What You Need To Know

When Can I Enroll?

Since your premiums for medical, dental and vision insurance and flexible spending accounts are pre-tax, federal law limits when you can change your elections for these benefits.

Changes made outside of the annual Open Enrollment period are allowed only within 30 days of a qualifying life event such as marriage or divorce, birth or death of a dependent, or a change in insurance eligibility due to relocation of residence or work. For more information on qualifying life events, visit Life Events Information.

Who Can I Enroll?

You can enroll the following dependents for medical, dental and vision insurance:

• Your legal spouse
• Your children (includes your biological children, stepchildren, adopted children, children of your registered same-sex spousal equivalent, or foster children) or children for whom you are a legal guardian*, up to their 26th birthday. Dependent children do not include grandchildren, siblings or other family members, or children for whom you have legal custody but not guardianship.

* A copy of the legal guardianship papers is required, demonstrating a permanent placement where the biological parents have permanently surrendered their parental rights.

• Same-sex spousal equivalent registered with Duke HR prior to January 1, 2016.
• Duke may request dependent documentation at any time. This documentation includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, court documents, and the first two pages of your tax return.

As part of compliance with the Affordable Care Act, Duke must request all employees to provide Social Security numbers for dependents enrolled in medical coverage.

Update Your Personal Information

During the Open Enrollment period, staff and faculty should review and update their personal data and information in the Duke@Work self-service website. Updated contact information helps ensure that you receive benefits communications throughout the year.