Life Events

Outside of enrollment windows, you can only make changes to your benefits if you experience a qualifying life event.

What is a qualifying life event?

In most situations, IRS regulations require the benefits you choose each year to stay in place until the start of the next plan year. However, if you experience a major life change, you may be eligible to update your benefit elections to better align with your new circumstances.

Marriage or gaining a domestic partner
Divorce, legal separation, or losing a domestic partner that affects eligibility
Birth, adoption, or legal placement of a child
Employment changes for you or your dependents that affect coverage eligibility
Loss or gain of other coverage such as Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP
Death of a dependent

Visit the Update Coverage page for more information on life events and checklists for several life event scenarios.

Key deadlines

You have 30 days from the date of your life event to update your coverage. A few events allow up to 60 days, such as the birth or adoption of a child or loss of coverage under Medicaid or CHIP. If you miss your window, you’ll need to wait until the next Annual Enrollment period, or another qualifying life event, to make changes.

Benefit changes can only be made after the event occurs. For example, you must wait until the day of your wedding or within 30 days after to update your coverage.

How to report a life event

Report your life event and make your coverage changes:

Log in to the LSC Benefits Center, or
Call 888-681-2241, Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. CT

Proof required for life event changes

Benefit changes related to a qualifying life event require supporting documentation. Proof of the event must be submitted and verified before your coverage can be updated. Examples include:

Marriage certificate or divorce decree
Birth certificate or adoption papers
Termination letter showing loss of coverage, etc.

Adding eligible dependents

If a life event has occurred that requires you to add a dependent to your coverage, your dependent will have to go through a verification process to prove they are an eligible dependent. View the Dependent Verification section on the Eligibility & Enrollment page for more information.

Removing ineligible dependents

You’re responsible for removing dependents who are no longer eligible. Claims for ineligible dependents won’t be paid. If an ineligible dependent is covered under COBRA for up to 60 days, premiums won’t be refunded if the ineligibility is discovered.

Benefits start date

If you update your coverage by the deadline, your updated coverage will start on the day of the life event.