What is special open enrollment?
Certain life events let you change your benefits outside of annual open enrollment. For example, you move to a new county, get married, or have a child. We call these “special open enrollment” events.
Learn what events qualify for special open enrollment and the steps you need to take to change your benefits.
Important deadline
We must receive your change request in Benefits 24/7 or forms and proof of the event no later than 60 days after the event.
What changes can I make?
The following changes may be allowed as a special open enrollment. See the special open enrollment matrix for details.
My special open enrollment event is ...
- Marriage or registering a domestic partnership
-
As defined by Washington Administrative Code 182-31-020.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
(A health plan change is not allowed when adding a SRDP or their child if they are not a tax dependent.)Change dental/vision plan Yes
(A health plan change is not allowed when adding a SRDP or their child if they are not a tax dependent.)Documents to submit
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of state-registered domestic partnership or legal union and the SEBB Declaration of Tax Status
- Also provide evidence the marriage/partnership is still valid (e.g., a utility bill or bank statement) dated within the past six months showing both names
If the marriage or state-registered domestic partnership is within six months, only a marriage certificate or certificate of state-registered domestic partnership or legal union is required.
- Birth or adoption
-
Birth, adoption, or assuming a legal obligation for support in anticipation of adoption.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Birth certificate (or hospital certificate with child's footprints)
- Certificate or decree of adoption
- Placement letter from adoption agency
- SEBB Declaration of Tax Status if adding child of a state-registered domestic partner
All valid documents for proof of this event must show the name of the parent who is the subscriber, subscriber's spouse, or the subscriber's state-registered domestic partner.
- Newly eligible extended dependent
-
A Child becomes eligible as an extended dependent through legal custody or legal guardianship.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Valid court order showing legal custody, guardianship, or temporary guardianship, signed by a judge or officer of the court, a signed SEBB Extended Dependent Certification, and SEBB Declaration of Tax Status.
- Loss of other coverage
-
You or your dependent loses other coverage under a group health plan or through health insurance, as defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Certificate of creditable coverage
- Letter of termination of coverage from health plan or payroll or benefits office
- COBRA election notice
- You have a change in employment status
-
Your employment status affects your eligibility for the employer contribution toward your employer-based group health plan.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Employee hire letter from employer that contains information about benefits eligibility
- Employment contract
- Termination letter
- Letter of resignation
- Statement of insurance
- Certificate of coverage
- Subscriber's dependent has a change in their employment status
-
The change affects their eligibility for the employer contribution under their employer-based group health plan.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Employee hire letter from their employer that contains information about benefits eligibility
- Employment contract
- Termination letter
- Letter of resignation
- Statement of insurance
- Certificate of coverage
- Change under other employer-based group health plan's open enrollment
-
You or your dependent has a change in enrollment under another employer-based group health plan during its annual open enrollment that does not align with the SEBB Program's annual open enrollment.
Action Allowed?
Add dependents
Yes
Change medical plan
No
Change dental/vision plan No Documents to submit
- Certificate of credible coverage
- Letter of enrollment or termination of coverage from the health plan
- Letter of enrollment or termination of coverage from the employer's payroll or benefits office
- Proof of waiver
- Your dependent moves from another county to the U.S. or from the U.S. to another country
-
Your dependent's change in residence resulted in the loss of their health insurance.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
No
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Visa or passport with date of entry
- Proof of former and current residence (e.g. utility bill)
- Letter or document showing coverage was lost (e.g. certificate of credible coverage)
- Change in residence
-
You or your dependent has a change in residence that affects health plan availability.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent No
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Proof of former and current residence (e.g., utility bill)
- Certificate of credible coverage
- Court order
-
A court order requires you or your dependent to provide insurance coverage for an eligible child of the subscriber.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Valid court order
- Gain or lose eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP
-
You or your dependent enrolls in or loses eligibility for, Medicaid or a Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Enrollment or termination letter from Medicaid or CHIP reflecting the date the employee or employee's dependent enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP or the date at which they lost eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP.
- Become eligible for state premium subsidy for SEBB health plan coverage from Medicaid or CHIP
-
You or your dependent becomes eligible for a state premium assistance subsidy for SEBB health plan coverage from Medicaid or a CHIP.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Eligibility letter from Medicaid or CHIP
- Gain or lose eligibility for Medicare
-
You or your dependent enrolls in or loses eligibility for coverage under Medicare.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent Yes
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan No Documents to submit
- Medicare benefit verification letter
- Copy of Medicare card
- Notice of denial of Medicare coverage
- Social Security denial letter
- Medicare entitlement or cessation of disability form
- Medical plan becomes unavailable
-
You or your dependent's current health plan becomes unavailable because you or your dependent are no longer eligible for a health savings account (HSA).
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent No
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Cancellation letter from the health plan
- Coverage confirmation in a new health plan
- Medicare entitlement letter
- Copy of current tax return claiming you as a dependent
- Continuity of care
-
You or your dependent experiences a disruption of care that could function as a reduction in benefits for the subscriber or their dependent for a specific condition or ongoing course of treatment. Requires approval by the SEBB Program.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent
No
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plans Yes Documents to submit
- Submit request for a plan change to:
Health Care Authority
SEBB Program
PO Box 42720
Olympia, WA 98504-2720
- Submit request for a plan change to:
- Change in school district
-
You have a change in employment from a SEBB organization to a school district that results in having different medical plans available.
Action
Allowed?
Add dependent No
Change medical plan
Yes
Change dental/vision plan Yes Documents to submit
- Employee hire letter from their employer that contains information about benefits eligibility.
- Employment contract.
To take advantage of special open enrollments, your payroll or benefits office must receive the following forms and documentation no later than 60 days after the event.
- Proof of the event
- Use Benefits 24/7 or submit the appropriate form:
(See SEBB Program Policy Addendum 45-2A for a list of valid documents.)
When to submit
You may want to submit your request sooner to avoid a delay in the enrollment or change, and to ensure timely payment of claims.
When to submit when adding a child
When the special open enrollment is for birth, adoption, or assuming legal obligation for support ahead of adoption, submit the required forms and proof of your dependent's eligibility and the event as soon as possible.
If adding the child increases the premium, the SEBB Program must receive the required forms and proof no later than 60 days after the date of the birth, adoption, or when you assumed legal obligation.
Related laws and rules
- For details on changes you can make
- For subscribers
-
- 182-30-090: When may a subscriber change health plans?
- 182-31-150: When may subscribers enroll or remove eligible dependents?
- For employees
-
182-30-100: When may a school employee enroll, or revoke an election and make a new election under the premium payment plan, medical flexible spending arrangement (FSA), or dependent care assistance program (DCAP)?