State laws dictate whether health insurance plans can be extended to domestic partners. Other factors such as the type of funding arrangement between the employer and the health insurer may impact whether an employer is required to follow state laws about domestic partner coverage. While some states mandate coverage, other states allow coverage to be extended, and still others do not have any specific rules regarding coverage. In states with no laws, the decision is left up to the wishes of the employer.
Instructions
1. Review your state's laws relating to coverage of domestic partners. Some states require that coverage must be extended to the domestic partner of a member covered under certain types of group health plans, but some states do not. You can usually find this information on your state's department of insurance website.
2. Ask the benefits representative in the human resources department at your company if they extend coverage to same sex and opposite sex domestic partners. Depending on the state law and the type of health insurance plan offered, the company may or may not extend this coverage. Also, ask what kind of proof is required to show the partnership is valid.
3. Review any open enrollment materials from your company and health plan for information about coverage for domestic partners. You should also look for information about claim a domestic partner on your plan as your dependent.
4. Complete the enrollment application for the health insurance plan and include your domestic partner as a dependent, if coverage is allowed. You will need to provide your partner's name, date of birth and Social Security number, at a minimum, on the enrollment form.
Tags: domestic partner, domestic partners, health insurance, coverage domestic, coverage domestic partners
