Question

How do the requirements for coverage for domestic partners, such as length of the relationship, compare with requirements for married couples? Do companies usually require a waiting period after dissolution of a marriage (divorce) before a new spouse can become eligible for benefits? What factors may have influenced the inclusion of these stipulations?

Answer 1

Every insurance company have its set rules for the coverage which is widely influenced by the regulatory authority of the state and according to its terms and conditions company accepts its terms with the customer for its coverage.

Domestic partner to claim for the coverage, must be legaly qualified or registered as a domestic partner under the jurisdiction and must meet all the required criteria for the coverage such as:

- both the partners must be sole domestic partner and must intended to remain in the relationship.

- Must be more than 18 years of age and legaly not in relationship with any other partner and should be divorced in such cases.

- Residence for both the domestic partner should be same and must be jointly responsible for the living expenses.

Yes companies, have a waiting period, again according to the legal terms of the state, for the new spouse to come in picture. Althoug the first spouse also remain as a legal companion for the coverage after the second spouse comes in picture.

Factors whihc may have influenced the inclusion of these stipulations could be:-

- Earlier after the divorce, the domestic partenr was not considered as the spouse of the member and the coverage goes to the earlier spouse only.

- Incase of kids from earlier marriage, the coverage should go to them as well as they are also dependents of the members.