Special re-enrollment rules apply if, at any time:
If any of these events occur, you’ll only be able to enroll in HPE coverage in the future if you do so within 60 days of losing coverage under another employer group medical program. This 60-day enrollment opportunity may be used more than once if you lose coverage under another employer group medical program at different times. However, you won’t have an option to enroll during the annual enrollment period.
For purposes of your future ability to enroll in HPE retiree coverage, an “employer group medical program” is defined as group medical coverage provided to you or your spouse by an employer or a similar organization (whether as a team member, retiree, or COBRA participant), including coverage through an employer, a union, a school system, the federal, a state, or a local government (in their capacity as employers), or the U.S. military. Other employer coverage can also include HPE coverage provided to your spouse if your spouse is an HPE team member or retiree.
Coverage purchased on an individual basis directly from an insurance company, or through a group like AARP, isn’t considered to be “employer coverage.” Medicare and Medicaid also aren’t considered to be “employer coverage,” even though they’re provided through the federal government.
In limited circumstances, you may also be able to enroll in HPE retiree coverage within 60 days of losing certain types of non-employer medical coverage. Specifically, you may re-enroll within 60 days of losing coverage provided through a public health exchange or government-sponsored health program outside the U.S. (even if the coverage isn’t provided in the government’s capacity as an employer), or within 60 days of losing health coverage provided by a state or local government in the U.S. if you lose coverage due to a change in your income status.
Keep in mind that the loss of other employer coverage will be your only opportunity to re-enroll in HPE benefits—you won’t be permitted to re-enroll during the annual enrollment period. However, this re-enrollment opportunity allows flexibility to take advantage of other coverage you may have available, while maintaining your status as an eligible HPE retiree.