Legal Question in Employment Law in Washington

Medical plan singles out married couples dependency status

Currenty my employer is offereing new medical, dental and vision plans for 2003. however then NEW and only change they have identified are ''Married employees working for ''this same employer'' must choose only one plan and cannot be a dependent on the others plan'' i.e. I must choose group health medical as primany and list my wife as dependent. however she cannot choose Blue cross and list me as a dependent. Yet the employeer chooses not to Identify the other married members with one spouse employeed at another company and both choosing each as dependents on their respective plans.

I have to choose one or the other in a few days... how should my wife and I sign or choose the plan.

--name removed--

Searching the web and my own knowldege is that my employeer is discrimination on Married couples working for the same employer


Asked on 11/12/02, 11:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Teller Stephen A. Teller, Attorney at Law

Re: Medical plan singles out married couples dependency status

I can't really answer the question. My suggestions for further help are:

Human Rights Commission of Washington (206) 464-6500 (or check for local office). This is the agency that enforces laws against discrimination on the basis of marriage. Roberta Reilly, who is in house counsel for Planned Parenthood of Washington, just won a case about discrimination in health plans (not covering birth control, but covering viagra), so she should have good leads about who could represent you. Jim Oswald (Seattle lawyer) does benefits issues more than I do, and might have some ideas.

Sorry not to be of more assistance.

Stephen Teller

206 324 8969

[email protected]

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Answered on 11/13/02, 2:36 am


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