Life is often unpredictable. What you and your employees plan or expect is not necessarily what ends up happening. So many things can trigger a change to employee benefits.
That includes changes to where you live and work, your relationships, and other situations, too.
But don’t worry, CaliforniaChoice makes it easy for you and others to update your health insurance coverage whenever you experience a life change.
What Is a Qualifying Life Event?
There are many life changes and events that can prompt a change to your insurance, including:
- Marriage or domestic partnership: A change in your marital status (e.g., marriage, divorce, or separation) or domestic partnership.
- New family member: Adding a dependent child through adoption or birth.
- Late enrollment or involuntary loss of coverage: If your employees waived coverage in the past, they may be able to enroll late and/or change benefits. This can happen when other coverage ends due to death of a spouse (who maintained it). Or when there is a loss of benefits eligibility due to reduced work hours or job loss.
- Remove coverage or dependents:Employees can remove existing insurance or dependents from their coverage. For example, when a dependent child reaches age 26 (and is no longer eligible for insurance through a parent).
- Moving: If an employee moves to a new residence (and outside of their existing health plan’s service area).
Limited Time to Make Changes
Generally, individuals have up to 60 days from a qualifying/triggering event to make coverage changes. Tell your employees they can log in at calchoice.com for details about different kinds of changes. They can also call Customer Service at 800.558.8003 or 714.558.8000 or send an email to CustomerService@calchoice.com.
Effective Date of Changes
Changes are effective on the first day of the month following receipt by CalChoice of a request. For example, if an employee submits a request/application on May 10, the change would be effective June 1.
Help When It’s Needed
We make it easy to make changes, whatever the reason. That’s why employers and members love CaliforniaChoice. Whenever you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us – or your broker.