Domestic Partner Benefits Update

I am writing with an update regarding the University of Arizona initiative to offer group insurance benefits for employees with domestic partners.

On July 23, 2010, U. S. District Court Judge John Sedwick issued a preliminary (temporary) injunction in Collins v. Brewer prohibiting the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) from terminating benefits eligibility for same sex domestic partners of state and university employees on December 31, 2010. Same sex domestic partners will remain eligible for the ADOA plan as long as the injunction remains in force.

However, the injunction does not affect the state's authority to terminate benefits eligibility of opposite sex domestic partners after December 31, 2010. We are awaiting additional information from ADOA about continued coverage options that may be made available to these opposite sex partners and their children in order to determine whether an alternative plan will be necessary to ensure continued coverage.

It's important to remember that these developments affect only the eligibility of the domestic partners and their children. Each benefits eligible employee, his/her children and spouse remain eligible for ADOA coverage. If you do not want to make changes to your current benefits, no Open Enrollment action is required; your benefits will automatically continue.

As soon as we have additional information, we will share it by email and publish it on the HR website.