Changing Your Coverage: Open Enrollment & Qualifying Events
Understanding when you can enroll in or change your benefits is key to managing your coverage. Generally, you benefits are “locked in” for the plan year, but there are three specific times when you can take action.
New Hire Enrollment: Your First 30 Days
Welcome to Berea! As a new employee working 24 hours or more per week, you are eligible for our full suite of benefits.
Annual Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is your annual window (typically each spring) to refresh your coverage for the upcoming year.
Important Note: Outside of this window, your choices are “locked in” until the following year unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event.
Qualifying Life Events (Mid-Year Changes)
Life doesn’t always wait for Open Enrollment! If you experience a major life change, the IRS allows you to modify your benefits mid-year. These are known as Qualifying Life Events.
Common Qualifying Events Include:
The 30-Day Rule
If you experience one of these events, you have a strict 30-day window from the date of your event to notify Human Resources and submit your changes. If you miss this 30-day window, you will likely have to wait until the next annual Open Enrollment period to make any changes to your coverage.
Premium Reimbursements
If your life event involves removing a dependent, you are only eligible for a reimbursement of paid premiums if you provide the required documentation within that 30-day window.
Important Coverage Considerations
Our medical plan is designed to support families who do not have other options. Therefore, if your spouse or partner is employed and has access to PPACA-compliant coverage through their own employer, they are not eligible for the Berea College Medical Plan.
Verification: To add a spouse or partner, their employer must complete a Spousal Affidavit, which is available on the BSwift portal.
BSwift
Ready to make your selections? Have you had a qualifying event? Whether it’s during Open Enrollment or following a life event, all benefit changes are managed through our online enrollment portal, BSwift. Login to the BSwift Portal at www.Berea.BSwift.com. Detailed step-by-step instructions can be found on pages 14-15 of your Employee Benefits overview.
Log-In Information
Username: Your Personal Berea Number (“B” Number)
Password: The last 4 digits of your Social
Need Guidance?
If you aren’t sure if your situation counts as a Qualifying Life Event, don’t wait! Reach out to your Benefits Coordinator immediately to discuss your options and ensure you don’t miss your 30-day window.
The checklists below are designed to help you navigate your benefits at Berea College without missing a deadline. You may want to bookmark this or print it out as a reference.