Can I have separate health insurance from my spouse?

Asked by: Savanah Bergnaum  |  Last update: October 12, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (39 votes)

Explore Various Coverage Options Based on Needs and Budget. That means you have 60 days after saying “I do,” to buy or switch healthcare plans. Time may be ticking, but take your time to consider your options because married couples can have separate health insurance plans.

Can married couples have separate health insurance?

You have the option of putting both spouses on one plan or selecting two different plans. You can pick separate plans even if you're enrolling in the exchange with premium subsidies. To qualify for subsidies, married enrollees must file a joint tax return, but they don't have to be on the same health insurance plan.

Can my wife and I have separate insurance policies?

Technically speaking, yes you can each have your own policies and pay separately. Many spouses that separate their finances do this.

Can I have my own insurance and be on my husband's insurance?

Can I keep my plan and join my spouse's plan? Yes, you can. If you already have health insurance, you can also opt to go on your spouse's as a form of secondary insurance, says Gross. Your primary insurance will pay its share of your medical costs first.

Can I remove my domestic partner from my health insurance?

``You cannot remove your spouse/ex from your health insurance plan at any time. As a general rule, you can only drop your spouse/ex from your health insurance if there is an open enrollment period or you're experiencing a qualifying event, such as getting divorced or buying a new health insurance plan.''

Spousal Coverage MISTAKES You Can't Afford to Make!

31 related questions found

Can I drop my spouse from my health insurance at any time?

You can't remove your spouse from your health insurance plan at anytime. Generally, you can only drop your spouse from your health insurance if there is an open enrollment period or you're experiencing a qualifying event, such as getting divorced or buying a new health insurance plan.

What happens if you break up in a domestic partnership?

The domestic partnership will terminate automatically six months after the date the Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership is filed with the California Secretary of State, as long as neither partner revokes (cancels) the termination before the end of the six-month period.

Which insurance is primary if both spouses have health?

Subscriber: The plan for which the patient is the subscriber, member, or active employee is almost always primary. Spouse: If the patient is a subscriber on one plan and a dependent on the spouse's plan, the spouse's plan is secondary.

Do health insurance companies verify marriage?

Both employers and insurance companies are generally permitted to implement proof-of-marriage policies provided they act in conformity with federal and state law.

Does it matter whose name is on the health insurance card?

For medical claims to process correctly, the name on the claim must directly match the name on the insurance card. In this case, “Betty Dempsey” is correct. This includes initials and suffixes, such as Jr., Sr.

Can I have two health insurances?

Can I have 2 health insurance plans at the same time? Yes. A process called coordination of benefits determines which insurance plan will pay first. Your primary plan will pay for the health claim first, paying the costs up to the plan's coverage limits, and then your second plan will kick in.

Why is adding a spouse to health insurance so expensive?

A spousal surcharge is an additional fee on a medical plan if an employee's spouse is eligible for health insurance through their own employer on their own plan. This surcharge is a method used to help control employer costs.

Do you have to combine insurance when married?

No. There's no legal requirement saying you must add your spouse's vehicle to your auto insurance policy. The main reason to combine car insurance policies are to save money and time: Combining your car insurance can save you money with a Multi-Policy Discount.

Can legally separated spouse stay on health insurance?

Legal separation in California can be a strategic option for couples who want to maintain health insurance coverage while living apart. Unlike divorce, legal separation allows spouses to stay legally married, which means the dependent spouse can often remain on the other's health insurance plan.

How do you determine which insurance is primary?

The insurance that pays first is called the primary payer. The primary payer pays up to the limits of its coverage. The insurance that pays second is called the secondary payer. The secondary payer only pays if there are costs the primary insurer didn't cover.

What is the average cost of health insurance for a married couple?

How Much Is Health Insurance for a Married Couple? The average cost of health insurance in California is $541 per month.

Does marital status matter in health insurance?

Does marital status matter for health insurance? If you are looking for affordable health insurance for married couples, then your marital status might matter. While many states recognize common law marriages, whether it qualifies you for your spouse's health insurance policy may vary.

Can an employer deny a spouse health insurance?

Spouses are not considered dependents in the legislation, so employers are not required to offer coverage to spouses.

Do health insurance companies verify your income?

The Marketplace will check if your annual household income matches the most recent data from our data sources.

What is the working spouse rule?

The Plan's Working Spouse Rule states that, if your spouse is working for an employer who offers a health plan, the Plan requires them to enroll in that employer-sponsored coverage to be eligible for Plan coverage. Your spouse must confirm whether they have access to and are enrolled in their employer's health plan.

Can I use my secondary insurance as primary?

The short answer is no, you can't. As outlined above, an individual's employer-sponsored plan will always be primary. Even if a spouse or parent's plan has better coverage or maybe a lower deductible, you can't submit claims to them first.

What is double insurance?

Double insurance refers to the method of getting insurance of same subject matter with more than one insurer or with same insurer under different policies. This means that one can get insurance policies on a subject matter more than its value. Double insurance is possible in all types of insurance contracts.

Can I remove a domestic partner from my health insurance?

Please keep in mind that you can add/remove your partner; however, you cannot change the health, dental or vision plans in which you are enrolled. Regardless of the date your partner was added or dropped, you are financially responsible for the entire month of insurance premiums.

Why would you do a domestic partnership instead of marriage?

A domestic partnership is a legally recognized, committed relationship that is an alternative to marriage. It grants both same-sex and opposite-sex couples specific benefits, legal rights, economic protections, and estate planning benefits granted to married couples.

What happens if you split up and are not married?

Unmarried couples do not go through divorce like married couples do if they split. As long as unmarried partners can agree on how to divvy up any assets, there's generally no need for lawyers or courts.