Employees can enrol only one spouse on the BCPSEA benefits program:

  • A legal spouse
  • An estranged spouse (separated)
  • An ex-spouse (divorced)
  • A common-law spouse

If you become divorced or legally separated from your Spouse, the following steps must be taken:

  • To delete or change your Eligible Spouse, you are required to complete and sign the BCPSEA Benefits Change Form and provide that form to the Benefits Administrator.
  • You must complete the Common Law Spouse Declaration Form, if applicable, to enrol a new common-law spouse.
  • If the Family Status has changed (i.e. from Couple to Single), appropriate premium adjustments will be effective the first of the month coincident with or the next following date of change.

Note:

  • Coverage may not be continued for an ex-spouse without a separation agreement or court order that states the member must continue coverage for the ex-spouse under the “employer-sponsored plan.”
  • You may change your Eligible Spouse from an ex-spouse or estranged spouse to a common-law or a new legal spouse on the date the new spouse is eligible for coverage.
  • You will be required to sign a Common Law Spouse Declaration form to enrol a common-law spouse.
  • If you and your common-law spouse stop living together, the common-law relationship is deemed to have ended and the Spouse is no longer eligible for coverage under the BCPSEA Benefits Program.