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- I am expecting a baby. When can I add my baby to my coverage? Is the baby automatically enrolled on the health and dental plans?
- My dependent child just turned age 19. Is he/she still covered?
- Can my grandchild or niece/nephew be covered under my health plan?
- Can my dependent parents be covered on my health insurance?
- I am getting married soon. Can I add my new spouse and/or stepchild(ren) to my coverage or do I have to wait until open enrollment?
- I live with my boyfriend/girlfriend and we share living expenses, can I add them to my benefits? Aren’t we considered “Domestic Partners”?
- How do I register or terminate my domestic partnership with the Secretary of State?
- I am resigning/my appointment expires at the end of the month. How long will my coverage be in effect?
- How can I continue my health benefits if I resign or when my appointment expires?
Q. I am expecting a baby. When can I add my baby to my coverage? Is the baby automatically enrolled on the health and dental plans?
Enrollment in the health and dental plans is NOT automatic. You must contact the Benefits Department, provide proof of birth or adoption placement and complete the benefits enrollment/change form to add your newborn/adopted child to your benefits. You can only add your newborn child to your health insurance after the baby is born. If you do not add the child within 60 days of their birth or adoption, you will have to wait until the annual open enrollment period.
Q. My dependent child just turned age 19. Is he/she still covered?
Dependent children may be covered to age 23, regardless if they are enrolled in school, as long as they are unmarried, have never been married, and are economically dependent upon the employee. If the child is disabled, special rules apply. Please contact the Benefits Department for information.
Q. Can my grandchild or niece/nephew be covered under my health plan?
If the child is under age 18, unmarried, living in a parent-child relationship and is economically dependent upon the employee he/she may be covered under the employee's health plan. A "parent-child" relationship is defined as one in which the employee has been given the authority and assumed responsibility for raising the child as their own. If the child is disabled, special rules apply. The dependent must be enrolled within 60 days from the date of custody or during the annual open enrollment period. You must contact the Benefits Department, provide proof of custody and sign the required documents, including an "Affidavit of Eligibility" form.
Q. Can my dependent parents be covered on my health insurance?
No. Even if totally dependent on the employee, parents are not eligible for coverage.
Q. I am getting married soon. Can I add my new spouse and/or stepchild(ren) to my coverage or do I have to wait until open enrollment?
You cannot add a new spouse to your benefits prior to your marriage. You have 60 days from the date of marriage to add your spouse and/or stepchild(ren) to your health and/or dental coverage. After 60 days, you can add them during the annual open enrollment period. You must provide a copy of your marriage certificate, any stepchildren’s birth certificates and provide your spouse's social security number. You also must sign the appropriate document(s) prior to the coverage going into effect.
Q. I live with my boyfriend/girlfriend and we share living expenses, can I add them to my benefits? Aren’t we considered “Domestic Partners”?
Domestic Partners are same sex couples or opposite gender couples who are over the age of 62 and share living expenses. Only legal spouses or domestic partners that have registered their partnership with the Secretary of State of California may add their dependents to their benefits. Proof of domestic partnership registration is required along with the dependent’s social security number.
Q. How do I register or terminate my domestic partnership with the Secretary of State?
You can obtain the form from the Secretary of State’s website at www.ss.ca.gov.
Q. I am resigning/my appointment expires at the end of the month. How long will my coverage be in effect?
Coverage is effective through the end of the following month in which you resign or the appointment ends. If you work a few days into a pay period, the State Controller's Office will deduct any required premiums as long as there is enough net pay to cover that premium.
Q. How can I continue my health benefits if I resign or when my appointment expires?
You can continue your health benefits through COBRA. COBRA provides you the option of continuing your medical, dental and/or vision plans for up to 18 months (or longer in some cases). You would be responsible for paying the entire premium amount to the carriers, plus a 2% administrative fee. The provisions of COBRA also apply to dependents who lose coverage. Please contact the Benefits Department for further information.