If you happen to have employer-sponsored dental coverage, open enrollment happens only once a year. But certain life events qualify you for a special opportunity to reassess and change your coverage outside of the open enrollment period. They're called qualifying life events.
Qualifying Life Event
A change in your situation – like getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage – that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll in health or dental insurance outside of the yearly Open Enrollment Period.
The three qualifying life events we’re going to cover are:
- Turning 26
- Getting married
- Having a baby or adopting a child
Turning 26
Happy birthday to you! The Affordable Care Act gave your parents the option to keep you on their insurance plan through 25. Now that you’re 26, it’s time to double-check benefit options with your employer’s human resources department. They’ll help you review the coverage details of the plan (or plans) available, and they can help you enroll.
If your employer doesn’t offer a dental plan, or if you’re self-employed, you can purchase an individual plan or a family plan directly from us.
Once you turn 26, you have 60 days to evaluate your situation and then make a decision before you’re no longer eligible to enroll.
Getting Married
Congratulations on your nuptials! First you sign the marriage certificate. After the festivities, you should also consider signing the document that adds your spouse to your dental plan (or vice versa).
There are a few ways to go with this life event. If both you and your spouse each have coverage through your employers, compare the plans to see which one meets your needs better. Then, make the necessary changes with each employer.
Be sure to ask if your employer-sponsored plans have coordination of benefits provisions. If so, you may want to think about keeping both of the plans and adding each other to your respective plans as dependents.
Once you’re married, you have 60 days to add your spouse to your plan.
If you’re self-employed, keep in mind that you also have the option of purchasing a family plan from Delta Dental.
Having a Baby or Adopting a Child
You’ve added a little one! Now it’s a family. And those teeth will be in there before you know it. Prepare now. Healthy smiles start early. So you should add your newborn to your coverage within the first month.
If you adopt a child, that also qualifies you for a special enrollment period. Be sure to add them to your dental plan within 30 days after the adoption is finalized.
Next Steps
Reminder: Schedule a meeting with your human resources department, or visit HealthCare.gov to learn more about special enrollment periods.
Already a Delta Dental member? Create or sign in to your MySmile® account to view your coverage.
Shopping for dental coverage? We offer 5 individual plans designed to meet any smile's needs or budget.
*This blog post updated in May 2018.
