Enrolling in Benefits
You are eligible if you are a regular full-time employee working 30 or more hours per week. You can enroll in benefits as a new hire or during the annual open enrollment period. New hire coverage begins on the first of the month following or coinciding with the date of hire as long as you enroll within 30 days from your date of hire.
Eligible Dependents
When you enroll yourself in medical, dental, and/or vision coverage, you may also cover your eligible dependents, including:
- Your legal spouse or qualified domestic partner
- Children under the age of 26, regardless of student, dependency or marital status
- Children who are past the age of 26 and are fully dependent on you for support due to a mental or physical disability and who are indicated as such on your federal tax return.
- Children named in a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO)
Making Changes After Open Enrollment
After Open Enrollment ends, you cannot change your benefits and will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment—unless you experience a Qualified Life Event (such as marriage, birth, or loss of coverage).
Common Qualified Life Events Include
- Marriage
- Welcoming a new child
- Loss or change in spouse’s employment
If you enroll a domestic partner who is not an IRS-qualified tax-dependent in your medical, dental, or vision plan, the value of the employer-paid portion of their coverage is treated as imputed income. This means an additional taxable amount is added to your wages for federal (and in some cases state) tax purposes, which may increase your withholding. Your gross pay and benefit eligibility do not change.
If your domestic partner qualifies as an IRS tax-dependent, imputed income may not apply. Consult a tax advisor if you believe your partner meets the requirements.