Many individuals have employer-sponsored or government-sponsored dental benefits. And with open enrollment regulations, there’s only one short window a year to adjust benefits. However, there are exceptions to the open enrollment period that can make you eligible for special enrollment.
Qualifying Events:
A qualifying event changes your life situation and makes you eligible to enroll or adjust dental coverage outside the annual open enrollment period. There are 4 basic types of qualifying events (not a full list):
Loss of health coverage
- Losing existing health coverage, including job-based, individual, and student plans
- Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or DAKOTACARE/Apple Health/Your Health Idaho
- Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent’s plan
Changes in household
- Getting married or divorced
- Having a baby or adopting a child
- Death in the family
Changes in residence
- Moving to a different ZIP code or county
- A student moving to or from the place they attend school
- A seasonal worker moving to or from the place they both live and work
- Moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing
Other qualifying events
- Changes in your income that affect the coverage you qualify for
- Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
- Leaving incarceration (jail or prison)
- AmeriCorps members starting or ending their service
Employment-based plans require you to give notice within 30 days of the event. Government-sponsored plans typically allow up to 60 days to give notice.
Have questions? Contact us before or immediately after your qualifying life event to prevent any delays in coverage. Already a Delta Dental of Idaho member? Sign in to view your coverage.
