Skip to main content

Please see the disclaimer regarding use and reliability of Google translate Close

Benefits Enrollment and Qualifying Events

The County utilizes the Benxcel web interface for all benefits enrollments and demographic information. Benxcel is your one-stop-shop to update your address, process a Qualifying Event, or upload dependent documentation.

Aside from Open Enrollment, the only time you can make changes to specific benefit elections is when you experience a Qualifying Event (QE). Any changes you make must be consistent with the change in status occurring. You have 31 days from the event date to make any changes and to upload any required documentation needed.

When processing benefits changes for a Qualifying Event, it is important to know:

Event Date
Coverage Effective Date
Required Documentation for the event

Please see the sections below for a list of common qualifying events and event details. Watch the tutorial video on How to Initiate a Qualifying Event in BenXcel. After completing your qualifying event, review and save a copy of your Confirmation Statement.

BenXcel Login Information

New Hire Benefits Enrollment

Birth, Adoption, or Legal Guardianship

BenXcel Qualifying Event Name: Birth of a Baby, Adoption of a Child, or New Legal Guardianship

Qualifying Event Date	Coverage Effective Date	Required Documentation
Date of Birth, Adoption, or Legal Guardianship	Date of Birth (medical only) 1st of month following Event Date (all other coverages)	Official Birth Certificate, Adoption Paperwork, or Court Documents Social Security Number (SSN) added by employee (within 60 days)

While coverage is not active until the first of the following month, newborn babies are typically covered under the mother's insurance for the first month of birth. When handling billing, you may need to confirm that charges will billed under the mother's name.

Permitted Benefits Changes

Benefit Type	Permitted Change
Medical Plan	Add child only to existing medical plan
Dental Plan	Add child only to existing dental plan
Vision Plan	Add child only to existing vision plan
Tax Savings Accounts	Open an FSA/DCFSA/HSA (HSA only if eligible) Increase current election amount
Voluntary Voya and Aflac Plans	Add child only to existing policy

Marriage or Domestic Partnership

BenXcel Qualifying Event Name: Marriage or Domestic Partnership

Qualifying Event Date	Coverage Effective Date	Required Documentation
Date of Marriage or Partnership	1st of month following Event Date (all other coverages)	Marriage Certificate or Domestic Partnership Affidavit Official Birth Certificate for Stepchildren

Permitted Benefits Changes

Benefit Type	Permitted Change
Medical Plan	Add spouse/partner and/or stepchildren to existing plan Change medical plan and add spouse/partner and/or stepchildren
Dental Plan	Add spouse/partner and/or stepchildren to existing plan Change dental plan and add spouse/partner and/or stepchildren
Vision Plan	Add spouse/partner and/or stepchildren to existing plan
Tax Savings Accounts	Open an FSA/DCFSA/HSA (HSA only if eligible) Increase current election amount If your new spouse/partner is a County employee, keep in mind the annual maximum contribution
Voluntary Voya and Aflac Plans	Add spouse/partner and/or stepchildren to existing plan only

Divorce

BenXcel Qualifying Event Name: Divorce

Qualifying Event Date	Coverage Effective Date	Required Documentation
Date of Divorce	Benefits for spouse and stepchildren will terminate at the end of divorce month	Divorce Decree or Legal Separation Termination of Domestic Partnership Proof of Coverage Terminating for Dependents

NOTE: This is a mandatory event to remove spouse and stephchildren from all enrolled plans

Former spouses and stepchildren are not eligible for the County's insurance plans.
For late notifications, employees are personally responsible for claims incurred by ineligible dependents and premium costs incurred after coverage effective date.

Permitted Benefits Changes

Benefit Type	Permitted Change
Medical Plan	Must drop ex-spouse and stepchildren You may change your medical plan
Dental Plan	Must drop ex-spouse and stepchildren You may change your dental plan
Vision Plan	Must drop ex-spouse and stepchildren
Tax Savings Accounts	Open an FSA/DCFSA/HSA (HSA only if eligible) Update current election amount
Voluntary Voya and Aflac Plans	Must drop ex-spouse and stepchildren

New Eligibility for Other Group Coverage

BenXcel Qualifying Event Name:

Drop Self and Dependents from Medical due to New Eligibility for Other Group Coverage
- Select this option if you (the employee) are dropping County medical coverage due to having other group coverage.
Drop Dependents from Medical, Dental, or Vision due to New Eligibility for Other Group Coverage
- Select this option if you (the employee) are remaining on County medical coverage, but your dependent(s) will be dropped and move to the new other group coverage.

Qualifying Event Date	Coverage Effective Date	Required Documentation
Date Dependent(s) current coverage should terminate	1st of month following event date	Proof of Other Group Coverage containing: Carrier Name Group/Employer Name Member Name and all covered dependents names Plan Name Plan Effective Date Proof needed individually for medical, dental, and vision if making changes to all three

If you (the employee) are dropping your County medical coverage due to having other group coverage
- Choose Event #4 in BenXcel: Drop Self and Dependents from Medical due to New Eligibility for Other Group Coverage
If you (the employee) are remaining on County medical coverage, but your dependents will move to the new other group coverage
- Choose Event #5 in BenXcel: Drop Dependents from Medical, Dental, or Vision due to New Eligibility for Other Group Coverage

Permitted Benefits Changes

Benefit Type	Permitted Change
Medical Plan	Event #4: Remove self and dependents and waive County medical plan Event #5: Remove dependents only from County medical plan
Dental Plan	Event #4 & #5: Remove dependents from dental County employees must have dental and cannot drop You cannot change dental plans
Vision Plan	Event #4 & #5: Remove dependents from vision County employees must have vision and cannot drop
Tax Savings Accounts	Event #4: Open an FSA/DCFSA Increase current election amount Event #5: No Changes to Tax Savings Accounts
Voluntary Voya and Aflac Plans	No Changes Allowed Changes can be made during annual Open Enrollment

Loss of Eligibility for Other Group Coverage

BenXcel Qualifying Event Name: Add Self and Dependents to Medical, Dental, and/or Vision due to Loss of Other Group Coverage

Qualifying Event Date	Coverage Effective Date	Required Documentation
Date Other Group Coverage Ended	1st of month following event date	Termination notice from carrier or group stating: Member Name and all covered dependents names Group/Employer Name Plan Name Plan Effective Date COBRA Paperwork

Permitted Benefits Changes

Benefit Type	Permitted Change
Medical Plan	Elect County medical (if originally waived) Add self and/or dependent(s) to medical plan Change medical plan, if already on County medical and adding dependents
Dental Plan	Add dependent(s) to dental plan Change dental plan
Vision Plan	Add dependent(s) to vision plan
Tax Savings Accounts	Open an FSA/DCFSA/HSA (HSA only if eligible) Increase current election amount
Voluntary Voya and Aflac Plans	No Changes Allowed Changes can be made during annual Open Enrollment

Update Phone Number, Address, or Email Address

How to Upload Required Documentation in BenXcel

Resources to Obtain Required Documentation

Interested in a career in Public Service? View our list of current job opportunities and apply for employment at the County of San Luis Obispo.

Return to the top of the page