Dependent Health Insurance

Eligible dependents for health, dental, and vision insurance plans include:

• Your spouse, as long as he or she is not also separately enrolled as an eligible state employee or retiree.
• Your unmarried children by birth or legal adoption who are in your custody and dependent on you for support. 

In the case of legal adoption, a child is eligible for coverage as of the date of placement. Placement occurs when you become legally obligated for the total or partial support of the child in anticipation of adoption. A sworn statement with the date of placement or a court order verifying placement is required.

Continuing coverage for your dependent children.
Coverage for your eligible children ceases the end of the year in which they turn 18. However, if your coverage is still active, your dependent child can remain eligible through the year in which the child turns 23 if he or she is:

• Unmarried and between the ages of 18 and 23.
• Dependent on you for financial support.
• A full-time student.

You may be asked to provide tax returns as proof of dependency and school records as proof of full-time school attendance.

You can enroll your child over 18 in insurances if the child is determined to be totally and permanently disabled and dependent on you for support. You must furnish proof of disability along with proof your child lived with you for more than half the year and you provided more than half the child's financial support for the year. Coverage can continue as long as there is no break in eligibility.

Reporting changes for your dependents. 

It is your responsibility to notify ORS of any change in your status, or that of your family, that would result in ineligibility, or of coverage under any other group insurance including Medicare. We will adjust your premium deductions if necessary, but we cannot refund premiums that were withheld before the month in which you report the change.

To report changes, log into miAccount, navigate to the Insurance Coverage section, make your changes, and mail us required proofs if necessary. You can also use the Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G) form on our website.

You can also use miAccount to add or change the name of someone on your health, dental, or vision insurance contract. If you're adding a spouse or dependent due to marriage, birth, or adoption, be sure to send a copy of the marriage, birth, or adoption certificate within 30 days of the event so that the 6-month waiting period can be waived. If we do not receive the proofs on time, your request will be canceled.

COBRA protects your dependents after eligibility stops.

If one of your dependents loses insurance eligibility, he or she may be able to pay for continued coverage for a limited time. A federal law known as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, allows your dependent spouse or child the option of paying for continued health, dental, and vision coverage for up to 36 months after a qualifying event. The employee or affected family member must notify the MI HR Service Center, (877) 766-6447, within 60 days of the date of a qualifying event. Request an Application for Continuation of Insurances (CS-1767) to be sent to your dependent.

Additional notes about insurance for your dependents.

• Covered services for your eligible dependents will be the same as yours.
• Upon your death, insurance benefits continue for your survivor pension beneficiary. Your eligible dependents who were covered at the time of your death will continue to receive insurance benefits only if you have chosen the survivor option.