Health Insurance for Couples

Being part of a couple comes with many benefits, possibly including health insurance. Plans vary widely, though, thoroughly research your choices before you make a decision. It's not always best to get your health insurance through the same company, whether you receive an employer-sponsored health plan or have to purchase individual insurance.

Joining Plans

• Employer-sponsored health insurance plans allow you to add a spouse to your plan, but you must pay a bit more of the premium in order to do so. This is a smart move if one of you does not have health insurance or if one employer's plan is significantly better than the other's. Typically, you'll have to talk to your human resources department to add your spouse, showing your marriage certificate.

Staying Separate

• If both of you are working for companies that offer great medical benefits, it can be worthwhile to keep your separate plans. Since the premium is often lower--and sometimes free--on employee-only plans, there is little benefit to adding a spouse to your plan.

Individual Plans

• When shopping for individual plans, you have to do some additional research. Most insurance companies offer a plan for couples. These plans are cheaper than buying two individual plans. However, if your spouse has certain risk factors, like smoking or a pre-existing condition, then your monthly premium may be quite high. In this case, it may be better to purchase an individual plan for you and a high-risk or high-deductible plan for your spouse.

Domestic Partnership Benefits

• In some states, homosexual couples and unmarried heterosexual couples qualify for the same health insurance benefits that a spouse would qualify for. You must be married if the state allows gay marriage, or register as domestic partners. Your employer or health insurance company will want detailed proof that you really are a couple, not just friends or roommates.