Definitions for "Family Status Change"
Any event that results in a change in the makeup of the family (i.e., marriage, birth or adoption of a child, divorce, or death of a family member) or change in work status (i.e., change in benefit eligibility or change in spouse's employment or coverage) resulting in a need to update bene fit coverage. Employees have up to thirty (30) days from the date of the qualifying event to make any benefit election changes. For a list of qualifying family status change events, click here
Once elections are made, they cannot be changed until the next Open Enrollment, unless you have a qualifying change in family or employment status, defined by the IRS as a "Qualified Family Status Change". You can find more complete information and examples under Family Status Changes: http://benefitsu.stanford.edu/flexible/educated_choices/changes_familystatus.html.
a change of event that is recognized by the IRS