How Does Health Insurance Work After Divorce?

Ensuring Coverage

Divorce can be a difficult and stressful experience for both parties involved, but it's also important to consider how health insurance coverage will work after the divorce. With health care costs on the rise, understanding health insurance options post-divorce is critical to ensure that you meet your health needs. This blog will discuss how health insurance works after a divorce, including who gets covered by what plan and any other factors you need to consider.

Who Stays on What Health Plan?

Continuing with the discussion of health insurance after divorce, one of the first questions to consider is whose health plan will cover each individual. In most cases, the health insurance coverage will stay with the spouse covered under the original health plan before the divorce. This means that if one spouse holds health insurance coverage and that coverage extended to the other spouse and any dependents, that health coverage will remain with the original health plan holder after the divorce.

This also depends on whether the health insurance plan is employer-sponsored or an individual health plan. If it's an employer-sponsored health plan, then typically, health insurance coverage cannot be extended to an ex-spouse after the divorce, and they will need to find their own health insurance plan.

For individual health plans, the health coverage may continue for ex-spouses in particular states that recognize "conversion rights," meaning health coverage can be extended to an ex-spouse even after a divorce. However, this is only the case in some states, so it's essential to check with your health insurance provider to see what options are available.

COBRA Coverage After Divorce

Another option to consider for health insurance coverage post-divorce is COBRA coverage. COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and is a federal law that allows an ex-spouse to continue health insurance coverage from the plan held before the divorce. This health coverage extension typically lasts for up to 18 months after the divorce, but it does come at an additional cost since there are no employer contributions towards health insurance premiums under COBRA.

Ask Questions of an Attorney

Whether health insurance or another matter related to divorce, it's vital to get your questions answered to know how to move forward. The team at Assalone Lombardi, LLC can help you navigate all matters of a Rhode Island divorce.

Learn more about how we can help or schedule a consultation by calling (401) 589-5599 or visiting us online.