The New School requires faculty and staff to provide proof-of-relationship documentation to establish a dependent’s eligibility for insurance coverage. This requirement ensures legal compliance and good governance and helps the university control
healthcare costs.
Covered employees can enroll the following eligible dependents by providing the indicated supporting documents:
- A spouse, with a copy of a marriage certificate
- A same- or opposite-sex domestic partner,
with a copy of an approved Statement of Domestic Partnership
- A child or children through the end of the year in which the covered child turns 26, with copy of a birth certificate that shows the names of both the parent and the child or
legal documentation of adoption or court-ordered care by the employee
- A dependent child or children found to have a disability before the attainment of age 19 with a copy of a birth certificate that shows the names of both the parent and
the child or legal documentation of adoption or court-ordered care by the employee and documentation of disability status
Definition of a Child
- Your biological child
- Your stepchild
- Your qualified domestic partner's child
- Your legally adopted child
- Your foster child, including any child placed with you for adoption
- Any child for whom you are responsible under court order
Eligible dependents can be enrolled only during the employee's initial eligibility period and enrolled or dropped from coverage during the annual Open Enrollment period unless you and/or your dependent experience a change in Status as defined by Internal
Revenue Code.
Domestic Partnership
A domestic partnership is defined as two individuals who live together in a long-term relationship of indefinite duration. There must be an exclusive mutual commitment similar to that of marriage, in which the partners agree to
be financially responsible for each other's welfare and share financial obligations.
When Your Dependent Child(ren) Is No Longer Age-Eligible for Coverage
When your child is no longer age-eligible to continue coverage as a dependent on your New School medical, dental, or vision plan, coverage will terminate at the end of the month
in which the child becomes ineligible. Your child may continue coverage through COBRA for up to 36 months by paying the full group rate plus an additional 2 percent for administrative expenses. COBRA information will be sent by The New School's third-party
COBRA administrator to the home address on file.
When Your Legal Spouse Is No Longer Eligible for Coverage
A divorced or legally separated spouse is no longer eligible for coverage under the New School medical, dental, or vision plan as of the date the divorce or separation is finalized. You must
elect to terminate coverage within 31 days of the date of finalization of your divorce by declaring a qualifying life event in MyDay. Your ex-spouse may continue coverage through COBRA for up to 36 months by paying the full group rate plus an additional
2 percent for administrative expenses. COBRA information will be sent by The New School's third-party COBRA administrator to the home address on file.