While you may think about how to divide your property and work out a parenting plan for your children during your divorce, have you thought about what will happen with your health insurance?
Unless you carry your own insurance, this is something you must contemplate. WebMD suggests a couple of options you can consider to ensure you maintain coverage.
Put it in your decree
You could ask for health insurance to be part of the agreement you make with your spouse. If he or she carries insurance on you now, then this could be the most cost-effective way to keep insured. You may have to bargain for it because it will be an additional cost to your spouse, but if you get a spousal support award, then you may be able to work it in with that.
Consider the alternative options
If your spouse will not agree to keep you on his or her policy or that will not work out in your situation, you may want to look at other options. You should check into COBRA first. This insurance will provide you with as much as 36 months of your existing coverage.
However, you should be aware that you must pay for the coverage at full cost, which means paying the employer’s portion as well. That can be unaffordable for some people.
Your other option is to look elsewhere for coverage. You can go through a private insurer or check out what your employer offers. The marketplace is a great place to start if you want private insurance coverage.
It can be easy to overlook health insurance when you are going through a divorce. Still, it is something you want to think about so that you do not end up without coverage once your divorce is final.
