| Thanks to the gay rights movement and | | | | For example, it's possible that the |
| the increase of both unmarried | | | | less-expensive HMO may raise objections, |
| heterosexual and homosexual couples | | | | while the more expensive Preferred |
| living together throughout Texas and the | | | | Provider Organization (PPO) or the |
| United States, the workplace trend | | | | traditional indemnity plan may not. If |
| toward domestic-partner benefits is | | | | you have questions about your plan, talk |
| improving the lives of many committed | | | | to your human resources department or |
| couples, regardless of sexual | | | | call the insurer directly. |
| orientation or marital status. | | | | Share the power |
| As of March 1, 2006, only 49 percent of | | | | If you're the partner holding the |
| the Fortune 500, 78 percent of the | | | | policy, it doesn't necessarily mean you |
| Fortune 100 largest corporations, and a | | | | can make any health care decisions for |
| small percentage other, smaller | | | | your significant other if or when he/she |
| businesses, organizations and | | | | is unable to make them. Married couples |
| educational and government entities | | | | have much broader rights. A healthcare |
| offered health benefits to employees' | | | | power of attorney can overcome what |
| domestic partners, according to a recent | | | | could be a big issue in an emergency. It |
| study by the Human Rights Campaign | | | | has nothing to do with money. It simply |
| Foundation. | | | | allows the person you designate - in |
| And while it's true that the number of | | | | this case, your partner - to make |
| companies involved is relatively small, | | | | medical decisions on your behalf if you |
| there are some very large employers, | | | | are unable. It also can ensure that if |
| such as the Big Three automakers, who | | | | you become ill, your partner will be |
| have jumped on the bandwagon. The number | | | | able to visit while you're in the |
| of individuals affected also is limited, | | | | hospital. The document, which should be |
| but the unmarried couple-count is on the | | | | prepared by an attorney, can also |
| rise and many unmarried households | | | | specify the names of physicians and |
| include children who could be important | | | | limit the use of life-extending |
| beneficiaries of domestic-partner health | | | | procedures. But it doesn't have to be |
| insurance. | | | | that complicated. Keep the completed |
| If your employer or your partner's | | | | document someplace, other than a safety |
| employer offers domestic partner | | | | deposit box, so it is accessible when |
| benefits, here are some things to | | | | you need it most. |
| consider before you sign up: | | | | It's Over and You're Moving On. |
| Follow the Rules | | | | Most employer-sponsored group policies |
| Most companies require that your | | | | require that you inform the company |
| significant other be 18 or older, not | | | | immediately if your living situation |
| related to you by blood or married to | | | | changes. A recent federal court decision |
| someone else. You and your partner must | | | | left open the possibility that COBRA |
| live in the same permanent residence in | | | | could cover domestic partners. COBRA is |
| an exclusive, emotionally committed, | | | | the Consolidated Omnibus Budget |
| financially responsible relationship, | | | | Reconciliation Act - federal legislation |
| similar to marriage. You may be required | | | | that requires many businesses to keep |
| to show you share a lease or a mortgage, | | | | former employees and their dependents on |
| an insurance policy, utility bills, a | | | | the group health plan for a limited |
| joint checking account, etc. | | | | period. COBRA regulations allow a |
| The Taxing Situation | | | | divorcing spouse to keep the estranged |
| While the IRS allows the cost of health | | | | spouse's insurance for up to 18 months. |
| benefits for married spouses and | | | | The federal court decision said this |
| dependents to be tax deductible, it | | | | didn't specifically exclude domestic |
| hasn't yet given the same rights to | | | | partners. But the likelihood an |
| unmarried couples. So the amount of | | | | unmarried partner will be able to claim |
| money that your employer pays for health | | | | COBRA is slim. That means that the |
| insurance for an unmarried partner and | | | | partner could be left without his or her |
| any children will be included as taxable | | | | own insurance with little or no notice. |
| income on your W-2. | | | | With only 49 percent of Fortune 500 |
| Insurers May Not Agree | | | | companies and an even smaller percentage |
| While your company may be willing to pay | | | | of small businesses offering health |
| for these benefits, not all health | | | | benefits to employees' domestic |
| insurance companies whose plans are | | | | partners, this still leaves a large |
| available to an employee may agree. Some | | | | majority of unmarried couples with |
| insurers are concerned that domestic | | | | possibly one individual in the |
| partner benefits will drive up costs. | | | | relationship uninsured. |