University Times

Open enrollment will run through Nov. 30 for members of the University community eligible to participate in the new domestic partner health insurance benefits.

Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg announced the University’s decision to offer the benefits in a Sept. 1 campus update. (See Sept. 2 University Times.)

These benefits, which go into effect Jan. 1, will include all of the medical insurance options currently offered to faculty and staff by Pitt through the UPMC Health Plan, as well as the dental and vision insurance program options.

Eligible Pitt employees choosing these benefits will share the additional premium costs with the University on the same basis as employees choosing coverage for a spouse.

Details of the various plans for faculty and staff, including domestic partner eligibility requirements, are accessible on the Office of Human Resources (HR) web site: www.hr.pitt.edu using the benefits link.

(Graduate students with eligible academic appointments and others with eligible academic appointments can access this information at http://gradcare.pitt.edu.)

Human Resources also is holding information sessions explaining these new benefits and the enrollment and certification process.

Eligibility for the health insurance benefits is based on requirements established for non-health benefits, such as library privileges. The eligibility qualifications are described in the University of Pittsburgh Affidavit of Domestic Partnership (FORM 0185 PITT1824), which is available at the Office of Human Resources or from the HR web site.

Also available on the web sites are:

• Information about the various medical options as well as the dental and vision plans;

• Frequently asked questions;

• Tax information for those individuals eligible for domestic partner health insurance benefits, and

• Downloadable required affidavits for domestic partner eligibility and special enrollment forms for insurance selections. The completed, signed and notarized affidavit and enrollment form as well as supporting documentation are required to complete the open enrollment process and must be returned to the Human Resources office on the Pitt campus at which the eligible participant works no later than Nov. 30.

According to the HR web site, the information in the affidavit will be used by the University for the sole purpose of determining this eligibility and will be treated as strictly confidential insofar as the law allows.

After the affidavit is reviewed and the information verified, the employee will receive a statement confirming the enrollment elections for his or her domestic partner in the health insurance program, subject to the established terms and conditions, the HR web site states.

In accordance with IRS regulations, outside of this special open enrollment period, changes in participation may be made only if there is a qualified life event (such as reaching the required 24 months of shared residence after the current enrollment period) or during the annual open enrollment period that occurs each spring with an effective date of July 1.

“It is important for everyone to know that this special open enrollment [period] is not a one-time opportunity nor is it necessary to wait until the annual open enrollment if the requirements for domestic partnership are met sooner,” said Ron Frisch, associate vice chancellor for Human Resources.

-Peter Hart