Family Changes (removing a dependent)

How to end coverage for enrolled dependents who lose eligibility (divorce or end of domestic partnership, dependent gained own coverage, death, etc.).

Do you need to remove a dependent(s)?

Divorce/End of a Domestic Partnership

  1. Use Workday Change Dependents to remove the dependent from your plan.

  2. You must submit a Statement of Dissolution of Marriage/Domestic Partnership webform.

You have 60 days from finalization of the divorce (signature date of Judge) or termination of domestic partnership to report the event to the Benefits Office.

Your former spouse/partner will be removed from your medical/dental plan on the date of the event and then get a COBRA continuation of coverage offer. Failure to report a dissolution of marriage/domestic partnership can have a financial impact on your paycheck.

Gaining Other Coverage

With documentation, you may be able to remove a dependent if they have gained other coverage within the last 60 days. Please contact us for direction.

Death of a Family Member

Our deepest condolences on your loss. Contact the Benefits Office for assistance: employee.benefits@multco.us or 503-988-3477.

Our Employee Assistance Program is available to all household members of benefit-eligible employees.

Recommended: You may also wish to contact PERS and Deferred Compensation directly to update your information.

Open Enrollment

You can make dependent changes without family status changes during Open Enrollment every year in October/November.

Who are Eligible Dependents?

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

  • Employee's Spouse or Domestic Partner
  • 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.
Last reviewed November 12, 2024

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