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U.S. Department of Labor Seal U.S. Department of Labor

Health Benefits Advisor

Group Health Plan through My Job

If certain conditions are met, you, your spouse and, in some cases, the children of you or your spouse may have the opportunity for special enrollment as well as other enrollment opportunities in a group health plan offered by your employer, employee organization (such as a union), or both, even if you are not presently enrolled in the plan and regardless of when the plan otherwise permits enrollment.

Qualifications for Special Enrollment

The following individuals may qualify for special enrollment in your group health plan if your plan provides coverage for dependents:

1. You, if you are not already enrolled in the plan and are otherwise eligible.

2. Your spouse, if the plan covers spouses.

3. Children who become your "dependents" (as defined by the group health plan) as a result of the marriage.

Time Frame for Special Enrollment

In order to special enroll in your group health plan, you must request the enrollment within 30 days of the marriage date. Special enrollment requests must follow the procedures specified in the plan rules. These rules are found in your plan's SPD (Summary Plan Description). If special enrollment is properly requested, the plan must make the enrollment effective no later than the first day of the first month after the plan receives the request.

Additional Enrollment Rights

In addition to the special enrollment rights just described, you and your family members may have other rights to enroll in your group health plan. Additional rights to enroll may exist under the terms of your group health plan or under state law.

To find out more about enrollment rights in your group health plan you should:

  1. Read the notice of special enrollment rules that the plan was required to give you when you were offered the opportunity to enroll in the plan;
  2. Review the SPD (Summary Plan Description) of your plan for information about enrollment rights; and
  3. Contact your state insurance department to find out if state law gives you or other family members additional enrollment rights.

How to Choose Among Health Coverage Options

Depending on your circumstances, you and your family members may have health coverage options available besides your group health plan. Before making any decisions, you should carefully consider information on your plan, any group health plan offered through your spouse's job, and other kinds of coverage for which you and your family members may qualify.

In choosing among the options available to you, you should review the SPD for each available coverage option to determine which plan best meets your needs. You should also review and compare the information on the other coverages for which you are eligible. In making your decision, you may want to consider such things as:

1. Any waiting period (or affiliation period) imposed under the plans;

2. Types of benefits offered (Is dependent coverage available? Do the benefits cover your family's medical needs?);

3. Cost of coverage (premiums, co-payments and deductibles for prescription drugs and doctor visits);

4. Limitations on coverage; and

5. Any exclusions from coverage (treatments, procedures, conditions or prescription drugs).

To find out about other kinds of health coverage for which you and your family members may qualify, return to the beginning of the marriage section and select another option.

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR