Contributions to Drexel/DUCOM’s health plans are on a pre-tax basis. The Internal Revenue Service states that elections under this type of plan that are made during an enrollment period, including contributions to Pre-Tax Expense Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care) must stay in effect for the entire year (January 1-December 31), unless you experience a Qualified Life Event.

A Qualified Life Event is a change in your family or employment status that may allow you to make certain benefit changes. If you experience a Qualified Life Event change and wish to add or drop a dependent(s) for coverage purposes, you must do so within 31 days of the qualifying event. Changes must be consistent with the qualifying life event.

Unless you experience a Qualified Life Event during the plan year, you may only change coverage and/or add or drop dependents at each Open Enrollment.

Qualified Life Events include:

• Marriage or divorce
• Birth or adoption of a child, or the addition of a child through marriage
• Death or loss of a dependent
• Loss of eligible dependent status
• Loss or gain of coverage due to a change in your own employment status or your spouse’s employment status
• Relocation by you or your dependent

You are required to furnish written proof of a status change event, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a letter from your spouse's employer within 31 days of the event.

You may initiate your change by visiting the online enrollment system through DrexelOne.

1. Log into DrexelOne
2. Select the Employees tab
3. Select the Benefits Service Center link under the Benefits Administration heading
4. Hover over the Life Events tab at the top and select the life event that you have experienced to the right
5. Submit supporting documentation to the Human Resources department.

Election Changes Due to Status Changes

You may change your coverage elections in accordance with the special enrollment rights provided under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).  Group health plans and health insurance issuers are required to provide special enrollment periods during which individuals who previously declined coverage for themselves and their dependents may be allowed to enroll (without having to wait until the plan's next open enrollment period).  You may change coverage levels mid-year, but you may not change that plans that you are currently enrolled in mid-year.

All changes to benefits are effective the 1st of the month following the date of the event, unless the date of the event falls on the 1st of the month.  In that case, the benefits are effective that day.  Newborns' benefits are effective as of the date of birth.

All correspondance from employers, carriers, and/or colleges/institutions must be provided on respective letterhead.