Benefits

Health and Dental Plan Coverage for Surviving Spouses and MSU Recognized Same-sex Domestic Partners

For Faculty/Academic Staff and Support Staff Hired Prior To 7/01/02: The surviving spouse/MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, and eligible dependents of “official” retirees (62 years of age or older with 15 or more years of service or 25 years of service at any age) may continue participation in the health and dental plans for life. The University's monthly contribution toward the health, prescription drug and dental premium is based on the deceased's full time equivalent (FTE) service months at the time of death. If there is no surviving spouse/MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, eligible dependents can elect COBRA coverage.

For Support Staff Hired On Or After 7/01/02: The surviving spouse/MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, and eligible dependents of “official” retirees (62 years of age or older with 15 or more years of service or 25 years of service at any age) may continue participation in the health and dental plans for life by making the full applicable premium payments through MSU. If there is no surviving spouse/MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, eligible dependents can elect COBRA coverage. The surviving spouse/MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner and eligible dependents of deceased employees (active, regular 50% or greater) may continue participation in the health and dental plans as follows (if there is no surviving spouse/MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, eligible dependents can elect COBRA coverage): If deceased was employed for less than five years: Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA), continued participation, on a cash basis, through Michigan State University's group health, prescription drug and/or dental plan is possible for up to 36 months from the date of death. Contact MSU Human Resources within 60 days of the death to elect continuation of health, prescription drug and/or dental plan coverage. The first month's premium must be received in MSU Human Resources within 45 days from the date of billing to avoid cancellation of coverage. To maintain coverage beyond 36 months, health care coverage may be converted to a private policy. Dental and prescription drug coverage cannot be converted. If deceased was employed for more than five years, but less than 15 years: May maintain health/prescription drug coverage through the MSU group plan, for one year, with the same University monthly premium contribution the employee was receiving at the time of their death. Participation through Michigan State University's group health/prescription drug plan may be further continued for an additional 24 months under COBRA. Dental coverage may be continued for 36 months under COBRA. Contact MSU Human Resources Benefits within 60 days of the death to elect continuation of dental coverage. The first month's premium must be received in MSU Human Resources Benefits within 45 days from the date of billing to avoid cancellation of coverage. To maintain coverage beyond the 36 months (12 months with the University contribution, 24 months paid by spouse/MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner), health care coverage may be converted to a private policy. Dental and prescription drug coverage cannot be converted. If the deceased was employed for 15 or more years but was less than age 62 or was employed less than 25 years: May maintain health care/prescription drug coverage through the MSU group plan, for one year, with the same University monthly premium contribution the employee had at the time of their death. After one year, health/prescription drug coverage may be continued indefinitely by making cash payments directly to MSU Human Resources Benefits. If at any time coverage is cancelled or payment is not made, re-enrollment at a later date will not be allowed. Dental coverage may be continued under COBRA for up to 36 months from the date of death. Contact MSU Human Resources Benefits within 60 days of the death if you wish to elect continuation of dental coverage under COBRA. The first month's premium must be received in MSU Human Resources Benefits within 45 days from the date of billing to avoid cancellation of coverage. Dental coverage cannot be converted to a private policy. If the deceased was employed for 25 years or more or had attained the age of 62 or over with 15 years or more of service (and was hired prior to 7/01/02): May continue participation in the health, prescription drug and dental plans for life. The University's monthly premium contribution is based on the deceased's FTE service months at the time of death. If the deceased was an “official” retiree and the surviving spouse is an "active" employee and each had their own, but different health plans, the surviving spouse must choose one of the health plans.* *The surviving spouse/MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner may elect to continue the health plan of the deceased. If the deceased was in a different employee group, and the survivor changes health plan's during the annual open enrollment period, the survivor would not be allowed to return to the deceased's plan in the future. This is not a concern unless the two employees were in different classifications with differences in the health plan coverage.