Employee Matters

This column is prepared by staff of the Employee Compensation and Benefits Services office. You may e-mail us at Employee@bussvc.wisc.edu, or call Employee Services at 263-7556 or 262-5650.

State group health insurance program options for married state or university employees
The state group health insurance program covers state government employees, including university employees, who are in the Wisconsin Retirement System. The university also has a separate state group health insurance program that covers graduate assistants. The following information applies to employees in both programs.

Options for married couples:
If you and your spouse are eligible state or university employees, then:

1. Each of you may select a single health plan; or
2. One of you may select a family plan to cover your spouse and any eligible dependents.

Some married couples select single coverage so each employee can select a different health insurance carrier. A married couple may not carry two family plans, or one family plan and one single plan.

When making coverage changes between spouses, submit applications simultaneously. Note what is to be accomplished so that both transactions are processed with the same dates to avoid any lapse in coverage or denial of benefits. If this involves an employee at another state agency, Employee Compensation and Benefits Services will contact the other agency.

What is a spouse-to-spouse transfer?
Eligible married employees may request to change a family plan to the other spouse at any time without restrictions. This is commonly referred to as a “spouse-to-spouse” transfer. The change is effective the first of the month following the date your health insurance application is received by your department benefits coordinator.

Can two single plans be changed to a family plan?
Yes. If a married couple has two single plans, one of the plans may be changed to a family plan at any time without restriction. You must decide which plan you want to continue (if each of you has a different carrier). You and your spouse must submit a new health insurance application: one to change to the family plan and the other to cancel the single plan.

The change is effective the first of the month following the date your health insurance application is received by your department benefits coordinator.

Can a family plan be split into two single plans?
Yes. One family plan can be split into two single plans at any time without restriction if there are no dependent children. The two single plans must be with the same carrier. You and your spouse must each submit a new health insurance application changing to a single plan.

The change is effective the first of the month following the date your health insurance application is received by your department benefits coordinators.

What is required if I have a family plan and marry another state or university employee who has his/her own family or single plan?
Within 30 days of the date of marriage, a health insurance application must be submitted to cancel the single plan. A health insurance information change form must also be submitted to add the new spouse (and any eligible dependents) to the remaining family plan. In this case, the change will be effective on the date of marriage.

Questions?
Contact a benefits specialist at the EC&BS office via e-mail at employee@bussvc.wisc.edu, or visit the EC&BS Web site at http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/emp-info.html.