| Divorce Requires Benefit Action on Your Part |
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If you divorce, or if your marriage is annulled, your ex-spouse is no longer an eligible dependent under your PEBB benefit coverage plans. Divorce or annulment are qualified status changes (QSCs). You must remove an ex-spouse from your coverage, and you may need to remove other individuals that are no longer eligible dependents.
To remove ineligible dependents, including an ex-spouse, you must complete and submit a Medical and Dental and/or Life and Disability Update form to your agency. The best time to submit this form is the month when the QSC occurs; however the rules allow you to submit within 60 days of the event. After 60 days, you must send the form to PEBB.
Why is it important to notify my agency promptly?
If you do not provide a timely update of dependent ineligibility, several things can happen:
- Dependents no longer eligible for PEBB coverage may lose health coverage without knowing they can continue benefits by self-paying premiums through COBRA, plan portability or the Oregon Medical Insurance Program. Your timely action allows them to receive the termination and COBRA information.
- The coverage termination date for the ineligible dependent, including an ex-spouse, is always the last day of the month in which the QSC event occurred. If you request to remove the dependent after the QSC event month, you may be responsible for healthcare services or supply charges they received when they were not eligible. The plan requests a refund from the provider or supplier. In turn, these providers of services or supplies will bill you directly for payment.
What about legal separation?
Legal separation does not mean your spouse is ineligible for PEBB coverage. However, you have the option of removing the separated spouse from your plan. You may want to continue coverage for the separated spouse to avoid the possibility of a financial liability.
For More Information
If you have questions or need more information, call PEBB at (503) 373-1102 in Salem or (800) 788-0520 statewide. Or e-mail inquiries.pebb@state.or.us.
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