Since January 2005, same-sex domestic
partner coverage has been mandatory for group
insurance. But did you know that opposite-sex
couples can be eligible, too?
In fact, some cities, including San Francisco,
require opposite-sex coverage for companies
wishing to bid for city leases or contracts.
Insurers' requirements for documenting
domestic partner coverage eligibility vary.
We've included the major medical carriers so
you'll be able to see how your carrier
compares.
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Common Requirements |
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All coverage for domestic partners has
common elements. The partners must:
- Share a common residence/live
together
- Be age 18 or older
- Not be married or in another
domestic partnership
- Not be related
- Be mentally competent
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Blue Shield of California |
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Blue Shield of California requires
employers to choose an option for
domestic partner coverage:
Narrow coverage:
- Both partners registered with
state of California
- Both partners residents of
California
- Same sex, or opposite sex if one
partner over 62 and eligible for
Social Security
Broad coverage:
- California state registration is
not required
- Partners may be same or opposite
sex
Employers specify their coverage
option on the master application.
Employers may change their option at
plan renewal/open enrollment using the
Request for Contract Change Form
included in the renewal package.
Blue Shield does not require
a copy of the employee's "Declaration
of Domestic Partnership" registration
filed with the State of California or
any other declaration or affidavit of
domestic partnership.
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Blue Cross of California |
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Blue Cross does not require employers
to specify broad or narrow coverage.
Blue Cross does require employee
documentation. Along with an employee
application requesting or declining
enrollment, requirements include:
For employers who offer the broader
opposite-sex option to employees, Blue
Cross requires that the partners have
shared a household for at least 6
months, and are mutually responsible
for the welfare and support of each
other.
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Health Net of California |
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Health Net does not require employers
to specify broad or narrow coverage.
Health Net no longer requires an
Affidavit of Domestic Partnership for
same-sex or opposite-sex domestic
partners.
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California Choice |
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California Choice does not require the
employer to specify broad or narrow
coverage.
The employee and domestic partner
must:
- Submit a signed affidavit
attesting to the conditions for
domestic partnership are met
- Agree to file a Statement of
Termination of Domestic Partnership
if any of the requirements cease to
be met
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Kaiser Permanente |
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Kaiser does not require employers to
specify broad or narrow coverage.
At this time, Kaiser does not have
any requirements for employee
documentation of domestic
partnerships. |
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Our Recommendation |
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We recommend that employers choose
broad coverage from the carrier, where
applicable, and set company policies
as necessary for their own industry
and/or employee base's needs.
Document your company's policy for
domestic partner coverage in your
employee handbook.
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City of San Francisco Requirements |
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For your reference, we've included a
link to the City of San Francisco's
domestic partner coverage policies.
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Help us help you! |
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Help us serve you better! If you
run into a challenging benefits issue, let
us know! We'll work with you to find a
solution-and help others.
Thanks for being our client! We
appreciate your business.
We want to make your job easier. Call
us at 800.733.8692 or...
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Ever wonder how many employers "shop
around" for health coverage?
In 2005, 60% of businesses with
3-199 employees shopped for a new
health plan and/or carrier. Of those,
24% changed carriers and 31% changed
plans (about 33% of the total).
We know that quality benefits are
important to you - so are
cost-conscious choices. You can rely
on us to provide comparisons to help
you make the best decisions.
If you have a benefits topic you'd
like to see covered, let us know!
We appreciate your business. If
there's any way we can be of service
call us at 415.543.8949
or if you have a benefits question,
email me at cpaul@shargel.com
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