Including California Registered Domestic Partner on Health Insurnace Plan as Federal Government Civilian Employee

My boyfriend and I became California registered domestic partners a couple of months ago in anticipation of me getting a job as a civilian employee with the Navy. I began my job last week and am now attempting to enroll in FEHB, but there was no option to add my boyfriend as a registered domestic partner, only a spouse or a child. I called a benefits customer service line, and was informed that this is not possible as the federal government does not recognize domestic partnerships. This is contradictory to my understanding of the rights of those in a registered domestic partnership in California.

I thought that any health insurance company that provides insurance for residents of California, regardless of where the employer is based, was legally required to provide the same coverage rights as to a spouse. Therefore, if the employer is based in a state that does not recognize domestic partnerships, or is the federal government, because they are providing health insurance to me in California, they would legally have to provide the same coverage to my partner as they would if he were my spouse.

Does anyone know if it is possible to add a domestic partner to an insurnace plan as a federal employee? Has anyone ever had any success with this? Is there a work around? If I were to sign up for health insurance as a single user, once I have an account with the provider could I add my partner? Can I say that I am married to him when enrolling in FEHB, as he is viewed that way by the state of California with regard to health insurance? Is it even legal for the federal government benefits service to deny coverage for my partner?

submitted by /u/OkSelection6439
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