FAQs

 

 

 

I am getting married soon. Can I add my new spouse and/or stepchild(ren) to my coverage or do I have to wait until there is an open enrollment period?

 

You have 60 days from the date of marriage to add your spouse and/or stepchild(ren) to your health and/or dental coverage. After 60 days you can add them during the annual open enrollment period or a "late enrollment" event, however, the latter applies to health coverage only. You must provide a copy of your marriage certificate and birth certificates for all dependent children as well as social security numbers for enrollees.

 

 

I am establishing a domestic partnership. Can I add my new domestic partner and or child(ren) of my domestic partner to my coverage or do I have to wait until there is an open enrollment period?

 

Yes. You must establish the domestic partnership with the Secretary of State. You have 60 days from the date the Secretary of State has registered the domestic partnership to add your domestic partner and/or stepchild(ren) to your health and/or dental coverage. After 60 days you can add them during the annual open enrollment period or a "late enrollment" event, and the latter applies to health coverage only.

You must provide a copy of your domestic partnership registration certificate and birth certificates for all dependent children as well as social security numbers for enrollees.

Please note, the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that the actual cost of adding a domestic partner to your benefit results in taxable income to you. The taxable income will be the cost difference between the employee only and the employee plus one dependent premium rate. You can avoid the tax liability if you can designate your dependent as a tax dependent for income tax purposes.

 

 

What is a Domestic Partnership?

 

California Senate Bill 30 was signed into law on July 30, 2019. This new law eliminates the additional requirement for opposite-sex couples that one or both members be eligible for Social Security benefits and age 62 or older in order to register as domestic partners. After January 1, 2020, in California same-sex and opposite-sex partners will be subject to uniform rules for registering as domestic partners.

For benefits eligibility, beginning January 1, 2020, the CSU recognizes same sex domestic partnerships as defined in Section 297 of the California Family Code that reads as follows:

 

1. Domestic partners are two adults who have chosen to share one another’s lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring.

2. A domestic partnership shall be established in California when both persons file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the Secretary of State pursuant to this division, and, at the time of filing, all of the following requirements are met:

    

   • Neither person is married to someone else or is a member of another domestic partnership with someone else that has not been terminated, dissolved, or adjudged a nullity.

   • The two persons are not related by blood in a way that would prevent them from being married to each other in this state.

   • Both persons are at least 18 years of age, except as provided in Section 2, 297.1.

   • Both persons are capable of consenting to the domestic partnership.

 

 

I am expecting or adopting a baby soon. Can I add my baby to my coverage?

 

You have 60 days from the date of birth or adoption placement to add a child to your medical and/or dental coverage. After 60 days, you can add the child during the annual open enrollment period or a "late enrollment" event. The latter applies to health coverage only. The effective date will be the first of the month following the child's birth date or date of adoption. You must provide a copy of the birth certificate and or adoption papers and social security numbers for the enrollee.

 

 

My dependent child just turned age 19. Is he/she still covered?

 

Dependent children may be covered to age 26. Special rules apply if mentally or physically challenged.

 

 

Can my grandchild or niece/nephew be covered under my health plan?

 

If the child is under age 18, unmarried, living in a parent-child relationship and is economically dependent upon the employee he/she may be covered under the employee's health plan. Please contact Human Resources to complete the required documents, including an "Affidavit of Eligibility".

 

 

Can my dependent parents be covered?

 

No. Even if totally dependent on the employee, parents are not eligible for coverage.

 

 

I am resigning or my appointment expires at the end of the month. How long will my coverage be I effect?

 

Coverage is effective through the end of the following month in which you resign or the appointment ends. If you work a few days into a pay period, the State Controller's Office will deduct any required premiums as long as there is enough net pay to cover the premium.

 

 

Can I continue my health benefits if I resign or when my appointment expires?

 

Yes. COBRA provides you the option of continuing your medical, dental and/or vision plans for up to 18 months (or longer in some cases). You would be responsible for paying the entire premium amount to the carriers, plus a 2% administrative fee. COBRA also applies to dependents who lose coverage.