An employee has declined health benefits, and the open enrollment period is long since closed. His wife recently became pregnant, and now he wants to enroll.

My question is whether pregnancy is a qualifying event, such that he could enroll outside the open enrollment period. I know the birth of a child is a qualifying event, but is that different then merely getting pregnant?

Thanks.

An employee has declined health benefits, and the open enrollment period is long since closed. His wife recently became pregnant, and now he wants to enroll.

My question is whether pregnancy is a qualifying event, such that he could enroll outside the open enrollment period. I know the birth of a child is a qualifying event, but is that different then merely getting pregnant?

Thanks.

No - pregnancy is not a qualifying event---the birth of the child would be the qualifying event.

No, pregnancy is not a QE for electing coverage outside of open enrollment.

As always, thank you.

So the delivery would not be covered, but if the employee enrolls his child within 30 days anything post-delivery would be covered but not the delivery itself, right?

I'm new to benefits administration, sorry for the all the newbie questions.

That's right. Don't worry; we were all newbies once.

And the birth of the child would be a qualifying life event for the child only, not for the wife.

Thanks.

You and cbg should get medals.

Or a raise. How much is a raise from zero? :p

And the birth of the child would be a qualifying life event for the child only, not for the wife.

From what is sounds like, the father is the employee, right? And since he is not experiencing a qualifying event, then he can't enroll himself (and wife) in benefits. SO, even when the baby is born (which is a QE ) then, how can the baby be added to the plan when the father isn't on the plan??

Oops, good question. :o cbg, marketeer? HELP!!

I think it's going to depend on the plan. With most employers, you can't just enroll a dependent. The employee would have to enroll as well.