Roland, the carrier probably wouldn’t ask you for your marriage license if you are added to the policy. But they will almost definitely require it if you ever put in a major claim, and when you cannot produce it they will immediately refund all past premiums paid because you were not legitimately allowed to join the group. They will then sue you to recover any previous benefits paid on your behalf. With your medical history, you probably have a better chance than most people of having something major happen.
As far as whether opposite-sex domestic partners can be excluded from domestic-partner coverage: yes, they can. It depends on the employer’s wishes and the carrier. The more people allowed to potentially join the policy, the higher the premiums are for the entire group.
Your partner can probably find out all about the plan even before she starts the job. She can call HR and say she’s doing some advance planning and wants to ask about the benefits offered. They’d probably be happy to tell her anything she wants to know.
Also: doesn’t your nursing school offer a group plan for students? When I was in college, all students were required to be on the university’s group plan for students or to prove they had private coverage. I believe most colleges have a similar requirement. You might have the best luck and easiest time going that route.
My university does offer a plan, but does not require that you carry insurance. The plan that they offer runs about $250.00 per month for an individual, has a $1,000 deductible, no prescription drug benefit, and then only pays 80% up to 30,000 at which point it offer no coverage (many plans pay 100% after some point, but this one does not). Contrast this with my “wife’s” policy (from what the guy in personnel told her) pays 100% of everything in network with no deductable, 100% prescription drug coverage, dental coverage up to $3,000 per year (more under certain emergency circumstances), one million life time cap her cost is $60.00 per month as an individual or $110.00 per month as a married couple.
My school does offer a mostly free clinic for outpatient care. However, prescription drugs are regular cost. The main thing I wanted the coverage for was to be able to afford some ACE inhibitors (or better yet Angiotensin II receptor antagonists) and to be able to get my dental problem fixed all of which would be paid under her policy.
Also, are you saying that they can refuse heterosexuals domestic partner coverage or that they are *likely * to do so?
Honestly, I can’t answer this question. No one except your wife’s employer’s benefits administrator can.
Insurance companies are free to exclude anyone they wish, within certain limits. They can’t refuse coverage to minorities, for example, but they are free to exclude unmarried domestic partners should the employer wish that. Some companies I’ve worked for allowed unmarried partners; others didn’t.
If your wife’s employer will not let you get coverage under her policy, you still have some options. You might consider a personal policy, which can be quite expensive, given your current medical condition. You might also inquire about your state’s Medicaid or basic adult coverage; information about these is available through your state’s health department. These don’t cover much, but drug coverage is generally pretty good. You might not get the best, newest drugs out there, but you’ll get what you need.
Seriously, instead of wringing your hands over a hypothetical situation, have your wife talk to her HR department to get specifics. They’re really the only ones who can give you a definitive answer.
The company I work for offers domestic partner benefits. Nowhere in the description of ‘domestic partnership’ does it mention sexual orientation. Of course, each companies definition may be different, I’m not sure.
Before my husband and I were married he was covered under my insurance plan, because it was just a better plan than the one offered to him by the company he worked for.
The only requirement was providing HR a domestic partnership affidavit, which we obtained at a local notary, took less than 5 minutes.
I’d say wait until she has her benefit info and see what it says, or ask and HR rep.
I am saying that yes, they can refuse to allow opposite-sex domestic partners on the employee’s health plan if the policy is written to not provide for their inclusion. They can also refuse to allow same-sex partners. They can also refuse to provide a Family coverage option. They can also refuse to allow anyone below the level of Senior Vice President to join the plan. They can also require a 1-year waiting period. Whether they are likely to do any of these things or not is impossible to tell.
Why doesn’t your girlfriend just ask them? They probably get the same question a hundred times a year. It would be a lot quicker and easier than posting here.