A dependent is any one of the following persons:
A covered employee’s spouse, same sex domestic partner, and unmarried children from birth to 19 years of age (claimed on your income tax return).
A dependent child will continue to be covered after age 19 provided the child is a full-time student at an accredited school, primarily dependent upon the covered employee for support and maintenance, is unmarried and under age 23.
Children connected to a domestic partnership will be eligible for health benefits if they fulfill the same eligibility requirement of children of married couples.
Coverage ends on the last day of the month of the child’s 23rd birthday.
Dependent coverage for Life and AD&D insurance continues until age 25 for fulltime students.
At age 19, when no longer a fulltime student, or at age 23, children will be offered COBRA continuation of their health care. The entire monthly cost must be paid by the continuing person, and the insurance may be kept up to 18 months. Click here for more information on COBRA continuation or visit the Department of Labor web site at http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm
In order for a dependent child to remain insured over the age of 19, a fulltime student status form is needed. The completed form is needed for each new quarter/semester. The form should be competed by the Registrar’s office of the school the child is attending. It is up to the employee of Oberlin College to see that the completed, fulltime student status form is sent to the Department of Human Resources, Oberlin College. The completed form may be mailed or faxed.
If a covered dependent child is incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of mental or physical disability, is primarily dependent upon the covered employee for support and maintenance, is unmarried and covered under the plan when reaching the limiting age, she/he may remain on the plan as long as the employee remains an active member of the health plan. At reasonable intervals during the two years following the dependent’s reaching the age limit, the Plan Administrator may require subsequent proof of the child’s disability and dependency.
After such two-year period, the Plan Administrator may require subsequent proof not more than once each year. The Plan Administrator reserves the right to have such dependent examined by a physician of the Plan Administrator’s choice, at the Plan’s expense, to determine the existence of such incapacity.
If both husband and wife or domestic partners are employees, their children will be covered as dependents under one employee, not both.
At any time, the Plan may require proof that a spouse/partner or a child qualifies or continues to qualify as a dependent as defined by the Plan.
The College holds the right to change the definition of “Dependent” at any time.