I don’t want to ask HR if this is a no-brainer and embarass myself, but I’ve been living with my gf for 2 years now, and we’re engaged (waiting to be in a better financial spot so we can do a proper wedding), but she doesn’t have dental. Under a typical plan, could I cover her, or do we have to be married?

Thanks!

Normally, no – but it is possible.

Most employers only cover spouses and dependants (usually minor children under some specified age – 24 if they are still in school.) However, there have been some employers (number is going up) who will cover non-related persons in a household if certain requirements are met. The requirements vary by employer, but usually at a minimum you have to provide documentation that the non-related person has been living in your household (at the same mailing address) for 12 consecutive months. Employers have been allowing this option to cover same-sex partners, but language in these provisions cannot exclude opposite sex partners because of non-discrimination requirements mandated by Title 7. One employer that I know of that offers such benefits is Harris Bank – a subsidary of the Bank of Montreal.

However, such expansion of benefits coverage is at the discretion of each individual employer. You will need to read your summary plan description to identify if you work for such an employer. Ask your employer (HR) for a copy of the Dental Plan’s summary plan description and look under the coverage and eligibility section.

As a side note, you may have to wait until your open enrollment period to cover her, that is if you employer plan allows it at all, since most plans do not allow you to change your coverage status unless a major life change has occurred – i.e., marriage, birth of a child, change in employment status, etc.

As for one of the above answers stating that you can cover domestic partners – again this is not mandatory. An employer does not have to cover a domestic partner. There is no law that such a benefit must be provided regardless of how you file your taxes.