What Happens to Your Health Insurance Coverage After Divorce in Florida?
With the increasing cost of medical care, going without health insurance poses serious risks, both to your overall well-being and your financial security. If you are going through a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, it is understandable to wonder how it will impact your coverage.
If you are currently on your spouse’s employer plan, or if your children rely on that policy, you could lose access to affordable care once you get a final divorce order. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer explains your options and advises parents on steps they can take to ensure children are protected.
Health Insurance Options for Divorcing Spouses in Fort Lauderdale
A Fort Lauderdale divorce can impact every area of your life. Between dealing with marital property division, parenting plans, and other vital issues, it is easy to overlook how health insurance could factor into the situation.
While you can remain on your spouse’s policy during Broward County divorce proceedings, you will generally be ineligible once a final divorce order is issued. Considering the high costs and impacts on your health that can happen if you go without coverage, understanding your options is critical. These include:
- Continuation coverage under federal COBRA laws, which allows you to stay on your spouse’s plan for up to three years, though at your own expense;
- Individual coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, which may provide subsidies based on income;
- Employer-sponsored coverage through your own job, if available;
- Short-term health insurance as a temporary bridge until new coverage begins.
Each option comes with different costs, deadlines, and eligibility requirements, so planning ahead before your divorce is final is key.
Protecting Children’s Coverage After A Fort Lauderdale Divorce
Child time-sharing and support are serious issues in Fort Lauderdale divorce. Under the Florida Statutes, health insurance coverage for children should be addressed as part of a child support order.
In most cases, one or both parents are responsible for maintaining health insurance. Judges typically assign this obligation based on who has access to the most affordable policy. Steps you can take as a parent to protect your child’s rights and well-being in this situation include:
- Confirming who will provide primary insurance after the divorce;
- Detailing responsibility for deductibles and co-pays in your parenting plan;
- Ensuring both parents have access to insurance cards, provider information, and medical records;
- Including provisions for uninsured expenses like dental care, therapy, or prescriptions;
- Updating policies promptly after the divorce decree to prevent gaps in care.
Talk to Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer About Your Health Insurance Concerns
Health insurance, while expensive, is often one of the most overlooked but important issues in Fort Lauderdale divorce proceedings. Losing coverage unexpectedly can be devastating, especially if you have children or pre-existing medical needs.
At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, we help clients anticipate health insurance challenges and build solutions into their divorce agreements. Don’t wait until your coverage gets canceled. Call or contact us online today to discuss your concerns with an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer.
Sources:
dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html
