Politics & Government

Same-Sex Couples Now Eligible for Federal Health Benefits

Supreme Court decision expands health care options for federal employees who are married to a same-sex partner.

Federal employees who are legally married to a spouse of the same sex can now apply for health benefits previously available to only heterosexual couples.

Legally married same-sex employees are now eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts, Federal Dental and Vision Insurance and Federal Employee Group Life Insurance. The benefits will be extended to spouses and children.

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The benefits extension was made possible when the Supreme Court determined that the Defense of Marriage Act, which barred married same-sex couples from receiving the same benefits as married opposite-sex couples, was unconstitutional.

Maranda Trahan is a postdoctoral researcher at Johns Hopkins. She said that the Supreme Court decision means she and her partner, who married in Baltimore last February, will finally be recognized as equals to married heterosexual couples.

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“It's exciting that my wife and I will be able to file both Maryland and federal taxes together next year, and that we don't have to worry about whether we'll have hospital rights in the event of an emergency,” Trahan said.

“I'm happy that the government sees us and recognizes the feelings of many of my friends and family—even the conservative, religious ones.”

Check out blogger Joe Stewart's reaction to the court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act.  

Employees must update their enrollment status by Aug. 26 to see immediate changes. If employees miss this deadline for the Federal Employee Health Benefits, they can make changes during Open Season from mid-November to mid-December.

For Federal Employee Health Benefits, employees need to submit a completed Health Benefits Election Form indicating their updated status and a copy of their legal marriage certificate to their servicing benefits officer.

Enrollment in a new Flexible Spending Account is possible by indicating the June 26 Supreme Court decision as a qualifying life event. More information is available at www.FSAFEDS.com

Employees with Federal Dental and Vision Insurance can update their status now by contacting BENEFEDS at 877-888-3337. Employees who do not have this insurance can apply for it during Open Season.

To add same-sex spouses or children to a Federal Employee Group Life Insurance policy, employees need to submit a completed Federal Employee Group Life Insurance form and a copy of their legal marriage certificate to their servicing benefits officer.

Federal employees interested in long-term care insurance with abbreviated underwriting must apply before Aug. 26. For more information, call 1-800-582-3337 or visit http://www.ltcfeds.com/.


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