Spouse is defined as the person legally married to the Employee or a person of the opposite or same sex who has been residing with the Employee in a common-law relationship for at least one year and who is publicly represented as the Employee’s Spouse.

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 are adding a spouse to the BCPSEA Benefits Plan, the following steps must be taken:

  • You have 4 months to enroll a new spouse due to marriage in your Extended Health and Dental plans.
  • You must complete the BCPSEA Benefits Change form and provide the form to the Benefits Administrator.
  • You can only enrol one spouse in your benefits plans.
  • If the Family Status has changed (ie. from Single to Couple), the appropriate premium adjustments will be effective the first of the month coincident with or the next following date of coverage.

If you are adding a common-law spouse to the BCPSEA Benefit Plan the following steps must be taken:

  • You have 4 months following 1 year of common-law marriage to enrol a new common-law spouse as a dependent in your Extended Health and Dental plans.
  • You must complete the BCPSEA Benefits Change form and Common Law Spouse Declaration form that verifies the common-law relationship has been in place for 1 year, and provide these forms to the Benefits Administrator.
  • If the Family Status has changed (ie. from Single to Couple), the appropriate premium adjustments will be effective the first of the month coincident with or the next following date of coverage.