| A divorce is very tough for all parties involved. In | | | | order to save money, companies are increasingly |
| addition to the emotional turmoil, the financial aspects | | | | investigating potential fraud--such as claiming ineligible |
| of formerly joint accounts must also be dealt with. | | | | dependents. Although there are usually no major |
| Health coverage comes into play because in the | | | | financial or criminal penalties involved, it is not smart to |
| majority of cases, one spouse is covered by the | | | | rely on your ex-spouse's insurance. |
| other's policy. Whether that is because dependent | | | | More realistic options for affordable health insurance |
| status is less expensive or comes with more generous | | | | include your own employer's plan. The good news is |
| benefits than their employer's policy, their employer | | | | that open enrollment periods are coming up soon. Most |
| does not offer health insurance, or they are a | | | | companies offer several plans, with a variety of |
| stay-at-home spouse; it is an issue that must be dealt | | | | premiums, deductibles, and benefit levels. Remember |
| with. | | | | that you may end up having more out-of-pocket costs |
| Many lawyers and other experts recommend that | | | | than you were accustomed to. If your firm's open |
| medical insurance be included in the divorce | | | | enrollment period is several months away, you can buy |
| negotiations and settlement, because the costs can be | | | | temporary health insurance to fill in the gaps. |
| significant. If you have any children, you must decide on | | | | What if you do not have health coverage from your |
| which parent will claim them on their health insurance | | | | employer? Individual health insurance is available. It is |
| policy. | | | | essential that you shop around for the best plan for |
| Some people with amicable divorces choose to keep | | | | your needs. If you were a stay-at-home spouse, the |
| their spouses on their insurance policy, even after their | | | | cost of the premium can be negotiated during the |
| divorce is final. However, that is against the regulations | | | | divorce proceedings as part of your alimony |
| of most employer-based health insurance plans. In | | | | payments. |