Eligibility

Learn about eligibility requirements for associates and dependents to participate in United benefits.

Who is eligible?
Beginning January 1, 2023, non-union Team Members working 30 or more hours per week* are eligible for United benefits on the first day of the month following 30 days from date of hire.
Eligibility for Team Members covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is defined by the CBA. Check with your local representative for information about benefits eligibility.

Whom can you cover?

Your spouse
Your domestic partner (If you cover a domestic partner, the cost of coverage may be taxable due to IRS rules.)
- Working Spouse Surcharge
  - If you are covering a spouse or domestic partner on the Medical Plan you must complete the Working Spouse Surcharge Form. No spouse will be eligible or be enrolled in a Medical Plan until this form is completed and returned. If you choose to cover your spouse or domestic partner on your medical coverage, and your spouse or domestic partner has access to medical coverage through his or her employer, you will be charged an additional $30 per week as a spousal surcharge. This form must be renewed each Annual Enrollment Period.
    - Working Spouse Surcharge Form
Your child(ren) up to age 26
- Eligible children include your biological children, your spouse or domestic partner’s biological children, adopted children, stepchildren and legal wards.
Your disabled child(ren) age 26 and older who:
- became disabled prior to turning age 26;
- is primarily dependent on you for support;
- is enrolled in the Medical Program (or another major medical group health plan) on the day immediately prior to attaining age 26;
- is incapable of self-sustaining employment because of medical or physical disability; and
- for whom application for extended coverage as a disabled dependent child is made within 31 days after reaching the age limit of 26 or being enrolled in the Medical Program.

You must complete the dependent verification process for all newly added dependents.

Dependent verification process
If you are enrolling new dependents under your medical, dental or vision coverage, you must submit documentation verifying that they are eligible for coverage under United plans.

Download a Dependent Verification Requirements which lists the allowable documents you can submit to verify your dependent’s eligibility to be covered under United plans. If you cover a domestic partner, a declaration of common law marriage or an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership is required.
Completed verification documents can be submitted to Benefits. Please include: your name, Team Member number, last four digits of your SSN and daytime telephone number. You can:

Email the cover page and verification documents to totalbenefits@unitedtexas.com
Fax with cover page and verification documents to (806) 791-6341

During the 2023 Open Enrollment period, all verification documents must be submitted by December 31, 2022. If you miss the deadline, your dependents will not have coverage in 2023.

Enrollment Questions?
Email totalbenefits@unitedtexas.com or call the Team Member Benefits Department toll-free at (888) 791-0220.

Benefits eligibility for part-time team members

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employers are required to offer employees the opportunity to enroll in benefits if they meet certain qualifications. In most cases, hourly associates must work 30 or more hours per week to be eligible for United benefits.

Standard Measurement Period

United evaluates hours worked to determine benefits eligibility. The re-qualification process for most associates is determined on an annual basis with the Standard Measurement Period (SMP) beginning on or about October 1 of the prior year and ending on or about September 30 of the current year. The SMP applies to all hourly associates. Hours worked includes paid vacation or paid time off (PTO) taken plus credited hours for certain approved leaves of absence.

If average weekly hours worked is 30 or more during the SMP, you are eligible for benefits through the following plan year (January 1 – December 31) if you enroll during your designated enrollment period.

New hire measurement period
For part-time new hires on an annual re-qualification process, an Initial Measurement Period (IMP) applies. After 17 weeks from an associate’s hire date, average hours worked is calculated. If average hours worked is 30 or more during the IMP, a new hire is eligible for medical benefits the first of the month following 6 full months of employment through the end of the plan year (December 31) if enrolled during the designated enrollment period.

Tracking your hours
To determine eligibility for benefits, you can track your hours throughout the measurement period by looking at the hours reported on your payroll checks. To calculate your average hours per week, add up the number of hours you worked each week, then divide that number by the number of weeks in the measurement period.