Human Resources Domestic Partners Q & A
Q. Does NWRESD offer coverage for domestic partners?
A. Yes, NWRESD allows both same-sex and opposite sex domestic partners to be covered on our plans. Please review OEBB's rules for dependent eligibility before completing the Domestic Partnership Affidavit. Keep in mind that additional taxes are assessed on the value of this coverage.
A. Yes, NWRESD allows both same-sex and opposite sex domestic partners to be covered on our plans. Please review OEBB's rules for dependent eligibility before completing the Domestic Partnership Affidavit. Keep in mind that additional taxes are assessed on the value of this coverage.
Q. What is "imputed tax" on domestic partner coverage?
A. Because the federal government does not recognize the relationship of “domestic partner”, they consider your ability to get this coverage via your employer a form of additional compensation which they consider taxable income. The value of the insurance coverage is calculated into your paycheck as “imputed income” and tax is withheld accordingly. You don’t actually get any additional cash in your paycheck, but the value of the insurance is noted in the earnings column and taxes are withheld as if you had earned that much more income.
Q. Can I add my partner's child(ren) to my insurance without adding my partner?
A. Yes, as long as you submit the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership declaring your relationship to the child’s parent, your partner is not required to be on your plan in order to cover your partner’s child(ren).
Q. Are there restrictions on when I can add my domestic partner to my insurance?
A. Yes, you can only make changes to your plan during the annual Open Enrollment period, or within 31 days of a QSC event. Under OEBB rules, you must live with your partner for 6 months in order to establish a domestic partnership, therefore the 6-month anniversary of the day you moved in together would be the QSC date for a new domestic partnership so you have 31 days from that date to complete the enrollment. Another example of a QSC's would be your partner's loss of other group coverage. To determine whether a particular event would qualify as a QSC, contact OEBB at (888) 469-6322 or oebb.benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov
Q. I’ve decided I do want to add my partner to my coverage and I’m within the proper time frame to do so. What do I need to do?
A: Submit a completed Affidavit of Domestic Partnership as well as an OEBB Enrollment Change Form to Human Resources. The change will take effect the first of the month following the QSC event date (or October 1st if adding during Open Enrollment).
A. Because the federal government does not recognize the relationship of “domestic partner”, they consider your ability to get this coverage via your employer a form of additional compensation which they consider taxable income. The value of the insurance coverage is calculated into your paycheck as “imputed income” and tax is withheld accordingly. You don’t actually get any additional cash in your paycheck, but the value of the insurance is noted in the earnings column and taxes are withheld as if you had earned that much more income.
Q. Can I add my partner's child(ren) to my insurance without adding my partner?
A. Yes, as long as you submit the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership declaring your relationship to the child’s parent, your partner is not required to be on your plan in order to cover your partner’s child(ren).
Q. Are there restrictions on when I can add my domestic partner to my insurance?
A. Yes, you can only make changes to your plan during the annual Open Enrollment period, or within 31 days of a QSC event. Under OEBB rules, you must live with your partner for 6 months in order to establish a domestic partnership, therefore the 6-month anniversary of the day you moved in together would be the QSC date for a new domestic partnership so you have 31 days from that date to complete the enrollment. Another example of a QSC's would be your partner's loss of other group coverage. To determine whether a particular event would qualify as a QSC, contact OEBB at (888) 469-6322 or oebb.benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov
Q. I’ve decided I do want to add my partner to my coverage and I’m within the proper time frame to do so. What do I need to do?
A: Submit a completed Affidavit of Domestic Partnership as well as an OEBB Enrollment Change Form to Human Resources. The change will take effect the first of the month following the QSC event date (or October 1st if adding during Open Enrollment).
