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Dependent Health Insurance

Dependent Health Insurance

Health, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage for your spouse and eligible dependents is the same as yours. Those eligible for coverage are:
  • Your spouse, as long as they are not also enrolled separately as an eligible state employee or retiree.
  • Your child by birth, legal adoption, or legal guardianship, or your stepchild, until the end of the month in which the child turns age 26.
    • 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.
    • In the case of legal guardianship, official guardianship paperwork must be in place for a dependent to be eligible for coverage. Once a guardianship terminates, dependent eligibility for coverage ends.

Continuing coverage for eligible dependents.

If your enrolled dependent is an unmarried child by birth, adoption, or legal guardianship who is totally and permanently disabled, dependent on you for support, and incapable of self-sustaining employment, their coverage will continue as long as they were totally and permanently disabled before age 26, and your coverage does not terminate for any other reason. You must provide proof of disability and proof of dependency.
  • 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.
  • In the case of legal guardianship, official guardianship paperwork must be in place for a dependent to be eligible for coverage. Once a guardianship terminates, dependent eligibility for coverage ends.

Go to How to Apply for the list of proofs you'll need to provide when enrolling your spouse and dependents in your insurances.

Reporting changes for your spouse and dependents.

It is your responsibility to notify the Michigan Office of Retirement Services 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 in to miAccount, go 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.

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 due to marriage, be sure to send proof of marriage and birth. If you are adding a dependent due to birth or adoption, be sure to send proof of birth or adoption. Proofs are required within 30 days of the event so that the six-month waiting period can be waived. If we do not receive the proofs on time, your request will be canceled.

Do not mail in original documents; they will not be returned.

COBRA protects your spouse and dependents after eligibility stops.

If your spouse or one of your dependents loses insurance eligibility, they 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 spouse or dependent child the option of paying for continued health, dental, and vision coverage for up to 36 months after a qualifying event. The retiree or affected family member must notify our office within 30 days of the date of a qualifying event and request an Application for Continuation of Insurances (CS-1767) form.

Your health insurance carrier may also offer a non-group conversion policy for your spouse and dependents. Contact the insurance carrier for more information.

Additional notes about insurance for your spouse and dependents.

Upon your death, insurance benefits continue for your survivor pension beneficiary. Your eligible spouse and children by birth, legal adoption, or full legal guardianship, who were covered at the time of your death will continue to receive insurance benefits only if you have chosen the survivor option and there is no break in eligibility since your death.