Life or Career Events

Benefits Deadline Extensions due to COVID-19

As a result of the current national emergency surrounding COVID-19, the Department of Labor is allowing extensions on deadlines pertaining to making changes to or enrolling in health and dental plans. Details are available on the HR website.

Introduction

The contributions you make from your paycheck for the benefit plans listed below are made on a before-tax basis. Because of this favorable tax status there are restrictions on when you can join, cancel or make changes to these plans.

• Health Plans:
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
  • BU Health Savings Plan with Health Savings Account
• Dental Plans:
  • BU Dental Health Center Plan
  • Dental Blue Freedom Plan
• Flexible Spending Account – Health Care
• Flexible Spending Account – Dependent Care
• Personal and Family Accident Insurance

When can I make a change to or enroll in these benefit plans?

• During the New Hire Enrollment period which is 30 days following your hire date,
• During the Annual Open Enrollment which occurs in the Fall each year, or
• If you have a Life or Career Event (sometimes called a “Qualified Life Event”).
  • This includes events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, changes in spouse’s employment, etc.

How do I make a change when I have a Life or Career Event?

1. You must experience one of the Life or Career events listed in the table below.
2. You must submit your Life or Career Event within 30 days following the date of the Life or Career Event to complete your request. You may also submit the change up to 90 days in advance of the event as long as you have the proper documentation.
3. Request the change through Employee Self Service at BUworks Central by selecting the option “Manage my Benefits – Life or Career Events”.
4. You are required to upload written proof of the Life or Career Event as described in the table below. You are also required to upload Proof of Relationship documentation if you are covering any new dependents under health and/or dental plans.
5. An email confirmation will be sent when you successfully submit your life or career event. If your event requires documentation and approval, an email confirmation will also be sent once HR has reviewed your documentation.
6. If approved, all benefit changes are effective as of the date of the Life or Career Event.  In the case in which you are losing coverage as a result of the Event and the loss of coverage date differs from the Event date, any benefit changes will be effective as of the date you are losing coverage.

Documentation You Will Need to Provide

You are required to upload documentation in support of most Life or Career Events.

Letters from employers must be provided on the employer’s letterhead. The letter must clearly state the Life or Career Event, the date of the event, the date on which coverage is beginning or ending and the benefits that are beginning or ending. Letters from insurance carriers showing loss/start of coverage are not acceptable forms of documentation.

Documents should be uploaded to the online application through Employee Self Service at BUworks Central.

The following table shows the various Life or Career Events as well as documents required for each.

You are also required to upload Proof of Relationship documentation if you are electing to cover any new dependents under the health and/or dental plans.