New Thermo Fisher colleagues need to enroll within 31 days following your hire date. Thermo Fisher benefits begin on your date of hire (retroactively) and will remain in effect until December 31 of the current calendar year.
When You Can Enroll
| Situation | When to Enroll | Benefits Begin | Benefits End |
|---|---|---|---|
|
You’re newly hired |
Within 31 days following your hire date |
On your date of hire (retroactive) |
Benefits remain in effect until December 31 of the current calendar year |
|
It’s Benefits Open Enrollment |
During Open Enrollment (typically in the fall) |
January 1 of the following year |
Benefits end on December 31 of the following year |
|
You’ve had a life change (referred to as a qualifying life event) |
Generally, within 31 days after the qualifying life event Any change you make to your coverage must be consistent with your change in status. |
On the date of the status change Any newly added dependent is subject to eligibility verification. |
Benefits remain in effect until December 31 of the current calendar year |
If You Don’t Enroll
During your initial eligibility period
If you are a newly hired colleague and you do not enroll during your initial eligibility period:
- You will not have medical, dental or vision coverage for 2024.
- You will not be able to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (where eligible).
- You will not be able to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or receive the company contribution until you open an account.
- You will not be able to participate in certain voluntary plans, such as legal coverage and supplemental health plans.
- You will not be able to enroll or make changes until the next Open Enrollment period unless you experience a qualifying life event and report it to MyBenefits within 31 days.
During Open Enrollment
If you do not make any changes during the Open Enrollment period (October 16-27, 2023):
- Any current elections for medical, dental, vision, optional life insurance, optional AD&D insurance, LTD buy-up, critical illness, hospital indemnity, identity theft protection, legal coverage and supplemental accident coverage will continue for 2024.
- The medical working spouse surcharge will be applied automatically and you will pay an additional $100 per month if cover a spouse/domestic partner on your medical plan.
- You will not have access to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which must be elected each year.
- You will not be able to open a new HSA or start contributing to an existing HSA with your first pay period in January 2024.
Who’s Eligible
You may elect coverage for:
- Yourself
- A spouse to whom you’re legally married1
- A qualified domestic partner (go to the MyBenefits portal for full details on qualifications for domestic partners)1
- Children up to age 26 for whom you are the legal guardian
- Adult children age 26 and older who are mentally and physically incapable of earning a living: you must complete a separate disabled dependent certification for medical plan coverage
Regular, full-time colleagues regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for all benefits* described in this guide.
Regular, part-time colleagues regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more, but less than 30 hours per week, are eligible to enroll in medical, dental and vision coverage but may have different contribution rates. You may also participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)2, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in a HDHP), Legal Plan, Identity Theft Protection Plan, Supplemental Health Coverage and 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. You are automatically covered by Life Services (Employee Assistance Program) and Mental Health Care Navigation programs. You are not eligible for coverage under the life insurance and disability insurance programs.
1 Working spouse surcharge may apply for medical coverage. Learn more here.
2 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are not available in Puerto Rico due to local tax laws and regulations.
Dependent Verification Required
Company policy requires anyone adding a dependent to Thermo Fisher benefits for the first time to submit documentation to verify eligibility for coverage. Details and instructions will be mailed to your home from Alight after enrollment is complete.
Life Changes
Generally, you cannot make midyear changes unless you experience a qualifying life event. In those cases, changes must be made within 31 days of the event or you must wait until the next Open Enrollment period. Examples of qualifying life events include:
- You get married or satisfy the criteria for a domestic partnership
- You become legally separated, divorced, your marriage is annulled or you dissolve a domestic partnership
- You have a child by birth or a child placed for adoption
- You gain or lose custody of a child
- You experience the death of a spouse/domestic partner or child
- There is a change in your or your spouse’s/domestic partner’s employment
- You or your spouse/domestic partner become eligible for Medicare
If you experience a status change, please process the life event on MyBenefits within 31 days of the event. Use chat on MyBenefits or call 1-833-423-6387 (8:00 am – 8:00 pm EST) if you have questions. Note: If there is a charge or refund for a retroactive change, it will be passed along to you.
