Temporarily adding spouse to health insurance until new their employer health insurance kicks in.

Good afternoon,

I am currently receiving health insurance coverage through United from my employer. My spouse has their health insurance coverage separately through their current employer.

My spouse is leaving their current job, thus losing coverage, and their new job's health insurance will not kick in for 1 month.

My HR department told me that while I can add my spouse to my health insurance coverage to cover the next month because losing coverage is a QLE, my spouse gaining new coverage after 1 month through their new employer would not qualify as a QLE in which I could drop my spouse from my insurance. So I would have to keep my spouse on my insurance until my open enrollment period next spring.

Does that seem right/is that correct?

I'm surprised that receiving coverage through a new employer wouldn't qualify as a QLE, but it is what it is if that's the case. The alternative route seems available appears to be my spouse paying for COBRA until the new insurance kicks in. Which is doable, but I wish I could avoid that.

submitted by /u/345332542
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