Birth or Adoption of a Child
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Active employees and official retirees can use this tool to compare medical benefits, as well as plan costs.
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When you welcome a new child into the family, or a child becomes eligible for coverage, you can change certain benefits without waiting until the next annual Open Enrollment period. These life events include:
- Birth, adoption, placement for adoption or legal custody of a child (including foster care and guardianship)
- Change in your child care costs or provider
| PLANS YOU MAY BE ABLE TO CHANGE | HOW TO MAKE CHANGES | EFFECTIVE DATE | DEADLINE TO SUBMIT |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Make your changes online For support, contact the University HR Service Team
|
Date of the event |
31 days from the date of the event |
*Remember, your medical plan eligibility is based on your home ZIP code. You must make changes within 31 days of the first day your new address takes effect, and if necessary, select a new medical plan.
Be aware that if you change the medical plan in which you are enrolled using the birth or adoption event the effective date of the plan change is the date of birth or adoption. Changing medical plans during the year may impact provider network status and claims for services.
Please note: Benefits discussed here are governed by the plan contracts and policies, Stanford policies and applicable state and federal laws. If there is a conflict between the wording of this information and any policy, contract or law, the contracts, policies and applicable laws govern. We reserve the right to alter, amend or terminate any of the benefits described in this booklet at any time. If this happens, we will notify those affected by the change.
Important Reminders
1. Submit document(s) to verify dependent eligibility
Within 31 days of your life event, submit your documentation via the upload feature in My Benefits or fax to 866-539-0431. If documentation is not received, your dependents coverage will be canceled retroactive to the date of the life event.
Learn about dependent eligibility documentation requirements
2. Review your beneficiary designation
Log into My Benefits to review and update your beneficiary designation.
3. Prepare to Return to Work
You may want to review the Maternity & Expectant Parents page on the WorkLife website, which includes resources for child care and emergency and back-up care, financial assistance and workshops such as BABBLE: Back After Baby Bonding Leave Ends.