Medical Coverage Benefits for Co-Habitating Couples

Whether co-habitating as a straight couple or devoting oneself to a same-sex relationship, many people today have little choice but to seek out medical coverage that can be applied to unmarried partners.  Traditionally, employer-sponsored health benefits and even those offered by private insurance companies have only been given to husbands and wives with legal marriage certificates.  However, most states today allow insurers to protect both domestic partners.

Why Seek These Benefits?

For some people, legal marriage is not a good option.  Senior citizens sometimes have too much at risk financially to marry their partners.  Others, typically activists who are passionate about equal rights, have chosen to reject marriage until all Americans have the same rights, to be legally united with the people they love.  Still others are involved in same-sex relationships and are unable to marry legally.  Regardless, health insurance is important for all, and if you cannot secure a good policy through your place of employment, it becomes necessary to find one elsewhere.

How Can We Find a Policy?

If you are looking for this type of coverage for one reason or another, the first step is to speak with your employer to see if you can access a policy through work that will protect both you and your partner.  If not, many major insurers can get you set up with an HMO or PPO plan.  There are companies in all 50 states that cover domestic partners, including giants like Aetna, New York Life & Health, Ameritas, CIGNA, and Kaiser Permanente.  Get a free quote from our service, and we can help you find the coverage you need with a trustworthy and affordable company.

Will We Pay More?

You should not end up paying more for domestic partner benefits than you would for any other health insurance.  However, you may find that your options are more limited than those a married couple would have, and so your rates will vary depending on the company you choose.  Therefore, it is extremely important to shop around, and to do everything you can to find an affordable HMO or PPO.  If you are in good health, you might also want to consider short term or catastrophic coverage in lieu of a more comprehensive policy until you can find a good deal.

How Do We Sign Up?

Different companies have different rules, and what you will need to do to “prove” your relationship depends on the insurance provider you select.  Some will expect you to have a signed and notorized letter explaining that you and your spouse are domestic partners.  Others will require you to file your status with the state in which you reside.  Still others will just expect you to document that you have been co-habitating for a set period of time.  Ultimately, though, you should just remember, domestic partner benefits are available and will, typically, be less expensive than each partner electing to find individual health care.  Check with your employer first, and then check with us to get competitive quotes!