From: McGrath, Cindy (GIC)
Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2013 2:51 PM
To: Settana, Judy (GIC); Murphy, Paul (GIC); Wortman, Donna (GIC)
Cc: Hornby, Catharine (GIC)
Subject: Extension for DOMA - health plan changes only - Coordinators - please forward to your employees

To GIC Coordinators and employees in higher education locations: As there appears to have been a delay in employees of higher education receiving information on the DOMA-related GIC options, we are extending the opportunity to change health plans for same-sex couples in higher education to Friday, August 2. Please refer to the DOMA FAQs for the corresponding procedures. As always, an employee may add a spouse to their GIC coverage throughout the year.

We do not have any flexibility on extending the Flexible Spending Account enrollment or change of election amount deadline due to federal restrictions on what constitutes a qualifying event for tax purposes. Therefore, please be sure that if as a result of the DOMA overturn you wish to enroll in the Flexible Spending Account benefits or to increase your election amount, the deadline remains tomorrow, Friday, July 26. Thank you for your attention to these dates.

Cindy McGrath
Communications Director
Group Insurance Commission
P.O. Box 8747
Boston, MA 02114-8747