Marriage frequently grants access to a family health insurance plan, which is one of its advantages. Due to the fact that they cover more than one person, these plans sometimes provide discounts. Typically, a health insurance plan offered by one spouse's employment is the most cost-effective option. However, there are more health insurance options available to newlyweds who must purchase health insurance on their own thanks to the federal, state, and private health insurance marketplaces.
When you're married, navigating the health insurance options and choosing the best one for you and your spouse can require some research and knowledge of healthcare law. We at eHealth are able to assist married couples in almost every state in locating the most cost-effective health plans. You and your spouse can select the level of coverage that is most suitable for you from among the several plans that are offered.
Can married couples have separate health insurance?
Couples are not required to be on the same health insurance plan, so there is no need to give up your individual coverage if you both enjoy it. You also have the opportunity to be on the same plan, but this can be a more cost-effective alternative for some couples.
Couples are not required to select a family plan or the same individual health insurance plan under the existing healthcare law. Separate coverage might be the best choice in some circumstances, especially if you can separately sign up for a health plan via your workplaces. If you and your partner have different health insurance, you can evaluate the following prices to make sure that this option is the least expensive:
- Monthly premiums
- Annual deductibles
- Copayments or coinsurance
- Out-of-pocket maximums
Due to the often higher cost of using a doctor who is not in the plan's network, you should also make sure that the plan you choose covers your own doctors in its network.
Beyond the various workplace plans, your choices might be influenced by where you reside and how your family is organized. A family health insurance plan could help you save the most money if you and your spouse are both in good health. Couples may save more money by selecting a lower deductible plan for one partner and a higher deductible, less expensive plan for the other if one spouse has chronic health difficulties and the other is in good health.
Is it always an option to be on your spouse’s insurance?
If you're looking for personal or family insurance, you might be wondering if your work offers any coverage. In 94% of the companies that offered health insurance as of 2019, spouses were covered.
Employers are not compelled to offer spousal insurance, though. Furthermore, providing health insurance to employees is not necessarily mandatory of employers.
Even though many firms provide discounted health insurance to entice outstanding workers, they occasionally do not provide coverage for partners. You should have your partner inquire about their health insurance possibilities with their employment.
Benefits of being on your spouse’s insurance
When you get married, adding your spouse to your health insurance is beneficial for a number of reasons, including:
- If you get health insurance through your employer, it could help you save money.
- Even if you get health insurance on the marketplace, you could still save a significant amount of money.
- By having your spouse on your health insurance policy, you can reduce the amount of paperwork you have to deal with.
- It will be easier to keep track of your health insurance coverage and benefits if you and your spouse are on the same policy.
Potential drawbacks of being on your spouse’s insurance
On the other hand, there are a few drawbacks to having your spouse on your health insurance, including:
For these reasons, it is important for you to think carefully about mixing health insurance and marriage.
Can I stay on my parents’ insurance after marriage?
You may want to maintain your health insurance after getting married if you have been covered by your parents' health insurance plan. Young adults may continue to be covered under their parent's plan until they become 26 years old, per federal law. Even if you get married before you are 26, this is still the situation. Additionally, there is no requirement that you keep residing with your parents in order to maintain that coverage.
Can I buy a policy on the Marketplace if my spouse has access to an employer-sponsored plan?
Your spouse's company is not compelled to sell you family health insurance. A family health insurance plan may occasionally cost more than a comparable plan selected through a commercial, state, or federal marketplace.
If you have access to a family health insurance policy through your spouse's employer and decide to purchase through an exchange, keep in mind that there may be some unforeseen expenses. For instance, if you or your spouse have access to an employer-sponsored health insurance plan but want to purchase your own plan through an exchange, you might not be eligible for Obamacare subsidies. Be sure to take into account any subsidies that you are no longer eligible for when comparing the relative costs of family health insurance and individual marketplace plans.
How does a change in marital status affect my health insurance choices?
A Qualifying Life Event (QLE) that necessitates a Special Enrollment Period is a change in your marital status. You can sign up for an ACA-compliant plan through your employer or on the market during the Special Enrollment Period, or you can modify an existing plan. There are various occurrences that could qualify as a QLE:
- Getting married
- Getting divorced
- Having a baby
- Suffering a death in the family
The Special Enrollment Period typically extends for 60 days following a QLE. During the Special Enrollment Period, you can:
- Enroll in a new plan, such as a new family health insurance plan
- Add your new spouse to your existing plan
- Join your spouse’s existing plan
You will probably have to wait until the subsequent Open Enrollment Period if you don't enroll in time. To give some coverage in the meantime in the event of an unplanned accident or sickness, you could choose alternate solutions like short-term health insurance, accident insurance, or critical illness insurance.
Health Insurance when Married FAQs
Regarding health insurance, does marital status matter?
Your marital status may be important if you're seeking for affordable health insurance for married couples. While many states recognize common law unions, it may or may not entitle you to your partner's health insurance plan. In some circumstances, if you are not legally married, your employer might decline to add your spouse to your health insurance plan because doing so will increase their costs.
If a couple wants to use this option even if they are not legally married, you should examine the conditions of your individual insurance plans and ask your employer.
Is purchasing health insurance as a married couple less expensive?
In some circumstances, purchasing health insurance as a married couple may be more affordable. The cost of particular health insurance policies can vary depending on the sort of plan you select, but there are many possibilities for affordable health insurance for married couples. Because of this, you should always read the fine print before committing to a health insurance plan, especially if you're seeking for coverage for both you and your spouse.
Employers may not subsidize your spouse as much as they do the employee in some circumstances, and they may require you to pay a spousal surcharge in others.
Couples get health insurance for what reasons?
Couples purchase insurance for a variety of reasons, including Medicare coverage. The main benefit of having health insurance for both you and your spouse is that it can assist pay for medical costs. Health insurance might help you avoid potentially catastrophic financial consequences. Medical expenses can be high.
That being said, it's up to you and your spouse to decide if having health insurance for both of you is required. You can determine that it's not an option right now based on your financial condition and other aspects.
Get insurance coverage with eHealth
Marriage is a significant life event that involves numerous adaptations and changes. Let eHealth assist you if one of those changes affects your health insurance coverage. To choose the health plan that is ideal for you and your family, our qualified health insurance brokers can help you sort through a large selection of available choices. Plans can be enrolled in for free for you and your family by chat, email, or phone. Compare family and individual health insurance options in your area to get started right away.
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