Does a multiemployer health plan have obligation to allow retiree to enrollnew spouse or dependent?

[mal]

This is a multiemployer health plan that provides

health care benefits to active union members

and retirees who are not yet eligible for Medicare.

A situation has arisen where a man retired and began

paying for single retiree coverage. (The plan offers

retirees single; single plus one; or family coverage.)

His girlfriend is now pregnant and they are going to

be married. He has requested to add both as

dependents and begin paying the family rate.

ERISA 701(f) would seem to indicate that he has

the right to do so, but I would like to know the

opinion of those who deal with this type of mess

on a daily basis.

The plan is silent on the issue.

Thanks

[mal]

Anyone there??

I found the EBSA guidance which mentions

only "eligible employees" but I would still

like to hear from anyone else with an opinion

on the matter.

[oriecat]

Does this help?

http://www.ebia.com/weekly/questions/2003/HIPAA031126.jsp

[mal]

Perfect. That is just what I was looking for.

Thanks for the help.