[2DogsFarm]

My VeryLargeCorporation is now in the process of Open Enrollment for 2013.

Among the new benefits offered is coverage for same sex domestic partner, based on completion of an Affadavit of Domestic Partnership by both parties (employee & partner).

However: Common Law and OPPOSITE SEX domestic partners are not offered coverage.
How can this be legal?

Anyone with insurance expertise care to comment?

BTW:
the plan will also cover gender reassignment surgery.
So I guess if I had a SO I could tell him:
"Yes, honey, my insurance will cover you
But first you will need to become a woman."

[bumknees]

It could be because some states dont aknowlge(sp) common law.

[TheJenners]

Wouldn't same sex and opposite sex domestic partners be able to use the same form? The Affidavit doesn't, as you typed it, stipulate any gender.

[erniewalker]

Things may have changed in the past several years (used to be a Benefits Administrator) as far as IRS requirements for Member of Household coverage, but it used to be based on tax filing status (dependent/not a dependent) and status of an adult sharing the same household and at least 50% of the household's financial responsibility. The affadavit used by my company required notorized signing of shared financial responsibility, and document proving residence (such as a bill with the address and name of the other party). My roommate was my MOH for years.

[2DogsFarm]

Manual provided specifically sates opposite sex & common law partners are excluded.

Erniewalker: that sounds right to me, but see above ^

I haven't seen the actual Affadavit form - I'll try looking it up on the company intranet.

[2DogsFarm]

The actual Affadavit form states DP applicants must be registered "where allowed by state or local law"

It goes on to say if no such registration is available both must:
*be of the same sex
*be jointly responsible for household expenses, or employee must support partner "partner is chiefly dependent upon"
*neither be married to anyone else, legally separated, or have any other partner
*not related by blood closer than permitted by state law
*in a committed relationship
*both at least 21yo
*have lived together for at least one year and "intend to do so indefintely"

I still don't see how these terms can exclude opposite sex partners fulfilling the same requirements and be legal.

Can someone 'splain?

[PolymerChem]

My company's DP policy states that if marriage is legal in the jurisdiction, then domestic partners must be married to qualify. Since opposite sex marriage is legal everywhere, that clause limits the DP coverage to same sex couples.