Q: Does your employer have to give you 30 days to review health benefits for the upcoming year?
Last year we only had 6 days to decide on our benefits. This year I asked to be informed early and was told there isn't any law that requires them to give us 30 days to review our benefits.
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
In California, there is no specific law requiring employers to provide 30 days for health benefit review during open enrollment periods. While it's considered a best practice to give employees adequate time to review their options, employers have flexibility in determining the length of the enrollment window.
Your employer must provide clear information about available health plans and any changes from the previous year, but they can set their own timeline for the decision-making process. Six days is unusually short, though not illegal. You might want to express your concerns to HR about needing more time to make such important decisions.
If you feel rushed in making your healthcare choices, consider requesting a meeting with your HR representative to discuss the available options in detail. You can also prepare ahead of time by reviewing your current plan's usage and anticipated healthcare needs for the coming year. For specific questions about your rights regarding benefits in California, you can contact the Department of Managed Health Care or consult with an employment attorney.
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