Continuation of Coverage Available to Domestic Partners & Children of Domestic Partners

Continuation Coverage

Eligible Domestic Partners of Participants and eligible children of Domestic Partners who lose eligibility under the Plan may temporarily continue Plan coverage through self-payment for a limited period of time. These benefits are NOT mandated under federal law. The Board of Trustees may terminate this extension of benefits provision at their sole discretion.

The Domestic Partner and children of the Domestic Partner who lose eligibility under the Plan may temporarily continue Plan coverage when eligibility is lost due to any of the following reasons:

1. Termination of your employment (for causes other than gross misconduct);
2. Reduction in your hours;
3. Your death;
4. Termination of the Domestic Partner relationship with you; or
5. Cessation of child’s Dependent status under the Plan.

Premiums
A premium for continuation coverage will be charged to the Domestic Partner or Dependent child or both in amounts established by the Board of Trustees. The premium is payable in monthly installments.

Domestic Partner Coverage Rates

Duration of Continuation Coverage
In the case of your reduction in hours or termination of employment, coverage may be continued on a self-payment basis for up to 18 months from the date of the event that resulted in the loss of eligibility. In all other circumstances, coverage may be continued for up to 36 months from the date of the event that resulted in loss of eligibility.

Continuation coverage will be terminated before the end of the 18-month or 36-month period upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

1. the required premium payment for continuation coverage is not paid when due.
2. the Domestic Partner or Dependent child becomes covered under any other Group Plan (as a participant or otherwise) or becomes entitled to Medicare coverage.

Election and Notice Procedure
The Domestic Partner or child or both must elect continuation coverage within 60 days after the later of:

1. The date of any of the events described above under “Continuation Coverage”; or
2. The date of the notice from the Trust Fund Office notifying the individual of his/her right to continuation coverage.

Domestic Partner Enrollment Form

You should refer to the information provided in the preceding section on federal COBRA for details about your responsibilities for notifying the Trust Fund Office of changes in your status and paying for your continuing coverage as the rules are the same for this continued coverage for Domestic Partners which is offered by the Trustees as they are for the continuation of coverage that the Trust Fund is required to provide under federal law.

Taxes on HRA Reimbursements
Please note that if the HRA is used to reimburse expenses of a Domestic Partner or a child of a Domestic Partner that is not a tax dependent (that is, does not satisfy the requirements of a Dependent under IRS Code Section 152(d)(1) and (d)(2)(H) without regard to the gross income limit), those payments will be considered imputed income to the Employee or Retiree