Employee Eligibility & Enrollment

This is the “Employee Eligibility & Enrollment” section of the Benefits Compliance FAQ: ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA & More.

Employers set eligibility waiting periods, commonly:

  • First of the month following hire
  • 30 days
  • 60 days
  • 90 days

A qualifying life event allows employees to change benefits outside open enrollment. Examples include:

  • Marriage
  • Birth or adoption
  • Divorce
  • Loss of other coverage

Employees generally have 30–60 days to report the event and make changes.

Yes. Employees can decline coverage if they have other qualifying insurance coverage.

Yes. Many plans allow coverage for spouses and dependent children.

Under federal law, dependent children can stay on a parent’s plan until age 26.

Disclaimer

This information is provided for general educational purposes and should not be considered legal, tax, or compliance advice. Employers should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific compliance obligations.