Special Enrollment

[waid10]

We have an employee who is on the Company's medical plan. Her husband works for another employer and will be going on long-term disability effective Oct. 1. Can her husband enroll in our Company's plan or is this not considered a qualifying event? I’m assuming his coverage will terminate since he will be going on LTD.

Thanks for any insight.

[Guest b2kates]

loss of coverage in a group health plan is a special enrollment period event; but it is complicated by COBRA rights.

Why is the husband not electing COBRA?

[waid10]

I don't know the answer but I am guessing that COBRA coverage is more expensive than coverage under his wife's (and our Company's) plan.

[Guest llerner]

Loss of coverage is still a qualifying event to go onto spouse health plan.

[QDROphile]

Keep in mind that a plan is not required to allow a change just because it would be eligible under the regulations. Always consult plan terms.

[JDuns]

Also keep in mind that going onto LTD doesn't necessarily mean a loss of coverage. Some employers allow an individual to continue to participate in the medical plan at employee rates for some period of time and do not begin the COBRA clock until a later termination.