A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan found that women are more likely to lose their health insurance coverage within six months of finalizing a divorce and to go without medical insurance for at least two years post-divorce than are men. In the wake of rising health care costs, the loss of medical insurance could have greater financial impact on a divorce than any other division of marital property.
Not surprisingly, those at greatest risk for becoming uninsured are women who were covered under the husband’s health insurance policy prior to the divorce. Along with the loss of insurance, the loss of a second — or the primary — family income can make it extremely difficult for women to afford their own health care coverage.
When you are working through a mediated settlement agreement or other divorce documents, your Dallas County divorce lawyer can discuss whether maintaining health care coverage through your ex-spouse is possible or whether the value of spousal support sought will include money to pay for health insurance after the divorce.
The study did not specifically consider whether men see a similar decline in insurance coverage after divorce. It noted that men are less likely to be covered under a wife’s insurance policy and so are less likely to have their own coverage affected by divorce.
Health care coverage for children is generally considered when determining the amount of child support the non-custodial parent must pay to the other. Parents may agree or be court-ordered to share in the health care expenses of the children after divorce, including payment of medical insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Source: PRI.org, “Research shows after divorce, women more likely than men to lose health insurance,” Feb. 17, 2012