Health Insurance for Divorced Spouses

 Posted on May 17, 2019 in Family Law

If your soon-to-be-ex-spouse has an employer-sponsored health plan, and the employer has 20 or more employees, you can stay on this group insurance plan for up to 36 months under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). However, you will have to pay for the plan yourself. The cost and benefits remain the same as before, and because it is still a group insurance plan, it will likely be much more affordable than purchasing a private insurance plan for yourself. COBRA is a great option for spouses to pursue during divorce, but it will eventually need to be replaced with something more permanent.

Purchasing a Plan on the Marketplace

The Marketplace can be accessed through Get Covered Illinois, where you can purchase a health insurance plan for yourself at a potentially reduced cost, depending on your level of income. Commonly referred to as “Obamacare,” the Affordable Care Act reduces premium costs and bars health insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Even if the Open Enrollment period has closed, you can still apply for coverage if you have gone through a qualifying life change, which divorce is considered to be.

Applying for Medicaid

Individuals between the ages of 19 and 64 can apply for Medicaid if they have incomes under 138 percent of the poverty level—up to $16,392 for an annual income or $1,366 per month, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Paying for Health Insurance with Spousal Support

If you do not have the financial means to purchase health insurance for yourself, you may be able to afford it with spousal support. Spousal support is awarded based on a variety of factors, including the lifestyle that the receiving spouse grew accustomed to, the income and wealth of each spouse, the length of the marriage, and much more.

A DuPage County Divorce Attorney Can Help You Figure Out and Pay for Health Insurance During Divorce

Health insurance is a necessity regardless of your age, health, and marital status. Ideally, you should not go for even a day without being covered. Health insurance is sometimes forgotten about during divorce; with so many other issues going on, health insurance often takes a back seat. However, it is something that you must figure out during divorce. A Hinsdale divorce attorney can help you through this tricky process to find the most affordable, high-quality coverage that fits your needs. Contact an experienced Hinsdale divorce attorney with the Law Offices of Martoccio & Martoccio at 630-920-8855 today to schedule a free consultation today.

Source:

https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra

https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/medicalclients/pages/medicalprograms.aspx