If you have had health insurance coverage through your spouse’s employment, after your divorce you will need to take action to maintain health insurance. To ensure that there will be no gap in your coverage, it is important to address this issue before your divorce is final.
You need to find out if you will be eligible for continued COBRA coverage; and what other health insurance coverage may be available. “COBRA” refers to a federal law which requires employers to make coverage available to divorced husbands and wives under their spouse’s plan, if they pay for it and were covered prior to the divorce. Most employer based plans must provide COBRA benefits.
Before you opt for COBRA and have to cover its cost, you should explore coverage options through the affordable health care act, (“Obama Care”), your own employer, and private insurers. You need answers about cost of coverage and what will be covered under the available health insurance plans. Divorcing spouses also have to be sure to get and fill out all necessary paperwork. An experienced family lawyer can help ensure that you are able to maintain uninterrupted health insurance throughout the divorce process.
NOTE: This information is not considered legal advice to create an attorney-client relationship. Taking legal information out of context can have negative consequences. If you have questions pertaining to your specific situation or someone else’s, you should contact a qualified lawyer in your area for advice.