decorative photograph

When Coverage Begins

If you are an employee, the coverage you elect during Annual Benefits Enrollment takes effect at the beginning of the next plan year (January 1).
For benefits-eligible employees, no enrollment is necessary for Wellness, EAP and Tobacco Cessation programs and participation is not dependent upon enrolling in the Medical Plan. Your coverage begins on your date of hire or when you become benefits eligible.
If you are a newly hired or newly eligible employee, the coverage you elect as a new hire takes effect as follows:
  • If you are a full-time employee (regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week), coverage begins on the first of the month after your date of hire.
  • If you are a part-time employee (regularly scheduled to work at least 20 but less than 40 hours per week), coverage begins on the first of the month after 60 days from your date of hire.
If you have a change in work status or Qualified Status Change, the coverage you elect because of a qualifying event (such as those described under "Changing Your Coverage Midyear.") will take effect as of the day of the qualifying event, if you enroll within 31 days of the event (90-day window in the case of the birth/adoption of a child or if your newly eligible dependent passes away during the 90-day window) and you have already met the Plan's eligibility requirements. Please see "Changing Your Coverage Midyear."