Enrollment

Last updated date: 10/18/2024

You can enroll in benefits as a new hire, during Annual Enrollment, or during the year if you experience a qualified life event.

Overview

Review this page to learn about eligibility and how to enroll in your benefits.

Who's Eligible

Eligible employees	You’re eligible for benefits if: You’re an active, regular employee (working an average of at least 30 hours per week) of EchoStar and its participating subsidaries for the Health and Welfare plans. However, any eligible class of employees may participate in the 401(k) plan regardless of the weekly hours worked.
Eligible dependents	Your eligible dependents* include: Your legal spouse A common-law spouse for those whose common-law marriage was validly established under state law. States that currently allow the formation of a common-law marriage include Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Washington D.C. Dependent children, including natural children, legally adopted children, stepchildren, children in the process of legal placement for adoption and children for whom you have been appointed legal guardianship. Coverage is available until the end of the month in which dependent children turn age 26. Dependents are eligible regardless of whether or not they’re tax dependents, students, married or living with you. Physically or mentally disabled children, regardless of age, provided they became disabled before age 19, or after age 19, but before age 25 and depend on you for financial support are also eligible. Who is NOT a qualified dependent? Examples include: Boyfriend/girlfriend/fiancé Domestic partner Parents For dental and vision coverage only, the following individuals are also eligible for coverage: A domestic partner of an employee in California or Colorado *EchoStar has restrictions for qualified dependent coverage under our benefit plans. Enrolling someone who is not qualified as a dependent is considered insurance fraud.

Eligible employees

You’re eligible for benefits if:

You’re an active, regular employee (working an average of at least 30 hours per week) of EchoStar and its participating subsidaries for the Health and Welfare plans. However, any eligible class of employees may participate in the 401(k) plan regardless of the weekly hours worked.

Eligible dependents

Your eligible dependents* include:

Your legal spouse
A common-law spouse for those whose common-law marriage was validly established under state law. States that currently allow the formation of a common-law marriage include Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Washington D.C.
Dependent children, including natural children, legally adopted children, stepchildren, children in the process of legal placement for adoption and children for whom you have been appointed legal guardianship. Coverage is available until the end of the month in which dependent children turn age 26. Dependents are eligible regardless of whether or not they’re tax dependents, students, married or living with you.

Physically or mentally disabled children, regardless of age, provided they became disabled before age 19, or after age 19, but before age 25 and depend on you for financial support are also eligible.

Who is NOT a qualified dependent? Examples include:

Boyfriend/girlfriend/fiancé
Domestic partner
Parents

For dental and vision coverage only, the following individuals are also eligible for coverage:

A domestic partner of an employee in California or Colorado

*EchoStar has restrictions for qualified dependent coverage under our benefit plans. Enrolling someone who is not qualified as a dependent is considered insurance fraud.

Proof of Dependent Eligibility

To ensure only eligible dependents are provided coverage under the company’s benefits program, EchoStar may conduct random audits to verify dependent eligibility.

You may be required to provide valid proof of eligibility for your dependents upon request. Failure to do so may result in loss of coverage.

You’re also required by federal law to submit Social Security numbers (SSNs) for you and your dependents one year or older so EchoStar can provide an annual statement about your coverage, as required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

How to Enroll

You can only enroll as a new hire, during Annual Enrollment or if you experience a qualifying life event, such as a birth or a marriage.

To enroll, you can log in the following ways:

For Legacy DISH employees: Use HR Link, which is accessible through The HOP or OKTA.
For Legacy EchoStar employees: Use Workday, which is accessible through Global eSource.

Review the step-by-step enrollment instructions:

Defining Dependents vs. Beneficiaries

Dependent: Eligible family member who you enroll for health or insurance coverage
Beneficiary: Eligible person who you elect to receive a benefit in the event of your death (e.g., a life insurance benefit)