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