Family Changes (adding dependents)

Do you have new dependents?

Birth, Adoption, Placement for Adoption or Legal Guardianship

You have 60 days from the date of birth, adoption, placement or legal guardianship to report the event to add your child or change your benefits. Your new child will be added as of the date of birth/adoption/placement. Note: your new child is automatically covered on the birthing parent's medical plan for the first 31 days. But be sure to enroll them in Workday to continue their coverage. 

You can also add a spouse/domestic partner or change your medical plan. A Marriage/Domestic Partnership Affidavit is required.

• Change your benefits using the Workday Benefits and Pay Hub.

*For adoption or legal guardianship, email copies of the official adoption or placement paperwork to employee.benefits@multco.us.

Marriage or New Domestic Partnership

You have 60 days from the date of marriage, domestic partner registration (State or County), or satisfying the 6 month waiting period of shared residency to report the event. 

Eligible dependents to add:

• new spouse/domestic partner* and
• children of the spouse/domestic partner*

You can also change your medical plan or opt out of coverage if you now have coverage through your spouse/domestic partner.

• Change benefits using the Workday Benefits and Pay Hub.
• Marriage/Domestic Partnership Affidavit webform - Required to add a Spouse/DP to any benefit plans
• Opt-Out Affidavit webform - required if opting out of County medical coverage,

Spouse/DP Supplemental Life Insurance Eligibility - A new spouse/partner is eligible for guaranteed coverage up to $50,000 if requested within 60 days of the qualifying event. Apply in Workday.

*Please be aware there are significant extra costs associated with adding a domestic partner or domestic partner's children to your plans. Please visit our Non-IRS-eligible dependents page for an estimate of imputed income tax specific for your plan and contact us if you have questions. Contact your tax professional for impacts of being in a higher tax bracket, if applicable. 

All changes will be effective the first of the month following submission in Workday and the receipt of any supporting documents required. 

Who Can I Enroll in my Plan(s)?

The County allows for enrollment of the following types of dependents:

• Employee's Spouse or Domestic Partner
  • The definition of domestic partner can be found in Personnel rule 1-10.
  • Enrolling your Domestic Partner may result in higher taxes through imputed income and may put you into a higher tax bracket. Find an estimate on our Non-IRS Eligible Dependents page.
• Children:
  • Eligible children include: 
    • Biological children, stepchildren, adopted children, biological/adopted children of your domestic partner, and children in your custody pending adoption, all eligible until age 26. 
      • Enrolling your Domestic Partner's children may result in higher taxes through imputed income and may put you into a higher tax bracket.
      • A newborn child and/or a child newly placed for adoption needs to be enrolled within 60 days of birth/placement. Failure to properly enroll will mean you cannot enroll the child until the next annual open enrollment.
        • TIP: Many parents miss this important enrollment period! New children are automatically covered under the parent for the birth and first 31 days of life hospital charges and first couple newborn appointments.
        • Documentation is required for adoption and placement for adoption. 
    • Children for whom you are their court-appointed legal guardian, eligible until the last day of the month in which they turn 18.
      • Documentation is required for court-appointed guardianship. 
    • A child over age 26 who has an ongoing disability which began before age 26 may be eligible for an extension of coverage. Contact the Employee Benefits Office (prior to child's 26th birth date) in order to evaluate whether extension of coverage is appropriate.
      • Physician certification of the ongoing significant disability and approval from the insurance carrier is required to be able to cover children beyond the age of 26.
• Grandchildren:
  • Grandchildren must be born to a dependent (e.g. your child) that is currently enrolled in your plans, unmarried, and under age 26. Both the parent and grandchild must reside in your home. The newborn grandchild MUST be enrolled within 60 days of birth or will never be eligible to be added to your plans unless you obtain legal custody.
  • The grandchild can remain on your plans up to the enrolled parent-child's 26th birthday, marriage, or parent child and/or grandchild no longer reside with the employee (whichever occurs first).
    • Affidavit of dependent status is required, and other documentation may be required to cover a grandchild dependent.