Domestic Partner Health Insurance Credit

Effective January 1, 2012, the University will offer a health insurance credit to employees that have a registered domestic partner and purchases health insurance coverage for this partner. This credit will be offered until the University can find a suitable vendor to provide health insurance coverage on a group basis or until the Federal Health Insurance Benefits (FEHB) program is allowed to offer such coverage to domestic partners.

 The credit will be based on 72% of the monthly premium paid for the domestic partner health insurance up to the FEHB agency maximum. The 2012 monthly FEHB agency premiums for self and family are $402.46 and $897.76 respectively.  In 2013, the monthly FEHB agency premiums for self and family will increase to $413.49 and $920.73 respectively.

• The employee must be in a benefits eligible regular status position.
•  The domestic partner must be registered with Human Resources Services.
•  If the domestic partner is an active benefits eligible Gallaudet employee, the employee is not eligible for the credit as the domestic partner may enroll for his/her own coverage under FEHB.
•  If an employee is enrolled in a FEHB family plan, s/he will be eligible for the credit under the self-only plan for the domestic partner.
•  If the employee elects to have family coverage other than a FEHB family plan then s/he may be eligible for 72% of the actual cost of a family plan up to $897.76 per month.
• If the domestic partner is eligible for coverage under an employer sponsored plan, the employee is not eligible for the credit.

Procedures

• The employee will complete a reimbursement request form.
• The employee must submit proof of health insurance enrollment of the domestic partner and payment of monthly/yearly premiums to the Benefits Office.
• The employee will be reimbursed through payroll and all applicable taxes will be deducted per IRS regulations. The credit will be added to the employee’s imputed income.

Termination of Credit

• The credit will cease if the employee separates from the university or moves to a non-benefits eligible position or if the domestic partner is no longer insured.
• The credit will cease if the domestic partner becomes eligible for an employer sponsored health insurance plan.
• The credit will cease if the domestic partnership dissolves.

Required Documentation

Domestic Partner Affidavit

Domestic Partner Health Insurance Credit Reimbursement Form