Health Insurance /Employer Question

[Chris]

Can an employer legally only allow you to make a change to a policy or opt out one time a year?

I would like to make a change to my current coverage and maybe even opt out and get my own policy, however according to my HR person I can only opt out once a year. How can they continue to make me pay for a coverage I no longer want? I am sure I signed something somewhere but that just doesnt seem right

[Fastbird]

Chris, this is something I've gotten a rude awakening to since my departure from the military. I know that open enrollment is only usually once per year for company group policies, but I've never heard of you not being able to opt out at any time. I'd push that higher, they can't force you to continue paying for something that's optional that you no longer want.

[Chris]

Yea, if I drop their insurance, which isnt all that great for the cost, I will have an increase in pay in addition to the additional income from not paying their coverage. Doing some quick research for the same coverage it looks like I can get it on my own for 1/3 a month of what I pay now and I am sure it would still even be less taking into account my weight

[Mrs Popo8]

You should be able to cancel or opt out at any time, you can only make changes to your policy at open enrollment once a year, unless you have a qualified life changing event, for example getting married or having a child, or even if you have a child that had other coverage through an ex-spouse or something and lose coverage. Some companies may require that you prove other coverage before letting you cancel your current policy and I have had some places that will make you wait until the 1st of the month to cancel for payroll deduction sake. Ask her for the written policy that says you can only opt out once a year. Do you have an employee handbook?

[popo8]

You should be able to cancel or opt out at any time, you can only make changes to your policy at open enrollment once a year, unless you have a qualified life changing event, for example getting married or having a child, or even if you have a child that had other coverage through an ex-spouse or something and lose coverage. Some companies may require that you prove other coverage before letting you cancel your current policy and I have had some places that will make you wait until the 1st of the month to cancel for payroll deduction sake. Ask her for the written policy that says you can only opt out once a year. Do you have an employee handbook?

Right from HR....^

Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com

[96LT1355Z28]

The Popo's beat me to it!