Navigating Health Insurance During Divorce
Life doesn’t stop during divorce proceedings, and that includes the inevitable need for health care services. If you’re just beginning the process of a divorce, you might be wondering what this means for your health insurance benefits. Can you be dropped suddenly if your spouse is the primary insurance carrier?
The short answer is no. Your current health insurance needs to remain in place until the date your divorce is finalized. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make plans for the future. Follow these steps to be prepared.
Understand your current plan
First, make sure you understand your current health insurance plan. If you are the insurance carrier through your employer, you likely already have a good understanding of what’s covered and of your annual enrollment process at work.
If you don’t carry the insurance yourself, call your insurance company and get a full understanding of your current policy. Knowledge of your current coverage will influence your future decision-making. For example, you might receive chiropractic care as part of your spouse’s plan. If this is crucial to your well-being, you’ll want to look for a new plan after the divorce that also covers chiropractic care.
Remember, you get to keep your current insurance until the date the divorce is finalized whether you are the primary subscriber or not. This means now is a good time to make sure you are caught up on your annual physical examination, vaccinations, and screenings. A new insurance plan may mean finding new doctors, so take advantage of your current plan while you can.
Research future options
If you will be the one finding new health insurance after divorce, you have several options.
First, COBRA is a federal law that allows you to continue your current health insurance plan after a divorce or other significant life event for up to three years. This applies even if your ex-spouse was the primary insurance carrier. However, you will be responsible for the full premium payments, including the amount your spouse’s employer used to contribute.
Another option is picking a plan on the health insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. This option may be more affordable than COBRA as it takes your income into account. You can visit the New York State Health Exchange here.
With your newly single income, you may find that you are now eligible for Medicaid, a government plan for low-income individuals and families. Or, if you’re 65 or older or have certain medical conditions, you may qualify for Medicare. Keep in mind that no matter which insurance plan you choose, you may have to switch health care providers if they don’t accept your new coverage.
Consider the kids
If you have children under the age of 26, they likely still receive health insurance through you or your spouse. Typically, children will continue on the insurance plan they had before the divorce. However, after the divorce is finalized the premium will probably change because the second parent is no longer on the plan.
If you are keeping your insurance plan, make sure you inform both your insurance company and your employer about your divorce within sixty days of the finalization date. This ensures your ex can access things like COBRA and opens a qualifying life event that allows you to make changes to your plan if necessary.
Get detailed in divorce mediation
The healthcare system is overwhelming at the best of times. Adding in the stress of divorce proceedings complicates things, especially if anyone in your family has chronic health needs.
Here at Haas Mediation, we are equipped to walk you through every detail you want to address during your divorce proceedings. This includes health concerns. In contrast to lawyer-led divorces, divorce mediation allows a couple to talk through every aspect of their shared life. They can come to their own conclusions about what post-divorce life should look like.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today to learn more about how divorce mediation could be your next right step.