Notify Employee Benefits of Your Divorce or Separation
You must notify Employee Benefits within 30 days of your divorce or legal separation because this event will affect your spouse's continued eligibility for benefits.
Medical and Dental Coverage
When you become legally separated or divorced, your ex-spouse's eligibility to be continued as a dependent under your medical and/or dental coverage will change, as shown below.
You need to cancel medical and dental coverage for your ex-spouse no later than 30 days after the date of divorce or legal separation.
- Dental coverage ends on the last day of the 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 the divorce is final.
If you do not cancel your ex-spouse from the coverage within 30 days of your divorce, the Employee and Spouse Coverage contribution rate will continue to be deducted from your pay; however, your ex-spouse will not be covered. To cancel coverage, contact the Employee Benefits Service Center.
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 the earlier of 36 months following loss of coverage or until your ex-spouse is covered under another group insurance plan that does not contain an exclusion or limitation for pre-existing health conditions. Your ex-spouse will be billed for the full group rate plus a 2% administrative charge.
To elect continuation of group medical and/or dental coverage, your ex-spouse must complete a Request for Continuation of Coverage form, obtained from the Employee Benefits Service Center, no later than 60 days after the date of legal separation or divorce.
Spouse Life Coverage
Spouse life coverage ends on the last day of the pay period in which the separation becomes legal or your divorce is final.
When you are divorced, spouse life coverage cannot be continued on your ex-spouse, nor can he/she continue the coverage under COBRA continuation. You will need to cancel spouse life coverage within 30 days. Your ex-spouse has the option to convert the amount to an individual insurance policy. Contact the Employee Benefits Service Center for the form to cancel coverage and information on the conversion policy.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Divorce is considered a significant change in family status and qualifies for a change in election in a health care or dependent day care flexible spending account. You must make your election change 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 the Employee Benefits Service Center for more information.
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