Can You Put Non Family Members On Your Health Insurance?

Non-Family Member Health Insurance: What You Need to Know

It’s no secret that health insurance is expensive and can be difficult to access.

But did you know that many healthcare providers forbid non-family members from being added onto a family health insurance plan?

If you’re looking to add a partner, roommate, or other non-family member to your health insurance plan, here’s what you need to know. 

Why Adding Non-Family Members Isn’t Allowed

Healthcare providers typically do not allow non-family members on their health plans for two reasons. First, regulations set by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) generally don’t recognize domestic partners as dependents in family plans. This means that if you are trying to add a domestic partner or significant other, they may not qualify as an official dependent on your plan. Second, many healthcare providers believe that adding a non-family member could lead to fraud or abuse of the system.

As such, it is important to understand the terms of your family health insurance plan before attempting to add any non-family members. 

What Are Your Options? 

The good news is that there are still options available if you want your partner or roommate covered under your health insurance plan. The simplest solution is for them to purchase their own individual policy through the ACA Marketplace Exchange.

In addition, some employers offer extended coverage for domestic partners who aren’t eligible for traditional family coverage plans—so if you work for an employer with this policy in place, it could be worth checking into it further.  

Finally, there are some states where domestic partnerships are legally recognized and therefore allowed in family health plans—so depending on where you live, this could be an option as well. Of course, it’s always best practice to double check with your healthcare provider regarding their policies and regulations on adding non-family members before making any decisions about your own healthcare coverage. 

Although it can be difficult and expensive to get comprehensive health coverage for everyone in your household—including any non-family members—it isn’t impossible! Researching the laws and regulations in your state as well as understanding all the details of your particular healthcare plan can help ensure that everyone has access to quality care.

Ultimately though, make sure you speak with a qualified representative from either the ACA Marketplace Exchange or your own health care provider so that you have all the information necessary before making a decision about who should be included in your household’s medical coverage options.