Great question! Unfortunately, I would need a little more information from you. Are you talking same sex partner? If so, that would depend upon whether the state you live in recognizes same sex relationships, and the providers stand on the issue. If you are talking common law partner, that also depends upon your State's recognizing of common law marriages. If you are talking boyfriend or girlfriend, it may be wiser for them to get their own policy, and you make the payments. I hope that helps, if you would like more information, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for asking!
Well, it apparently depends upon what sex your significant other is. If you are a man and woman living together in a committed relationship but not married, unless your employer's policy allows for coverage in such situations then the answer is generally "No" and it appears it will be that way going forward.
If, however, you are a same sex couple in a committed relationship then in some states this is already accepted. And, a March 14, 2014 announcement from Health and Human Services will essentially require all health plans that offer coverage for married heterosexual couples to do so for same sex couples married in a jurisdiction that recognizes same sex marriages. This requirement goes into effect on January 1, 2015 but the Obama administration is encouraging employers to voluntarily comply with this rule before then. Larger, self-insured employers had already been operating under similar rules issued by the Department of Labor last fall.
Of course, not every state recognizes same sex marriages. So, you still need to do some homework on your particular situation in your state of residence and the individual or group health insurance contracts issued there. I can see where the need for a domestic partnership agreement will be a good idea in some states but clearly the requirements for health insurance plans regulated under the Affordable Care Act have moved to recognize same sex marriage as being on a par with heterosexual marriage. But a couple just living together with no formal legal commitments, regardless of sexual orientation, would appear to be much more problematic and that kind of "significant other" would probably not meet the requirements of being a legitimate dependent under the law.
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If, however, you are a same sex couple in a committed relationship then in some states this is already accepted. And, a March 14, 2014 announcement from Health and Human Services will essentially require all health plans that offer coverage for married heterosexual couples to do so for same sex couples married in a jurisdiction that recognizes same sex marriages. This requirement goes into effect on January 1, 2015 but the Obama administration is encouraging employers to voluntarily comply with this rule before then. Larger, self-insured employers had already been operating under similar rules issued by the Department of Labor last fall.
Of course, not every state recognizes same sex marriages. So, you still need to do some homework on your particular situation in your state of residence and the individual or group health insurance contracts issued there. I can see where the need for a domestic partnership agreement will be a good idea in some states but clearly the requirements for health insurance plans regulated under the Affordable Care Act have moved to recognize same sex marriage as being on a par with heterosexual marriage. But a couple just living together with no formal legal commitments, regardless of sexual orientation, would appear to be much more problematic and that kind of "significant other" would probably not meet the requirements of being a legitimate dependent under the law.