Benefits enrollment

/hcm/benefits is your self-service surface for health, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA, HSA, transit, and 401(k). It supports three paths: open enrollment (annual window), mid-year change via qualifying life event (§ 1.125-4), and new-hire enrollment (when you join the workspace).

TL;DR — During open enrollment, HCM → Benefits → Open enrollment walks you through every elections decision in one wizard. Mid-year? File a life event (marriage, birth, etc.) and upload supporting documentation; HR reviews + approves the change.

Before you start

• Open enrollment is a bounded window set by your admin (typically 2-4 weeks each year). Outside that window you can only change elections via a life event.
• Have eligible dependent info ready: legal name, date of birth, relationship, SSN / SIN (for tax forms), Medicare eligibility for spouse.
• For HSA eligibility: you must be enrolled in an HDHP, not enrolled in any non-HDHP coverage, not enrolled in Medicare, and not claimed as a dependent. The form checks the 10 § 223 eligibility blockers automatically.
• For FSA: pick the contribution amount up to the IRS limit ($3,300 healthcare FSA + $5,150/$2,575 DCAP for 2025; frozen through 2027 in AxisSynapse).

Open enrollment

1. 1

   Click the Open enrollment banner on HCM home

   The banner appears on /hcm/me during the window. Goes to the enrollment wizard.

2. 2

   Pick a medical plan

   Plans are shown side-by-side with monthly premium, deductible, out-of-pocket max, HSA eligibility, and the network type (PPO / HMO / HDHP). Toggle Show only HSA-eligible if you want HSA.

3. 3

   Add dependents

   For each dependent, the form asks legal name, DOB, relationship, SSN. The form validates the legal-name field against spouse / domestic-partner / child types.

4. 4

   Pick dental + vision

   Optional separate elections. Same side-by-side layout.

5. 5

   Pick FSA / HSA + transit

   Pick per-pay-period contributions within the IRS limit. The form computes annual total and reminds you of the deadline to spend (FSA) or carry-over rules (HSA goes with you).

6. 6

   Pick voluntary life + disability

   Workspace-provided defaults are pre-filled; voluntary additions are optional.

7. 7

   Pick 401(k) contribution

   Pre-tax / Roth / both. Employer match (if any) auto-computes based on workspace policy.

8. 8

   Review + submit

   Summary card shows all elections + total per-pay-period cost + annual cost. Submit. The audit log records HCM_BENEFITS_ENROLLMENT_SUBMITTED.

Mid-year change (qualifying life event)

§ 1.125-4 of the IRC permits mid-year benefits changes when a qualifying life event occurs. AxisSynapse enforces the evidence-chain pattern: every event requires supporting documentation; HR reviews + approves before the change takes effect.

1. 1

   Click "File a life event"

   On the benefits page.

2. 2

   Pick the event type

   Marriage, divorce, birth / adoption, death of a dependent, loss of other coverage, gain of other coverage, change in employment, etc.

3. 3

   Pick the event date

   Must be within the last 30 / 60 days (depending on event type and workspace policy).

4. 4

   Upload documentation

   Marriage certificate, birth certificate, court order, etc. The upload is SHA-256 locked + chain-of-custody recorded.

5. 5

   Submit

   Goes to HR for 4-eyes review. Audit log records HCM_BENEFITS_LIFE_EVENT_FILED.

6. 6

   HR reviews + approves

   Approval emits HCM_BENEFITS_LIFE_EVENT_APPROVED. You now have a window (typically 30 days from event) to update the relevant elections. Rejection emits HCM_BENEFITS_LIFE_EVENT_REJECTED with HR's note.

COBRA continuation

If you leave the workspace and your coverage ends, AxisSynapse offers COBRA continuation under federal law:

FSA / HSA mechanics

Every field, explained

Common gotchas

• "I missed open enrollment." You're locked to default coverage (or no coverage) until next year's window or a qualifying life event. Talk to HR for hardship options.
• "HR rejected my life event." The audit row carries HR's rationale. The most common rejection reason is documentation outside the event window.
• "My HSA election failed." You're not § 223 eligible — usually because you're enrolled in non-HDHP coverage (spouse's plan, Medicare). The form names which blocker tripped.
• "My FSA contribution amount looks wrong on the slip." Check the per-period amount; FSA total / 12 isn't the same as FSA total / number-of-pay-periods.
• "I want to cancel after open enrollment." You need a qualifying life event; voluntary mid-year cancellation isn't permitted under § 1.125-4.

Troubleshooting