Email from UT’s Human Resource Service Center sent to University employees:



Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday regarding same-sex marriage, all benefits eligible UT Austin employees and retired employees will be able to enroll their same-sex spouses, as well as dependent children of these spouses, in health and dental coverages and services that are currently available to, and at the same cost as, opposite-sex spouses.



The plan amendment will take effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. That day, under policies related to mid-year enrollments due to a status change, UT Austin will begin enrolling same-sex spouses of benefits eligible employees and retired employees who submit the required application and presentation of a valid marriage certificate. Employees will have 31 days to enroll from this status change event. Benefits eligible employees and retirees who submit the required application and a marriage certificate after July 1 may enroll within 31 days of the marriage.



The UT System Office of Employee Benefits is working on similar changes with vendors who offer employees certain benefits such as HMO dental, vision, and life and accident insurance. UT System hopes to confirm by Wednesday, July 1, that these policies have been amended and are available to same-sex spouses on that date. If vendors have not made the necessary changes by July 1, the university will offer affected individuals a separate, special opportunity to enroll as soon as possible.



To access Change of Status insurance forms and instructions, please visit http://www.utexas.edu/hr/current/insurance/change_of_status.html



For questions, please call the Human Resource Service Center at 512-471-4772 or toll-free at 800-687-4178, or contact your Benefits Specialist for individual guidance. To identify your Benefits Specialist, use the Find a Rep search option at http://www.utexas.edu/hr/hrpro/lookup/



