Can I Add My Girlfriend or Boyfriend to My Health Insurance?

You may be able to add your girlfriend or boyfriend to your health insurance policy, depending on your insurer's rules and state laws regarding domestic partnership criteria.

Insurers often require formal documentation to establish domestic partnership. The documentation can include affidavits declaring mutual support, shared utility bills or a joint financial burden such as a mortgage. Each state also has its own definition and requirements for domestic partnerships, and only 11 recognize domestic partnerships for health insurance.

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Adding your girlfriend or boyfriend to your health insurance policy is subject to state regulations. There are currently 11 states that recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships. Some insurers may also recognize domestic partnerships, allowing you to extend coverage to your non-married partner if you can provide the requested documentation. To qualify, you generally need to prove a committed relationship with shared financial responsibilities, such as joint bank accounts or co-signed lease agreements.

Health insurance plans for domestic partners generally cover the partner as a dependent, similar to a spouse. Children residing in the shared residence can also be added. However, there are important tax implications to consider. The health insurance premiums that you pay for employer-sponsored plans are considered a pre-tax benefit for yourself and your spouse, but premiums for a domestic partner are paid post-tax. In addition, the IRS considers employer-paid coverage for domestic partners as taxable income. This means that the portion of the premium paid by the employer for the domestic partner will be taxed as imputed income.

You can typically include your girlfriend or boyfriend's children on your health insurance, depending on your insurance provider's specific policies and whether your relationship qualifies under the definition of a domestic partnership.

However, you may need to provide documentation proving the nature of your domestic partnership and the children's dependent status. This could involve showing evidence of financial responsibility for the children or legal guardianship documents, if applicable. Additionally, the child must be under 26 years old to qualify for health insurance as a dependent, except in a few states where the age limit might be extended up to 31 years.

Domestic partnerships and civil unions, though similar, are recognized differently across various states in the U.S., each with its unique definition and legal implications.

For instance, domestic partnerships in Washington are specifically defined for same-sex couples or heterosexual couples where one partner is over 62 years old.

Meanwhile, Oregon's definition of a registered domestic partnership is a civil contract between two individuals who are at least 18 years old, with at least one being a resident of Oregon. Notably, Oregon updated its laws to include both same-sex and opposite-sex couples in domestic partnerships as of January 1, 2024. Similarly, California expanded its domestic partnership laws to encompass opposite-sex couples, moving beyond the initial framework that was exclusive to same-sex couples.

According to the National Conference for State Legislatures, there are 11 states that recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships. Here are the five states that recognize civil unions:

1. Colorado
2. Hawaii
3. Illinois
4. Vermont
5. New Jersey

Additionally, six states, along with the District of Columbia, recognize domestic partnerships:

1. California
2. Maine
3. Nevada
4. Oregon
5. Washington
6. Wisconsin

Hawaii has a unique system known as reciprocal beneficiaries, which offers many of the same rights as domestic partnerships but is distinct in its structure and eligibility criteria.

Adding your boyfriend or girlfriend to your health insurance plan is a personal decision and requires consideration of your financial situation, health insurance availability and more. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when weighing whether or not to add your partner to your health plan:

Financial Impact: Evaluate how adding your partner will affect your premiums and overall health care costs. This includes understanding potential tax implications if you're enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance.

Healthcare Needs: Consider if your health plan adequately meets your partner's health care needs. This is especially important if they require specialized medical care or frequent health care services.

Relationship Stability: Assess your relationship's stability and commitment. Health insurance involves legal and financial commitments, so it's important to consider the long-term implications of adding your partner to your plan.

Alternatives: Consider if there are more beneficial alternatives for your partner, such as their own employer-sponsored plan or an individual policy, which might offer better coverage or be more cost-effective. For instance, enrolling in individual marketplace plans may make you both eligible for income subsidies if you're not eligible for employer-sponsored coverage.

MoneyGeek provides answers to frequently asked questions about adding girlfriends or boyfriends to health insurance plans, clarifying key details and requirements.