Many aspects of your life will change after you have gone through a dissolution in Ohio, and one of the many things you need to consider is what will happen to your health insurance. Especially if you have children with your ex-spouse, you’ll need to know how a dissolution of marriage will affect their health insurance.
Navigating insurance coverage after a dissolution in Ohio is just one step of the financial planning process since you and your ex-spouses finances will officially be separated.
Keep reading to find out what happens to health insurance after a dissolution in Ohio and how you can plan ahead so that you don’t lose your healthcare coverage.
When Does Health Insurance Coverage End After a Dissolution?
The good news for those who are going through a dissolution of marriage is that in Ohio, your spouse isn’t allowed to simply cancel your health insurance coverage. So, you can continue to receive your usual coverage throughout the dissolution process.
However, once the marriage is legally over, the court will usually determine that the policyholder is no longer responsible for providing your coverage. Also, after the marriage is terminated and you are no longer legally married, you will lose eligibility under your ex-spouse’s employee health plan.
An attorney can help you understand how the final dissolution decree will affect your eligibility for health insurance.
Health Insurance Options After Dissolution
To avoid losing all insurance coverage after your dissolution, you need to look at some additional health insurance options. The most common option available for Ohio residents is COBRA, which provides a temporary insurance coverage solution. It allows eligible employees, retirees, and family members to maintain group health insurance coverage over a period of 18 to 36 months.
COBRA is often used as a stand-in solution while you look for other health insurance options that are more permanent.
Some additional insurance options you could look into include:
- Marketplace health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act
- Coverage through a new employer
- Government-sponsored programs, if applicable
What Happens to Health Insurance for Children?
If you and your ex-spouse have children together, you will also need to understand how a dissolution of marriage will affect their health insurance coverage. The good news is that children can remain on their parent’s health insurance plan, even if their parents are no longer legally married.
In fact, when you get a dissolution in Ohio, you’re legally required to include a separation agreement. And if you have children together, the separation agreement needs to include a parenting plan, which covers information regarding who provides health insurance and the type of coverage provided.
So, even though your health insurance coverage may be a bit tricky, your child will continue to be covered as usual.
Planning Ahead Before the Final Hearing
When you are going through a dissolution in Ohio, there are certain things you need to be prepared for. One of these things is your insurance coverage, since it can be very risky to go for any period of time without health insurance.
The first thing you need to do is review your current benefits to better understand the eligibility criteria and when you will lose coverage. It’s also highly recommended that you obtain replacement coverage before your current coverage ends, rather than after.
If you and your ex-spouse have children together, the two of you will also need to discuss who will be responsible for the child’s insurance coverage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though the dissolution process in Ohio is often faster and less stressful than traditional divorce, it can still come with some challenges. Especially when it comes to health insurance coverage, there are certain mistakes you need to avoid making during the dissolution process, including:
- Assuming that your coverage will continue after the final decree.
- Waiting too long to elect COBRA or enroll in a new plan, which can result in you not having any coverage.
- Forgetting to budget for new premiums and other insurance-related expenses.
- Not creating a realistic plan regarding who will be responsible for a child’s health insurance coverage.
You should also take the additional step of hiring a dissolution lawyer in Ohio instead of trying to navigate this process on your own. Even though dissolutions are usually quite amicable, it’s still important to have legal representation and guidance so that the process goes smoothly.
FAQ Section
Can I stay on my spouse’s health insurance after a dissolution?
No. The Ohio courts don’t usually require a spouse to continue providing insurance coverage when they are no longer legally married. Also, once you aren’t married anymore, you lose eligibility with your ex-spouses insurance plan.
Who pays for children’s health insurance after a dissolution?
This will depend on the parenting plan included in your separation agreement, which will outline who provides health insurance and the type of coverage. Most commonly, the parent earning the most or with the best insurance policy will provide coverage, but this varies on a case-by-case basis.
Is COBRA always available after a dissolution?
Not necessarily. Although COBRA is usually available to Ohio residents who have gone through a dissolution of marriage, you will need to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
Get the Help of a Dissolution Attorney in Ohio
You need to understand your health insurance options after a dissolution so that you do not lose all insurance coverage once this process is completed. Because this can be an overwhelming process, it’s always a good idea to work with an Ohio dissolution attorney who could help you determine what to do next. At Garretson & Holcomb, LLC, our family law attorneys in Ohio are here to help you with every step of the dissolution process, including the planning stages. Contact us today at 513-863-6600 to get the process started with the help of an Ohio family lawyer.
