Eligible Dependents

Your spouse and children who meet the criteria listed below can be enrolled in some of your benefits.  

To see what plans you’re eligible for, refer to the Benefits Eligibility document.

Benefit

Definition of Eligible Spouse1

Definition of Eligible Child
  • Medical 
  • Dental 
  • Vision 
  • Life Insurance 
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) 
  • Your legally married spouse1 
  • Your common law spouse2
  • Biological, step, or adopted child under age 26 
  • Biological, Step, Adopted/Placed for Adoption, or children under age 26 for whom there is a court-ordered guardianship or conservatorship 
  • Biological, step, or adopted grandchild who qualifies as a dependent defined by the IRS 
  • Biological, step, or adopted grandchild who is certified as medically disabled prior to age 26, is over 26, and qualifies as a dependent defined by the IRS 
  • Child covered through a Medical Child Support Order (not eligible for life insurance or AD&D) 
  • For the Health Care FSA: Legal Spouse, children under the age of 27, or any dependent you can claim on your tax return

1Your covered husband or wife under federal law or your same-sex spouse if you were married in a state that recognizes same sex marriage. Required for verification: 

  • Government issued Marriage Certificate or License and Federal Tax Return within the last two years, OR 
  • Government issued Marriage Certificate of License and Proof of Joint Ownership issued within the last six months, OR 
  • Government issued Marriage Certificate or License only if married within the last 12 months, OR 
  • Non-Government issued Marriage Certificate or License if dated within three months 

2Required for verification

  • Government Issued Affidavit of Common Law Marriage or Government Issued Certificate of Informal Marriage and Proof of Joint Ownership issued within the last six months, OR 
  • Government Issued Affidavit of Common Law Marriage or Government Issued Certificate of Informal Marriage and Federal Tax Return within the last two years

Note: Certain spousal age restrictions apply for Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment. Please refer to those sections for details. A spousal surcharge may also apply.

Did you know?

You will pay a spousal surcharge of $100 per paycheck ($2,600 a year) if your spouse has access to medical coverage through their employer but you choose to cover them in a Memorial Hermann medical plan. If you and your spouse both work for Memorial Hermann, the surcharge will not apply.