Benefits for Dependents
Benefits-eligible employees may elect to cover their eligible dependents in medical, prescription, dental, vision and life insurance benefits, as well as other benefit programs.
Supporting documentation that proves your relationship is required when adding dependents to your coverage. It must be submitted within 30 days of their enrollment date, or they will be removed from your coverage. Documentation is uploaded via Workday and held confidentially. View the Uploading Supporting Documents in Workday System Guide [pdf] for instructions.
On this page: Eligible Dependents | Dependent Children | Domestic Partners | Dependent Eligibility Documentation
Eligible Dependents
- Your spouse or registered domestic partner,
- Your children, defined as any one or more of the following:
- natural born children
- stepchildren
- legally-adopted children
- children of your registered domestic partner whom you can claim as your dependent on your U.S. federal income tax return for U.S. federal income tax purposes
- children for whom you, your spouse or domestic partner serve as legal guardian
- children for whom coverage is mandated by a qualified medical child support order
Individuals can only be covered once under a CMU benefit plan. If your spouse/domestic partner and/or child(ren) are already covered under a CMU benefit plan, you will not be able to add them to coverage under that plan.
Dependent Children
Age Limit for Children
Children may be covered under the medical, prescription, dental, vision and dependent life insurance benefits until the end of the month of their 26th birthday.
Disabled Dependents
An unmarried dependent child age 26 or older who, except for his or her age, would otherwise qualify for coverage as specified above and who meets all of the following criteria continues to be eligible for coverage:
- the child is incapable of self-sustaining employment due to a mental or physical handicap, as certified by a licensed physician;
- the child became mentally or physically handicapped prior to age 26; and
- the child continues to be claimed as your dependent on your U.S. federal income tax return for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Domestic Partners
Carnegie Mellon extends benefits to eligible same- and opposite-sex partners of employees.
Eligibility
For the purpose of receiving coverage under the employee's benefit plans, Carnegie Mellon defines a domestic partnership as a relationship between a Carnegie Mellon employee and another individual that meets the following criteria:
- Both parties are 18 years of age or older and are able to contract at time of registration.
- Neither party is legally married to nor the domestic partner of any other person.
- The parties are not related by blood to a degree that would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- The relationship has been entered into voluntarily, willingly and without reservation.
- The partners have been in a committed relationship as a couple for at least twelve continuous months prior to registration of the domestic partner relationship. The relationship is intended to continue indefinitely.
- The relationship includes mutual support, mutual caring and commitment, and mutual responsibility for each other's welfare in the nature of a domestic partner relationship.
Note: Children of the domestic partner who are not dependents of the employee are not eligible for benefits coverage.
Registering a Domestic Partnership
- Review the eligibility criteria. Both parties must acknowledge that they meet the Carnegie Mellon definition of a Domestic Partner Relationship.
- Enroll through to elect coverage for your domestic partner.
- Choose the relationship option "Domestic Partner" and select coverage level "Employee & Domestic Partner" or "Family with Domestic Partner."
- If your domestic partner qualifies as your tax dependent for health coverage purposes under federal tax law and you are completing the Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status [pdf], select the relationship option "IRS Tax Dependent Domestic Partner" and coverage level "Employee & Spouse" or "Family."
- Within 30 days of enrolling, submit via Workday the Registration Statement of Domestic Partnership [pdf], Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status [pdf] (if applicable) and supporting documentation for at least three of the following circumstances:
- Joint lease, deed or mortgage agreement
- Designation by the employee of the other party as primary beneficiary on a life insurance policy or retirement contract
- Designation of the other party as the primary beneficiary in the employee's will
- Durable power of attorney for property or health care issues granted to the other
- Joint ownership of a motor vehicle, joint checking account or joint credit account
- Mutual legal responsibility for the care of a child
Please Note: The registration statement and supporting documentation are subject to approval by HR Services.
Domestic Partner Benefits: Tax Rules
If your domestic partner does not qualify as a tax dependent under IRS Section 152, health coverage for them triggers two tax impacts:
- After-Tax Contributions: You cannot pay your partner’s portion of insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars. That amount is deducted from your paycheck after taxes.
- Imputed Income: The amount CMU contributes toward your partner’s coverage is considered taxable income. This added value shows up on your payslip as imputed income and is taxed under federal income tax.
Note: See the Domestic Partner Registration Packet [pdf] for more details on taxation. If your domestic partner meets the IRS Section 152 definition of a tax dependent, these rules do not apply. Check with a tax professional to confirm your partner's dependency status.
2027 Benefit Plan Rates: Pre-Tax/Post-Tax Breakdown
Full-Time Medical and Prescription Rates
| Medical Coverage Level | PPO Option 1 | PPO Option 2 | Highmark EPO / UPMC HMO | High-Deductible PPO with HSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee and Domestic Partner | ||||
| Highmark | Pre-tax: $299 Post-tax: $504 |
Pre-tax: $220 Post-tax: $420 |
Pre-tax: $128 Post-tax: $894 |
Pre-tax: $150 Post-tax: $342 |
| UPMC | Pre-tax: $126 Post-tax: $313 |
Pre-tax: $52 Post-tax: $236 |
Pre-tax: $107 Post-tax: $637 |
Pre-tax: $28 Post-tax: $130 |
| Family (Domestic Partner and Child) | ||||
| Highmark | Pre-tax: $620 Post-tax: $552 |
Pre-tax: $486 Post-tax: $459 |
Pre-tax: $684 Post-tax: $834 |
Pre-tax: $367 Post-tax: $376 |
| UPMC | Pre-tax: $325 Post-tax: $344 |
Pre-tax: $202 Post-tax: $255 |
Pre-tax: $526 Post-tax: $564 |
Pre-tax: $96 Post-tax: $185 |
| Family (Domestic Partner and Children) | ||||
| Highmark | Pre-tax: $711 Post-tax: $461 |
Pre-tax: $563 Post-tax: $382 |
Pre-tax: $854 Post-tax: $664 |
Pre-tax: $431 Post-tax: $312 |
| UPMC | Pre-tax: $382 Post-tax: $287 |
Pre-tax: $245 Post-tax: $212 |
Pre-tax: $655 Post-tax: $435 |
Pre-tax: $127 Post-tax: $154 |
| Prescription Coverage Level | Option A (frozen to current enrollees) |
Option B |
| Employee and Domestic Partner | Pre-tax: $351 Post-tax: $449 |
Pre-tax: $17 Post-tax: $84 |
| Family (Domestic Partner and Child) | Pre-tax: $636 Post-tax: $489 |
Pre-tax: $71 Post-tax: $90 |
| Family (Domestic Partner and Children) | Pre-tax: $719 Post-tax: $406 |
Pre-tax: $86 Post-tax: $75 |
Full-Time Dental and Vision Rates
| Dental Coverage Level | DHMO | Standard PPO | Enhanced PPO |
| Family (Domestic Partner) | Pre-tax: $14.22 Post-tax: $42 |
Pre-tax: $13.95 Post-tax: $36.36 |
Pre-tax: $34.21 |
| Vision Coverage Level | Davis Vision | VBA | ||
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 1 | Option 2 | |
| Family (Domestic Partner) | Pre-tax: $1.06 Post-tax: $5.30 |
Pre-tax: $4.24 Post-tax: $13.24 |
Pre-tax: $1.30 Post-tax: $6.48 |
Pre-tax: $4.42 Post-tax: $13.76 |
Part-Time Medical and Prescription Rates
| Medical Coverage Level | PPO Option 1 | PPO Option 2 | Highmark EPO / UPMC HMO | High-Deductible PPO with HSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee and Spouse/Domestic Partner | ||||
| Highmark | Pre-tax: $539.50 Post-tax: $680.50 |
Pre-tax: $460.50 Post-tax: $596.50 |
Pre-tax: $514 Post-tax: $941.50 |
Pre-tax: $390.50 Post-tax: $518.50 |
| UPMC | Pre-tax: $366.50 Post-tax: $489.50 |
Pre-tax: $292.50 Post-tax: $412.50 |
Pre-tax: $429.50 Post-tax: $731.50 |
Pre-tax: $250 Post-tax: $325 |
| Family (Domestic Partner and Child) | ||||
| Highmark | Pre-tax: $973 Post-tax: $742.50 |
Pre-tax: $839 Post-tax: $649.50 |
Pre-tax: $1,106.50 Post-tax: $955 |
Pre-tax: $720 Post-tax: $566.50 |
| UPMC | Pre-tax: $678 Post-tax: $534.50 |
Pre-tax: $555 Post-tax: $445.50 |
Pre-tax: $902 Post-tax: $731.50 |
Pre-tax: $449 Post-tax: $375.50 |
| Family (Domestic Partner and Children) | ||||
| Highmark | Pre-tax: $1,096 Post-tax: $619.50 |
Pre-tax: $948 Post-tax: $540.50 |
Pre-tax: $1,281.50 Post-tax: $780 |
Pre-tax: $816 Post-tax: $470.50 |
| UPMC | Pre-tax: $767 Post-tax: $445.50 |
Pre-tax: $630 Post-tax: $370.50 |
Pre-tax: $1,042 Post-tax: $591.50 |
Pre-tax: $512 Post-tax: $312.50 |
| Prescription Coverage Level | Option A (frozen to current enrollees) |
Option B |
| Employee and Domestic Partner | Pre-tax: $417 Post-tax: $489.50 |
Pre-tax: $125 Post-tax: $171 |
| Family (Domestic Partner and Child) | Pre-tax: $727.50 Post-tax: $533.50 |
Pre-tax: $233 Post-tax: $185 |
| Family (Domestic Partner and Children) | Pre-tax: $818 Post-tax: $443 |
Pre-tax: $264.50 Post-tax: $153.50 |
Dependent Eligibility Documentation
|
Dependent's Relationship to You |
Age Limit | Required Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | N/A | Marriage certificate |
| Registered domestic partner | N/A | Registration Statement for Domestic Partnership and three verification documents outlined in the Domestic Partnership Packet [pdf] |
| Biological child(ren) | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Birth certificate |
| Stepchild(ren) | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Birth certificate and marriage certificate |
| Adopted child(ren) | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Final adoption decree or placement letter from court or adoption agency for pending adoption(s) and related legal document that establishes birth date |
| Foster child(ren) | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Court assignment or agency order establishing relationship or proof of state licensing or approval of foster children status and related legal document that establishes birth date |
| Child(ren) for whom you are a legal guardian | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Court assignment or agency order establishing legal guardianship and related legal documents that establish relationship and birth date |
| Child(ren) of your registered domestic partner, who depend on your support and live with you in a regular parent/child relationship | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Registration Statement for Domestic Partnership and three verification documents outlined in the Domestic Partnership Packet [pdf] and birth certificate and Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status |
| Adopted Child(ren) of your registered domestic partner, who depend on your support and live with you in a regular parent/child relationship | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Registration Statement for Domestic Partnership and three verification documents outlined in the Domestic Partnership Packet [pdf] and birth certificate or final adoption decree or placement letter from court or adoption agency for pending adoptions and Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status |
| Child(ren) for whom your registered domestic partner is the legal guardian | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Registration Statement for Domestic Partnership and three verification documents outlined in the Domestic Partnership Packet [pdf] and Birth certificate and Court assignment or Agency order establishing legal guardianship and Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status |
| Child(ren) for whom the court has issued a Qualified Medical Child Support Order | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | If support order has already been sent to the Office of Human Resources, indicate to whom it was sent |
| Unmarried children dependent on you for primary financial support and maintenance due to a physical or mental disability, incapable of self support, and disability existed before age 26 | N/A | Birth certificate or other document supporting the relationship and proof of the disability from your child's medical plan; your medical carrier determines the child's disability status |