Two of Penn State's traditional health care plans are merging to create a new plan with extended benefits and eligibility requirements for Penn State employees.

HealthAmerica, which is the primary health care provider for Penn State employees, is consolidating its Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Point of Service (POS) health coverage into one plan -- Penn State Choice.

According to the Office of Human Resources Web site, www.ohr.psu.edu/benefits/, same-sex domestic partners with an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership are expected to receive the same health care benefits as married couples under the new Penn State Choice plan.

Karen Volmar, manager of the employee benefits office, said the information on the Web site is accurate.

However, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said he is not sure the Web site is true.

"We've had a system in place for the last couple of years and we were going to review it," Mahon said.

"I'm not sure what that part of the Web site means," he added.

Bob Cain, an architect at the Applied Research Lab, said he thinks that sexual orientation should not determine coverage eligibility.

"Everyone needs health care somehow," Cain said.

Damian Rose, an engineer at the Applied Research Lab, said information should be gathered regarding same sex couples before a decision is made.

"How many additional people would it have to cover?" Rose asked.

"We need to get the facts first," he added.

Letitia Bullock, wife of Duane Bullock, coordinator and supplier of purchasing, said she thinks health care benefits should only be extended to married couples because they are more responsible than couples who only live together.

"You make a commitment when you are married," she said.

"With that commitment comes a lot of responsibility," she added. "Getting two people living together -- anything can happen."

Many Penn State faculty and staff members were introduced to the new Penn State health plan at the benefits open house held yesterday and Monday at the HUB-Robeson Center.

Volmar said the new plan combines several strong aspects of each of the POS and PPO plans.

He said the new plan combines the wellness and preventive care advantages of POS coverage, like discounts for alternative and complementary health care, with the physician network advantages of PPO coverage.

Cain said he would have to change his plan to Penn State Choice.

"I see it as about the same," Cain said. "But it will be about a 15 percent increase in cost."

Volmar said the Penn State Choice will save money because the PPO and POS premiums would increase 25 percent this year, while Penn State Choice is not increasing as much.

Letitia Bullock said she found information regarding the health plan, but did not change her health plan.

"Our health plan still works for us," she said.