Waiving Coverage: How to Decline a Benefit You Don't Need

Purpose

You do not have to enroll in every benefit your employer offers. You can waive (decline) a benefit, for example because you are already covered through a spouse's or parent's plan. This article explains how waiving works in UZIO, what to have ready, and what it means for the rest of the plan year.

When to use this

• You already have coverage elsewhere: a spouse's or parent's employer plan, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or an individual policy.
• You do not want a particular benefit, such as vision or a supplemental plan.

Waive deliberately rather than letting the window close. If you simply do not submit, UZIO makes the decision for you (see below), and the result may not be what you wanted.

How it works

Waiving happens inside the normal enrollment. You work through each benefit category your employer offers, such as medical, dental, and vision, and for each one you either choose a plan or decline it. You can enroll in some categories and waive others.

When you decline a category, UZIO may ask:

• Why you are declining. For example, covered by a spouse's plan, covered by a parent's plan, covered by another group plan, Medicare, Medicaid, or no other coverage.
• Details of your other coverage, if you have it: the other carrier's name, the policy number, and the policy dates.

Your employer's carriers use this information. Some carriers need to know why eligible employees declined, and it helps coordinate claims if your other coverage ends. Answer accurately.

Waive a benefit

1. Start your enrollment from your Benefits area once your enrollment window opens. See Enrolling in Benefits: Step-by-Step.
2. For each category you want to waive, choose to decline that coverage instead of selecting a plan.
3. If asked, pick the reason and enter your other coverage details.
4. Carry on through the remaining categories, choosing plans for anything you do want.
5. At checkout, review the summary. Waived categories are listed as declined. Accept the terms, sign, and click Submit Application.

You receive a confirmation email that lists the plans you selected, with their coverage start dates, and separately the plans you declined or are not eligible for.

What happens after you waive

• No deduction. A waived benefit takes nothing from your paycheck. If you waive everything, no benefit deductions are taken at all.
• It lasts for the plan year. You cannot enroll in a waived benefit until the next open enrollment, unless you have a qualifying life event.
• Losing your other coverage is a qualifying life event. If you waived because you were covered elsewhere and that coverage ends, report Employee loses other coverage (or Dependent loses other coverage) within 30 days of the date it ended. You can then enroll. See Reporting a Life Status Change.

If you don't submit at all

Silence is not the same as waiving, and UZIO does not leave you in limbo:

• As a new hire, when your window closes you are enrolled in your employer's default plan, if your employer has chosen one. Otherwise, all coverage except employer-paid plans you are eligible for is declined on your behalf.
• At open enrollment, depending on how your employer has set things up, your current coverage may roll over, you may be enrolled in a default plan, or coverage may be declined. Ask your HR team which applies before the deadline.

Either way, you receive an email once the window closes telling you what was done.

Common problems

I waived by mistake and my window is still open. If you have not clicked Submit Application, go back and choose a plan for that category. If you have already submitted, you cannot change it yourself. Contact your HR team straight away, while the window is still open.

I waived medical because I was on my spouse's plan, and now that coverage has ended. Report a life status change for losing other coverage within 30 days of the date it ended. See Reporting a Life Status Change.

My pay stub still shows a benefit deduction after I waived. Check your confirmation email and your Benefits page to see which plans are listed as declined. An employer-paid plan may still appear under your benefits, but it should not take money from your pay. If a deduction appears for a plan you declined, ask your HR team. See Understanding Your Coverage and Costs.

On the mobile app

Enrollment, including waiving coverage, is not available in the UZIO mobile app. Use the employee web portal on a desktop or laptop.

Need help?

Whether you are eligible for a plan, which plans your employer pays for, and whether a default plan or rollover applies to you are set by your employer and its broker. Contact your company's HR or benefits team, or your company's broker, before your enrollment deadline.

Related articles

• Enrolling in Benefits: Step-by-Step
• Reporting a Life Status Change
• Understanding Your Coverage and Costs
• Employer view: Tracking Open Enrollment and Completing an Enrollment for an Employee