Q: My HR representative told me I can’t add the baby I’m adopting domestically to my insurance until the adoption is finalized. I read an AF article that says coverage is available as soon as a family “assumes financial responsibility” for a child. How would I legally demonstrate this?
A: The applicable laws have been in place for more than 10 years. Your HR representative seems to be so misinformed that a little education may be all that is necessary. Give her a copy of the article you read, “It’s the Law: Why Health Insurance Companies Must Cover Your Children.”
If education is not enough, you can document the fact that you are assuming financial responsibility on a certain date via a copy of a letter that you give to your agency or the birth mother (if adopting independently). The key is to parrot the language of the statute:
“Dear [birth mother’s name]: This will confirm that, as of the child’s moment of birth, we will assume financial responsibility as the child’s adoptive parents…”
Stand your ground. The law is on your side.
