Health Insurance for step child

[crumb]

What is the name of your state? Utah

My wife passed away recently. Her 16yo daughter was always on our health insurance. She lived with us 50% of the time when my wife was alive but now she mostly lives with her dad but stays maybe once a week or less. Can she still be on my health insurance or do I need to remove her?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

What is the name of your state? Utah

My wife passed away recently. Her 16yo daughter was always on our health insurance. She lived with us 50% of the time when my wife was alive but now she mostly lives with her dad but stays maybe once a week or less. Can she still be on my health insurance or do I need to remove her?

I assume this is insurance through your employer? If so you need to talk to your HR or benefits department. If the insurance was part of a custody order via the court that order no longer has standing.

 

[not2cleverRed]

This is perhaps something you should discuss with HR at your place of employment.

Posting hx: https://forum.freeadvice.com/threads/child-health-insurance-with-medicaid-after-a-divorce.604670/

I am sorry for your loss. This must be a difficult time for your step-daughter. Is her father's family still on Medicaid?

 

[cbg]

That'll depend entirely on your employer's specific plan definitions. They will have a written description of what defines an eligible dependent. If she still meets that definition you can still cover her - if she does not you can't. It is possible that because your marriage ended not in divorce but because of death, she is still eligible. I can't say for certain without seeing your plan doc. Talk to your HR or Benefits office - they will be able to say for certain.

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[crumb]

I will contact HR. Thank you.
I am not sure if she is still on medicare. Her dad owns a small business and does quite well. I don't really know how he has been on medicare in the past even. None of my business I guess.
Step daughter is seemingly doing quite well. Her "other family" is great and there is a lot of love between her and her step mom. It is still early but so far so good.

 

[Zigner]

IMO, you really need to keep the child's parent in the loop on this matter. I'm surprised you haven't discussed this with her father yet.

 

[crumb]

I will talk to him but I would just like to know all the facts first.

 

[Zigner]

I will talk to him but I would just like to know all the facts first.

The problem is that you don't have all of the information you need in order for us to provide valid answers. We don't provide the "facts", you do.

 

[cbg]

You really need to talk to HR or Benefits first. If you still have questions after that, don't hesitate to come back.

I don't think it's unreasonable for the OP to want to know whether he can continue to cover his stepdaughter before he talks to the father. It's a pertinent fact for them to be discussing.

 

[Zigner]

You really need to talk to HR or Benefits first. If you still have questions after that, don't hesitate to come back.

I don't think it's unreasonable for the OP to want to know whether he can continue to cover his stepdaughter before he talks to the father. It's a pertinent fact for them to be discussing.

What if stepdaughter is now covered by dad?

 

[crumb]

It looks like I can still cover her under my employer plan.
Whether her dad can cover her with medicare or otherwise I think it is always beneficial to keep both. It doesn't cost me any more money since I cover my own kids already.

 

[cbg]

What if stepdaughter is now covered by dad?

All the more reason for the OP to know what his options are. But it's unlikely, since to add the daughter mid-year Dad would have to have a letter from Step-dad's employer or insurer stating that she is no longer covered. Come on, Zig, you know the basics better than that.

 

[izzie02]

It may change which insurance is primary and how insurance is coordinated if another plan is involved, even Medicaid. I would also inform the other plan, if any, about the change in status.