Health insurance is something we all need. The number of people who find they have to declare bankruptcy because of a single medical emergency has been rising for the past few years. Finding affordable health insurance when your spouse is on disability can be easy if you understand a divide and conquer strategy while analyzing the costs verses benefits of employer health insurance family plans verses specialized supplemental insurance plans for the disabled.

People on Disability Are Generally Covered By Medicare or Medicaid

The first two years a person is on disability they are covered by Medicaid. After that initial time frame, they are moved over to the Medicare program unless they meet specific income requirements. As a general rule HMO’s which are what most health insurance plans are now will not cover preexisting conditions and are of limited use to people on disability. If you are on disability and need supplemental insurance need to look for a true health insurance company and forgo the standard HMO offerings. If your spouse becomes disabled while covered under your employer’s health insurance then typically speaking they cannot drop you without a good reason above and beyond the fact you are on employer health insurance when your spouse is on disability.

What Do I Do?

If you are in good health and your considering employer health insurance when your spouse is on disability the best option for you would be to inquire about a policy that covers just you. Adding your spouse to the police may be impossible and of little benefit verses the costs involved. If supplemental insurance is absolutely necessary and you can afford the cost, you have nothing to lose by asking your employer’s health care plan if they will work with you. If your findings are positive then by all means get whatever insurance coverage they offer you.