Effective July 1, 2013, a spouse/domestic partner must elect medical coverage under their own employer's plan, if available, to be eligible for coverage under the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center's medical plans. All employees who cover a spouse/domestic partner must complete an Affidavit of Spouse/Domestic Partner Medical Plan Coverage Eligibility.
Health care coverage is a major expense for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Because these costs continue to increase faster than our sources of income, we must constantly look for responsible ways to manage them.
Most employers provide health care coverage to employees as part of their total compensation package. When an employee elects this coverage, their employer's plan is primarily responsible for covering their medical expenses, even if they are also covered by another plan. The decision to require spouses/domestic partners to take their employer's coverage, when available, ensures the health care cost burden is more equitably distributed among employers.
Employees must notify Human Resources within 30 days if a spouse/domestic partner no longer meets the eligibility criteria. Inaccurate statements upon enrollment or failure to notify Human Resources of eligibility changes could result in termination of employment.
No, they are not eligible for coverage under our plan. The only exception is for spouses/domestic partners whose share of the premium is over $258 per month for the lowest cost employee-only coverage option in the 2023-2024 plan year.
You need to submit the Affidavit of Spouse/Domestic Partner Medical Plan Coverage Eligibility when completing your benefit election.
Yes, when your spouse/domestic partner is covered under two plans, their plan will be primarily responsible for the cost of medical services and prescription drugs. Our plan may, in certain circumstances, reimburse for a portion of the expenses not covered by the other plan.
No, this eligibility change applies only to the medical plan.
When a person is covered by more than one plan, the claim is processed according to the Coordination of Benefit (COB) rules. Your spouse's/domestic partner's employer plan will pay first and the remainder is submitted to our plan for consideration.
Because COB rules are relatively complex and change from time to time, you will need to work with customer service at Premera (800.722.1471) or Kaiser Permanente WA (888.901.4636) to discuss what the plan may pay in your situation.
You will want to evaluate the additional premium paid vs. the additional amounts that may be covered by our plan, and whether the providers your spouse/domestic partner normally sees are considered in or out-of-network in his/her employer's plan.
Additionally, if a High Deductible Health Plan is offered to your spouse/domestic partner, please note that current tax regulations do not permit any contributions to a Health Savings Account if they are also covered by our plan, which is not classified as a High Deductible Health Plan (this restriction does not apply to Flexible Spending Accounts).
They should sign up for their employer's coverage when eligible. Their eligibility is considered a "qualifying event" and you have the option of keeping them on our plan or removing them from our plan at that time.
Yes, their loss of coverage is considered a "qualifying event" and they may be added to our plan within 30 days of their loss of coverage.
Yes, you need to complete the Affidavit of Spouse/Domestic Partner Medical Plan Coverage Eligibility. Additionally, you need to be aware of this criterion if their coverage status changes in the future.
Medicare is not considered an employer-sponsored plan. You need to complete the Affidavit of Spouse/Domestic Partner Medical Plan Coverage Eligibility in Workday indicating that your spouse/domestic partner does not have access to an employer-sponsored medical plan.