Straight Talk on Health Insurance for Gay Couples

With the legalization of same sex marriage in several states, many gay couples believe that they have finally achieved a much sought after victory in the fight to be on an equal footing with heterosexual couples in terms of health insurance. But the issue is much more complicated than that.

While many experts believe that it will now be easier for same sex couples to get spousal health insurance coverage through their employers in states that recognize gay marriage, many others say that employers in these states may want to require gay couples to get married in order for them to obtain or keep health benefits. The trouble is that the federal government still does not recognize gay marriage, so marriage opens up a whole host of other problems for the gay community, including federal tax and immigration issues and difficulties when trying to adopt a child. Also, same sex partners may work in a state that recognizes gay marriage, but live in another state that doesn't, which leaves them open to further legal complications if the couple ever seeks a divorce.

If you are a same sex couple that chooses not to marry for the reasons noted above, and you are working for an employer who makes marriage a condition for you to get health insurance that covers both partners, you might find yourself looking for a private insurance plan. In this case, you will have to conduct thorough research into the costs and coverage of private health insurance and compare it to all of the legal and financial drawbacks of being married. You can do all of this research fairly efficiently online in addition to consulting with your lawyer and accountant.

Currently, only a little more than one-third of the country's employers offer health insurance to same sex couples, so it is fairly likely that if you remain domestic partners in any state, you will have to hunt for health insurance on your own. In these instances, you will have to specifically seek out a health insurance company that offers domestic partner benefits. In order to get this insurance, you will have to provide documentation that proves you are legal domestic partners. Again, preliminary research can be conducted online from the privacy of your home. Of course, it is also imperative that you keep up with the latest news from the states and federal government on the healthcare ramifications of gay marriage as this is an ever-evolving issue.

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