Insurance plan/employer problem

[GwenyP]

I'm a police officer with a city government in Georgia. When I got married last year I joined my husband's insurance police with Blue Cross/Blue Shield on the family plan since he has a daughter. He works for the county government, fyi. I took up the city on its insurance opt-out option, which means the city puts $60 every pay period into a deferred compensation plan for me since I'm not using their insurance. Well, now the city has joined the county's insurance plan. They still allow everyone to opt out, except for those whose spouses work for the county. It seems the county made an agreement with the city to make us have our own plan since they don't want to pay for me on their plan. Now, if two city employees are married, one of them is still allowed to opt out, so it doesn't make any sense. But because my husband works for the county, I'm denied this benefit, and it'll cost us about $1,500 per year. Is there anything I can do?

 

[JBK Georgia]

I am sorry to tell you that there is probably nothing you can do. The benefits should be covered in the City's and County's insurance plans. If the way it works is the way these entities negotiated the plan, you may be stuck with it. I would recommend that both of you ask to see your respective employers' plans, just to be sure.

------------------
This post contains general advice only, not specific legal advice. Check with an attorney in your area before taking legal action. No attorney/client relationship has been created or should be implied. This post is not a solicitation for business.

 

[Tracey]

Talk to a civil rights attorney to see if you & other families in this situation have a claim for equal protection violations. The city is a subdivision of the state, so there's state action. The city has divided employees into 2 classes: married to county employees & married to non-county employees. This might count as discrimination based on marital status. Get your union working on this too.

------------------
This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.