Can I Keep My Health Insurance After a Divorce?
There are many issues to sort through during your divorce, and one of the toughest things to deal with might be your health insurance coverage. If you get coverage through your spouse, that may not be an option for that much longer. It’s important to know your options, and our Morristown divorce attorneys can tell you more about them.
Can I Stay on My Spouse’s Health Insurance During Divorce?
The good news is that you can stay on your spouse’s health insurance during the divorce process. This can give you some to seek out other options. It can also give you time to figure out your budget and how you’ll pay for coverage. If you were not paying for your own coverage before, there can be some sticker shock.
What Are My Health Insurance Options After Divorce?
Unfortunately, once your divorce has concluded, your former spouse has no obligation to keep you on their health insurance policy. Even if they were feeling generous, an insurer would not go for that anyway. You are no longer married and have no relationship in the eyes of a health insurer, so why would you be on the same plan under the same terms as before?
This means shopping for insurance on your own. Your first option is paying for COBRA coverage. This would actually allow you to stay on your former spouse’s plan for 36 months. The insurer is not being generous here though. This option is often quite expensive. You are not getting any kind of break on the price of premiums if you go this route.
Another option is getting your own plan. If you are employed, your employer might offer coverage. You may have opted out because you had your spouse’s plan before, but now your own employer’s plan might be the best option for you. If you do not have a job, you can apply for roles that offer coverage.
You can also search for a healthcare plan through the ACA marketplace. Even if the open enrollment period has ended, your divorce can qualify you for a special enrollment period. These health insurance plans are offered in different tiers and it can seem like a lot of work to pick out a plan, but you may qualify for subsidies that can make coverage more affordable.
Will My Children Keep Their Coverage?
Your ex’s healthcare plan no longer needs to cover you, but your children are their dependents. This means that their insurer cannot drop coverage for the kids. So even as you look for insurance of your own, you at least know that your kids are being taken care of.
Talk to Our Divorce Lawyers
If you have questions about the divorce process, contact our law firm. An attorney from Lazor Rantas, PC can tell you more about what to expect so that you’re not surprised by issues like health insurance coverage. Schedule a consultation today.
