Being forced to provide information on waiver

[ahrkeytect]

I live and work in New Jersey.

My employer is changing the Company's Health plan.

I have not, and do not want to participate in my company's Health plan because my spouse has a better plan with her company that covers me as well.

The salesman brought a waiver form that I HAD to fill out to opt out of the plan, but the problem I have is that this form requires that i fill out a lot of personal information that i simply do not want to give.

The kind of information requested is: Social Security number, marital status, date of birth, policy number of my other insurance.

I realize that my employer already has some of this info, but why does this Health Insurance Company require this?

Furthermore, the sales guy told one of my colleagues that the ONLY way that she and the rest of the employees that do want the insurance could get it, is if I filled out the form in its entirety.

Is this legal? Can I refuse to give this information?

[mlane58]

It's perfectly legal for them to request that information.

Can I refuse to give this information?

Sure you can refuse and if you do then they won't waive your coverage.

[ecmst12]

They require proof of other coverage in order for you to be able to waive your company's coverage. The information on the form is what they need to obtain proof, or would be considered proof in itself. I couldn't tell you the specific reason why but it's some kind of liability issue, your company is trying to cover its butt in some way, and it's not an uncommon requirement.

Oh here's a thought, does your company offer you a credit for waiving coverage? I have worked for companies that offered to give you back some of the money that they're saving by not paying for your health care, for people who have other coverage. In that case, they don't want anyone waiving the coverage JUST for the credit, so that's why they require it.

Even if that's not the case though, it's still not unusual.