  • Dependent child(ren) will no longer be eligible upon reaching the maximum age for coverage at age twenty-six (26).

Vision Service Plan Coverage

Dependency ceases. Coverage terminates the end of the month in which:

  • When the spouse is no longer the legal spouse of the enrolled employee.
  • Dependent child(ren) will no longer be eligibile if married, or upon reaching the maximum age for coverage at age twenty-five (25).

Newly acquired Dependents must be enrolled on to the Plan the first day of the calendar month following the date they become eligible Dependents. If newborns are not enrolled on the plan before age three (3), they may only be enrolled the first of the month following a status change.

Divorce

Please fill out and return our Address/Phone Change Authorization form. Please refer to our Name Change section below if changing your name following your divorce.

Name Change

Please remember to change your name with the Social Security Administration

If you're a part-time, non-benefit eligible employee, please complete the following forms:

If you're a full-time, benefit eligible employee, please complete the following in the event of a name change: