If you add a child to your family as a legal ward, you are eligible to add the child to most of your current benefit plans. You may also enroll in certain plans that offer an open enrollment due to the addition of a child to your family.
You must submit an application to add your child to your benefit plans and/or enroll in a plan for the first time within 30-60 days of gaining a new child (deadline varies by plan). Your 30-60 day enrolment period (deadline varies by plan) begins on the date legal guardianship is granted (must be granted before child is 19 years old). Applications can be accessed on the Forms & Resources web page. Submit completed applications to your benefits contact.
Review the information below for details specific to each plan.
You may add the new child to your existing coverage within 60 days of the date the child becomes your legal ward. Coverage is effective on the date the court awards permanent legal guardianship to you (the subscriber or your spouse or domestic partner).
You may also change health insurance plan carriers (example: from GHC to Dean) or plan designs (example: from the health plan to the HDHP). If you change health insurance plan carriers or plan designs:
- All limits and accumulators (deductible, benefit maximums, out-of-pocket) will reset to $0.
- Pharmacy benefit and Uniform Dental benefit limits and accumulators will not reset.
If you change health insurance plan carriers or plan designs, the change is effective the first of the month on or following receipt of your application.
Review the Life Change Events and Documentation Requirements (ET-2846) for information on documentation required to confirm eligibility.
You may take the following action within 60 days from the date the child becomes your legal ward.
- Add the child to your existing coverage
- Enroll in coverage and add all eligible family members
Coverage is effective the date the court awards permanent legal guardianship to you, your spouse, or domestic partner.
You may take the following action within 60 days from the date the child becomes your legal ward.
- Add the child to your existing coverage
- Enroll in coverage and add all eligible family members
Coverage is effective the date the court awards permanent legal guardianship to you, your spouse, or domestic partner.
You may take the following actions within 30 days of the date the court awards permanent legal guardianship to you (the subscriber or your spouse):
- Enroll in Basic coverage (if not currently enrolled)
- Add one unit of employee coverage (if not already enrolled in maximum number of units)
- Enroll in one or two units of Spouse/Domestic Partner/Dependent coverage
- If already enrolled, newly eligible children are automatically covered (does not require an application)
Coverage is effective the first of the month on or following 30 days from the date that a court awards permanent legal guardianship to you (the subscriber or your spouse).
Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.
Legal wards are not eligible for coverage under this plan.
Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.
You may enroll in Employee Only or Family coverage at any time. If enrolled in Family coverage, new legal wards are automatically covered (does not require an application) from the date the court awards permanent legal guardianship to you the subscriber or your spouse or domestic partner.
Changes to your coverage are effective the first of the month on or following the receipt of your application.
Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.
You may take the following action within 60 days from the date the child becomes your legal ward.
- Add the child to your existing coverage
- Enroll in coverage and add all eligible family members
Coverage is effective the date the court awards permanent legal guardianship to you, your spouse, or domestic partner.
This plan offers employee coverage and there is no enrollment opportunity upon the addition of a child to your family.
You may take the following actions within 30 days of the date the legal guardianship is granted. Action must be consistent with the qualifying life event.
- Enroll in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Dependent Day Care Account
- Increase your Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care Account contribution amount (if already enrolled).
You must submit a Change of Election form to your institution benefits contact to enroll in or change your contribution amount. If you enroll, coverage is effective the first of the month following the date a court awards permanent legal guardianship.
You can make changes to your per paycheck contributions at any time.
Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.
Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.
You can enroll in or make changes at any time.
Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.
You can enroll in or make changes at any time.
Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.
Review your tax withholding exemptions and update, if necessary. For information review the Update Federal and/or State W4 Tipsheet.
Beneficiary Designations
Remember to review and update your beneficiary designations when you have a life event to make sure that your benefits are paid according to your wishes. Benefit plans that have beneficiary designations include life insurance plans, retirement plans and the health savings account.
For more information review the Beneficiary Information web page.
Every effort has been made to ensure this information is current and correct. Information on this page does not guarantee enrollment, benefits and/or the ability to make changes to your benefits.
Updated: 06/11/2025