Marriage is one qualifying reason for health insurance changes.
Health insurance plans typically do not allow policyholders to make changes to their plan before an open enrollment period. Qualifying events are a different matter and represent life changes, which allow the insured to make changes to their policy. Health Insurance companies may require that policyholders make these changes within a certain period. They may also require documentation to prove the qualifying event.
Marital Status
Changes to marital status are a qualifying event, which allow the policyholder to make changes to his policy. This can include adding a new spouse or removing a spouse. This gives newly married couples an opportunity to select the best health insurance policy that meets both of their needs. It is also necessary after a divorce to make changes to insurance policies to comply with a divorce order.
Employment
An employment status change in a policyholder's dependent or spouse allows changes to health insurance coverage. For example, if a spouse changes from a full-time employee to a part-time employee, he may require coverage under his spouse's policy. Dependent children who begin working in a job that offers health insurance coverage may no longer require the coverage provided by their parent. This can allow the policyholder to change insurance plans from a family plan to a couple's only or an individual plan.
Childbirth
The birth of a child is a life event that insurance companies recognize as a time when changes will need to be made to health insurance coverage. The qualifying event allows the new parent to add the baby to her policy.
Death
The death of a spouse or dependent is an event that qualifies for changes to a health insurance policy. Removing a deceased dependent or spouse from a policy may allow the insured to qualify for a lower-cost plan.
Change in Eligibility
Dependents may become ineligible for health insurance coverage after completing school or getting married. This qualifies as a reason to make changes to the insurance policy.
