Change in Spouse's Employment
General Rule
Change in a spouse's employment is generally a qualifying event and causes a new 30-day window to open for conditional changes to benefit plans. The 30-day window begins on the date the spouse loses eligibility for coverage. Staff and faculty members are encouraged to contact a Benefits Counselor as soon as possible for instructions and information about making changes.
Health Benefits
If a spouse's eligibility for coverage through his/her employer changes, State Health Plan adjustments may be made within 30 days of the change date. The earliest effective date for SHP changes is the first of the month following the spouse's change in eligibility date. A Change Form and Prior Health Coverage Information Form (to receive credit towards pre-existing condition waiting periods if adding dependents) must be submitted to the University Benefits Office within the 30-day eligibility window.
Note:Premiums are deducted one month in advance of coverage.
NCFlex Benefits
Certain changes to NCFlex benefit plans are permitted if a spouse's own eligibility for coverage changes. Requests must be made within 30 days of the spouse's change date and become effective on the first of the month following the date the change is processed. Changes are made via the NCFlex On Line system and employees should contact a Benefits Counselor for assistance and instructions. Following is a summary of changes:
NCFlex Benefits
| Summary of Changes |
|---|
| EVENT: Spouse begins employment and gains coverage |
| Dental, vision, supplemental medical, cancer plans |
Employee may drop plan if electing similar coverage under the spouse's plan. |
| Flexible spending accounts |
Health Care: drop or decrease
Dependent Care: Add or increase |
| Accidental death and dismemberment | Decrease; drop family coverage |
| Term Life | Decrease coverage |
| EVENT: Spouse terminates employment and loses coverage |
| Dental, vision, supplemental medical, cancer plans | Add similar coverage for self, spouse, children if loses coverage under spouse's plan. |
| Flexible spending accounts | Health: Add or increase
Dependent Care: Drop or decrease |
| Accidental death and dismemberment | Increase; add family coverage |
| Term Life | Increase coverage |
| EVENT: Spouse changes from part-time to full-time and becomes benefits eligible |
| Dental, vision, supplemental medical, cancer plans | May drop if electing similar coverage under spouse's plan. |
| Flexible spending accounts | Health: Add, increase, decrease or drop if coverage is being added under spouse's plan
Dependent care: Add or increase, drop or decrease |
| Accidental death and dismemberment | Decrease; drop family coverage |
| Term Life | Decrease coverage |
| EVENT: Spouse changes from full-time to part-time and loses benefits eligibility |
| Dental, vision, supplemental medical, cancer plans | Add similar coverage for self, spouse, children if loses coverage under spouse's plan. |
| Flexible spending accounts | Health: Add or increase
Dependent care: Add or increase, drop or decrease |
| Accidental death and dismemberment | Increase; add family coverage |
| Term Life | Increase coverage |
Note: Waiting periods or evidence of insurability may apply.
A spouse who loses eligibility for coverage may be added to an employee's plan within 31 days of the loss (as may dependent children). Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following the date evidence of insurability approval is received. To add a spouse and/or dependent children, complete a MetLife enrollment form and an Evidence of Insurability document for each individual to be added, then submit all to the University Benefits Office.
Who is my Benefits Counselor?
