Can you get insurance for a 'significant other'?

Many large companies these days offer insurance for a "significant other" instead of a spouse. Speak to the insurance company directly for this information.

Answer

This is possible, but there are some issues to consider: 1) If the employer group is purchasing their health insurance from a carrier, there will likely be state laws and carrier rules to this. Each state regulates the insurance carriers within their state.

2) If this is a large company of 300+ employees, they probably 'self-insure.' This exempts them from state insurance laws and the employer gets to make most of the decisions.

3) WARNING: IF the employer pays any portion of your premium, they are required by federal law to consider the amount of money that they (the employer) pay towards your (the significant other) insurance premiums as taxable income to your boyfriend.

For example, if the employer pays 50% of the cost for dependents and the premium cost for adding you is $300 per month, then the employer pays $150 and your boyfriend will have $150 per month deducted from his pay. But he will also have the income taxes on the $150 the employer contributes deducted, too.

There is a complex reasoning the fed gov't has for requiring this. It has to do with the fact that significant others are not afforded the same tax status as spouses.

Answer

For group insurance in California the answer is YES. For more details check out

Section 10121.7 of the Insurance Code is amended to read: 10121.7. (a) A policy of group health insurance that provides hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits shall provide equal coverage to employers or guaranteed associations, as defined in Section10700, for the registered domestic partner of an employee, insured, or policyholder to the same extent, and subject to the same terms and conditions, as provided to a spouse of the employee, insured, or policyholder, and shall inform employers and guaranteed associations of this coverage

AB 2208 Effective 1/2005

A domestic partner - may have to pay income tax on the value of the health insurance.

Amplification to an Answer

The domestic partners laws in California may not always apply to you even if you work in CA. If your employer is headquartered in another state that does not recognize domestic partners the law may not extend to you even if you work for thier location within CA. Check with the HR department to see if they will recognize domestic partners. It is not automatic under this circumstance.

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