Life Events

Major life events – such as birth or adoption of a child, marriage, retirement, termination of employment – enable you to make changes to your health care plans and add or drop eligible dependents from coverage.

When you experience a life event, also known as a qualifying status change, you have 30 days from and including the date of the event to make changes to your benefits. If you miss the 30-day deadline, your next chance to request a change is open enrollment, which is effective the following January 1, or another qualifying status change.

While not considered qualifying status changes, you might also find information on address change and name change helpful.

Explore the topics below to learn more about each life event and the benefit changes you may make.

Birth and Adoption Death of a Dependent Death of an Employee and Survivorship Dependent Becomes Ineligible Gain or Loss of Coverage Leaves of Absence Leaving Ohio State Marital Status Change Preparing to Retire