How Long am I obligated to pay for medical insurance on kids

[confuseddad_tx]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX

I have a child which I am paying child support for who turns 18 in May and then graduates high school June 1. I am wondering if obligation to pay child support ends the same time as child support or if I have to pay it longer.

 

[ecmst12]

Do you really not have a problem with leaving your child uninsured???

 

[tuffbrk]

You need to read your divorce decree and check the language. On the other hand, does it cost more for you to keep your child on your insurance plan? With the economy the way that it is, it is difficult to obtain employment with benefits (unless they will be attending college?). The recent health care changes allow your offspring to stay on your insurance until the age of 26 yo. Unless it is costing you more money, it would be in your child's best interest to remain on the policy. If it is costing more money and you can no longer afford it, at least discuss with your child and/or your ex and maybe something can be worked out to leave them on and you each contribute a 1/3. No one should give up health insurance if at all possible.

However, you do need to read your decree and see how it is addressed.

 

[confuseddad_tx]

Just want to make sure the child is insured

Do you really not have a problem with leaving your child uninsured???

I know Obama's plan says I can carry them until 26 so I just want to make sure the child is insured and I am not being "railroaded" by the ex. Child is talking about marriage and her boyfriend has a job, so can she legally be carried on 2 plans. I have another child who is on my insurance who also has a job so can I legally carry him also.

 

[cbg]

There is nothing illegal about having a dependent child carried on both parents' plans. It may or may not be cost effective but it's perfectly legal.

 

[confuseddad_tx]

Ex Doesnt work

There is nothing illegal about having a dependent child carried on both parents' plans. It may or may not be cost effective but it's perfectly legal.

The problem is I do not think my ex is working. Her fiance drives a truck and every once in awhile she goes on a run with him. I think she thinks I am supposed to pay for everything until I die. She even tried to tell me that the papers said I was supposed to pay child support while the child is in college. So I guess what I am really concerned about is paying for medical insurance for eternity even if the working children have insurance of their own through their job or if they are married through their spouse's job.

 

[cbg]

Well, you're not going to be paying medical insurance for eternity. Till each child turns 26 at most. Unless the child is disabled, and not always then, you CANNOT continue to carry them on the insurance past their 26th birthday.

Let's address this from another angle. Some employers have what's called two tier insurance, some three tier, and some four tier.

In two tier insurance, there is only individual coverage or family coverage. You pay one amount for just yourself, but when it comes to family coverage, it doesn't matter if you are covering one dependent or ten, you pay the same amount.

In three tier insurance, you pay one rate if you're covering just yourself, a different rate if you are covering only one dependent, and a third rate if you are paying for more than one dependent.

In four tier coverage, you pay one rate for just yourself; a different rate if you are covering yourself and your spouse, a still different rate if you are covering yourself and a child (or children) but not a spouse, and finally a fourth rate if you are covering a spouse and child (or children).

Which does your employer provide, and who are you currently covering?

 

[confuseddad_tx]

Insurance Tier

Well, you're not going to be paying medical insurance for eternity. Till each child turns 26 at most. Unless the child is disabled, and not always then, you CANNOT continue to carry them on the insurance past their 26th birthday.

Let's address this from another angle. Some employers have what's called two tier insurance, some three tier, and some four tier.

In two tier insurance, there is only individual coverage or family coverage. You pay one amount for just yourself, but when it comes to family coverage, it doesn't matter if you are covering one dependent or ten, you pay the same amount.

In three tier insurance, you pay one rate if you're covering just yourself, a different rate if you are covering only one dependent, and a third rate if you are paying for more than one dependent.

In four tier coverage, you pay one rate for just yourself; a different rate if you are covering yourself and your spouse, a still different rate if you are covering yourself and a child (or children) but not a spouse, and finally a fourth rate if you are covering a spouse and child (or children).

Which does your employer provide, and who are you currently covering?

I am qualified under tier 2: Employee + children. I have 3 children on my insurance. One is age 20 (no job and no college); one is 21 (job and no college); and the third child will be 18 on May 20 and graduate June 1. She is dating a boy who has a job and is one grade behind her (they are the same age; he was held back). She is planning on going to college and trying to find a job.

 

[cbg]

So at least at this point, it's not costing you anything extra to cover the 18 year old; you'd be paying the exact same amount regardless of whether she was on the policy or not.

So the problem is....?