Faculty and staff can make changes to their benefit elections during Open Enrollment or when they or a family member experiences a Qualifying Event. Below is a list of Qualifying Events that may allow you to make limited changes to your coverage within 31-days of the event. Click on the event below for more information on what changes are allowed for each Qualifying Event. 

Enrollment and Making Changes

Changes in family or employment status can be used as an IRS qualifying event to add or drop a dependent from coverage, apply for additional life insurance, modify your FSA elections, change enrollment in disability plans, or even add or drop health insurance. These changes can take place outside of the yearly Open Enrollment Period.  

Proof of dependency is required for all dependents being added under medical insurance. A completed online enrollment change and supporting documentation must be received by the Human resources Benefits team within 31 days of the event. Failure to submit proper documentation when adding new dependents will result in coverage being dropped for that dependent(s). Enrollment changes can be made online at myHR Self Service. Read instructions on changing your enrollment online.

Insurance premiums are not prorated. Regardless of the date of the change, you are financially responsible for the entire month of insurance premiums. These may be retroactively deducted from future paychecks.

New for 2026 plans! Introducing the Upwise decision support tool (use Northwestern email, password, and MFA to access). This optional digital tool helps you compare medical plan options. See decision support tool FAQs for more information.

When Coverage Ends

Coverage ends for you and/or your dependent(s) at the end of the month in which your employment ends or you retire; you transition to a non-benefits eligible position; you divorce your spouse; or our dependent child turns age 26.  For options on continuing your benefits see the COBRA benefits page.