| Thanks to the gay rights movement and the
| |
| | example, it's possible that the
|
| increase of both unmarried heterosexual
| |
| | less-expensive HMO may raise objections,
|
| and homosexual couples living together
| |
| | while the more expensive Preferred
|
| throughout Texas and the United States,
| |
| | Provider Organization (PPO) or the
|
| the workplace trend toward
| |
| | traditional indemnity plan may not. If
|
| domestic-partner benefits is improving
| |
| | you have questions about your plan, talk
|
| the lives of many committed couples,
| |
| | to your human resources department or
|
| regardless of sexual orientation or
| |
| | call the insurer directly.
|
| marital status.
| |
| | Share the power
|
| As of March 1, 2006, only 49 percent of
| |
| | If you're the partner holding the policy,
|
| the Fortune 500, 78 percent of the
| |
| | it doesn't necessarily mean you can make
|
| Fortune 100 largest corporations, and a
| |
| | any health care decisions for your
|
| small percentage other, smaller
| |
| | significant other if or when he/she is
|
| businesses, organizations and educational
| |
| | unable to make them. Married couples have
|
| and government entities offered health
| |
| | much broader rights. A healthcare power
|
| benefits to employees' domestic partners,
| |
| | of attorney can overcome what could be a
|
| according to a recent study by the Human
| |
| | big issue in an emergency. It has nothing
|
| Rights Campaign Foundation.
| |
| | to do with money. It simply allows the
|
| And while it's true that the number of
| |
| | person you designate - in this case, your
|
| companies involved is relatively small,
| |
| | partner - to make medical decisions on
|
| there are some very large employers, such
| |
| | your behalf if you are unable. It also
|
| as the Big Three automakers, who have
| |
| | can ensure that if you become ill, your
|
| jumped on the bandwagon. The number of
| |
| | partner will be able to visit while
|
| individuals affected also is limited, but
| |
| | you're in the hospital. The document,
|
| the unmarried couple-count is on the rise
| |
| | which should be prepared by an attorney,
|
| and many unmarried households include
| |
| | can also specify the names of physicians
|
| children who could be important
| |
| | and 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 you
|
| benefits, here are some things to
| |
| | 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
|
| unmarried couples. So the amount of money
| |
| | partner will be able to claim COBRA is
|
| that your employer pays for health
| |
| | slim. That means that the partner could
|
| insurance for an unmarried partner and
| |
| | be left without his or her own insurance
|
| any children will be included as taxable
| |
| | 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 partners,
|
| insurance companies whose plans are
| |
| | this still leaves a large majority of
|
| available to an employee may agree. Some
| |
| | unmarried couples with possibly one
|
| insurers are concerned that domestic
| |
| | individual in the relationship uninsured.
|
| partner benefits will drive up costs. For
| |
| |
|
