Benefit Coverage

for Domestic Partners of Haverford College employees

Haverford College provides the same coverage under its Benefit plans for domestic partners as those who are traditional marriage partners.

A Domestic Partners is

• an unmarried person of the same or opposite sex who shares a committed relationship with an unmarried Haverford College employee,
• where both are of the age of consent in the state in which they reside,
• and are not married to another and
• who is identified, in writing, to the College as a domestic partner.

For what benefits are Domestic Partner Eligible?

Medical insurance. Dependent medical insurance coverage with Blue Cross/Blue Shield or Aetna US Healthcare. Coverage is dependent on providing satisfactory evidence of financial interdependence as provided in our Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Aetna US Healthcare contracts:

A domestic partner is a member of a partnership consisting of two partners, each of whom:

(a) is unmarried, at least 18 years of age, resides with the other partner and intends to continue to reside with the other partner for an indefinite period of time;

(b) is not related to the other partner by adoption or blood;

(c) is the sole Domestic Partner of the other partner, with whom he/she has a close committed and personal relationship, and has been a member of this Domestic Partnership for at least six (6) months;

(d) agrees to be jointly responsible for the basic living expenses and welfare of the other partner;

(e) meets (or agrees to meet) the requirements of any applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances for Domestic Partnerships

Dependents who are resident children of the domestic partner and are under 19 years of age, or who are under 23 years of age and are unmarried, full-time students, and who receive more than 50% of their support from the employee, are also eligible for coverages.

 Clinical Medical Plan Participation in the Clinical Medical Plan begins 90 days after employment with the College, and domestic partners, spouses and dependent children are covered by the plan.

Clinical Dental Plan Participation in the Clinical plans is available after one year of employment. Participation is open to domestic partners, spouses and dependent children of employees.

What will the coverage cost me?

Category A (Salary under $32, 00) - 80% of dependent premium

Category B ( Salary over $32,000) - 70% of dependent premium

Part-time employees will receive 50% of the benefit of full-time employees.

Unless the partner is considered a dependent for income tax purposes, the cost of providing such coverage is considered as taxable income to the employee for the tax year in which participation takes place and must be reported as part of the employee's gross wages

 

How do employees sign up for domestic partner coverage?

Interested staff sign up for Domestic Partner Coverage by signing an Affirmation of Domestic Partnership Commitment Form (for Haverford College internal use only) and by completing the necessary enrollment forms which may be obtained from the Personnel Office. Those receiving Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance or coverage from Aetna US Healthcare will be asked to supply additional information as required by the carriers:

Those receiving Blue Cross health insurance or coverage from US Healthcare will be asked to supply additional information as required by the carriers, which demonstrates financial interdependence by submission of proof of three (3) or more of the following documents:

(i) a domestic partner agreement;

(ii) a joint mortgage or lease;

(iii) a designation of one of the partners as beneficiary in the other partner's will;

(iv) a durable property and health care powers of attorney;

(v) a joint title to an automobile, or joint bank account or credit account); or

(vi) such other proof is sufficient to establish economic interdependency under the circumstances of the particular case.

What about Medical Spending Accounts under the Flexible Benefits Plan?

Eligiblity for participation in Spending Accounts is determined by federal tax code and is requires that the domestic partner be the tax dependent of the Haverford College employee.

Can I list my domestic partner as my beneficiary under the Haverford College Life Insurance and Pension plans?

Yes. You may list anyone you choose as a beneficiary under either the Life Insurance or Pension Plans.

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