Adding Dependents to Health Insurance: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are covered under your employer's group insurance plan as a single individual, you can usually add dependents to your health insurance. However, you may have to wait to add dependents until your company's Open Enrollment period begins, unless you meet certain eligibility criteria.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine if you are able to add dependents immediately. If your dependents are not already covered under your existing health insurance policy, you can typically add them only if your family experienced a "qualifying event" as defined by your insurance carrier. Common qualifying events include birth, death, marriage, divorce, loss of a job and graduation. Speak with your insurance company's enrollment department to determine if your situation falls within the guidelines.

• 2

  Obtain enrollment paperwork. Contact your employer's human resources department, or your insurance company's enrollment department, and request that a new enrollment form be mailed to your home. Some employers have blank copies that can be provided immediately, and some insurance carriers make enrollment materials available online.

• 3

  Complete the required forms. Enter your personal information and answer the relevant questions about yourself, your dependents and the situation that caused the need for a new enrollment. Provide the information about your dependents' previous coverage, if any exists, and attach the certificate of credible coverage to the new enrollment form. Sign where indicated on the enrollment paperwork and mail it back to the insurance company along with copies of any required documentation.