The health insurance coverage offered to same-sex domestic partners at some Fortune 500 companies is being extended to small businesses in Colorado.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado on Monday said it is offering same-sex partner benefits to companies with one to 50 employees.
The benefit, which has been offered to employees of large businesses for years, will cost the same as covering heterosexual partners, said Sally Vogler, corporate communications director for Anthem.
Same-sex benefits became available to new Anthem groups this month. The insurer’s existing groups can begin offering the benefit Aug. 1, said Vogler.
To enroll, employees need to complete an affidavit of domestic partnership and submit it with a Colorado uniform employee application.
Jim Hertel, publisher of the Colorado Managed Care Newsletter, an industry publication, said Anthem’s announcement is the result of lobbying by advocates for health benefits for same-sex couples at small companies.
“There has been some interest on the part of a number of groups here in Colorado who lobbied with Blue Cross to expand the benefit to same-sex domestic partners,” he said.
Denise de Percin, executive director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, said her organization applauds Anthem.
“We’re trying to encourage other insurers to offer more” benefits, she said.
“In Colorado, if you’re legally married to somebody, (insurers) will allow you to buy coverage for the opposite sex,” said de Percin, who is also a member of Denver’s Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Commission. “That was never available to same-sex couples by small businesses.”
It may create competition in the insurance market, said de Per cin, whose company does not use Anthem.
“Our policy renewal is coming up,” she said. “We’re going to have to make a choice with whom we make our policy with.”
Staff writer Karen Rouse can be reached at 303-954-1684 or krouse@denverpost.com.
