How Far Can Employers Go?

Just received a packet in the mail that we(employees) have to fill out forms and supply information on our dependents in order to keep them on the insurance coverage provided by our company. Failure to do so will cancel their coverage! This includes a copy of my tax return with the names listed and and partial social security numbers. If I don't want to send that , They want a proof of joint ownership. That includes mortgage statement, utility bill, credit card, tax document, etc... Kids: need to send birth certificates.
This is going to a third party who is conducting the eligibility review.
Not that I have anything to hide or am cheating the company, but this feels like a real invasion of privacy sending a tax return (with portions whited out) of course. Just wondering if anyone else has had to do this? What is next? A micro chip implanted in my head?
George

Dang Geroge. sounds scary. Is it a large company? Is there a leagal dept to question reguarding the "allowability" of this ?

Yes, it is a very large company.
George

Legal - and happening a lot more in these difficult times as companies work to make sure that those on their insurance roles are actually entitled to be there. The reason for the ta return (vs birth certificate) is to confirm dependency status of children. If you don't claim them as a dependent, most companies won't allow them as a dependent for insurance purposes. This would be an issue in divorce/custody situations.

PS - not an atty but know this because my family recently had to do the same.

Hi George, I also work for a large company and if I remember correctly, all they wanted from me is a copy of our marriage licence and a copy of my sons birth certificate after he was born. Other than that just had to fill out the insurance forms. If you are concerned, I would contact a lawyer and address it with him/her.

Jeff

Yep, had to fill out these forms last year and mail in 'proof' that our kids were, in fact, our kids.
Then a month lator, they layed me off.

I had to provide marriage license and birth certificates when I first started work. Once the kids were over 19 I had to supply a signed form with the college's seal imprinted on it to prove they were still an active college student. I guess providing a redacted tax return is OK but if you were the type to try to cheat couldn't you just make up a dummy return? The employer doesn't have a way to prove it's the one you sent to the IRS. The signed form from the college's registrar's office is probably a more reliable proof of dependency. But to each his own I guess.

Obviously, as people are losing their medical coverage, employers, especially those with good benefits packages, are worried that there will be an influx of people trying to glom onto "family" or "dependent" medical coverage they're not entitled to have. It's pure contract review, no more and no less.

Just another reason that uncoupling medical coverage from the employer-employee relationship is better for all of us.

You don't have the micro ship in your head yet? They let me put mine in my arm. My muscles outnumber my brain.

Yes, they no longer take your word about dependents & such, You are required to prove it.

Just another reason that uncoupling medical coverage from the employer-employee relationship is better for all of us

Better for all of us? I'd rather have my employer have the information, than the government. My coverage is fine right now, thanks.

Thanks for you reply's, I feel a bit better. I probably wouldn't mind the micro chip now since having the lobotomy.
George

JohnMck wrote:Better for all of us? I'd rather have my employer have the information, than the government. My coverage is fine right now, thanks.

Dude, the government already has the information. It's gov't info that the employers seek on their fraud checks.

Just another angle, but what is to stop any company with access to this in depth type information to "review" it as a component in a layoff quota? It is always and forever about cost and risk,especially now in these difficult times.Knowledge is power as they say. Only my thoughts. Mike

There isn't Mike - many employers already conduct credit checks before hiring not to mention drug screens. Is there anything more invasive than that?

I mean, your employer already knows how much you make and your dependents, no?

Is requesting this information at all unusual? I had to provide such information for beneficiaries on 401K and insurance through my employer. Had to provide it for myself to get coverage and benefits. Why shouldn't SSN or other verifiable information have to be provided for coverage of dependents and spouses?