Health Insurance Domestic Partner Definition

The U.S. government does not recognize domestic partnerships, which means that local governments may choose to define what "domestic partner" means and who qualifies in their jurisdictions. Most national health insurance companies offer plans to domestic partners and set their own definitions and conditions that apply when the applicant resides in an area without its own domestic partnership law.

Definition

• Companies differ in what exactly they require of couples filing jointly for a health insurance policy as domestic partners. However, most require that both partners be 18 or older, capable of consent, unrelated by blood closer than second cousins, not be married to or a registered partner of anyone else, cohabitating, sharing living expenses and in a long-term, exclusive relationship.

Meeting Conditions

• Most insurance companies do not ask for proof that that partners meet all of the conditions required to fit their definition of domestic partners. Most applicants will simply be asked to sign an affidavit stating that the couple meets all of the conditions.

Domestic Partner Policies

• Most policies aimed at domestic partners are identical to those designed for married couples with two exceptions. First, couples must fit the health insurance company's definition of "domestic partners." Second, domestic partners cannot deduct the cost of insurance from federal income taxes (according to federal law) or most state taxes (with the exception of California and Oregon).

Domestic Partner Laws

• In areas with domestic partner laws, insurance companies are generally required by state or local law to follow the regulations and definitions established by the local government. Hence, if you live in a place with a domestic partner law, look up the definition of domestic partner, as the insurance company will use that definition during your application. If your state has a domestic partner law or registry, the Secretary of State should have local regulations for domestic partners posted on the agency`s webpage, usually under "Vital Records" or "Domestic Partner Registry." If your county or city has laws regulating domestic partnerships, go to the appropriate municipality's webpage; domestic partner information is usually with information for married couples or under "Human Services."

States

• California, Washington, Nevada, Oregon and the District of Columbia all have laws stating that insurance companies must offer policies to domestic partners. In the case of Washington and Oregon, this is more implied in a blanket law that declares that domestic partners be treated as married couples in the state. The states use "domestic partner" to mean "registered domestic partner," meaning that partners must meet all of the state's requirements and then register in order to have legal status. However, all of the states (except the District of Columbia) require that partners be the same sex or over 65.