Life Events that Create a Period of Initial Eligibility

Certain life events create a PIE – a period of initial eligibility – when eligible employees and eligible family members can enroll in or change plan(s) without meeting special requirements, such as submitting a Statement of Health for carrier approval.

For the medical, dental, vision, legal, and TIP plans, once you have selected a plan, you may not change it until there is either 1) a new PIE or 2) an Open Enrollment period where the plan is offered.  However, you may opt-out or cancel your coverage at any time.  Note: if you enroll and would like to change your choice during your PIE, please contact the Central HR Benefits Unit.

For the Supplemental Disability, Supplemental Life, or Dependent Life plans, once you have selected a plan, you may not request additional insurance until there is either 1) a new PIE or 2) a Statement of Health is approved.  You may request less insurance or cancel coverage at any time.  Note: if you enroll and would like to change your choice during your PIE, please contact the Central HR Benefits Unit.

The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DepCare FSA)and Health Flexible Spending Account (Health FSA) are governed by IRS regulations.  Once you have selected one of these plans, you may not change it until there is either 1) a new PIE or 2) an Open Enrollment period where the plan is offered.  Note: if you enroll and would like to change your choice during your PIE, please contact the People & Culture Benefits Unit.

PIEs apply only to the following plans:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Optical
  • Legal
  • TIP
  • Supplemental Disability
  • Supplemental Life
  • Dependent Life
  • DepCare
  • Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA)

The PIE begins on the first day of eligibility (see below) and ends 31 days later, or on the last working day of that 31-day period, whichever comes first.

PIE does not apply to:

  • AD&D (Employee may enroll at any time)
  • Basic Life (Employee enrolled automatically)
  • Short-Term Disability (Employee enrolled automatically)
  • Auto/Homeowner/Renter (Employee may enroll at any time)
  • UC Retirement Plan (Automatic and mandatory if eligible)
  • UC Retirement Savings Programs (Automatic and mandatory if eligible;  employee may enroll at any time in voluntary plans)

Life Events That Create a PIE**

PIE Beginning Date

How To Enroll

1. Eligible Employee’s family status changes through marriage birth adoption, etc. In this event, PIE applies only to:

  • New Eligible Family Member enrolling in Medical, Dental, Optical, Dependent Life, and Legal plans.
  • Employee enrolling or making change in DepCare or TIP, and
  • Employee enrolling in or increasing coverage in Employee-Paid Life.

Date of qualifying event.

Note: The PIE for an adopted child begins on the earlier of the date the child is placed in your physical custody or the date you, your spouse, or domestic partner has the legal right to control the child's health care. If the child is not enrolled during this PIE, a second PIE begins on the date the adoption decree is final. Coverage begins on the first day of the PIE in which the child is enrolled.

Enroll using form.

2. Eligible Employee or Eligible Family Member loses other group coverage involuntarily. (Does not create a PIE for supplemental disability.)

Date other coverage ends.

Enroll using form.

3. HMO or prepaid dental plan (DeltaCare) participant leaves service area for more than 2 months (PIE applies to medical plan or DeltaCare coverage only.) Employee may enroll in a plan(s) that will cover them in new location.

First day of leaving area and first day of return. Upon return PIE is limited to original plan only.

Enroll using form.

**If you suspect an event not listed here creates a PIE, see your Department Benefits Counselor. If you ARE a Department Benefits Counselor, please contact People & Culture Benefits.

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