Enrollment Details for New Hires and Newly Eligible Employees

Employee Eligibility

All regular employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for Bayer benefits. Note: Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits options are only available to regular employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week.

Dependent Eligibility

If you wish to cover any dependent in Bayer health coverage, you both must be enrolled in the same coverage. You are not required to cover your eligible dependents, and they may enroll in coverage elsewhere, even if you enroll in Bayer coverage. Your eligible dependents include your spouse or a qualified domestic partner, and your dependent children. 

Your dependent children include your children under age 26, who are defined as follows:

• Your natural child
• Your stepchild
• Your adopted child or child placed with you for adoption
• A child for whom you are a permanent legal guardian
• A child of a domestic partner*
• Adult Disabled Children (if initially covered prior to age 26), Periodic proof of the child’s disability may be required in the future

Qualified Domestic Partner Eligibility Requirements*: A person of the same or opposite sex who has resided with you for at least one year, intends to continue the relationship indefinitely and you are jointly responsible for each other’s common insurance and financial obligations. To qualify, you must verify your domestic partner by meeting the requirements outlined in the Dependent Verification documents you will receive from HMS, including:

1. A copy of your Registered Domestic Partner (RDP) document with state or local government agency; AND
2. A document dated within the last 12 months showing current relationship status such as a recurring household bill or statement of account. The document must list your partner’s name, the date, and your mailing address.

If you cannot provide a government-issued RDP document, you must submit the following:

1. A completed and signed Bayer Affidavit of Domestic Partnership (available on HMS website at www.VerifyOS.com); AND
2. THREE separate pieces of documentation as noted in the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership:
   • Proof of one-year relationship (one form of documentation required, must be dated at least 12 months ago);
   • Proof of same Residence (one form of documentation required, must be dated within the past 12 months); AND
   • Proof of shared financial obligation (one form of documentation required, must be dated within the past 12 months)

*Children of domestic partners cannot be covered without a covered domestic partner.

Domestic Partner Imputed Income: The additional cost of providing coverage to a domestic partner and, if applicable, the child of a domestic partner, will be considered taxable income to you and subject to tax withholding.

IMPORTANT: If you add a dependent to a Bayer health plan, you may be charged for contributions retro back to the date of the event. 

Adding a Dependent to Coverage: Dependent Verification Required**

Bayer requires that any newly enrolled dependents in the Bayer medical, dental and/or vision health coverage meet the Dependent Verification guidelines by submitting proof to verify dependent eligibility. If you enroll a new dependent, as part of the dependent verification process:

• You will receive a letter to your Bayer email and home address, from HMS/Gainwell with instructions and a due date for submitting the required documentation to verify your dependent(s).  
• It may be months between the time you have enrolled your dependent in coverage and when you receive instructions from HMS/Gainwell to complete the dependent verification process.
• In addition, communications by HMS will primarily be via US mail, please ensure your home address is up to date in Bayer’s system. 

Important: Failure to provide proof of dependent(s) eligibility by the due date provided in the dependent verification communications will result in loss of medical, dental and/or vision coverage for your dependent(s).

**Dependent verification is not required for employees located in Puerto Rico 

For additional resources on dependent verification, view the documents below:

Bayer VerifyOS Mobile Screenshots GAINWELL

Bayer VerifyOS Participant HMS-Gainwell Screenshots

FAQ Bayer Dependent Verification