Qualifying Event to Remove Spouse from Insurance Coverage

Author

Reads 319

An Emotional Woman During Her Divorce
Credit: pexels.com, An Emotional Woman During Her Divorce

A qualifying event can be a life-changing moment, especially when it comes to your insurance coverage. If your spouse is currently covered under your health insurance plan, a qualifying event can allow you to remove them from the policy.

Some common qualifying events include divorce, legal separation, or the death of your spouse. These events can significantly impact your insurance coverage and financial situation.

In the case of divorce, you may be able to remove your spouse from your insurance coverage within 30 days of the divorce decree becoming final. This can help you avoid paying for coverage you no longer need.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Health Insurance for Self and Spouse

Qualifying Change in Status Events

Qualifying Change in Status Events are life events that allow you to make changes to your health insurance coverage. These events include changes in your marital status, such as marriage, death of spouse, divorce, or legal separation.

You can also make changes to your coverage if you have a new dependent, such as a child born, adopted, or placed for adoption. Additionally, if your employment status changes, you can make changes to your coverage.

An Emotional Woman During Her Divorce
Credit: pexels.com, An Emotional Woman During Her Divorce

A change in residence for you, your spouse, or your dependent is also considered a qualifying event. You can remove your spouse from your health insurance during a qualifying event, which includes marriage, birth or adoption, divorce or legal separation, death of spouse or dependent, and more.

Here are some examples of qualifying change in status events:

  • Marriage
  • Birth or adoption
  • Divorce or legal separation
  • Death of spouse or dependent
  • Dependent has changed in eligibility status (e.g. child ages off policy at 26)
  • Change in employment status for you, spouse or dependent
  • Change in residence
  • Other health coverage ends or begins
  • Becoming entitled to (or lost entitlement to) Medicare or Medicaid

These events typically give you a 30-day window to make changes to your coverage. If you don't make changes during this time, you'll have to wait until the next open enrollment period.

Removing Spouse from Insurance

Removing your spouse from your health insurance can be a bit of a process, but it's doable. You can only make changes to your policy during the open enrollment period or within 30 days of a qualifying event.

You'll need to check with your insurer to see what qualifying events are recognized, but some common ones include marriage, birth or adoption, divorce or legal separation, and death of a spouse or dependent. You can also remove your spouse during open enrollment, when you can adjust all the details of your policy.

One Black Chess Piece Separated From Red Pawn Chess Pieces
Credit: pexels.com, One Black Chess Piece Separated From Red Pawn Chess Pieces

If you're separated, you can still remove your spouse from your insurance, but only if you're legally separated. Many insurers consider legal separation a qualifying event.

To remove your spouse from your insurance, you can usually do it online or by calling your insurer during a qualifying event. If you receive insurance through your employer, you may need to work with your benefits coordinator.

If your spouse removes you from their insurance, you have options like staying on their plan through COBRA or getting a new plan through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. These options can help you continue your health coverage, but you'll need to pay for it yourself.

Here are some common qualifying events that allow you to remove your spouse from your insurance:

  • Marriage
  • Birth or adoption
  • Divorce or legal separation
  • Death of spouse or dependent
  • Dependent has changed in eligibility status
  • Change in employment status
  • You experience an increase or reduction to hours affecting your eligibility for the health plan
  • Change in residence
  • Other health coverage ends or begins
  • Becoming entitled to (or lost entitlement to) Medicare or Medicaid

Joan Lowe-Schiller

Assigning Editor

Joan Lowe-Schiller serves as an Assigning Editor, overseeing a diverse range of architectural and design content. Her expertise lies in Brazilian architecture, a passion that has led to in-depth coverage of the region's innovative structures and cultural influences. Under her guidance, the publication has expanded its reach, offering readers a deeper understanding of the architectural landscape in Brazil.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.