Working Spouse Surcharge Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the working spouse surcharge and how is it paid?

An employee will pay a $100 per month surcharge to cover a working spouse who is eligible for medical coverage through his or her own employer. The surcharge does not apply if your spouse elects secondary coverage through Crown or if your spouse is a Crown employee.

If an employee is paid weekly, the surcharge will be spread across the first four pay periods of the month – $25.00 per pay.

2. What happens if I do not complete a working spouse certification during open enrollment?

All employees with a spouse enrolled in the Medical Program must recertify their spouse’s access to other employer medical benefits annually during open enrollment. The surcharge will be withheld automatically from your first pay unless you complete the affidavit indicating that your spouse is not employed, employed but not offered medical benefits, or enrolled secondary with Crown.

If you are paying the working spouse surcharge now and indicate that it should not apply, a letter from the other employer is required to confirm the change (e.g., a letter stating that medical benefits are not offered or a letter confirming the date that employment ended).

3. What if my spouse’s access to other employer-sponsored coverage changes during the year?

If at any point, your spouse becomes eligible or ceases to be eligible for his or her employer’s medical coverage, you have 30 days to report the change by completing a new Health Care Enrollment and Change form. With the form, you are required to submit documentation from your spouse’s employer to support the change.

You may report a change after 30 days from the date your spouse’s access to other medical coverage changed. However, any amounts paid toward the working spouse surcharge cannot be refunded if the change is reported after 30 days.

4. If my spouse works part-time, do I need to pay the surcharge?

The working spouse surcharge only applies to a spouse who is working full-time. Full-time is defined as working 30 or more hours a week on average.

If your spouse works part-time and is offered medical benefits, you may request a waiver of the working spouse surcharge. You will need to complete your affidavit indicating that your spouse is employed and offered medical coverage. In addition, you will need to obtain a letter from his or her employer confirming he or she works less than 30 hours per week. With this letter, the working spouse surcharge will be waived.

Contact the Crown Insurance Department at (800) 884-0227 if you have any questions about the Working Spouse Surcharge.