Can I get health insurance for my girlfriend?

Because health insurance is expensive, you may be asking, “Can I get health insurance for my girlfriend?” The answer is that while you can get private health insurance for your girlfriend, you won’t be able to get employer-sponsored insurance for your girlfriend. The exception would be if your state recognizes common-law marriages and you meet the requirements for a common-law marriage.

Read on to learn all about purchasing health insurance for your partners. if you are interested in buying health insurance from the open market, use our free quote comparison tool to find the best health insurance rate for your girlfriend.

Open Market Health Insurance For Your Girlfriend 

Can I purchase healthcare coverage in the open market for my girlfriend or boyfriend? First, if you are simply wondering if you’re able to purchase a health insurance policy for a girlfriend or boyfriend in the open market, the answer is “yes.”

In fact, you can purchase a policy for just about anyone. It’s not limited to partners, but can also be purchased if you’re married or designated as domestic partners. You can even get coverage for your child, or your entire family!

You simply fill out a quote request with an independent agent or direct insurer (learn more: Types of Insurance Agents), and if the person to be covered meets the underwriting guidelines of the company providing the quote, you can purchase the policy.

Read more:

• Top 10 Health Insurance Companies
• Cheap Private Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
• How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Coverage

All you have to do is continue to make payments if you are the policyholder. The last thing you want is for your girlfriend’s health insurance to be canceled because you forgot to make a payment.

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance For Your Girlfriend

Will my employer-sponsored program cover my (non-married) significant other? What most individuals really want to know is if an employer-sponsored program will insure their partner. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is “no.”

Employer heath insurance plans require a couple to be married in order for the unwed significant other to qualify for the plan.

This is likely a mechanism designed to protect the insurance company from individuals attempting to obtain coverage for someone they simply know, which would make healthcare a virtual free for all. Domestic partners used to also be accepted, however this has changed for a few providers; it would be wise to consult with them first.

Using Common-Law Marriage Laws to Get Health Insurance For Your Girlfriend 

When it comes to common law marriage, the answer is a vague “maybe.”

In some states, Texas for example, the courts recognize common law marriage based on people living together for certain time periods. This means that you’d be considered a married couple if you’ve lived under the same roof legally on paper for whatever time period is required.

You may be considered to be common law married without filing any paperwork or entering into any sort of contract.

But if you are not contractually common law married, you have no rights if you move to another state. It can seem harsh, but it’s to prevent any sort of lapse in coverage or someone moving far out of the range of that particular provider.

If there is a contract involved, you have some rights as far as healthcare is concerned.  As this is only an insurance website, we recommend consulting an attorney if you have questions regarding that specific situation.

If you do not meet the requirements for marriage but want to obtain health insurance coverage for a significant other, you may want to contact an independent agent or get quotes online to ensure you get the best coverage at the lowest possible rate.

The Final Word on Getting Health Insurance For Your Girlfriend

We hope our guide has cleared up the answer to “can I get health insurance for my girlfriend?” Even if you don’t qualify for a common-law marriage that would allow you to get employer-sponsored health insurance, you can always purchase a policy on the open marketplace.

To get started on finding a health insurance policy for your girlfriend, use our free quote comparison tool. It will help you find the best insurance for your girlfriend at a reasonable rate. (For more information, read our “Types of Health Insurance Coverage“).