Add a Qualified Beneficiary's Dependent (New Platform)

When an employee becomes COBRA-eligible due to a qualifying event (like termination or a reduction in hours), you may also need to add dependents to their COBRA record.

Written by Taylor Byas

Updated 1 week ago

When Should You Add a Dependent?

You should add a dependent to a qualified beneficiary's record if:

The dependent was covered under the plan(s) at the time of the qualifying event.
The dependent is losing coverage due to the same qualifying event.
The dependent is entitled to elect COBRA continuation on their own (e.g., in the case of divorce or death of the employee).

Note: Dependents must be added at the time you enter the qualified beneficiary's COBRA event. If dependents are not added initially, they may not receive proper notification or have the chance to enroll.

Steps to Add a Dependent in the Employer Portal When Also Adding a Participant/Qualified Beneficiary (QB):

If the Qualified Beneficiary is not already in the system and you must add them:

1. Log in to your account through the Employer Portal.

2. Click the Participants tab on the left-hand side of the screen.

3. Click the +Add Participant button.

4. On the Create Participant pop-up screen, fill out all requested information, then click Save.

5. After the Qualified Beneficiary has been created, click the Dependents drop-down arrow under the Qualified Beneficiaries General tab to expand the field.

6. Click the + Add Dependent button.

7. On the Dependent pop-up screen, fill out all requested information, then click Save.

The new dependent has been added to the portal!

To initiate COBRA eligibility and send the required Specific Rights Notice(s) to the Qualified Beneficiary and Dependent(s), you will then Terminate the Participant.

1. To terminate the participant, click the three-dot ellipsis in the right corner under the General tab for the Participant/Qualified Beneficiary and select the Terminate Participant option.

2. Enter the Terminated Date and additional information as requested. Then click Save.

3. Select the COBRA tab located on the left side of the screen while still on the participant’s page.

4. Select the + Create Life Event button located in the upper right hand corner. This will take you to a separate page where you can enter all of the relevant information for the Life Event.

5. Select the Event Type drop-down menu, and choose the correct type from the list of options. Then enter the Event Date of the Life Event.

6. Then, complete the Participant Details section, including information such as Hire Date, Employee Type, Payroll Type, and Tobacco Use. When choosing Employee Type, select from Full Time, Part Time, Unknown, and Custom. If "Custom" is selected, an additional field titled "Custom Employee Type" will appear, allowing you to enter any text. Once finished, click the green "Next" button in the bottom-right corner.

7. Select Plans using the dropdown. When selecting the plans for which a Qualified Beneficiary (QB) is eligible, ensure you also choose the corresponding Coverage Level. Based on the selected coverage level, any dependents will automatically populate in the Dependents section. The corresponding rate will also display next to the Coverage Level. The rate will adjust depending on the coverage level selected.

8. If additional plans should be added, select the blue Add Plan hyperlink.

9. Click the green Save button in the lower right-hand corner.

Congratulations! You have successfully entered a Qualified Beneficiary and their dependent(s)!

Steps to Add a Dependent in the Employer Portal When Adding a Qualifying Event for an existing participant/Qualified Beneficiary (QB):

1. Log in to your account through the Employer Portal.

2. Click the Participants tab on the left-hand side of the screen.

3. Find the participant that you would like to terminate and select their name.

4. To terminate the participant, click the three-dot ellipsis in the right corner and select the Terminate Participant option.

5. Enter the Terminated Date and additional information as requested. Then click Save.

6. Select the COBRA tab located on the left side of the screen while still on the participant's page.

7. Select the + Create Life Event button located in the upper right-hand corner. This will take you to a separate page where you can enter all of the relevant information for the Life Event.

8. Select the Event Type drop-down menu, and choose the correct type from the list of options. Then enter the Event Date of the Life Event.

9. Then, complete the Participant Details section, including information such as Hire Date, Employee Type, Payroll Type, and Tobacco Use. When choosing Employee Type, select from Full Time, Part Time, Unknown, and Custom. If "Custom" is selected, an additional field titled "Custom Employee Type" will appear, allowing you to enter any text. Once finished, click the green "Next" button in the bottom-right corner.

10. Select Plans using the drop-down. When selecting the plans for which a Qualified Beneficiary (QB) is eligible, ensure you also choose the corresponding Coverage Level. Based on the selected coverage level, any dependents will automatically populate in the Dependents section. The corresponding rate will also display next to the Coverage Level. The rate will adjust depending on the coverage level selected.

11. When selecting a coverage level that includes dependents, a drop-down is generated with the dependent type (based on the coverage level selected). Select to create new dependent(s) (Spouse, Children).

12. A Dependent pop-up screen will appear. Fill in the demographic information in the provided fields, then click Save.

13. If additional plans should be added, select the blue Add Plan hyperlink.

14. Click the green Save button in the lower right-hand corner.

Congratulations! You have successfully entered a dependent for an existing participant/Qualified Beneficiary (QB)!

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