Women More Likely to Lose Health Insurance After Divorce

September 20, 2012

Women More Likely to Lose Health Insurance After Divorce

Recent research shows that women face a higher risk than men of losing their health insurance coverage after divorce. Based on an analysis of 11 years' worth of Census data, researchers at the University of Michigan found that roughly 16 percent of women end up without health insurance during the first six months after divorce, and that they continue without it for at least two years.

Women who were previously insured under their husbands' health insurance plans were most at risk of becoming uninsured, losing their coverage at a rate of about 1 in 4 after divorce. However, even women who were not on a spouse's plan prior to divorce were more likely to lose their coverage, perhaps as a result of the significant drop in economic wellbeing that many women experience after divorce. Research has shown that about 22 percent of recently divorced women are in poverty, compared to about 11 percent of men, according to an article from Public Radio International.

Spousal Support in California

To ensure that you have continued access to medical care after a divorce, it is important to consider your health care needs and account for the cost of insurance in your divorce settlement. Depending on the circumstances, one spouse in a divorcing couple may be required to pay spousal support, also known as alimony, to the other spouse. These payments are meant to prevent the receiving spouse from suffering an unfair economic disadvantage as a result of the divorce.

In California, divorcing couples can determine the amount and duration of spousal support payments as part of a negotiated divorce agreement, or they can have a judge make the decision in family court. To determine an award of spousal support, a family law judge will consider a number of different factors, including:
-The duration of the marriage
-The earning capacity of each spouse
-The standard of living established during the marriage
-Any history of domestic violence between the spouses

For a more thorough discussion of spousal support and divorce settlement agreements in California, speak with an experienced family law attorney.

Article provided by Borgerding, Peterson, Burnell, Glauser & Allred A Professional Corporation
Visit us at http://www.ec-law.biz