Life happens. Benefits change. Stay ready!
Qualifying Life Events
Life changes can happen at any time, and some changes may allow you to update your benefits outside of Open Enrollment.
A qualifying life event may allow you to make changes to your benefits during the year.
What Counts as a Qualifying Life Event?
Qualifying life events may include:
- Marriage
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Divorce or legal separation
- Death of a dependent
- Gaining access to other health coverage
- Losing coverage through another employer or plan
- A dependent gaining or losing other coverage
- A dependent turning 26
Don’t Wait to Make Your Change
We encourage you to submit your life event during the same pay period that includes the effective date of the event whenever possible. This helps ensure your benefits are updated promptly. If you experience a qualifying life event, you have 30 days from the date of the event to submit your request and required documentation to Human Resources.
How to Submit a Life Event
Submit your life event and supporting documentation through UKG Benefits Administration:
- Visit the myHR portal.
- Select UKG Manage My Benefits.
- Navigate to Myself > Manage My Benefits.
- Select Update My Benefits.
- Choose the applicable Life Event and follow the prompts.
- Upload any required supporting documentation.
If you don’t have your documentation available when you submit the life event, you can upload it afterward by selecting Benefits > Documents from the left-side menu.
A Few Important Reminders
Dependent turns 26? Dental and vision coverage will end automatically. Medical runs through the end of the month in which it is termed. However, if you have life insurance coverage on the dependent, such as child life insurance, you must complete a life event within 30 days to remove that coverage. Life insurance does not terminate automatically when a dependent turns 26.
Adding a dependent? Supporting documentation is required. Depending on the situation, this may include a marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption or guardianship documentation, court order, divorce decree, or documentation showing a gain or loss of other coverage.
Spouse coverage: If your spouse has access to medical coverage through their own employer, they are not eligible to enroll in the Kettering Health Medical Plan.
Questions about your specific situation? Contact myHR for assistance with your life event and required documentation.
Get Ready for Open Enrollment: 5 Things to Check Now
Open Enrollment is coming in October! Before you begin making your elections, take a few minutes in September to get organized. A little preparation now can make the enrollment process easier.
1. Review Your Current Benefits: Take a look at the benefits you have today. Do you know which medical, dental and vision plans you’re enrolled in? Review your current coverage and consider whether it still meets your needs.
2. Check Your Dependents: Make sure the dependents listed on your benefits are accurate and up to date. If you’ve had a life change this year—such as marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or a dependent aging out of coverage—make sure you’ve completed the appropriate life event.
3. Review Your Beneficiaries: When was the last time you checked your beneficiaries? Take a moment to review the beneficiaries listed for your applicable benefits including retirement and make sure your information reflects your current wishes.
Be sure your beneficiaries’ information is complete and up to date, including their full name, contact information and Social Security number. Providing accurate information can help ensure your benefits are paid to the intended person and avoid delays in processing a claim.
If your personal circumstances have changed—such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child or other significant life event—this is a great time to review your beneficiary designations.
4. Think About Your Healthcare Needs: Consider what you and your family may need in the coming year. Think about upcoming appointments, prescriptions, planned procedures, or other healthcare needs. This can help you evaluate which benefit options may work best for you during Open Enrollment.
5. Gather Your Questions: Not sure what a deductible, coinsurance, copay or out-of-pocket maximum means? Have questions about an HSA or another benefit? Write down your questions now so you’re ready when Open Enrollment begins.
Know Your Benefits Lingo
Open Enrollment can come with a lot of unfamiliar terms. Understanding a few common benefits terms now can make it easier to compare your options and make informed decisions in October.
- Premium: The amount you pay for your health coverage, typically deducted from your paycheck.
- Deductible: The amount you pay for covered healthcare services before your health plan begins paying according to the plan’s benefits.
- Copay: A fixed amount you pay for a covered healthcare
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The most you pay during a plan year for covered healthcare services under your medical plan. Once you reach this amount, the plan generally pays 100% of covered services for the remainder of the plan year.
- HSA (Health Savings Account): A tax-advantaged account that allows eligible individuals enrolled in a qualifying high-deductible health plan to set aside money for eligible healthcare expenses.
- FSA (Flexible Spending Account): An account that allows you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible healthcare or dependent care expenses, depending on the type of FSA.
- In-Network: Healthcare providers and facilities that have contracted with your health plan to provide services at negotiated rates.
- Out-of-Network: Healthcare providers or facilities that do not have a contract with your health plan. Depending on your plan, using out-of-network providers may result in higher costs or services not being covered.
Tip: When comparing plans during Open Enrollment, don’t look at the premium alone. Consider the deductible, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and how you expect to use your benefits throughout the year.
