What Does Same-Sex Legalization Mean for Edina City Policy?

Political intrigues, celebrations of equality and moral condemnations aside, the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota means nitty-gritty policy changes at all levels of government.

On Thursday, Edina sent out a directive to staff explaining the new changes for health, dental and life insurance.

"There is still some uncertainty in the air about a couple of details, but for the most part, our human resources staff has got the transition issues figured out," city manager Scott Neal wrote on his blog. "It’s taken some effort, but most important things in life take some effort, right?"

Neal posted the full email to city staff on his blog:

The Minnesota Marriage Equality Act recognizing marriage between two consenting adults regardless of gender becomes effective today – August 1, 2013. Employees with same-sex spouses will be eligible for the same spousal benefit options offered to our employees with opposite-sex spouses, including health, dental and life insurance. Other non-City sponsored benefits that apply to same-gender spouses include: Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections, PERA survivor benefits, reimbursement of qualifying medical/dental/vision expenses for spouse fromFSA/HRA/HSA, as well as COBRA and MN Continuation of insurance benefits.

Benefit changes are allowed annually during open enrollment or as the result of a qualifying event, such as marriage, birth, divorce, etc. Due to the implementation of MN Marriage Equality Act, employees with same-sex spouses that were previously legally married in other states or will be married in MN on or after August 1, will now have a special enrollment period to enroll your same-sex spouse in benefits. Below are the enrollment periods for such benefits:

Health Insurance: Blue Cross and Blue Shield is allowing enrollment 8/1/13-12/31/13, regardless of when or where the marriage occurred.

Dental Insurance: Health Partners is allowing a traditional special enrollment period of 30 days. Employees married in other states prior to 8/1 will have until 8/30 to enroll their spouse. Employees married after 8/1 will have 30 days from the date of marriage to add their spouse.

Life Insurance: We are still awaiting guidance from The Hartford on the length of their special enrollment. If you have previously been married in another state and are interested in enrolling your spouse, please contact Jessica. If you will be married, please plan on enrolling within 30 days for your marriage.

We are still awaiting guidance from the MN Department of Revenue regarding the taxation of the benefits.

Beginning January 1, 2014, benefit changes will only be allowed during annual open enrollment or within 30 days of a qualifying event. As always, we recommend that all employees notify Candy in Human Resources when you have a qualifying event so that we can inform you of your rights to make changes to election options.