Same-Sex Insurance: Know the Ins and Outs
Most people have a general idea of what their health insurance policy covers and how / if it extends to loved ones and family members. However, insurance can be a tricky and complex issue for many people and knowing all the ins and outs of your insurance plan may be difficult. For couples in same-sex, domestic partnerships, there are even more issues and nuances to figure out.
It can seem overwhelming to try and navigate the world of insurance alone. That’s why the knowledgeable California health insurance agents at Catherine Michaels Insurance Services are here to support you and your family when trying to decide which insurance plan is the best for you. Contact us at 888-875-9888 to speak with a professional who has the insurance experience you need on your side.
What to Know as a Same-Sex Couple
Although there are intricacies that every couple, heterosexual or same-sex, has to maneuver through when getting insurance, there are a few things that same-sex couples should do when researching and choosing insurance:
#1: Be Proactive
There are two major things that those in domestic partnerships should do. One is to make sure your relationship is documented so that you have proof and can receive health care benefits. There are several avenues for doing this, including filling out an affidavit. The second thing a same-sex couple should do is to make sure that they are the legal custodians of any children they have. Many individual policies will not cover a child unless you are the legal guardian.
#2: Be Prepared
Couples in domestic partnerships have to pay federal taxes on their health care, making the cost of their health care insurance greater than that of married couples. Knowing that this fee comes with getting insurance can help a couple put extra money aside.
#3: Be Knowledgeable
In certain cases you may be eligible for certain benefits, depending on your status as a couple. Certain domestic partners may qualify for a domestic partnership tax exemption, depending on how much support they receive from their partner. If the partners live together for the entire taxable year, one partner receives at least 50% of their support from the other, and meets other stipulations in section 152 of the tax code, they are most likely eligible for a tax exemption. And, similarly to married or divorced couples, a person in a same-sex, domestic partnership may be able to receive health care benefits under the Cobra Law.
By doing these three things, you and your partner will be much more ready to get the best insurance coverage possible.
Contact Us
However much you know about insurance, it’s always good to have a highly qualified and proficient insurance professional to fill in all the blanks and answer any questions you may have. Call the California health insurance agents of Catherine Michaels Insurance Services at 888-875-9888 to speak with someone that can provide what you need today.