Working Spouse Fee

Note: Does not apply to AAUP Faculty Members (tenure track or non-tenure track)

Kent State is committed to keeping our excellent health insurance plans, even amid the many challenges we face in this uncertain economy. To help make it possible for us to keep the same coverage options, employees pay an additional cost to cover a working spouse or working domestic partner. This fee is intended to apply only to spouses and domestic partners who have the option to elect health care coverage through their employer, but choose not to enroll and instead receive coverage under their Kent State employed partner's medical plan. The Working Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee is taken as a pre-tax payroll deduction each pay. The fee does not apply to eligible dependents. 

Kent State is self-insured. This means health care claims are paid directly by Kent State. The fee is a way we can keep our premiums affordable, and to continue offering great health insurance options. When coverage is granted to a working spouse or domestic partner with access to their employer’s health care plan, this creates higher costs for employees at Kent State. The working spouse/domestic partner fee helps to absorb some of the health care costs that Kent State will incur instead of your working spouse’s employer.

For any employees providing medical coverage to a spouse or domestic partner, the Affidavit of Spousal/Domestic Partner Insurance Status form (PDF) must be completed and turned in to the Benefits office. The fee will be waived if your spouse/partner meets any of the following criteria:

• If your partner is also employed at Kent State University
• If your partner is retired, disabled, unemployed, or self-employed
• If your partner does not have health coverage available through their employer
• If your partner is employed part-time 

Please be aware that fee waiver requests received with forms that meet eligibility criteria will be applied the pay period after they are approved. 

Non-Bargaining Employees 

Non-bargaining employees will have the following fee applied on a per-pay basis:

AFSCME Bargaining Employees 

AFSCME bargaining unit employees will contribute the following per-pay fee:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How will I know if the working spouse fee applies?

• If your spouse or domestic partner is working full-time at an employer who offers group health insurance, but has declined coverage and wants to remain on the Kent State health plan.
• If your spouse or domestic partner is enrolled in Medicare, but is still actively working at their employer, who offers group health insurance.
• If your spouse or domestic partner is offered coverage for any time period throughout the year with their employer, and you choose to continue their coverage under the Kent State health plan.

When does the working spouse fee not apply?

• If you and your spouse are BOTH employed at Kent State and are both covered on the Kent State health plan under either you or your spouse/domestic partner’s coverage.
• If your spouse/domestic partner is enrolled in Medicare, but is currently covered on your active employee Kent State health plan.
• If your spouse/domestic partner is a retiree and is not actively working.
• If your spouse/domestic partner is employed part-time.
• If your spouse/domestic partner is employed part-time and has NO access to health coverage.
• If your spouse is self-employed and has NO access to an employer-sponsored health care plan.

Will new hires be required to attest to the Working Spouse Fee?

Yes.

If my spouse is currently covered on their employer's health plan, and they lost that coverage, am I able to add them to my Kent State plan?

Yes. Your spouse's loss of coverage would be considered a qualifying event, which means they could be enrolled in the Kent State plan within 31 days of the termination of benefits, and you would not be required to pay the working spouse fee. Written documentation from your spouse's or domestic partner’s employer regarding their loss of coverage would be required, along with an updated copy of the Affidavit of Spousal/Domestic Partner Insurance Status form and a Change of Information Benefits form. These must be submitted to the Employee Benefits office.

If my spouse enrolls in their own employer's medical plan as their primary coverage, can they stay on my Kent State medical plan and use it as secondary coverage?

Yes, they can remain on your Kent State health plan, and you will be eligible to waive the working spouse fee.

If I originally received a waiver for the working spouse fee and my spouse later receives an offer of other coverage, do I need to submit a new affidavit for my working spouse? 

Yes, working spouses/ domestic partners can be added throughout the year.

Does the working spouse fee apply to Kent State's dental and vision plans?

No, the working spouse fee applies only to the MEDICAL plan.