Health insurance ?

[haydn'smommy]

Can STBX keep me on his family coverage if it is in the divorce decree that he do so? I mean, will an insurance company allow him to cover his ex wife if a judge orders it.
STBX wants to keep me on his insurance since mine is so expensive and such crappy coverage. He has to pay for family coverage anyway for the kids so it wouldn't cost him more but it will free up $200/mo for me.

[NolaRiordan]

I'm pretty sure the answer to that one is no. But I would check with the insurance company. In some states I think you may be able to do that if you are legally separated rather than divorced. Our coverage has always been through my work and I looked into covering my X and found I could not do it whether we were separated or divorced. You should be offered coverage through COBRA. I think you can do that for something like 18 months post divorce. It's not cheap but likely cheaper than what you could get on your own.

[Momtwice]

I believe this varies by state. I have two friends who put it in their agreements that the ex husband would provide them money for insurance even if they were not able to put an ex wife on their plan. A court cannot force an employer to cover someone if it's not a law in that state but these moms got money from their exes anyway.

Very confusing stuff, I feel for you.

[lilyka]

For my insurance the answer would be a firm no. Only family members. The ex is not a family member. I think you would be better off asking for alimony in an amount that would cover his share of your health insurance.

[NolaRiordan]

Originally Posted by lilyka

I think you would be better off asking for alimony in an amount that would cover his share of your health insurance.

I think that's a good idea. The other option would be to ask him to pay the COBRA amount on his plan.

[freqflyer]

In CA, this is legal. The support agreement can state that the ex has to keep you covered.

[haydn'smommy]

My atty's assistant said no (atty was in court). STBX is going to consult his atty as well as his HR person to see what they say. We'd both really like for this to happen if possible. It saves me money, gives me much better insurance coverage than my employer's insurance, and saves STBX money in that he won't have to give me as much extra to help me provide for our kids (above and beyond the child support ordered). It's really win-win for us so we're hoping, but if it doesn't happen, I've got coverage through my employer and I wouldn't dream of asking STBX for alimony or to cover my insurance.