Question
What is the name of your state? Maine
My current company has offered health insurance to all employees and families. My employer is merging and now the paperwork we are receiving regarding benefits states that spouces are not eligible if they are offered insurance by their employer. Can employer limit the eligiblity of a spouse if they are covered by any plan by their employer?
Somehow it doesn't seem legal to say you cant be covered because you are offered a plan...even if it is a 'terrible high cost plan' as some of my co-workers are reporting their spouses have. But we will cover all the other spouses. Some are worried they will have to have their spouse quit their job so they can have decent coverage.
Your help is appreciated.
Answer
This is not only entirely legal, it is becoming more and more common as the cost of insurance and healthcare continue to skyrocket.
Keep in mind that your employer has no legal obligation to offer health insurance at all. He certainly has no legal obligation to provide coverage as a dependent to someone who has access to their own coverage but chooses not to take it.
Answer
Thanks for your reply. I understand your response.
It is funny I wasnt think of it like that, my mind was just saying ...it seems if they were covering dependants that they would have to cover them whether or not they were offered a plan elsewhere.
I appreciate your time.