Notify Your Human Resources Department of Your Divorce or Separation
You must submit the required documents within 30 days of your divorce or legal separation because this event will affect your spouse's continued eligibility for benefits.
Medical, Dental, and Spouse Life Coverage
When you become legally separated or divorced, your ex-spouse's eligibility to be continued as a dependent under your medical and/or flexible benefits coverage may change.
Cancel Coverage
You will need to cancel medical and dental coverage for your ex-spouse within 30 days:
Dental coverage ends on the last pay period in which the separation becomes legal or your divorce is final.
Medical coverage ends on the last day of the month that includes the end date of the pay period in which the separation becomes legal or your divorce is final.
If you do not cancel your ex-spouse from coverage within 30 days of your divorce, the contribution rate will continue to be deducted from your pay; however, your ex-spouse will not be covered. To cancel coverage, contact your agency's Benefits Coordinator.
COBRA Continuation Coverage
Your ex-spouse may continue group medical and/or dental coverage under state and federal continuation provisions, commonly referred to as COBRA. Generally, group coverage may be continued until your ex-spouse is covered under another group insurance plan that does not contain an exclusion or limitation for pre-existing health conditions.
Spouse Life Coverage
When you are divorced, spouse life insurance coverage cannot be continued on your ex-spouse, nor can he/she continue coverage under COBRA continuation. You will need to cancel spouse life coverage within 30 days. Your request for enrollment or a change in any other coverage under the Flexible Benefits Program must be submitted on the Change in Status Event Form and given to your agency's Benefits Coordinator within 30 days of a qualifying event (unless another time period is specified).
Spending Accounts
Divorce is considered a significant change in family status and qualifies for a change in election in a health care or dependent care flexible spending account. You must make your election changes no later than 30 days after the date of your divorce or legal separation.
Change Beneficiary Designation
Due to the divorce, you may wish to change the beneficiary designation for your retirement plan and life insurance. Contact your agency's Benefits Coordinator for more information.
A qualifying event only allows you to add or delete a coverage level (i.e., Single to Family, or Family to Single coverage). A qualifying event does not allow you to change your type of coverage (i.e., PPO to Kaiser or Prepaid Dental to Regular Dental). It is the employee's responsibility to submit required documents within the time allowed (30 days). You are encouraged to contact your agency's HR Office or Plan Administrator (SBHP/FLEX) as soon as possible. If you fail to submit required documents within the time period allowed, you will not be able to make changes until the next Open Enrollment Period.
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