What is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE)?
A qualifying life event (QLE) is a significant change in a member's personal or family status that allows changes to health plan enrollment outside of the annual Open Enrollment period.
File All Life Events Within 60 Days
Teachers Health Trust (THT) requires members to report qualifying life events and submit supporting documentation within 60 days. Failure to report a life event within the required timeframe may result in delayed coverage changes or denied requests.
For events such as divorce, dissolution of domestic partnership, and death, THT may still require the dependent to be removed even if notification occurs after the standard deadline.
Common Qualifying Life Events (QLE)
Below is a list of the most common QLE types. For more information on each, click the life event type.
Life Event Type | Coverage Change Allowed | Required Documentation |
Add spouse and/or stepchildren | Marriage Certificate | |
Add newborn dependent (and spouse /domestic partner, if desired) | Birth Certificate | |
Add adopted child | Adoption Decree | |
Add any dependent type | Certificate of Coverage | |
Remove any dependent type | Certificate of Coverage | |
Remove spouse and stepchildren | Divorce Decree | |
Remove domestic partner and children of domestic partner | Domestic Partnership Dissolution Documents | |
Death of a Dependent | Remove dependent | Death Certificate |
Court Order Requiring Coverage | Add or remove dependent as directed | Court Orders |
Steps to Complete
Log in to the THT Member Portal
Navigate to the Covered Members section.
Select Add Dependent or Remove Dependent, depending on the life event.
Choose the applicable life event type.
Enter any required dependent information.
Upload all supporting documentation.
Submit the request for review.
What Happens Next?
THT reviews life event requests within 24–48 business hours when all required documentation is received.
Members receive an approval or follow-up email regarding the request.
Additional documentation may be requested if eligibility cannot be verified.
Coverage changes become effective according to plan rules and the qualifying life event type.
Life Event Submission Deadline
Per IRS regulations, life events and supporting documentation must be submitted within 60 days (except in the case of a birth, which has a 60-day submission window).
Did you Qualifying Life Event occur more than 60 days ago?
Requests to add dependents submitted after 60 days cannot be accepted unless appealed and approved.
Requests to remove dependents submitted after 60 days may be accepted if the event occurred on or after the most recent November 1st and proper documentation is submitted. Upon review and approval, coverage for your dependent(s) will terminate at the end of the month in which the submission is received. There will be no premium refunds for approved life events outside the 60-day window.