The events described below create a special open enrollment allowing you to make enrollment changes mid-year. The change in enrollment must correspond to the qualifying event and you must report it to the PEBB Program no later than 60 days. Note: Qualifying events are different for eligible retirees or survivors who have deferred their PEBB retiree insurance coverage.

Special open enrollment events include:

• Acquiring a newly eligible dependent through marriage, Washington State-registered domestic partnership, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption or guardianship. (Exception: Surviving dependents of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty may not add newly acquired dependents.)
• Losing an eligible dependent or the dependent no longer meets PEBB eligibility.
• Change in marital status, including legal separation documented by a court order.
• Loss of comprehensive group health plan coverage.
• Change in employment status that affects the subscriber’s or the subscriber’s dependent’s eligibility, the level of benefits, or the cost of insurance coverage.
• Change in place of residence that affects the subscriber’s or the subscriber’s dependent’s health plan eligibility, or the level of benefits or cost of health plan coverage.
• A court order or medical support enforcement order requiring the subscriber, a spouse, or qualified domestic partner or Washington State-registered domestic partner to provide insurance coverage for an eligible dependent. (Exception: Surviving dependents of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty may not add newly acquired dependents.)
• Formal notice that the Department of Social and Health Services has determined it is more cost effective to enroll an eligible dependent in a PEBB medical plan than a medical assistance program. (This special open enrollment event does apply to eligible retirees and survivors who have deferred their PEBB enrollment.)
• If an enrollee becomes entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B, the subscriber may enroll in a medical plan that is newly available to them within 60 days of the enrollee’s enrollment in Medicare Part A and Part B.
• If a medical plan becomes unavailable, the subscriber may choose another medical plan within 60 days after notice from the PEBB Program.
• When you or your eligible dependents either become eligible or lose eligibility for a state’s premium assistance program under Medicaid or CHIP.