Marrying for the Health insurance

July 22, 2008

I just read a good article on ABC News about the growing numbers of couples who wed in order to get on their partner’s health insurance plan. 

As we all know, the rising costs of health care along with our terrible economy are putting a lot of people in a financial bind.  Good health insurance is hard to find because employers are cutting back on the benefits in order to improve their bottom line. 

Unfortunately, many couples are rushing to the altar so that they can receive their partner’s health insurance coverage.  It’s a shame that couples even have to take health insurance into consideration when trying to decide if they want to marry the person they love.  Some people will simply jump the gun in order to speed up the process, but others will tie the knot to save on health insurance premiums.

One couple in their golden years got married for the health insurance but maintained a platonic relationship.  She referred to her husband as her best friend but explained that this was an arrangement to get her covered through his job.  Another couple had lived together for thirty years and decided to tie the knot in order to save on the premiums.  The couple’s relationship would have been considered a common law marriage, but they could not receive the same benefits as same-sex domestic partners.

I completely understand the need to get good health insurance.  If someone gets into an accident or goes through a health crisis that includes expensive surgery, then their health care costs could go through the roof.  Without health insurance, a person could easily go thousands and thousands of dollars in debt.  However, I think it’s important to make sure that the person with the great health insurance is also the person that you want to be with for the rest of your life.  Health coverage is not worth the serenity and peace of a good marriage.

Also, the article on ABC News discussed websites where you can find government-subsidized health plans so that you can make an informed decision before marrying for health insurance.  These sites include AHIRC.org and HealthInsuranceInfo.net.

Have a great one!

Alison
WeddingChicago.com

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