Working Spouse Fee

Note: Does not apply to AAUP Faculty Members (tenure track or non-tenure track).

С��Ƭ��Ƶ is committed to providing excellent health insurance plans in this rapidly evolving economy. To help make it possible for us to keep these options affordable, employees pay an additional cost to cover a working spouse or domestic partner. This pre-tax fee on each pay is intended to apply only to spouses and domestic partners who have the option to elect healthcare coverage through their employer but choose not to enroll and receive coverage under С��Ƭ��Ƶ’s medical plan instead.

The fee may be waived if your spouse/partner meets any of the following criteria:

If your partner is also employed at С��Ƭ��Ƶ.
If your partner is retired, unemployed or is self-employed.
If your partner does not have health coverage available through their employer.
If your partner is employed part-time.

Please be aware that fee waiver requests received with forms that meet eligibility criteria will be applied the pay period after they are approved.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does С��Ƭ��Ƶ have a Working Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee?

С��Ƭ��Ƶ is self-insured. This means health care claims are paid directly by С��Ƭ��Ƶ. The fee is a way we can keep our premiums affordable, and to continue offering great health insurance options. When coverage is granted to a working spouse or domestic partner with access to their employer’s health care plan, this creates higher costs for employees at С��Ƭ��Ƶ. The working spouse/domestic partner fee helps to absorb some of the health care costs that С��Ƭ��Ƶ will incur instead of your working spouse’s employer.

How will I know if the fee applies to me?

The Working Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee applies:

If your spouse or domestic partner is working full-time at an employer who offers group health insurance, but has declined coverage and wants to remain on the С��Ƭ��Ƶ health plan.
If your spouse or domestic partner is enrolled in Medicare, but is still actively working at their employer, who offers group health insurance.
If your spouse or domestic partner is offered coverage for any time period throughout the year with their employer, and you choose to continue their coverage under the С��Ƭ��Ƶ health plan.

What criteria must be met to waive the fee?

The Working Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee may be waived if your spouse/domestic partner meets one of the following criteria:

If you and your spouse are BOTH employed at С��Ƭ��Ƶ and are both covered on the С��Ƭ��Ƶ health plan under either you or your spouse/domestic partner’s coverage.
If your spouse/domestic partner is enrolled in Medicare, but is currently covered on your active employee С��Ƭ��Ƶ health plan.
If your spouse/domestic partner is a retiree and is not actively working.
If your spouse/domestic partner is employed part-time.
If your spouse/domestic partner is employed part-time and has NO access to health coverage.
If your spouse is self-employed and has NO access to an employer-sponsored health care plan.

If my spouse is currently covered on their employer's health plan, and they lost that coverage, am I able to add them to my С��Ƭ��Ƶ plan?

Yes. Your spouse's loss of coverage would be considered a qualifying event, which means they could be enrolled in the С��Ƭ��Ƶ plan within 31 days of the termination of benefits, and you would not be required to pay the working spouse fee. Written documentation from your spouse's or domestic partner’s employer regarding their loss of coverage would be required, along with an updated copy of the following.

These must be submitted to the Employee Benefits office.

Working Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee by Employee Pay Schedule and Salary Range:

12-month Employee
Pay Range	Per Pay Fee
$80,500 or less	$30
$80.500.01-$150,000	$45
$150,000.01 or more	$60

10-month Employee
Pay Range	Per Pay Fee
$80,500 or less	$36
$80.500.01-$150,000	$54
$150,000.01 or more	$72

9-month Employee
Pay Range	Per Pay Fee
$80,500 or less	$40
$80.500.01-$150,000	$60
$150,000.01 or more	$80

2024 Affidavit of Working Spouse/Domestic Partner Insurance Status (PDF)

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