> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ideonapi.gitbook.io/enrollment/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ideonapi.gitbook.io/enrollment/implementation-resources/mapping-guides/qualifying-life-events/plan-elections/scenario-coverage-start-date.md).

# Scenario: Coverage Start Date

This page describes the specific circumstances in which Ideon expects to receive an updated plan effective date.

## Employment Changes

* Apart from annual re-enrollment, employment events can set a new benefit start date for a given product line.
* Events in which the benefit start date could change due to a gap in employment:
  * Re-hire
  * Return from absence 
  * COBRA 
    * If a member is electing `cobra` coverages, please provide a termination of employment event, and then a `cobra` election event with a new benefit start date. 

**Please provide an incremented start date that corresponds with the new hire date and waiting period (if applicable) for that product line.**

## Eligibility Changes

* If a change occurs to the elements that first qualified a member for coverage, a new benefit start date will likely be required.
* If you have information that a member's premium is changing, a new benefit start date is likely required and should be provided on the transmission. 
  * Carriers require these changes to reduce processing issues with Claims, particularly those made retroactively or across a given plan year.
* Based on plan design, a member's premium and electable plan options might change when one or more of the following elements are updated:
  * Residential Address
  * Work Location
  * Hours-per -Week 
    * Changing from Full-time to Part-time
  * Compensation
    * Hourly -> Salary
      * Salary -> Hourly
  * Coverage Level
    * A family's coverage level (Employee-Only, Employee+Spouse)

## Classification Changes

* If a member changes to a new employment classification within the same employer, it can mean new electable options, or effective dates. This is highly policy-specific.

**To avoid a multitude of carrier rules, please provide the most recent effective date for a classification change on each Employment Classification per member.**

**Ideon can then use the employment classification date on the member to update their effective date on the Carrier transmission** 

## Plan Changes

* When a member elects a new benefit option within the same product line, please provide a new benefit start date.
  * If a plan change happens mid-year due to a mistaken election, please provide an end-date for the current coverage election, and the same effective date for the coverage. 
  * If a valid plan change happens mid-year, please provide an end-date for the current coverage election, and the new effective date for the product line. 

## Benefit Amount Changes

* For products that require a `volume` amount, a new approved volume amount is often a reason to increment the plan amount.

**Please provide an incremented start date that corresponds with the approval of that new benefit amount.** 

## Future Improvements

* Ideon is formulating a new field `original_start_date` that would allow a platform system to transmit both a most recent and original effective date to Ideon per election

Please contact Ideon Product for more information about this addition