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What considerations should you make about health insurance during a divorce?

On Behalf of | Feb 1, 2023 | Divorce

It is not uncommon for spouses to be on each other’s health insurance plans. Usually, one spouse, whoever has the best plan, will cover the other spouse and any children.

If you are divorcing and you do not have your own plan, this is something you have to think about. Once the divorce is final, and perhaps even before, your spouse could remove you from coverage, leaving you without any health insurance. You need a plan for how you will handle this situation.

Settlement

You may be able to include health insurance in your divorce settlement. You will need to plan ahead and be ready to make concessions if your spouse does agree to continue covering you. It may also require looking into the plan. Some may have restrictions against coverage on individuals outside your family, which you would be after the divorce.

Alternatives

Your other option is to look for alternatives. You may be able to go onto your employer’s health insurance plan. Once your divorce is final, you should be able to opt in even if it is outside the open enrollment period since this marks a life change.

If you do not have employer-based insurance, you can look into the marketplace to find an affordable plan. Or you can shop around yourself to see what is available. If you belong to a union or trade group, you may want to check if it offers insurance.

You may also be eligible for COBRA. This program would allow you to maintain your spouse’s insurance coverage for up to 36 months. But it is not a guaranteed option in every situation, and you will have to pay full price for the plan, which means you pay the employer and employee portions. It can be an expensive option.

While there are a lot of things to think about during a divorce, it is easy to forget about health insurance. Make sure you have a plan for after the divorce.

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