When Can an Employee Enroll or Make Changes to an Enrollment?

Resources

Info, How To, FAQ's
A Complete Guide to Your UC Health Benefits
What to do when you have a major life change

ANSWER:

Enrollment and changes can be made during:

  • Period of Initial Eligibility (PIE)
  • When there is a family change
  • During Open Enrollment
  • And/or when there is loss of other coverage
  • And/or several other circumstances.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/DEFINITIONS

 

What is as “major life change/event” (which creates a PIE)?

A new PIE may also open for Major Life Changes/Events.  A major life change/event is one in which you acquire a new dependent, such as marriage, entering into a partnership, or acquiring a child by natural birth or adoption. For more information on Major Life Changes, see What to do when you have a major life change.

The PIE to enroll family members starts the day your family member becomes eligible:

  • For a spouse, on the date of marriage.
  • For a domestic partner, on the date the partnership is legally established or meets UC’s criteria
  • For a newborn child, on the child’s date of birth.
  • For an adopted child, the earlier of:
  • The date the child is placed for adoption with you, or
  • The date you or your spouse/domestic partner has the legal right to control the child’s health care.

 During this family member PIE, you may also enroll yourself and/or any other eligible family member who was not already enrolled during an earlier PIE. To enroll a family member, you must also enroll yourself. 

For more information, see A Complete Guide to Your UC Health Benefits, or What to do when you have a major life change.

What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment occurs once per year,

Usually held in the fall, Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to make changes to your benefits, including:

  • Transferring to a different medical or dental plan
  • Adding or de-enrolling eligible family members
  • Enrolling in or opting out of UC-sponsored medical, dental and vision plans and
  • Enrolling or re-enrolling in the Health and Dependent Care
  • Flexible Spending Accounts

Changes made during Open Enrollment are effective January 1 of the following year. Not all plans are available during every Open Enrollment.

Common Benefits Questions



Definitions

PIE - An employee’s PIE is their “Period of Initial Eligibility” to enroll themselves and/or their eligible family members in UC-sponsored health and welfare plans.

For newly hired employees, they have a (PIE) during which they may enroll themselves and eligible family members. The PIE starts on the first day of eligibility (for example, the day an employee begins work in a position that makes them eligible for benefits). The PIE ends 31 days later, or, if the 31st day falls on a weekend, the next work day.

If you miss your PIE, you may enroll yourself or eligible family members in medical coverage only at any time with a 90 consecutive calendar day waiting period that begins the day the completed enrollment form is received by your local Benefits or Payroll Office. Coverage is effective after the 90 days have elapsed. Your premiums may need to be paid on an after-tax basis.