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